Very strong winds and new snow have combined to create very dangerous avalanche conditions. Natural avalanches are likely on a variety of aspects and travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
Strong west winds will created dense surface slabs up to three feet in depth. These slabs lie upon slick old snow surfaces. Natural releases are likely and human-triggered avalanches are very likely on a variety of aspects. Slab avalanches that release on steep northerly aspects at the upper elevations could step down to the ground.
Very strong west winds and new snow will continue to increase the load upon deep persistent hard slabs that exist on northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. These slabs could release naturally or in response to the failure of dense surface slabs or human triggers and will fail on a weak layer of faceted snow which exists at the base of the snow pack.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Moderate to heavy snowfall will continue overnight and into Monday. A strong cold front will blast through the area during the afternoon and evening hours. Winds will back towards the southwest ahead of the front and veer to the northwest in the evening. Winds will gust to 70 on the summits and to 40 miles per hour in the valleys. Whiteout conditions will be common. These conditions will combine to create very dangerous avalanche conditions at the mid and upper elevations where the general avalanche hazard is expected to be HIGH. Natural avalanches are likely on a variety of aspects and travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. The general avalanche hazard at the lower elevations is expected to increase to MODERATE.
