Strong southwest winds with gusts to 76 miles per hour along the higher ridge crests has eroded and redistributed available snow. The potential exists for humans to trigger dense slabs in steep terrain. At the lower elevations sustained temperatures above freezing and periods of rain have created areas of isothermal snow. Wet slides are possible on very steep slopes.
At the mid and upper elevations skiers and riders could trigger dense surface slabs up to two feet in depth. These slabs lie upon crusts that formed in late January and are unstable on steep slopes where faceted snow lies upon those crusts. Warming temperatures during the day will increase the sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers.
Warm temperatures and rain have created areas of unstable snow at the lower elevations. Wet loose slides could be human triggered or release naturally on very steep slopes.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Mild conditions will continue as winds decrease. Some clouds and snow showers are possible overnight as temperatures drop into the 20s in the mountains and to around freezing in the valleys. Skies will be partly cloudy on Sunday. Temperatures will warm into the 30s in the mountains and into the 40s in the valleys. Winds will be west to southwest at 15 to 25 miles per hour. At the mid and upper elevations the potential persist for skiers and riders to trigger dense surface slabs up to two feet in depth. These slabs lie upon crusts that formed in late January and are unstable on steep slopes where faceted snow lies upon those crusts. Warming temperatures during the day will increase the sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE.
