Conditions remain dangerous, especially at the upper elevations. Large human triggered slab avalanches are possible on steep avalanche prone slopes above an elevation of 9,000 feet. Surface slabs one to three feet in depth caused by four days of strong winds also present a hazard at the mid and upper elevations and in isolated terrain features at the lower elevations. Several close calls occurred on Saturday and similar events are possible today. Expert avalanche hazard assessment and route finding skills are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain today.
Wind slabs formed by southwest to west-northwest winds could be human triggered with depths to three feet on a variety of aspects.
Deep slabs lie upon a hard October rain crust and a persistent weak layer. These very dangerous slides could be triggered by the weight of a person or release naturally with depths to five feet. Surviving one of these slides is unlikely.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snow showers will persist into the early evening hours before decreasing. Several inches of additional accumulation are likely overnight. There will be some flurries or periods of lighter snowfall during the day. Temperatures will remain in the single digits and teens in the mountains. Winds will be westerly and decrease to 15 with gusts to 25 miles per hour. The general avalanche hazard will continue to be CONSIDERABLE at the upper elevations where large to very large deep slab avalanche activity continues to be a serious threat. The general avalanche hazard at the mid elevations is expected to be MODERATE with areas of heightened avalanche hazard. The hazard is anticipated to be LOW below an elevation of 7,500 feet where avalanches are unlikely except in isolated terrain features.
