During the morning, the avalanche hazard is Low and avalanches are not expected except for isolated pockets of shallow wind slab that were formed during the snow event earlier in the week. The avalanche hazard will rise to Moderate during the afternoon as warm temperatures and sunlight weaken the snow surface, increasing the sensitivity of those slabs and providing for the possibility of wet slides. Backcountry travelers are encouraged to complete their excursions during the morning hours and to be mindful of terrain above them. In high starting zones that have not seen significant traffic this season, a remote chance exists for wet slides to involve and entrain snow to the ground.
Shallow surface slabs with depths of four inches to a foot could be triggered in isolated wind loaded pockets above 9000 feet in steep shaded terrain.
This afternoon, wet loose avalanche activity will become possible in all snow covered terrain affected by sunlight and warming. The snowpack is well consolidated and this wet slide activity is likely to only involve the top portion of the snowpack however in some steep terrain the amount of snow involved could become significant.
