Sunshine and warm temperatures will thaw snow crusts and increase the avalanche hazard from wet-loose and wet slab avalanches. Avalanche terrain should be avoided after snow surfaces soften.
Wet loose slides are possible once crusts soften and could pull out deeper layers or run to the ground on steep slopes where the snow is wet, loose and unconsolidated.
Dangerous wet slab avalanches are possible in steep avalanche paths as the day warms. These slabs could be triggered by snow machines and are likely to fail on buried layers of weak faceted snow and could take out all the snow to the ground. Wet snow surfaces and foot or ski penetration into loose snow is a warning to avoid avalanche terrain.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Skies are expected to rapidly clear after sunset. Thursday will be dry and warmer with increasing clouds in the afternoon. Temperatures will drop into the 20s overnight and rise into the 40s during the day. Winds will be light at 10 to 15 miles per hour at the summit level and back from the west to the southwest.Clear skies will allow snow surfaces to harden overnight and soften during the day. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW in the early morning hours and increase to MODERATE after significant warming creates the potential for wet slides to occur on steep slopes.
