Moderate hazard is not a green light. At the mid and upper elevations, small to large wind slabs could be triggered by backcountry travelers venturing into steep, wind-loaded avalanche prone terrain. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, may be needed to initiate these slabs. Although unlikely, the possibility of deeper slabs failing on or stepping down to October snow might remain. Recent precipitation was mainly in the form of rain at the lower elevations, and the shallow snowpack is mostly stable.
Around twenty inches of snow containing up to two inches of snow water equivalent fell at the end of the week. Strong southwesterly to northwesterly ridgetop winds accompanied this snowfall forming dense wind slabs on leeward slopes. In steep, wind-loaded avalanche terrain above 7,500 feet, skiers and riders could trigger these slabs ranging in depth from one to three feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )High pressure will remain over the region on Sunday resulting in mostly clear skies and dry conditions. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near 10 degrees before rising into the upper 20s during the day. Westerly ridgetop winds will range from 15 to 30 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE above 7,500 feet on Sunday. Moderate hazard is not a green light. In steep, wind-loaded avalanche terrain, backcountry travelers could trigger recently developed wind slabs one to three feet in depth. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, may be needed to trigger these slabs. Although unlikely, the possibility of deeper slabs failing on or stepping down to October snow might remain. Recent precipitation was mainly in the form of rain below 7,500 feet, and the shallow snowpack is mostly stable.
