New soft slabs exist on leeward aspects at the upper elevations. Some potential may also persist at the higher elevations for larger triggers like high-marking snowmobilers or multiple snowmobiles on the same slope to trigger deep slab avalanches on very steep, avalanche-prone slopes. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 8,500 feet.
Southwest to northwest winds have created soft slabs to 12 inches deep along the leeward aspects of the higher ridge crests. These new surface slabs could be human triggered on steep, avalanche-prone slopes.
At the higher elevations weak, faceted snow lies upon a buried crust near the base of the snowpack. Some potential may persist for humans to trigger deep hard slab avalanches up to four feet in depth on this buried weak layer in steep bowls and gullies.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snowfall will decrease in the evening with northwest winds around 15 miles per hour and temperatures continuing to drop to near zero by Christmas morning. Christmas day will be partly cloudy with a few lingering snow showers and temperatures rising to 10 degrees. Ridge top winds will be west to southwesterly at 10 miles per hour.A period of moderate west to northwesterly winds Monday afternoon into the evening was easily moving the light density new and available snow onto lee slopes changing the loose snow into slabs. Backcountry travelers may trigger soft slabs one to two feet in depth on lee slopes at mid and upper elevations. Triggered loose sloughs have the potential to develop to dangerous size particularly in chutes, ravines or terrain traps. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate.
