Moderate to heavy snowfall combined with strong southwesterly ridgetop winds will create unstable avalanche conditions. New wind slabs will develop at the mid and upper elevations. This snowfall will also add weight to existing weak layers near the base of the snowpack. Monitor conditions closely and be willing to alter your plans in circumstances warrant.
Above 7,500 feet, backcountry travelers could trigger newly developed wind slabs in steep, wind-loaded avalanche terrain. These slabs, which are forming on sun crusts and surface hoar, will become increasingly sensitive to human triggers as the day progresses and could reach depths of 18 inches by this evening. Natural releases could also become possible late in the day.
Weak, faceted snow persists at the base of the snowpack in shaded terrain at the upper elevations. Continued loading throughout the day will increase the likelihood of triggering these slides, either directly by skiers and riders or by stepping down from the failure of new wind slabs.
A cold front will move through the region this evening bringing another burst of moisture before snowfall intensity decreases to scattered showers. An additional two to four inches of new snow could accumulate by Sunday morning with continued light snowfall through the day. Overnight lows in the mountains will drop to near 10 degrees before rising into the mid-teens in the afternoon. Westerly ridgetop winds will range from 20 to 30 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE on Sunday. Backcountry travelers venturing into steep, wind-loaded avalanche terrain could trigger newly developed wind slabs 10 to 15 inches deep. Weak, faceted snow exists near the base of the snowpack on shaded aspects at the higher elevations. With Saturday's additional load, skiers and riders might be able to cause failure of this weak layer and release slabs with depths up to 30 inches.
