The avalanche danger will rise from Low to Moderate during the day at all elevations. Wet avalanches will be possible as warm temperatures and direct sun cause the surface snow to lose stability. With forty-degree temperatures possible near 10,000 feet, timing will be key. Start early and plan to exit steep terrain before the wet snow becomes gloppy. Wind loaded snow at the upper elevations is becoming less reactive, but it still may be possible to trigger a slab in isolated areas.
As the day warms, it will be possible to trigger wet snow avalanches on steep, sun lit terrain. Roller balls, pin wheels and damp, sticky snow are signs the snow is losing stability. Plan to move to colder aspects as the day goes on. Though these slides will start small, they are capable of entraining large amounts of snow and can carry a person through hazardous terrain.
Wind slabs one to two feet thick that formed 3 days ago exist in steep terrain at the upper elevations. Loaded slopes near ridge tops and below cornices are possible locations to encounter this hazard. Snow may be loaded further down a slope or on cross loaded terrain features. Carefully assess loaded terrain features and watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks. Remember that any slide can have dangerous outcomes in consequential terrain.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Overnight, temperatures in the mountains will dip into the mid to high twenties. Tomorrow will start mostly clear but will become partly cloudy during the day. Temperatures will rise rapidly with forty degrees possible near 10,000 feet in the afternoon. Tomorrow winds will veer to the southwest at 5-15 mph around mid-day. Tonight, temperatures will freeze the wet snow, but stability will decrease as surface snow becomes wet with rising temperatures. Tomorrow the avalanche danger will rise to Moderate by mid-day. Human triggered, wet snow avalanches will become possible on southerly aspects at all elevations. These slides will also be possible below 9,000 feet on all aspects. Below 7,500 feet, the avalanche danger is Low, as avalanches are unlikely due to low, recent snowfall amounts. Timing will be key tomorrow, start early and plan to exit steep terrain before the wet snow becomes gloppy.Above 9,000 feet, wind slabs one to two feet thick exist in steep terrain. Wind direction and speed varied during the last storm, so snow may be loaded further down a slope or on cross loaded terrain features. Carefully assess loaded terrain features and watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks.
