Several shallow surface slides and some large destructive avalanches released naturally over the weekend in the Salt and Greys River mountains. Today similar avalanches are possible in steep terrain but will likely require the trigger of a skier or snow machine. Forecasted sunshine will increase the ease of triggering these slides on sunlit slopes. Tracks on a slope are no indication an area is stable with these conditions.
The potential for large, destructive avalanches continues. These persistent hard slabs rest on weak January drought surfaces and could be triggered to depths of two to five feet. A slope could be crossed multiple times before a skier or rider finds the finds a trigger point; previous tracks are not a sign of stability. As the day warms, these slides will become more susceptible to failure.
The chance for backcountry travelers to trigger wet loose sloughs and shallow soft slabs will increase on steep, sunlit aspects as the day warms.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The high pressure ridge over the area will begin to break down and move east allowing a weak short wave into the region Monday. Patchy areas of light snow will develop through the day with very light accumulation. Winds will become more westerly at 15 miles per hour and mountain temperatures will be in the low 20s. Soft surface slabs will become more difficult to trigger as well as deep persistent slabs two to five feet in depth resting on the weak surfaces from January. Triggering both types of slabs will remain possible. Snow machines or the second person or later on a slope may be necessary to trigger slides. Previous tracks can not be trusted to indicate a slope is safe. The general avalanche danger will be MODERATE.
