Strong winds with gusts to 60 miles per hour are redistributing the snow and creating wind slabs at all elevations. These wind slabs could be human triggered in steep avalanche prone terrain. These slabs could fail on buried surface hoar, sun crusts and old wind packed snow surfaces. Deep hard slabs also continue to be a potential hazard in steep north facing terrain above an elevation of 9,000 feet. Monitor conditions and adjust plans if field observations indicate the avalanche hazard is rapidly increasing.
Wind slabs formed by westerly winds could be triggered by skiers or riders in steep avalanche prone terrain on a variety of aspects. These slabs could be up to two feet deep.
Strong winds are loading leeward aspects. The chance continues for humans, especially those on snow machines to trigger very large deep slab avalanches on northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. If triggered, these dangerous hard slabs could involve the full depth of the snowpack.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snowfall is expected to increase, become heavy overnight, continue into the early afternoon hours and decrease before evening. West to west-southwest winds will continue to be strong with gusts to 60 miles per hour. Temperatures will remain in the teens and 20s in the mountains.The general avalanche hazard is expected to increase to CONSIDERABLE. Dry slab avalanches are possible in the mountains and wet slides are possible at the lowest elevations. These slides could release naturally or be human triggered. These slides could be up to two feet deep.
