Overnight low temperatures are warmer than yesterday and mostly in the upper 20s to low 30s. Today's high temperatures will rise into the 40s in the mountains and the 50s in the valleys. Snow surfaces are expected to soften earlier and the wet snow avalanche hazard is expected to significantly increase after those surfaces become wet. Monitor conditions and plan to be off of and out from under steep terrain after snow surfaces lose their integrity. Some potential also exist in isolated areas for snowmobiliers to trigger very large persistent deep slab avalanches. Cornice drops, glide avalanches and roof slides are possible.
In isolated areas deep persistent slab avalanches could be triggered to the ground with depths to six feet. These dangerous slides are most likely to be initiated by a larger trigger like a snowmachine or a cornice drop. Warming temperatures will increase the chances for cornice failure which could cause one of these large avalanches to release.
Wet snow avalanches are possible in steep terrain on all aspects and elevations today. At the lower elevations these slides have been observed to dig down to the ground. Wet snow avalanches are likely to be most consequential on steep sustained slopes, above terrain traps and in extreme terrain.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Warmer and dryer weather ahead of the next storm system is on tap for Wednesday. Overnight lows will be in the 20s. Skies that will be partly cloudy in the morning will become overcast by evening. Temperatures will rise into the 40s and 50s. Light to moderate winds will back to the south ahead of an approaching cold front that will move though the areas during the evening hours. The wet snow avalanche hazard is expected to be low in all areas and elevations during the early morning hours and will increase to moderate after warming temperatures soften snow surfaces. Plan to be off of and out from under steep terrain after snow surfaces lose their integrity. Roof slides continue to be hazard.In the Togwotee Pass and Southwest Trails areas some potential also remains for snowmachines to trigger large persistent slab avalanches with depths to six feet in isolated areas.
