Areas of unstable snow exist at the mid and upper elevations. Winds have created pockets of wind slab. Faceted snow persists beneath these slabs. Skiers have recently triggered slab avalanches. A snowmobiler died two days ago in the Wyoming Range after triggering a small slab avalanche and getting pinned beneath his sled. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations.
Above 7,500 feet, skiers and riders could trigger persistent slab avalanches one to three feet in depth on faceted snow that developed in November and early December. Evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully.
Periods of flurries or light snow are possible through the night with little accumulation expected. It is looking to be a white Christmas with light snowfall returning during the morning and continuing throughout the day. Temperatures are to rise from near ten degrees to the low twenties. Winds are to vary between the south and west and have averages below fifteen miles per hour. The general avalanche danger will remain Moderate at the mid and upper elevations and Low at the low elevations. The main concern continues to be with the buried weak snow that resides in the snowpack. Slides involving those layers could be triggered by individuals or groups in steep terrain that has been loaded during strong wind events. These slabs could have depths of one to three feet. New snow that fell today and is to fall tomorrow is not a widespread problem but could be initiated in very steep terrain as loose snow sloughs or as very soft slabs in wind loaded areas. Below 7500 feet the snowpack structure is poor however avalanches are not likely except for in isolated areas of very steep terrain.
