Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Yesterday a large destructive avalanche released naturally on the Snowslide Avalanche Path in McDougal Gap in the Wyoming Range and ran full path. Todays warming temperatures and abundant sunshine will create conditions that are ripe for a significant avalanche accident. New snow that accumulated during the recent storm cycle lies upon a January drought surface and may be unstable. There may be a low probability of triggering a large destructive slab avalanche but consequences would be severe. Natural avalanche activity is possible and and tracks may not be a good indication of stability. Restraint and conservative terrain choices are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain today.
Some potential exists and will increase as the day warms for large slab avalanches up to five feet in depth to fail on the January drought surface. These events could human triggered and have some potential to occur naturally.
Wet loose point slides are possible on steep sunlit aspects.
Expect mostly clear skies on Sunday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the mid teens before rising into the mid 20s during the day. Westerly to northwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 5 to 15 miles per hour.The General Avalanche Hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE on Sunday. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist, and the potential for large, destructive avalanches will continue to be a concern on Sunday. These persistent hard slabs lie upon January drought surfaces and could be triggered to depths of two to six 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 on sunlit slopes and could release naturally. Wet loose sluffs could also develop on sun affected aspects later in the day.Clear skies and abundant new snow after a long dry spell have led to tragic events in the past. Cautious route finding, conservative decision making and the ability to resist peer pressure will all be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain on Sunday.
