Conditions are dangerous. New snow and strong winds have formed new soft surface slabs and increased the load on buried, persistent weak layers. In wind sheltered areas large loose snow sloughs could be triggered or release naturally from steep slopes and cliff areas. These loose snow slides could be dangerous above terrain traps and may entrain large amounts of new snow as they run down long steep slopes. Larger avalanches have greater consequences. Expert route selection skills and conservative terrain choices are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.
Strong northwest winds continue to form wind slabs. These slabs can be found at all elevations and on most aspects. They are expected to be one to three feet deep at the mid and upper elevations and up to 18 inches deep at the lower elevations. These new soft slabs are likely to be easily triggered by humans on steep avalanche prone terrain and could release naturally.
On steep avalanche prone slopes large to very larger persistent slab avalanches could fail on buried weak layers of faceted snow. These dangerous slabs could be three to five feet deep at the mid and upper elevations and 1 to 3 feet deep at the lower elevations. These slabs could be triggered directly by the weight of a single person or indirectly from the release of a wind slab or loose snow slough. Natural releases are possible.
Off and on snow showers are expected to bring 4 to 8 inches of new snow to the higher elevations during the next 24 hours. Temperatures will be in the upper single digits and teens in the mountains. Winds on the higher ridge crests will be from the west-northwest to west at 15 to 25 miles per hour.Human triggered slab avalanches are likely on steep avalanche prone slopes. Recently formed wind slab could be one to two feet deep. Dangerous persistent slabs with depths from 2 to 4 feet could also be triggered by snowmobilers and skiers with potentially severe consequences. Expert terrain evaluation and snowpack stability skills are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be considerable at the mid and upper elevations (7,500 to 10,500 feet) and moderate below that elevation.
