Strong winds and new snow will be increasing the avalanche hazard and creating dense new wind slabs on leeward aspects. These wind slabs are likely to be increasingly sensitive to human triggers. The new snow will also be increasing the load on weak buried layers of faceted snow. In a few, steep avalanche paths above 9,000 feet, the chance may persist for skiers and riders to trigger hard slab avalanches failing on deep instabilities within the snowpack.
South-southwest to west winds are building pockets of dense new slabs on leeward aspects. These slabs are forming on slick old snow surfaces and could triggered by humans with depths to one foot.
Weak layers of faceted snow are preserved in the snowpack. At the upper elevations, hard slab avalanches with depths to three feet could be triggered by snowmobilers on steep, avalanche-prone slopes.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A potent low pressure system will move inland and bring periods of heavy snowfall and strong winds to the mountains. Snowfall totals of 7 to 14 inches are possible at the higher elevations by Monday evening. Strong southwest to west winds with average speeds of 25 to 35 and gusts to 50 miles per hour will accompany this snowfall. Temperatures will remain in the 20s in the mountains. Periods of rain and snow may continue at the lower elevations where the freezing level is expected to drop to the valley levels overnight and rise to 7,800 feet in the afternoon.In the mountains the hazard will increase overnight and during the day. Strong winds will create new wind slabs on leeward aspects. These slabs are expected to grow to depths of two feet in upper elevation avalanche starting zones and be sensitive to human triggers. The general avalanche hazard is expected to increase to MODERATE by morning and may increase to CONSIDERABLE at the upper elevations during the day if periods of high intensity snowfall are sustained. Natural avalanche activity may become possible.
