During the morning, the potential exists to trigger wind slabs at the high elevations in steep avalanche terrain. Sunlight and above freezing temperatures will further weaken these surface slabs and also provide the possibility for wet slides at all elevations this afternoon. Evaluate terrain and snow surface conditions and beware of travel under steep avalanche paths.
Pockets of hard wind slab lie at the upper elevations and isolated pockets exist at the mid elevations. These wind slabs could have depths to 18 inches and be human triggered in wind loaded avalanche starting zones, steep couloirs and cliff areas. These slabs will become more sensitive to human triggers and could release as dry or wet slabs this afternoon.
Wet loose slides are possible on steep slopes on a variety of aspects after snow surfaces soften. These slides will be most likely occur in very steep terrain where minimal wind and warm temperatures allow snow surfaces to get particularly soft. This activity could release naturally or be human triggered. Once initiated, these slabs could involve large volumes of snow to the ground.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Mild and dry conditions are expected at the upper elevations. Temperatures near 9000 feet are to start in the low twenties at daylight and rise into the mid to upper thirties. Valley temperatures are to start near zero degrees and also rise to above freezing. Winds along summits are to be from the west with ten to twenty mile per hour averages. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate by the afternoon as warming temperatures increase the potential for human triggered slides as well as small natural wet slide activity. At higher elevations wind slabs could be triggered with depths to 18 inches. Steep slopes that undergo significant warming could see small wet loose slides, or wet slabs. These wet slabs could be the more recently formed wind slabs or older persistent slabs. Activity involving the older persistent slabs is only expected in the Togwotee Pass area where a weaker snowpack exists.
