At the mid and upper elevations skiers and riders could trigger slab avalanches in steep terrain and cliff areas. These slabs lie upon a persistent weak layer and could be triggered after a suspect slope have been previously crossed. The potential for humans to trigger these slides will increase as the day warms, especially on steep sunlit aspects. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations except in isolated pockets. The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE above an elevation of 7,500 feet and LOW below that elevation.
Dense, surface slabs, up to two feet in depth, lie upon a buried layer of surface hoar and could be triggered by skiers or riders in steep terrain. The sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers will increase as the day warms.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )An inch of new snow is possible overnight before a warm ridge of high pressure builds into the area and brings unusually mild temperatures to the region. Skies will be mostly sunny on Sunday. Temperatures at all elevations are forecast to be in the upper teens at dawn and will rise into the 30s during the day. West-northwest winds will relax to around 10 miles per hour.At the mid and upper elevations the general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE. On steep terrain and in cliff areas skiers and riders could trigger surface slabs up to two feet in depth that lie upon a buried layer of surface hoar. The sensitivity of these slabs to triggers will increase as the day warms. The general avalanche hazard at the lower elevations is expected to be LOW.
