Strong winds with gusts to 55 miles per hour are redistributing the snow and creating stiff new wind slabs at all elevations. Light snowfall will begin during the morning hours and increase in intensity during the day. These elements will combine to create an increasing avalanche hazard today. Pockets of wind slab could be human triggered in steep avalanche prone terrain. These slabs could fail on buried surface hoar, sun crusts and old wind packed snow surfaces. Monitor conditions and be ready to adjust plans if you observe indications that the avalanche hazard is rapidly increasing.
Stiff surface slabs formed by west-southwest winds could be triggered by skiers or riders on steep avalanche prone slopes. These slabs could be up to two feet deep.
Snowfall is expected to increase, become heavy overnight, continue into the early afternoon hours and decrease before evening. West to west-southwest winds will continue to be strong with gusts to 60 miles per hour. Temperatures will remain in the teens and 20s in the mountains.The general avalanche hazard is expected to increase to CONSIDERABLE. Dry slab avalanches are possible in the mountains and wet slides are possible at the lowest elevations. These slides could release naturally or be human triggered. These slides could be up to two feet deep.
