Conditions are slightly cooler this morning with air temperatures reaching the freezing level down to an elevation of 7000-7500 feet. Wet loose avalanches are possible in the isothermal snowpack at low elevations this morning. As the day warms, the chances for such activity will increase as will the potential for slides at the higher elevations. Beware of steep slopes in areas where snow surfaces are wet and unconsolidated.
The chance for wet loose slides will increase today in very steep terrain and cliff areas. These wet slides could release naturally or be triggered by humans. Once initiated, these slides can fan out and gain volume as they entrain deeper snow during their descent.
The chance of snow exists tonight, particularly in the southern forecast area as the recent system moves to the southeast and out of the region. Friday is to be precipitation free with scattered clouds through most of the day before clouds increase late in the afternoon in advance of another system that should bring snow Friday night. Temperatures are to reach the mid to upper thirties at 9000 feet and could reach into the forties where extended periods of sunlight occur. Winds are to continue veering overnight to the southwest and are to have ten to twenty mile per hour averages during the day.The general avalanche hazard will be Low in the early morning at all elevations and will increase to Moderate in the afternoon as snow surfaces soften and the possibility of wet loose avalanches develops. This increase in likelihood will start at the lowest elevations and continue to involve higher terrain as daytime warming occurs.
