Sunshine and warming temperatures will increase the avalanche hazard from LOW this morning to MODERATE later in the day. Wet slides will be a potential hazard on steep, sunlit aspects after snow surfaces soften. Pockets of shallow surface slab, along with deeper dense slabs, could also be triggered by backcountry travelers on steep, avalanche-prone slopes above 9,000 feet. Monitor conditions and avoid steep terrain during the warmest portion of the day.
In isolated areas above 9,000 feet, limited potential remains for skiers and riders to trigger hard slabs with depths up to three feet. Very large avalanches might be triggered by snow machines in extreme terrain like the east face of Lava Mountain. As the day warms, the likelihood of triggering these slides will increase.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )High pressure and mostly clear skies will continue on Wednesday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the mid-20s before rising into the mid to upper 30s during the day. Westerly ridgetop winds will range from 5 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW Wednesday morning before rising to MODERATE during the heat of the day. As snow surfaces soften, wet loose sluffs will become possible in steep, sunlit terrain. At the upper elevations, daytime warming will also increase the potential for backcountry travelers to trigger pockets of shallow surface slab. A remote chance persists for large triggers, such as snowmobiles, to release a deeper hard slab in isolated areas.
