Above 9000 feet skiers and riders have the potential to trigger persistent slabs in north facing terrain as well as wind slabs on a variety of aspects. The persistent slabs lie upon weak snow at the base of the snowpack and could be triggered independently or as a result of triggering the more sensitive surface slabs. Avalanches are not expected below 9000 feet except for in isolated pockets of shallow surface slabs in very steep terrain between 8000 and 9000 feet.
Weak, faceted snow persists at the base of the snow pack on northerly and shaded aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. Slabs to depths of 40 inches could be triggered on this layer. This weakness is prevalent in this terrain and could fail even after a slope has been skied or crossed.
Winds from varying directions over the last several days have formed surface slabs with depths to two feet. Backcountry travelers could trigger these slides in steep exposed terrain and areas of obvious wind loading should be avoided
High pressure is to continue through the weekend and into next week. Morning temperatures near zero are expected and could be colder in the valleys as inversion conditions continue to establish. Morning fog is likely. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate. Above 9000 feet in north facing terrain, weak snow at the base of the snowpack remains a hazard. Even after being skied or crossed failure could occur resulting in full depth slides that could have crowns to 40 inches. Additionally surface slabs formed by recent winds could be triggered in very steep wind loaded terrain on a variety of aspects. Avalanches below 9000 feet are unlikely in the early season snowpack.
