Temperatures have been mostly above freezing at all elevations since around noon on Saturday. These warm temperatures have created unstable conditions on steep slopes. Natural avalanche activity has been observed on a variety of aspects during the past two days. Wet loose and wet slab avalanches are possible on steep slopes today. The potential for these events to be human triggered or release naturally will increase as the day warms. Steep snow covered terrain, known avalanche paths and cornices are considered to be dangerous. Very steep, rocky terrain with a shallow snowpack is especially suspect.
Wet loose avalanches are likely today on a variety of aspects in steep terrain at all elevations. These wet slides could be human triggered or release spontaneously and have potential to entrain snow to the ground in areas where the snowpack is isothermal.
Wet slab avalanches are possible in steep terrain and could be human triggered or released naturally in response to warming temperatures.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Cloud cover will increase as will the potential for light shower activity. Skies will be mostly cloudy on Tuesday with a chance of valley rain showers, a mix of rain and snow showers at the mid elevations and the potential for a little wet snow above an elevation of 10,000 feet. Temperatures are forecast to fall to around freezing overnight and rise back into the 40s and 50s during the day. Winds will be light and variable. Conditions will continue to be unstable on steep slopes with areas of unconsolidated snow. Natural and human triggered wet loose and wet slab avalanches are possible on a variety of aspects. Areas of MODERATE and CONSIDERABLE avalanche hazard are likely tomorrow and will be delineated in the morning nowcasts for each of our three forecast regions.
