Today's wind and snow will be creating wind slabs on leeward aspects and will increase the general avalanche hazard from LOW to MODERATE above an elevation of 7,500 feet. These slabs will form upon weak layers of faceted snow and hard crusts. They are expected to be sensitive to human triggers and could become large enough to injure or bury a person. Look for obvious signs of instability like shooting cracks and avalanche activity. Monitor the intensity of today's snow and wind and make terrain selection choices that are appropriate for today's hazards. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 7,500 feet.
At the higher elevations soft slabs formed by southwest winds could be human triggered on steep avalanche prone slopes. These slabs could be triggered by skiers and risdrs and could build to depth of 12 to 18 inches.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Temperatures will remain mild overnight and into the morning hours. Snow is expected to develop by morning with 4 to 8 inches possible by Thursday morning. The passage of a strong cold front will send temperatures plunging towards the single digits during the evening hours. Winds will veer to the west and then the north. New snow and winds will create unstable conditions in steep terrain at the mid and upper elevations. New soft slabs are expected to form and be sensitive to human triggers. Depending on the intensity and duration of Wednesday’s snowfall, slab depths could grow to 12 to 18 inches in upper elevations avalanche starting zones. Monitor conditions for obvious signs of instability like shooting cracks, whumps and avalanche activity. The general avalanche could quickly rise to MODERATE, especially at the higher elevations.
