Slab avalanches could be human triggered in steep terrain at the upper elevations and in very steep isolated terrain features at the mid elevations. The sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers will increase as the day warms and while the skies are sunny. Yesterday a snowboarder triggered a small slab avalanche in a very steep chute. Due to the sustained pitch of the slope he was carried a long distance and injured. Similar events are possible today. Shallow wet loose slides are possible on very steep sunlit slopes if skies remain mostly sunny. A careful evaluation of the snow pack and terrain is essential. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations.
Southwest to west-northwest winds have formed wind slabs up to 18 inches in depth. These slabs could be human triggered in steep terrain above an elevation of 8,500 feet, especially during the warmer portion of the day.
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.
