Abundant sunshine and warmer temperatures will be increasing the hazard today. Five AM temperatures at 10,500 feet are about ten degrees warmer than they were yesterday morning. Isolated pockets of wind slab and wet slides could be human triggered or release naturally in steep terrain. Cornice drops and snowmobilers could trigger large hard slab avalanches in steep upper elevation avalanche paths. Monitor conditions, evaluate terrain carefully and avoid avalanche prone terrain during the warmest portion of the day. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 8,000 feet.
At the upper elevations (above 9,000 feet) snowmobilers and cornice drops could trigger hard slab avalanches with depths to four feet in steep, active avalanche paths.
Large cornices exist and may become unstable as the day warms. Cornice failure could be triggered by the weight of a person or occur naturally. Cornice drops upon steep slopes could trigger large hard slab avalanches.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A high pressure ridge at the surface and aloft will be over the region. Skies will be mostly clear with some patchy areas of morning valley fog. Temperatures at 10,500 feet are likely to be 10 to 15 degrees warmer at dawn then they were this morning. Daytime highs will rise into the 40s in the mountains and into the 50s in the valleys. Winds will be light at five to ten miles per hour and back towards the west.As the day progresses warm temperatures and abundant sunshine will increase the hazard for wet slide activity and for cornice releases. The general avalanche hazard is anticipated to LOW in the early morning hours and increase to MODERATE after significant warming occurs and snow surfaces soften. Humans could trigger pockets of wind slab in steep couloirs and cliffs areas. Wet slides are possible on steep slopes and human and naturally triggered cornice releases are possible. Cornice drops upon steep slopes could trigger large slab avalanches. Monitor conditions, evaluate terrain carefully and avoid avalanche prone terrain during the warmest portion of the day.
