The general avalanche hazard is Considerable above 8000 feet and Moderate below. New snow and strong west winds have formed soft surface slabs in the backcountry. These slabs will be most sensitive at the higher elevations where they could have depths to eighteen inches.
Soft slabs formed by wind and new snow slabs lie upon hard melt-freeze crusts, sun crusts, and in some areas wind packed snow. These slabs will be sensitive to backcountry travelers today in steep wind loaded avalanche terrain, particularly along high ridge crests and avalanche starting zones.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Periods of snow are expected into tomorrow afternoon. Mountain temperatures are to remain in the upper teens throughout the day. West winds with 20-30 mile per hour averages are expected throughout the snowfall. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate in terrain above 9000 feet where stronger winds and higher snowfall amounts are expected. Soft wind slabs with depths to twelve inches could be triggered in this terrain. Below 9000 feet the hazard is expected to be Low where isolated pockets of slab to ten inch depths could be triggered in steep terrain.
