The general avalanche hazard is HIGH above an elevation of 8,000 feet and CONSIDERABLE below that elevation. Moisture from the subtropics has impacted the area. The mountains have received close to two feet of new snow with over two inches of moisture since early yesterday morning. Rain fell at the lower elevations and the freezing level appears to be around 7,800 at 5 AM. Temperatures at 10,500 feet are 13 degrees warmer than they were 24 hours ago. Strong westerly winds have drifted the new snow. At the mid and upper elevations an extreme case of rapid loading has occurred that has created unstable conditions and is testing the strength of buried weak layers. Natural and human triggered avalanches are possible. Dangerous conditions exist and travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended at the upper elevations. Rain has impacted the snow at the lower elevations. With warming temperatures in the forecast expert route selection skills and conservation decisions are essential for safe travel at the mid and lower elevations.
Dense wind slabs one to three feet in depth lie upon lighter density snow, sun crusts and buried layers of faceted snow and could fail on a variety of aspects at the mid and upper elevations. These slabs can be human triggered or release naturally and could step down to the ground with depths to four feet on steep northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet.
Rain soaked snow exists at the lower elevations and could be unstable on steep slopes. Wet slides are possible on road cuts, steep banks and roofs.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )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.
