The avalanche hazard is Low this morning and will increase to Moderate this afternoon as new snow forms surface slabs upon a snowpack comprised primarily of faceted snow at all elevations.
Soft slabs will increase in size and sensitivity today as snow accumulates upon weak snow. These slabs will be very sensitive to human triggers this afternoon, could have depths to eight inches, and once initiated are likely to entrain additional loose snow within the snowpack.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snow is to develop by Thursday morning and continue throughout the day. Winds from the southwest with twenty mile per hour averages that are to accompany the beginning of the snowfall are forecast to diminish to near ten mile per hour averages from the South through most of the day.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Low in the morning when it is expected that isolated pockets of new and recently fallen snow may be triggered in steep terrain above 9000 feet. The hazard may increase to Moderate in the afternoon in any area where significant accumulation of new snow occurs, particularly if wind averages are stronger than currently forecast. This increased hazard could occur at any elevation as weak faceted snow exists throughout the region.
