The avalanche hazard will be increasing all day at all elevations. At the mid and upper elevations rising temperatures, heavy snowfall and strong winds will create unstable (upside down) conditions and new dense wind slabs on leeward aspects. These slabs are likely to be human triggered in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones and could step down to the ground on steep northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. Periods of rain may trigger loose, wet slides on very steep slopes at the lower elevations.
Dense, wind slab avalanches one to two feet in depth could be human triggered at the upper elevations and in isolated areas at the mid elevations. These slabs will gain volume and depth and become increasingly sensitive to human triggers as the day progresses. They could step down to depths of three feet on steep northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet.
Shallow wet loose slides are possible on very steep slopes and road cuts in areas with significant rainfall.
The wind and snow is expected to continue through the night and then taper off in the morning. Partial clearing of the skies are likely during the day. Another foot of new snow is possible before skies begin to clear. Temperatures at 10,500 feet increased 10 degrees during the day and are forecast to increase another five degrees by sunrise. On Wednesday temperatures will rise to near freezing at 10,500 feet and to near 40 at the lower elevations. Winds will be westerly at 25 to 30 with gust to 40 miles per hour overnight and back towards the southwest and relax to around 20 miles per hour during the day.Surface slabs one to three in depth involving the recent new snow could be human triggered or release naturally at the mid and upper elevations. On steep, northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet these slabs have potential to step down to the ground with depths to four feet. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE at the upper elevations, MODERATE at the mid elevations and LOW at the lower elevations.
