Dangerous avalanche conditions exist above 8,000 feet. Backcountry travelers venturing into steep avalanche terrain could trigger small to large wind slabs, and natural activity may be possible. Some potential exists for large to very large persistent deep slab avalanches. Expert terrain and snowpack evaluation will be required above 8,000 feet. Play it safe; excellent skiing and riding can easily be found in low consequence terrain. Below 8,000 feet, backcountry travelers might be able to trigger small isolated pockets of wind slab on steep, wind loaded terrain features.
Above 8,000 feet, skiers and riders entering steep, wind loaded avalanche terrain could trigger recently developed wind slabs with depths of one to three feet. Natural activity might also occur. Below 8,000 feet, skiers and riders might be able to trigger isolated pockets of soft slab up to 18 inches deep on steep, wind loaded terrain features.
Persistent deep slab avalanches up to six feet in depth could be human triggered on weak faceted snow near the base of the snowpack. This persistent weak layer has been most active on northwest to northeast aspects above 8,500 feet but can be found on other aspects as well. These slabs could also step down from the release of a wind slab. Being caught in one of these dangerous slab avalanches could easily result in a fatality.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Light to moderate intensity snowfall will continue overnight and through the day on Sunday. Overnight lows will be in the low single digits before rising into the low teens in the afternoon. Southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds will range from 15 to 25 miles per hour. Cool temperatures, along with the absence of strong winds, should keep new snow densities on the lower end of the spectrum.On Sunday, avalanche conditions will remain dangerous in the higher elevations, and the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable. Skiers and riders still have the potential of triggering recently developed wind slabs with depths ranging from one to four feet. Loose snow sluffs involving the most recent snowfall will also be possible in very steep terrain, and backcountry travelers might still be able to trigger a persistent deep slab avalanche. Don’t let the great skiing and riding lull you into complacency. Low consequence terrain should get a refresh overnight, and excellent turns can be found there. If you choose to enter steep avalanche prone terrain, make sure your route finding and snowpack evaluation skills are up to the task. At the lower elevations, backcountry travelers could trigger smaller pockets of wind slab on very steep, wind loaded terrain features. There, the hazard is expected to be Moderate.
