A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through 11 AM this morning. Sustained snowfall and moderately strong ridgetop winds have created dangerous avalanche conditions. Above 7,500 feet, skiers and riders could trigger small pockets of wind slab in steep, wind loaded terrain. Shallow loose snow sluffs will be possible on slopes less affected by the wind. Continued snowfall this morning will further load persistent weak layers of faceted snow deeper in the snowpack. These large slabs could be triggered directly by backcountry travelers or indirectly by stepping down from the release of a wind slab. Any breaks in cloud cover in the afternoon could make these slabs more susceptible to failure on sunlit aspects. Natural activity will also be possible. Expert snowpack evaluation and route selection skills will be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.
Since Wednesday, over half of an inch of snow water equivalent has been added to a snowpack with poor structure. This load has increased the likelihood of triggering dangerous slab avalanches with depths of one to two feet. These slabs could also release naturally.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The Winter Storm Warning will continue overnight through 11 AM on Friday. Light to moderate snowfall will continue overnight before decreasing in intensity on Friday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the mid-teens before rising to near 20 during the day. Ridgetop winds will veer to the west at 15 to 25 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Considerable on Friday. In steep, wind loaded terrain above 7,500 feet, skiers and riders could easily trigger newly formed wind slabs one to two feet in depth. Loose snow sluffs will be possible in terrain less affected by the wind. Continued snowfall will further load persistent weak layers of faceted snow deeper in the snowpack. These slabs, with depths of two to four feet, could be triggered directly by backcountry travelers or indirectly by stepping down from the release of a wind slab. Natural activity will also be possible. Below 7,500 feet, skiers and riders could trigger slab avalanches one to two feet in depth. Expert snowpack evaluation and route selection skills will be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.
