Slab avalanches could be triggered in steep terrain at the upper elevations. Sunshine and warming temperatures will be increasing the potential for these slabs to be triggered by backcountry users. Shallow wet loose slides and cornice failures are possible on very steep sunlit slopes during the warmest portion of the day. Monitor conditions and avoid steep terrain features after significant warming has occurred.
At the upper elevations pockets of wind slab up to a foot in depth could be triggered by skiers and riders in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones and cliff areas. Warming temperatures and sunshine will increase the sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Skies will be mostly cloudy overnight with a chance for some light snow. Skies will be mostly sunny on Tuesday before another weak disturbance brings a couple of inches of new snow in the mountains on Tuesday night. Temperatures will drop into the teens and 20s overnight and rise into the 30s and 40s during the day. Winds will be west to southwest at 10 to 20 miles per hour.Humans who venture into steep avalanche prone terrain at the upper elevations could trigger pockets of wind slab 6 to 12 inches in depth. Warming temperatures and sunshine will increase the sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers and create the potential for shallow wet slides to occur on very steep sunlit slopes. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE from an elevation of 9,000 to 10,500 feet and LOW below that elevation.
