Warm temperatures and sunshine will be increasing the avalanche hazard as the day progresses. Wet slides are possible in very steep terrain and cliff areas at all elevations after snow surfaces soften. Wet slab avalanches are possible in very steep terrain at the higher elevations. Cornices are huge and could be triggered by the weight of a person or collapse naturally. Monitor conditions and be prepared to adjust travel plans as conditions warm and the hazard increases.
At the higher elevations wet slab avalanches up to three feet in depth and wet loose slides could be triggered by skiers and riders who venture into steep, avalanche prone terrain and cliff areas.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Skies are likely to be partly cloudy overnight. The extent of that cloud cover will determine whether temperatures will drop into the 20s before dawn. Skies are expected to be mostly sunny on Wednesday. Daytime highs will rise into the 30s, 40 and 50s. Winds will back towards the south at speeds of 15 to 20 with gusts to 30 miles per hour.Warm temperatures and sunshine will increase the general avalanche hazard as the day progresses. Concerns include wet slides on very steep slopes and in cliff areas, cornice failures and lingering potential for humans to trigger wind slab avalanches in isolated areas. The general avalanche hazard is forecast to be MODERATE.
