Warming temperatures will thaw crusts and increase the avalanche hazard. Wet slides will be possible on steep slopes after significant warming. Avalanche terrain should be avoided during the warmest portion of the day.
Wet loose slides are possible on very steep slopes after crusts soften and could pull out deeper layers. Once started, slides may step down to the ground on very steep slopes where the snow is wet, loose and unconsolidated.
Dangerous slab avalanches will be possible in steep avalanche paths during the heat of the day. These slabs could fail on buried layers of faceted snow and could be triggered by snowmachines or skiers. Once crusts have softened avalanche terrain should be avoided. Skis or boots penetrating easily into deeper snow are indications of dangerous conditions.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )High pressure will keep skies clear into Wednesday morning then a disturbance will bring increasing clouds and a chance of spotty snow with little accumulation in the afternoon. An isolated thunderstorm is also possible in the afternoon. Morning lows will be in the 20s then warming will push temperatures to near 40 degrees. Winds will be westerly at 10 miles per hour The general avalanche hazard will drop to LOW as surfaces freeze into hard crusts overnight. Cooler temperatures and increasing clouds will slow the break down of crusts but as they lose strength the hazard will increase to MODERATE with the possibility of human triggered wet-loose slides developing.
