Very warm temperatures and intense sunshine will once again increase the wet slide avalanche hazard as the day warms. With a warmer start and less wind, snow surfaces are likely to soften earlier today. Steep east facing slopes will soften first and will then be followed by south, west and north facing aspects. Wet loose and small wet slab avalanches are possible on a variety of aspects in very steep terrain. Cornices may become unstable and could trigger large slab avalanches. Deep hard slab avalanches continue to be a potential hazard in steep upper elevation active avalanche paths. Monitor conditions and avoid steep avalanche prone terrain after significant warming has occurred and snow surfaces have softened.
Warming conditions will increase the potential for snowmobiles to trigger deep hard slab avalanches in very steep upper elevation avalanche paths. These slabs could have depths from two to four feet.
Wet loose slides are possible in very steep terrain on a variety of aspects after snow surfaces soften. These slides could carry people down steep slopes and may gouge down to deeper layers in areas where the snowpack is isothermal.
Large overhanging cornices may become unstable as the day warms. Cornice releases can be unpredictable and can break further back than anticipated. Cornice failures could trigger large wet slab avalanches on steep slopes. Avoid cornices and the slopes beneath them.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Skies will remain mostly clear. Temperatures are forecast to drop to around 30 degrees overnight and should allow for a refreeze of the snow surfaces. Friday is anticipated to be the warmest day yet with highs in the 40s, 50s and 60s. Winds will be light at 5 to 10 miles per hour and veer to the northeast, east and then to the south as a low pressure system passes to the south.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW in the early morning hours. In very steep terrain the wet slide hazard will increase to MODERATE after significant softening of surface crusts occurs. Wet loose slides are possible. Large overhanging cornices could become unstable and glide cracks are possible during the heat of the day on slopes where glide avalanches historically occur.
