At the mid and upper elevations, the possibility remains for skiers and riders to trigger small to large persistent slab avalanches in steep terrain. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, may be more likely to initiate one of these slides. Faceted snow from the November dry spell should be evaluated carefully, and previous tracks on a slope are not an indication of stability. The shallow snowpack at the lower elevations is mostly stable.
Backcountry travelers could trigger persistent slab avalanches up to 30 inches deep on steep slopes above 7,500 feet. These slabs rest upon buried surface hoar and faceted snow, and sun crusts are present in some locations just above these weak layers.
After a few lingering snow showers Saturday evening, skies are expected to clear overnight with temperature inversions redeveloping. Nighttime lows in the mountains will be in the single digits before climbing into the mid-20s in the afternoon. Westerly to northwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 10 to 20 miles per hour.Above 7,500 feet, the general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Moderate on Sunday. Skiers and riders venturing into steep terrain could trigger persistent slab avalanches up to 30 inches in depth. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, may be more likely to initiate one of these slides. When evaluating the snowpack, continue to be skeptical of the faceted snow from November, and don’t let previous tracks lure you into compromising terrain. Avalanche activity is unlikely in the shallow snowpack below 7,500 feet.
