The snow structure remains poor and areas of unstable snow persist above an elevation of 8,000 feet. New snow will be increasing the load on persistent weak layers of faceted snow. This new loading is expected to increase the sensitivity of unstable slabs to human triggers. Conservative terrain choices are warranted. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features at the lower elevations.
At the mid and upper elevations unstable conditions exist on slopes where recent new snow lies upon a persistent weak layer of faceted snow. On steep slopes slab avalanches up to two feet feet in depth could be triggered by the weight of a single person.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snowfall will become widespread during the early evening hours. Heavier snowfall will occur after 11 PM and will continue into Wednesday morning. Snowfall rates decrease during the rest of the day. Accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are possible in the mountains by Wednesday afternoon. Lower elevations could receive 3 to 5 inches. Temperatures will be in the teens and 20s. Winds will be from the west at 15 to 20 miles per hour.The snow structure remains poor and areas of unstable snow persist at the mid and upper elevations. New snow will be increasing the load on persistent weak layers of faceted snow. Large slab avalanches are expected to become more reactive to human triggers as loads increase. Conservative terrain choices are warranted. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE above an elevation of 7,500 feet and LOW below that elevation.
