Strong southwest winds and new snowfall have formed new wind slabs at the mid and upper elevations. This adds to the existing wind slab problem, which have resulted in numerous natural avalanches this week. These slabs will be sensitive to riders and skiers today in steep, wind-loaded areas. The chance also continues for hard-to-predict, larger avalanches to occur that involve deeply buried weak snow. Careful snowpack and terrain evaluation is essential today.
Wind slabs will continue to form this morning, adding to wind slabs formed throughout the week during periods of strong southwest to northwest winds. These slabs could have depths to 8 inches at mid elevations and to two feet at high elevations.
Above 7500 feet, hard slabs with depths to five feet lie upon persistent weak layers of faceted snow. Although these slabs have become less likely to trigger, the chance remains for them to be triggered by larger triggers, one person hitting a prticularly weak spot on a slope, or from a wind slab being triggered and causing a secondary failure.
Snowfall is to diminish this evening with another storm expected to bring additional snowfall by mid-morning. Four to eight inches could fall by Friday evening. Winds are to be Westerly with fifteen to twenty five mile per hour averages. Temps should rise during the day from the single digits to the upper teens. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable above 9000 feet, Moderate between 7500 feet and 9000 feet and Low below 7500 feet. Wind slabs lie at high elevations and could be triggered in steep terrain with depths from one to three feet. Once initiated they could release deeper instabilities to fail near the ground. A remote chance also lingers for backcountry travelers to trigger these deep instabilities that would likely carry severe consequences. The timing and intensity of this next storm may affect these predicted ratings and it is recommended to check the morning bulletin for updated information.
