The avalanche danger is Low this morning in the mid and upper elevations and Moderate in the lower elevations. The danger will rise to Moderate at all elevations in the afternoon. Warm temperatures overnight have prevented freezing of snow surfaces up to 8,000 feet. Temperatures will rise to above freezing in the upper elevations this afternoon. As the air warms so will the snowpack. Expect wet loose and small pockets of wet slab avalanches to be easily triggered on steep sunlit terrain at all elevations. These avalanches will be relatively small but large enough to carry and injure riders and skiers. Plan your day in anticipation of increasing danger and have low angle route options for getting out of the mountains today.
Wet loose avalanches will become easier to trigger in steep terrain as the day progresses. Expect these avalanches to entrain enough snow to carry skiers and riders into terrain traps and cause injury. The likelihood of triggering will increase during periods of clearing where the sun will accelerate the melting of snow surfaces.
Southwest flow continues across the area with slightly warmer readings tomorrow. Expect temperatures to reach 40 degrees at 10,000’ in the afternoon. Skies should remain mostly cloudy which will temper the solar gain that might otherwise cause more significant wet avalanche activity. The slower rate of melting should limit avalanche activity to the human triggered rather than natural variety. Keep the potential for small but powerful loose, wet sluffs in mind if you choose to venture into steep terrain tomorrow. Any debris will move slowly but carry the sort of mass that causes problems in steep or consequential terrain. Avalanche danger will be Low tomorrow with avalanche activity generally limited to wet loose sluffs in steep terrain.
