The possibility continues for backcountry riders and skiers to trigger slab avalanches to depths of four feet at the mid and high elevations. Caution is advised as it is very difficult to identify slopes and features that remain unstable. At low elevations avalanches are less likely but could still be triggered with depths to one foot in steep terrain particularly in areas that received more snow during last weeks storm. The second skier on a slope triggered such a slide low on Mount Albright yesterday. Photos and details of it and Thursday's slide are available on the avalanche event page of the website.
Persistent slabs rest on weak snow on a variety of aspects. These slabs formed during last weeks storm over weak layers that are the result of a mostly dry January. Slabs may be soft or hard and could be triggered by backcountry travelers today in steep avalanche starting zones or rocky areas with depths of a foot at lower elevations to four feet at higher elevations.
Expect mostly cloudy skies and a chance for light, scattered snow showers tonight and into Sunday. Cloud cover will decrease Sunday afternoon. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the single digits rising into the low teens during the day. Northeasterly ridgetop winds will range from 10 to 20 miles per hour.The General Avalanche Hazard is expected to be MODERATE on Sunday. Backcountry travelers venturing into steep, avalanche prone terrain could trigger slides up to four feet deep. These slabs lie upon weak, faceted snow and sun crusts formed during the January dry period. There is a high degree of spatial variability associated with these weak layers, which makes them difficult to predict. In some areas the new snow is bonding well to the January surfaces, but that is not the case everywhere. Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully, and identify features of concern.
