Areas of unstable snow exist at the upper elevations. Strong north to northwest winds with average speeds of 25 to 40 and gusts to 65 miles per hour have redistributed available snow and loaded lees slopes. These winds and previous winds from the southwest to west have formed wind slabs. These slabs lie upon a base of faceted snow that is most developed on steep, northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. Avalanches are unlikely at the mid and lower elevations.
At the upper elevations pockets of wind slab one to two feet in depth could be triggered by humans in steep, wind loaded avalanche starting zones.
Steep temperature inversions will continue during the next couple of days as mid-level temperatures continue to warm. On Tuesday skies will be clear in the morning above areas of valley fog and become increasingly cloudy during the day. In the mountains temperatures will drop to near zero overnight and rise into the 20s during the day. In the valleys overnight lows will be well below zero and daytime highs will rise into the teens. Winds will be west-northwesterly at 10 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at the upper elevations (9,000 to 10,500 feet) and LOW below that elevation. Surface slabs one to two feet in depth could be human triggered in steep, wind loaded avalanche starting zones at the upper elevations. Avalanches are unlikely at the mid and lower elevations.
