Up to two feet of new snow with over two inches of moisture have fallen at the upper elevations since Saturday evening. Strong winds have caused extensive drifting and loaded leeward aspects. At the mid and upper elevations dense wind slabs could be triggered by skier and riders. Terrain features where the fresh wind slabs are unsupported like hanging snowfields, cliff areas, steep couloirs and chutes are most likely to be unstable. Today's sunshine will be increasing the sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers. Don't let the clear skies cloud your judgement. Hold off on bold lines until this snowpack has time to adjust to the recent load placed upon it. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations.
Strong southwest to west-northwest winds have created dense wind slabs. These slabs could be triggered by humans with depths from 1 to 3 feet in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones. If triggered these slabs will be large enough to bury or injure a person.
Conditions will remain dry through much of the night with the chance for some snow flurries or very light snowfall to develop in the morning. Light snow is likely to become steady in the afternoon and evening. Snowfall accumulations of a couple of inches are possible. Temperatures at 10,000 feet will rise into the teens by dawn and into the 20s during the day. A rain snow mixture is likely in the valleys in the afternoon. Winds will be from the west-southwest at 10 to 20 miles per hour.At the higher elevation dense wind slabs will be less sensitive to human triggers but still pose a hazard to skiers and riders who venture into steep active avalanche starting zones. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at the higher elevations. The hazard will be LOW below an elevation of 8,000 feet.
