Yesterday, west to northwest winds formed wind slabs on leeward slopes at the highest elevations. These slab avalanches are most likely to be triggered on steep terrain and are large enough to injure or bury a person. Even though it has become less likely to trigger a deep slab avalanche, it is still a concern above 8,000 feet. To initiate failure on this persistent layer it will take a large load or in areas where the snowpack is thin snowpack. Below 7,500 feet, avalanches are unlikely.
Strong winds have formed wind slabs in isolated areas above 9,000 feet and on terrain features, like along ridges. It is possible for backcountry travelers to trigger these winds slabs with slab depths od 6 to 18 inches.
It is still possible for humans to trigger deep persistent slab avalanches on steep slopes above an elevation of 8,000 feet. Although the likelihood for these large slab avalanches to be human triggered has slowly decreased, the consequences of triggering a slab avalanche would be severe. These avalanches could have slab depths of 2 to 4 feet and will most likely to fail when a larger load such as a snow machine or a moving surface slab impacts a thin, weak spot on a slope.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )As a ridge of high pressure builds over the region conditions are expected to be mostly dry with a slight chance of light snowfall. Partly cloudy skies will thicken and become mostly cloudy by the afternoon. Winds will be west to northwest at 10 to 30 miles with a period of increased winds speed predawn. Tomorrow's temperature will begin in the single digits and then rise into the 20s. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be moderate at the mid and upper elevations (7,500 to 10,500 feet). Over the past few days, skiers and riders have triggered wind slab avalanches in extreme terrain resulting in near-misses, where individuals were caught, carried, and partially buried. It is possible for humans to continue to trigger these slides 1 to 2 feet in depth, especially in steep, cliffy terrain. Deep persistent slab avalanches are still a concern. These dangerous slides could be 3 to 7 feet in depth and will most likely be triggered where the snowpack is thin or by a larger load, like a snow machine or surface slab. The general avalanche hazard below 7,500 feet is expected to be low.
