Skiers and riders have the potential to trigger pockets of surface slab in steep avalanche terrain at the high elevations. At mid elavations small isolated pockets of slab exist on steep wind loaded features prone to wind loading. Avalanches are unlikely at the low elevations due to lack of adequate snow cover.
Slabs formed by wind from varying directions over the last week could be triggered today with depths up to two feet. The slabs are most likely to be found in very steep cchutes and in cliff and rocky areas where wind loading has occurred.
The next storm system will move into the region from the west. Increasing clouds will bring light snowfall to the upper elevations overnight. Snowfall is likely during the day and will extend to the valley level with two to five inches of accumulation possible at the upper elevations by evening. Temperatures will drop into the teens overnight and rise into the 20s during the day. West winds will increase from 20 to 30 miles per hour by evening. Small pockets of shallow wind slab exist on a variety of aspects at the upper elevations. These stiff slabs could be triggered by skiers or riders in very steep terrain and pose a threat to humans who venture into cliff areas, steep chutes and other extreme terrain features. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW and will be increasing at the highest elevations by evening.
