Moisture from the subtropics has impacted the area. The mountains have received two feet of new snow with about 3 inches of moisture since early yesterday morning. Rain fell at the lower elevations and the freezing level appears to be around 7,800 at 5 AM. Temperatures at 10,500 feet are 13 degrees warmer than they were 24 hours ago. Very strong westerly winds have drifted the new snow. At the mid and upper elevations an extreme case of rapid loading has occurred that has created unstable conditions and is testing the strength of buried weak layers. Natural and human triggered avalanches are possible. Dangerous conditions exist and travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended at the upper elevations. Heavy rain has impacted the snow at the lower elevations. With warming temperatures in the forecast expert route selection skills and conservation decisions are essential for safe travel at the mid and lower elevations.
Dense wind slabs one to three feet in depth lie upon lighter density snow, sun crusts and buried layers of faceted snow and could fail on a variety of aspects at the mid and upper elevations. These slabs can be human triggered or release naturally and could step down to the ground with depths to four feet on steep northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet.
Rain soaked snow exist at the lower elevations and could be unstable on steep slopes. Wet slides are possible on road cuts, steep banks and roof slides have been observed.
Thanksgiving day looks to be partly to mostly cloudy, dry and warm. Temperatures could reach above freezing temperatures at 10,000 feet while valleys warm into the forties.The general avalanche forecast is expected to be Considerable above 9000 feet and Moderate below that elevation. At the higher elevations, wind slabs to three feet depth could be triggered in steep avalanche terrain. Although these slabs have gained strength quickly, the potential remains for human triggered large and dangerous hard slabs. At lower elevations, the potential for wet slides will increase in the afternoon as the snowpack is weakened by warm temperatures.
