Recently developed winds slabs still warrant consideration for backcountry travelers venturing into avalanche terrain. Cloud cover should negate the effect of the sun. However, with warmer temperatures less sunshine will be needed to soften the frozen snow surfaces. If this occurs, start to consider moving to shaded terrain.
In very steep, wind loaded avalanche terrain above 7,500 feet, backcountry travelers might still be able to trigger pockets of wind slab 6 to 18 inches in depth on a variety of aspects. These slides could fail either on density breaks within the storm snow or possibly down to the mid March hard snow surfaces.
Scattered snow showers are possible overnight. On Wednesday skies will be mostly sunny in the morning with isolated mountain snow showers in the afternoon. Temperatures will rise into the 30s and 40s from overnight lows near 20 degrees. Winds will be southerly at about five miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW in the early morning hours and increase to MODERATE after snow surfaces soften. Wet slides are possible on very steep slopes after significant warming has occurred.
