Localized areas of heavy snowfall have occurred during the past several days. Some places have received in excess of two feet of new snow. In steep terrain soft slab avalanches and loose snow sluffs are sensitive to human triggers. These loose snow sluffs and soft slab avalanches are especially dangerous in cliff areas and above terrain traps. Deep hard slab avalanches continue to be a potential hazard in steep, north facing terrain above 9,000 feet. Cautious route selection and conservative terrain decisions are warranted.
Soft slab avalanches could be human triggered on a variety of aspects. These slabs are expected to be up two feet deep and sensitive to the weight of a single person.
Deep hard slabs could be human triggered above an elevation of 9,000 feet in steep north facing avalanche paths. If triggered these dangerous slabs could involve the full depth of the snowpack. These deep slabs are more likely to fail with larger triggers such as snowmobiles, large cornice drops or groups of people.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Skies will remain mostly cloudy with periods of light snowfall and snow showers. Temperatures will be cooler and remain in the single digits and teens. Winds will be west to northwest and gradually increase from 10 to 20 miles per hour.Slowly increasing winds will begin to transport available snow along the highest ridge crests. Soft surface slabs and loose snow sluffs will continue to be sensitive to human triggers in steep terrain. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE at the upper elevations in areas that have received the most new snow and MODERATE in areas that did not receive as much snow and at the mid and lower elevations. Deep persistent slabs are still a potential hazard in isolated areas.
