Conditions remain dangerous at the mid and upper elevations. Strong winds and new snow have added weight to a snowpack with poor snow structure. On steep avalanche prone slopes large persistent slab avalanches could be triggered by the weight of a single person. In addition recently formed wind slabs could also be triggered by skiers or riders. These surface slabs could step down and trigger large persistent slab avalanches on buried weak layers of faceted snow. Smaller slab avalanches could be human triggered on steep terrain features below an elevation of 7,500 feet.
Strong west-northwest winds have formed new wind slabs. These slabs are expected to be one to two feet deep. These new soft slabs could be triggered by humans in steep avalanche prone terrain.
On steep avalanche prone slopes large to very large persistent slab avalanches could fail on buried weak layers of faceted snow. These dangerous slabs could be two to four feet deep at the mid and upper elevations and up to two feet deep below an elevation of 7,500 feet. These slabs could be triggered directly by the weight of a single person or indirectly from the release of a wind slab.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Off and on snow showers are expected to bring 4 to 8 inches of new snow to the higher elevations during the next 24 hours. Temperatures will be in the upper single digits and teens in the mountains. Winds on the higher ridge crests will be from the west-northwest to west at 15 to 25 miles per hour.Human triggered slab avalanches are likely on steep avalanche prone slopes. Recently formed wind slab could be one to two feet deep. Dangerous persistent slabs with depths from 2 to 4 feet could also be triggered by snowmobilers and skiers with potentially severe consequences. Expert terrain evaluation and snowpack stability skills are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be considerable at the mid and upper elevations (7,500 to 10,500 feet) and moderate below that elevation.
