Warming temperatures will increase the avalanche danger at all elevations over the next 24 hours.
Weather Forecast
Upper elevation winds will be from the SW and be in the strong range. Temperatures will start to increase over the next 48 hours. Freezing levels will increase to mid treeline by mid Thursday. Snow accumulations may be up to 35cm over the next 3 days with rain at lower elevations.
Snowpack Summary
Fresh snow is forecast over the next 72 hours. At upper elevations this will quickly become slab like as the forecasted strong SW winds transport it onto East and Northeast slopes. At lower elevations warming temperatures will result in moist snow conditions particularly on southerly facing slopes.
Avalanche Summary
With a rising freezing level, strong winds and up to 35cm of snow the avalanche danger will increase on all aspects and all elevations. Slab avalanches will dominate the alpine and windy treeline locations on NE aspects. At lower elevations the number and frequency of moist and wet point release avalanche will increase over the next 2 or 3 days.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Wednesday
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.