Yesterday a spring storm brought up to 20 inches of new snow with two inches of moisture to the mountains and periods of rainfall to the lowest elevations. At the mid and upper elevations dense slab avalanches one to three in depth were easily triggered by ski cuts and released naturally. These events ran long distances in steep couloirs. Temperatures are colder today. At the mid and upper elevations skiers or riders could trigger dense winds slabs in very steep avalanche prone terrain. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations.
At the mid and upper elevations dense surface slabs up to 30 inches in depth could be triggered by skiers or riders who venture into steep avalanche prone terrain and cliff areas.
Temperatures will drop into the teens overnight under partly cloudy skies. Clouds will increase on Tuesday ahead of an approaching low pressure system. Winds will be light and variable. Temperatures will rise into the 20s and 30s in the mountains and to near 40 in the valleys.Skiers and riders who venture into steep avalanche terrain at the mid and upper elevations could trigger surface slabs up to 30 inches in depth. The sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers will increase after temperatures rise and on slopes that receive sunshine. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at the mid and upper elevations and LOW at the lower elevations.
