Above 9,000ft the avalanche danger is Moderate. With plenty of snow available for transport and wind speeds of 15-25mph, wind slab formation continues. Slabs have been mostly unreactive but triggering an avalanche remains a possibility today. Loaded terrain features near ridge crests like steep rollovers and cliff areas may have a smooth and pillow-like appearance. Below 9000 ft, triggering an avalanche is unlikely though isolated pockets may exist.
Wind slabs are forming on the easterly half of the compass. Loaded pockets may have stiffening surface conditions and show signs of instability like shooting cracks and collapsing. Slab depths could break up to two feet deep. Carefully assess loaded terrain and have a plan to avoid it.
Cloud cover is expected to lessen overnight, and then skies will be mostly sunny tomorrow. Temperatures will start in the low teens and warm into the mid-twenties at 10,000 feet and mid-thirties in the valleys. Westerly winds along high ridges will continue to be in the teens to twenties with stronger gusts. In all the forecast areas, the avalanche hazard will remain Moderate above 9,000 feet. Backcountry travelers could trigger wind slab avalanches on steep slopes. These slides are expected to be small soft slabs less than a foot in depth. Below 9,000 feet, the avalanche hazard is Low and avalanche activity is unlikely with the exception of small loose slides on steep terrain. The likelihood of triggering a small avalanche will increase on sheltered sunlit slopes during the warmest portions of the day.
