Wind slabs have been forming above 8500 feet over recent days. These slabs could fail with varying depths. Backcountry travelers are encouraged to remember that initially small slides can pick up significant amounts of snow in runs that are steep and long. Additionally. small slides can quickly sweep people into or over cliff areas and rocks in exposed terrain. Deep slab instabilities continue to be a concern above 7500 feet where larger triggers such as a moving wind slab or snow machine have some potential to trigger large avalanches. Avalanches are unlikely at the low elevations except for in isolated pockets.
At the upper elevations wind slabs formed by northwest to southwest winds could be triggered on steep terrain features. These slabs are failing on recent density breaks and could have depths of 6 inches to 2 feet deep and could become a significant hazard in very steep chutes, and above cliff areas and terrain traps.
Some potential continues for deep hard slab avalanches to occur. Although the likelihood for these avalanches to be triggered is low the consequences of triggering a slab avalanche 3 to 7 feet deep is likely to be fatal. These dangerous slabs are most likely to fail when a larger impact such as a snow machine or a moving surface slab impacts a thin, weak spot on a slope.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Periods of light snow could hit higher terrain overnight before flow backs to the southwest and moisture increases Tuesday morning. Snow should develop by noon, increase in the afternoon, and continue through the night. Mountain temperatures are to rise from the low teens to the mid-twenties. Winds will become southwesterly and have 15-20 mph averages. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate above 7500 feet. Although the wind slabs are gaining some strength, they can still be triggered by a single person in steep terrain with depths to two feet. The chance also continues for triggered wind slabs or a large trigger to initiate failure of large to very large deep slab avalanches. Avalanches at low elevations are unlikely except for in small isolated pockets in the steepest terrain.
