Skiers and riders have the potential to trigger loose snow sloughs and wind slabs in steep avalanche terrain. The wind slabs are mostly likely to found at the high elevations where they are more widely distributed, more sensitive and larger. At the mid and low elevations, avalanches are unlikely, however, isolated pockets of wind slab can be found in very steep, loaded terrain. Evaluate terrain carefully noting areas of loading and features of concern. Remember also that in terrain with long run outs, small slabs or sloughs can quickly involve enough surface snow to knock people off their feet or potentially bury them in terrain traps.
Slabs formed by strong winds and snowfall during the past week can be triggered in steep terrain above 9000 feet with depths to three feet. Watch for area of buildup above cliff bands and in couloirs that are masked by the new snowfall. At lower elevations in very steep terrain, isolated pockets could be triggerred with depths to a foot.
Another period of steady light snowfall will occur tonight. This weak system will bring a couple inches of light density snow to the mountains. Cloud cover will decrease during the day with mostly clear skies likely by evening. Temperature will be in the single digits and teens tonight and rise into the 20's on Thursday. Winds will be from the northwest at 10 to 20 miles per hour with higher gusts and will back from the northwest to the southwest.At the higher elevations, were the hazard is moderate, soft slab avalanches could be human triggered on very steep terrain features. These slabs could be 1 to 3 feet deep and could be dangerous in steep chutes, cliff areas and above terrain traps. Small pockets of soft slab could be human triggered on isolated terrain features below an elevation of 9,000 feet where the general avalanche hazard is expected to be low. These small pockets could be 1 to 2 feet deep. Warming temperatures and afternoon sunshine may increase the sensitivity of these soft slabs to human triggers and may cause loose snow slides to release naturally on steep sunlit slopes.
