Avalanche danger will rise dramatically by the end of the day and into Friday. As you start to add up the Red Flags, you must scale back your terrain selection. Moderate winds, with strong gusts and snow totaling up to 18" by Friday night will spike the avalanche danger. You should start "stepping back" and look for lower angle, well connected, and anchored slopes to recreate on.
Wind slabs will form on a variety of aspects over the next 48 hours. Winds will start today out of the WSW and shift to NW on Friday. If you observe shooting cracks, large dune-like formations, or pillows you are staring at a wind slab. Remember you can trigger a wind slab from lower in the terrain, especially since the new snow is sitting on a rain crust from 2/22.
As the snow piles up, the chances of triggering a storm slab increases. Use caution on all aspects and slope angles >30 degrees by Friday. If you observe shooting cracks from your skis or snowmobile, it's time to lower your slope angles. Remember terrain is the one component we should have control over.
Wind slabs will form on a variety of aspects over the next 48 hours. Winds will start today out of the WSW and shift to NW on Friday. If you observe shooting cracks, large dune-like formations, or pillows you are staring at a wind slab. Remember you can trigger a wind slab from lower in the terrain, especially since the new snow is sitting on a rain crust from 2/22. As the snow piles up, the chances of triggering a storm slab increases. Use caution on all aspects and slope angles >30 degrees by Friday. Remember terrain is the one component of the avalanche triangle we should have control over.
