Clear skies and freezing temperatures overnight formed crusts on the snow surfaces. Today as temperatures rise above freezing along with periods of sunshine, the surface crust will melt and increase the avalanche hazard to moderate. Small to large wet snow avalanches will be possible on steep slopes at all elevations. Cornice failures are possible and may trigger wet avalanches if they fall onto steep slopes. Monitor conditions, and when snow surfaces become wet have a safe exit route avoiding being on or under avalanche terrain.
The wet snow avalanche hazard will increase on steep snow-covered slopes as the day warms. Below 8,000 feet, these wet slides could dig down to the ground. Above 9,000 feet, wet slab avalanches are possible and could be several feet deep.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Temperatures are expected to drop into the mid to upper twenties overnight. A thin cloud cover will develop ahead of a cold front, which is expected to arrive Friday evening. Tomorrow’s skies will be partly cloudy with a slight chance of light snowfall. Mountain temperatures are expected to climb into the 40s. Westerly ridgetop winds will be light with gusts in the 20s. A light freeze overnight will decrease the wet snow avalanche hazard. As the day warms, crusts on snow surfaces will quickly break down. The avalanche hazard is expected to be moderate and increase throughout the day. Wet, loose avalanches will become possible and depending on the cloud cover could be more likely on sunlit aspects. At the lower elevations, wet slides could step down to the ground. The warm temperatures will also cause cornices to be susceptible to failure, which could trigger large avalanches. After the past few days of warm temperatures, slopes prone to glide cracks could avalanche and there could be wet slab avalanches a few feet in depth. Monitor conditions for increase wet snow hazards, and avoid being on or under steep slopes as the snow becomes wet.
