Warming temperatures and sunshine will be a primary factor today. As the day heats up, the chance for skiers and riders to trigger pockets of wind slab up to two feet in depth will be on the increase in very steep terrain above 8,500 feet. Monitor temperatures and the sun’s impact on the snowpack. When snow surfaces start to become damp, transition to shaded terrain. An outside chance remains for backcountry travelers to trigger large to very large persistent deep slab avalanches above 8,000 feet. With warming temperatures, large cornice failures will be the most likely trigger for one of these dangerous avalanches. Below 8,000 feet, the snowpack is mostly stable, and significant avalanche activity is unlikely.
Backcountry travelers might still be able to trigger a persistent deep slab avalanche in isolated terrain above 8,000 feet. These slides are more likely to occur in areas where the snowpack is shallow. Cornice failures and other large triggers, such as snowmobiles or the release of a wind slab, will be possible candidates to initiate one of these dangerous avalanches.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Expect clear skies overnight as high pressure resides over the region. During the day, some cloud cover may develop. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the upper single digits before rising into the upper 20s in the afternoon.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate above 7,500 feet on Sunday. In very steep, wind-loaded terrain, the chance for skiers and riders to trigger recently developed wind slabs one to three feet in depth will increase with daytime warming on sunlit aspects. An outside chance remains for backcountry travelers to trigger large to very large persistent deep slab avalanches. With warming temperatures, large cornice failures would be the most likely trigger for one of these dangerous avalanches. Monitor temperatures and the impact of the sun, and transition to shaded terrain when snow surfaces become damp. Below 7,500 feet, the snowpack is mostly stable, and significant avalanche activity is unlikely.
