The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE above 9,000 feet and MODERATE below 9,000 feet. Varying winds have formed soft to hard slabs surface slabs that could be triggered in steep avalanche starting zones by backcountry skiers and riders, particularly at higher elevations where the strongest winds occurred. The potential also persists above 9000 feet to trigger older hard slabs that lie upon hard crusts that formed in early December.
Winds that veered from the southwest to the northeast have transported recent snow into surface slabs on a variety of aspects and at all elevations. These slabs will be most prevalent and sensitive at the high elevations where they could have depths to eighteen inches and they will become smaller and less sensitive at lower elevations.
At the upper elevations, faceted snow lies upon wind pack and sun crusts formed during the early December dry period. There, skiers and riders have some potential to trigger persistent slabs up to an additional three feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Expect decreasing cloud cover during the day on Friday. Light, scattered mountain snow showers could linger into the morning hours. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the low single digits before rising to around 10 degrees during the day. Northeasterly ridgetop winds will decrease to 5 to 15 miles per hour by Friday morning.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE above 9,000 feet and MODERATE below 9,000 feet. Two avalanche problems will confront skiers and riders on Friday. First, newly created soft slabs are likely to be triggered in steep, wind-loaded avalanche starting zones. These slabs will be less likely to release as elevation decreases and wind becomes less of a factor. Second, persistent slabs could be directly triggered by skiers and riders or step down from the release of the new surface slabs.
