Backcountry skiers and riders have the potential to trigger pockets of wind slab above 9000 feet. These slabs lie upon hard crusts formed during the Thanksgiving holiday rain event. If triggered, these slabs could bury someone in a terrain trap or carry someone through hazardous terrain given the early season conditions. Below 7500 feet, avalanches are unlikely except for small isolated events and lower elevations remain safe to avalanche hazard given low snow depths.
Soft to hard slabs with depths to two feet could be triggered in steep wind loaded terrainat the higher elevations. These slabs were formed by recent winds from the southwest that became stronger and have fluctuated from the northwest to the north for the last three days. These slabs will increase in sensitivity as the day warms.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )High pressure is to continue, and moderate inversion conditions are to develop. Expect morning temps near ten degrees at high elevations and near zero degrees in the valleys. Highs should be in the upper twenties at all elevations. Northwest winds are to have averages near twenty miles per hour. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate above 9000 feet where pockets of wind slab could be human triggered to depths of two feet in wind loaded terrain features near ridge crests and peaks. Between 9000 and 7500 feet, shallow isolated pockets could be found and below 7500 feet avalanches are not expected in the shallow early season snowpack.
