Strong southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds have formed pockets of wind slab at the upper elevations. Skiers and riders could trigger these slabs in steep, avalanche-prone terrain. Temperatures are starting out five to ten degrees cooler than yesterday, and wet slides are unlikely this morning. Daytime warming and periods of sunshine in the afternoon could bring back the chance for shallow wet slides involving the recent snowfall. Avalanche activity below Friday’s old snow surfaces is unlikely. Monitor daytime warming and avoid slopes with signs of wind loading.
Southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds, which picked up late in the day on Friday, have formed pockets of wind slab above 8,500 feet. Backcountry travelers could trigger these slabs with depths of six to eighteen inches in steep, avalanche-prone terrain that has been recently wind loaded. This hazard is likely to be elevated above 10,500 feet.
A northwest flow with very limited moisture will support some light snow showers over the mountains. Skies will be partly to mostly cloudy. Overnight temperatures will drop into the teens. Daytime highs will rise into the 20s and 30s in the mountains and into the 40s in the valleys. Winds will be west to south at 10 to 20 miles per hour. Slab avalanches up to 18 inches in depth could be human triggered in steep avalanche prone terrain at the upper elevations and in very steep, isolated terrain features at the mid elevations. These slabs will become increasingly sensitive to human triggers during periods of sunshine and the warmer portion of the day. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE from an elevation of 9,000 to 10,500 feet and low below that elevation.
