Weak persistent snow lies within the snowpack. Above 7500 feet, the chance continues for the weight of a single skier or rider to trigger slab avalanches on these buried layers. Recent snow could also be triggered as loose snow sloughs or small soft slabs in very steep terrain. Avalanches at lower elevations are unlikely except for in isolated pockets. Careful snowpack and terrain evaluation is essential today for safe backcountry travel.
Above 7,500 feet, skiers and riders could trigger persistent slab avalanches one to three feet in depth on faceted snow that developed in November and early December.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Periods of light snow are to continue tonight and decrease by sunrise. Lingering snow showers are possible on Wednesday with dry conditions expected for the remainder of the day and night. Temperatures are to rise from the single digits to the teens at upper elevations and into the twenties at the low elevations. Winds are to be light and variable. The general avalanche danger will be Moderate above 7500 feet and low below that elevation. The persistent slab problem continues to exist and the potential for a single rider or skier to trigger slabs of one to three feet involving old snow layers remains. Although the weak layers are relatively widespread throughout upper elevation terrain, determining which terrain features are unstable to backcountry travelers is very difficult. Below 7500 feet, avalanches remain unlikely, except for is small isolated pockets of instability.
