Above 8,000 feet, skiers and riders could trigger small to large persistent slab avalanches in steep terrain. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, may be more likely to initiate one of these slides. Evaluate the snowpack carefully, and don’t let previous tracks fool you into thinking that a slope is safe. The shallow snowpack is mostly stable below 8,000 feet.
Backcountry travelers may be able to trigger persistent slab avalanches up to two feet in depth on steep slopes above 8,000 feet. These slabs reside above faceted snow and crusts that formed during the dry period in November.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Expect mostly clear skies Thursday night and during the day on Friday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the single digits before rising into the mid to upper teens during the day. Southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds will range from 5 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Moderate on Friday above 7,500 feet. Poor snowpack structure is widespread, and backcountry travelers could still trigger persistent slab avalanches up to 30 inches deep in steep terrain. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, may be more likely to initiate one of these slides. Evaluate the snowpack carefully, and don’t let previous tracks fool you into thinking that a slope is safe. Below 7,500 feet, the shallow snowpack is mostly stable.
