In steep, avalanche prone terrain above 8,500 feet, skiers and riders could trigger small to large wind slabs, along with loose snow sluffs. The snowpack is mostly stable below 8,500 feet this morning. As the day warms, the chance for wet slides could develop, particularly in terrain with significant rainfall. Monitor weather conditions, and avoid steep terrain with wet snow surfaces, especially if you are sinking into old, unconsolidated snow. When planning your travel routes, consider the impacts to the healthcare community that a serious accident would create, and make sure to do full beacon checks for all members of your party before leaving the trailhead.
Backcountry travelers could trigger winds slabs with depths ranging from one to two feet in steep, wind loaded terrain above 8,500 feet. The likelihood of triggering these slabs will increase as temperatures warm.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Expect mostly cloudy to overcast skies on Monday as a Pacific low pressure system off of the Northern California coast streams moisture into the region from the southwest. By tomorrow evening, four to eight inches of new snow could accumulate in the mountains. In the valleys, snowfall will transition to rain as the day warms. Overnight lows in the mountains are expected to be in the mid-20s before rising into the mid-30s in the afternoon. Southwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 10 to 20 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate above 9,000 feet on Monday. Skiers and riders may still be able to trigger pockets of wind slab with depths of one to two feet in very, steep avalanche prone terrain. The likelihood of triggering these slabs may increase with daytime warming. Below 9,000 feet, the snowpack will be mostly stable in the morning. As the day warms, the chance for wet slides could develop in terrain with significant rainfall. Monitor weather conditions, and avoid steep terrain with wet, unconsolidated snow. When planning your travel routes, consider the impacts to the healthcare community that a serious accident would create, and make sure to do full beacon checks for all members of your party before leaving the trailhead.
