Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Yesterday morning a large destructive avalanche released naturally on the Snowslide Avalanche Path in McDougal Gap and ran full path. Recent snow has accumulated upon a January drought layer and may be unstable. With todays abundant sunshine and warming temperatures the potential for a significant avalanche accident to occur is ripe. Humans who venture into steep avalanche terrain could trigger slab avalanches that could run long distances. Natural releases are possible and tracks may not be a good indicator of stability. Conservative terrain choices are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain today.
Slab avalanches up to six feet in depth comprised of snow from the recent storm cycle could be human triggered on steep avalanche prone slopes and have some potential to release naturally.
Wet loose point slides are possible on steep sunlit aspects as the day warms.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Skies will be mostly clear on Saturday with abundant sunshine as a high pressure ridge builds into the region. Temperatures will rise into the mid 20s to low 30s. Winds will be northwesterly at 10 miles per hour.Dangerous avalanche conditions exist and the potential for a large destructive avalanche to occur will be a huge concern on Saturday. In the mountains in of all of our forecast areas two to five feet of new snow that accumulated during the past six days lies upon a January drought surface. Snowmobilers and skiers could be able to cross some steep slopes without triggering a deep hard slab. On other slopes or slopes that have already been crossed multiple times a large avalanche may be triggered by the weight of a single person. It will be nearly impossible to tell which of these slopes are safe and which are not. Due to the potential consequences restraint and conservative terrain choices are essential in this problematic scenario.Humans who venture into steep avalanche terrain could trigger deep hard slabs two to six feet in depth. Warming conditions will create some potential for large destructive avalanches to release naturally and run full path. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE in all our of forecast areas. Backcountry travelers should avoid major avalanche paths and their run-out zones.
