Yesterday’s strong southwest to west winds formed slabs on leeward slopes above 8,500 feet. These slab avalanches could be human triggered in steep, leeward terrain. If caught, these small slides could have significant hazards, especially in cliff areas, steep chutes, and terrain traps. Below 8,500 feet, the avalanche hazard is low, and small slab avalanches may be found in isolated terrain features. Deep persistent slab avalanches are unlikely, expect in areas where the snowpack is thin and underlain by weak snow. It would take a larger trigger to release one of these dangerous slabs.
Slabs formed by strong winds and snowfall can be human triggered in steep terrain above 8,500 feet. As the winds switched direction, from southwest to west, cross-loaded slopes and newly formed wind slabs could be found on a variety of aspects. These slabs could be up to 18 inches in depth. Be wary of wind drifted snow above cliffs and in couloirs.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )As today’s weather system exists to the east, winds and snowfall will diminish overnight. Winds are expected to be southwest to west at 35 to 45 miles per hour in the mountains and 15 to 25 at the lower elevations. Light snowfall tomorrow is expected to range from 1 to 3 inches in the mountains before snowfall intensity increases Saturday evening. Temperatures will start in the single digits and climb into the teens and 20s in the mountains. Strong winds will continue to load leeward slopes above 8,000 feet. There, the avalanche hazard is expected to be moderate and winds slab avalanches could be triggered by backcountry travelers in steep, wind loaded terrain. These slab avalanches could range in depth from 1 to 3 feet. If skier or riders are caught, these slab avalanches could be dangerous especially in exposed terrain or terrain traps, such as gullies and benches. Shooting cracks are indications wind slabs are forming, and when these signs are present avalanche terrain should be avoided. The general avalanche hazard below 8,000 feet is low, where small avalanches up to a foot in depth could be human triggered.
