Wet loose avalanche activity and cornice failure is possible above 7500 feet today. At the higher elevations overnight freezing has hardened the snow surface. Sunlight and warm temperatures will quickly soften this surface. At the mid elevations, the snowpack is weaker as recently received rain, warm overnight temperatures and some cloud cover prevented freezing. Evaluate terrain carefully today and identify features or areas where the wet slide activity is more likely.
Wet loose slides are possible in very steep terrain on a variety of aspects. These slides could begin as a few inches of surface snow and then entrain deeper and deeper layers of snow in steep and long slidepaths.
Large overhanging cornices could fail due to sustained warm temperatures at the higher elevations. Cornice failures could trigger wet slab avalanches on steep slopes. Avoid cornices and the slopes beneath them.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )After periods of snow and rain showers through the night, Monday looks be drier as high pressure moving in from the northwest begins to establish itself over the area. Temperatures in the mountains look to be in the low thirties in the morning with highs in the mid to upper forties during the afternoon. Winds will be light and variable. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate tomorrow. The snowpack is warm and weak. The chance continues to trigger small wet slides that could entrain significant amounts of snow in longer paths, particularly at the mid elevations. Large cornices that have not failed will be fragile to human presence and could peel off naturally.
