At the upper elevations strong southwest winds, new snow and warm temperatures have created areas of unstable snow on steep slopes. Several observers felt the snow pack collapse while touring yesterday (see field observations). Fresh wind slabs lie upon light density snow that fell earlier in the week and on sun crusts that formed last Saturday. On steep north facing slopes persistent slabs lie upon a mid-October drought layer comprised of faceted snow. Human triggered avalanches are possible on steep terrain at the upper elevations. Avalanches are unlikely at the mid elevations. Areas of bare ground exist at the lowest elevations.
Pockets of surface slab one to two feet in depth that were formed by southwest winds could be human triggered in steep, wind loaded avalanche starting zones. The slabs have the potential to step down into faceted snow at the base of the snowpack on steep northerly aspects
Some potential persist for humans to trigger older slabs up to three feet in depth on steep northerly aspects above an elevation an 9,000 feet. These slabs lie upon a mid-October drought surface that is comprised of faceted snow.
The fast moving trough that brought this wind event and new snow is rapidly moving east. A flat high pressure ridge will build into the region tonight and into Saturday. This will bring dry and mild conditions to our forecast areas. On Saturday skies will be partly sunny with mountain temperatures rising into the 30s and winds at speeds of 10 to 15 miles per hour.Faceted snow persists at the base of the snowpack on northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. Humans who venture into very steep avalanche terrain at the higher elevations could trigger dense slabs up to three feet in depth on this persistent weak layer. Thin areas of these slabs may be potential trigger points and previous tracks on these slopes may not be an indication of stability. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at the upper elevations. Avalanches are unlikely at the mid and lower elevations where the general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW.
