The mountains have received close to two feet of new snow with 1.5 inches of moisture since Friday. Most of that snowfall occurred since Saturday afternoon. Strong west to northwest winds have created dangerous avalanche conditions. Large slab avalanches are likely to be triggered by riders and skiers on avalanche prone slopes above an elevation of 8,000 feet and could be human triggered on steep avalanche prone slopes below that elevation. Expert route finding skills and conservative terrain decisions are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain today.
Slab avalanches 1 to 3 feet in depth are likely to be be triggered by riders and skiers on steep slopes at the higher elevations and could be triggered by humans on steep slopes at the lower elevations. These slab avalanches could seriously injure and deeply bury a person.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Light snowfall is expected to continue through the evening. Increasing west-northwest winds will begin to subside after midnight. Scattered to isolated snow showers can be expected in the mountains on Monday. Skies should clear by the end of the day. Temperatures will drop into the single digits tonight and rise into the teens and 20’s during the day.Tonight’s winds will be creating soft slabs one to three deep on leeward slopes. These slabs are likely to sensitive to human triggers and plenty large enough to seriously injure and fully bury skiers and riders who venture onto steep avalanche prone slopes. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be considerable above an elevation of 8,000 feet and moderate below that elevation. Excellent terrain analysis skills and conservative terrain choices will be essential for safe travel in the backcountry.
