New snow and strong winds will combine to rapidly increase the avalanche hazard and create dangerous conditions at the mid and upper elevations. Conservative terrain choices and a cautious approach are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain today. Expect the hazard to be increasing during sustained periods of intense snowfall. Snow depths below an elevation of 7,500 feet are shallow and therefor the hazard below that elevations is expected to remain LOW.
Strong west to southwest winds will create new wind slabs on leeward aspects. These slabs are expected to build to depths of one to two feet and will become increasingly sensitive to human triggers as the day progresses. Natural avalanche activity may occur in steep upper elevation avalanche starting zones.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A fast moving storm system is approaching from the Pacific Northwest. Clouds will quickly thicken and lower after midnight. Snow is likely to develop during the predawn hours. Snowfall will be heavy at times through the morning and afternoon hours with accumulations of 8 to 12 inches possible by evening. High winds from the southwest will accompany this snowfall. Winds speeds are forecast to average 30 to 45 with gusts from 60 to 70 miles per hour along the higher ridges and in exposed areas. Whiteout conditions will occur in the mountains. Several inches of accumulation are likely at the lower elevations by evening. Temperatures will be in the 20s.Snowfall rates of an inch an hour for a sustained period and high winds will create dangerous avalanche conditions at the mid and upper elevations. New wind slabs will quickly form on slick old snow surfaces. These slabs are expected to build to depths of two feet and quickly become unstable as rapid loading occurs throughout the day. Human triggered avalanches are likely on steep slopes and small and medium sized natural avalanche activity is possible in steep avalanche prone terrain. Conservative terrain choices and a cautious approach will be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain. Expect the hazard to be rapidly increasing if this weather forecast verifies. The general avalanche hazard above 7,500 feet is expected to increase to MODERATE during the morning hours and increase to CONSIDERABLE as the day progresses. At the lower elevations the existing snowpack is mostly shallow or non-existent and the general avalanche hazard is therefore expected to be LOW.
