Newly formed wind slabs will increase in size and sensitivity today as they are further loaded by additional snowfall and southwest winds. Backcountry travelers could easily trigger these slabs at all elevations today in areas where wind loading has occurred. Deep hard slabs also continue to be a potential hazard in steep north facing terrain above an elevation of 9,000 feet. Identify features of concern and exercise conservative decision making in order to avoid these hazards.
Soft to hard slabs could be triggered on all elevations and aspects today. These slabs lie over surface hoar and faceted snow in most terrain, and in high exposed terrain, lie upon hard snow surfaces. These slabs could have depths to two feet as they are further loaded by additional snowfall today.
The chance continues for humans, especially those on snow machines to trigger very large deep slab avalanches on northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. If triggered, these dangerous hard slabs could involve the full depth of the snowpack.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Split flow will provide a period of lessened winds with light amounts of moisture through Thursday morning. Intensity of snowfall will increase in the afternoon and continue through Thursday night. A foot of snow could fall in the mountains by Friday morning. Temperatures at 9000 feet should rise from the low teens to near twenty degrees. Valley temperatures are to reach into the upper twenties. Given abundant weak snow including surface hoar near the top of the snowpack, as well as hard snow surfaces at higher elevations, it will not take a lot of new snow and wind to elevate the avalanche hazard on all elevations and aspects. However with the light accumulations expected overnight, the hazard is predicted to be Moderate in the morning, potentially increasing to Considerable during the day as snowfall intensifies. Check the morning bulletins for updated information.
