Strong winds with gusts to 95 miles per hour at the Mt. Coffin weather stations are redistributing the snow and creating stiff new wind slabs. Light snowfall will develop during the day. These elements will combine to create an increasing avalanche hazard today. Pockets of wind slab 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. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully: identify areas of concern.
Stiff surface slabs formed by westerly winds could be triggered by skiers or riders on steep avalanche prone slopes. These slabs could be up to two feet deep.
The chance continues for snowmobilers to trigger very large deep slab avalanches in isolated areas 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. )Clouds will lower and thicken overnight. Light snow will develop by sunrise become heavier and steadier during the day and further increase in intensity during the afternoon and into the evening. Temperatures will be in the teens and 20s. Westerly winds will continue at 25 to 30 with gusts to near 50 miles per hour.New wind slabs will begin to form on leeward aspects and gain depth and volume during the day. The general avalanche hazard will be MODERATE and increase as the day progresses. New soft surface slabs are likely to be sensitive to human triggers. Monitor conditions and be ready to adjust plans if the avalanche hazard rapidly increases.
