Cooler temperatures and clear skies through most of the night have hardened the surface of the snowpack at lower elevations. At higher elevations, new snow lies upon a previously frozen and stable snowpack. Avalanche activity is unlikely this morning. As sunlight and increasing temperatures soften the snow surface, wet loose avalanches will become possible. This hazard will increase in elevation as the day progresses. Beware of steep terrain where the snowpack becomes warm and is both unconsolidated and not supportive.
The chance for wet loose slides will develop and continue to increase today in very steep terrain and cliff areas. These wet slides could release naturally or be triggered by humans. Once initiated, these slides could gain significant volume as they entrain deeper snow during their descent.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The chance of snow exists tonight, particularly in the southern forecast area as the recent system moves to the southeast and out of the region. Friday is to be precipitation free with scattered clouds through most of the day before clouds increase late in the afternoon in advance of another system that should bring snow Friday night. Temperatures are to reach the mid to upper thirties at 9000 feet and could reach into the forties where extended periods of sunlight occur. Winds are to continue veering overnight to the southwest and are to have ten to twenty mile per hour averages during the day.The general avalanche hazard will be Low in the early morning at all elevations and will increase to Moderate in the afternoon as snow surfaces soften and the possibility of wet loose avalanches develops. This increase in likelihood will start at the lowest elevations and continue to involve higher terrain as daytime warming occurs.
