With over a foot of unanticipated new snow, previous travels may need to be reevaluated. Skiers and riders might be able to trigger slab avalanches up to 3 feet deep involving the old snow in very steep, avalanche prone terrain above 9,000 feet. Most avalanche activity will be limited to the new snow, and backcountry travelers could trigger loose snow sluffs and soft slabs up to two feet deep in steep terrain above 7,500 feet. Any extended periods of sunshine could rapidly increase the likelihood of these slides on steep, sunlit aspects. Monitor warm up conditions, and have a plan to transition to shaded terrain if the sun comes out. Below 7,500 feet, the springtime snowpack is mostly stable.
Above 7,500 feet, backcountry travelers could trigger small to large soft slabs involving the new snow in steep avalanche terrain. If periods of sunshine occur, daytime warming could quickly increase the likelihood of these slides and natural activity will be possible.
A low pressure trough and a strong cold front will move into the area from the Pacific Northwest. Skies will be cloudy with periods of snowfall that may become heavy at times. Accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are possible in the mountains. The snow will be accompanied by strong west-southwest winds. Wind speeds of 45 with gusts over 60 miles per hour are expected on the summits. Temperatures will be in the 20s in the mountains and in the 30s in the valleys.At the higher elevations strong winds and the new snow will create dense wind slabs. These slabs are expected to be 1 to 3 feet deep and sensitive to human triggers in steep avalanche prone terrain features. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE at the higher elevations, MODERATE at the mid elevations and LOW below an elevation of 7,500 feet.
