West to northwest winds have formed pockets of wind slab in cliff areas and steep upper elevations avalanche starting zones. These fresh wind slabs can triggered by skiers or riders. At the mid and upper elevations deep hard slabs are also unstable in isolated areas. These dangerous slabs are much less sensitive to human triggers but considerably deeper and larger. Due to their size conservative terrain choices continue to be warranted. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations.
At the upper elevations several days of west to northwest winds have created pockets of surface slab up to 18 inches in depth. These slabs could be human triggered in steep avalanche starting zones and cliff areas.
At the mid and upper elevations hard slabs, with depths to five feet, lie upon persistent weak layers of faceted snow. In isolated areas on all aspects these dangerous slabs could be released by large triggers like a snowmobile or a groups of people. Some potential may remain for these slabs to be triggered by the weight of a single person in areas where the overlying slab is thin. Previous tracks and the lack of recent avalanche activity are not indications of stability.
Skies will continue to be mostly to partly cloudy with some periods of very light snowfall possible overnight. Temperatures will rise into the 20s on Wednesday. Winds are to continue at speeds of 15 to 25 miles per hour and will back towards the southwest.At the upper elevations winds slabs will continue to form and be sensitive to human triggers and in isolated areas these slabs could release naturally with depths to two feet. Deeper hard slabs with depths from two to five feet continue to be a hazard at the mid and upper elevations. These slabs remain unstable in isolated areas and could be human triggered with severe consquences. The general avalanche hazard at the mid and upper elevations is expected to be MODERATE. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations were the general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW.
