The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE above an elevation of 7,500 feet and LOW below that elevation. The potential for humans to trigger dangerous slab avalanches exists at the mid and upper elevations. These slabs are most likely to be found in exposed avalanche terrain where wind loading occurred during the recent storm. These slabs could be triggered by the weight of a single person and are likely to be more sensitive to larger triggers, like snowmobiles. If triggered on a northerly aspect above 9,000 feet these slabs could step down to the ground. Human involvement with one of these slabs avalanches is likely to result in serious injury or death.
Dense surface slabs with depths of two to four feet lie upon slick snow surfaces and faceted snow. These slabs will be most sensitive to larger loads such as snow machines but could still release due to the weight of a skier or snowboarder when a weak spot is impacted. These slabs are most likely to be found in exposed avalanche terrain where wind loading occurred during the recent storm.
On northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet weak faceted snow persists at the base of the snowpack. Dangerous hard slabs up to four feet in depth could fail on this weak layer. The failure of these pesistent deep slabs could be triggered by the weight of a single person however, they are more likely to fail under the weight of a larger trigger such as a snowmobile or due to the release of a wind slab that steps down to this layer at the ground.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A weak upper level low with limited moisture could bring four to six inches of new snow to the higher elevations overnight. On Sunday skies will be slowly clearing with diminishing light snowfall. Temperatures will be in the single digits below zero in the mountains and rise into the single digits above zero in the valleys. Winds will be northwesterly at 5 to 15 miles per hour.The potential for humans to trigger dangerous slab avalanches two to five feet in depth exist at the mid and upper elevations. These slabs are most likely to be found in exposed avalanche terrain where wind loading occurring during the recent storm. These slabs could be triggered by the weight of a single person and are likely to be more sensitive to larger triggers, like snowmoblies. If triggered on a northerly aspect above an elevation of 9,000 feet these slabs could step down to the ground. Being caught in one of these slides is likely to cause serious injury or death. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at the mid and upper elevations and LOW at the lower elevations.
