Temperatures at 5 AM are in the upper 20s at 10,500 feet and above freezing at 8,200 feet and are forecast to rise into the 30s and 40s. The higher elevations received up to 5 inches of snow overnight. Rain fell below an elevation of 8,500 feet. Dense wind slabs could be triggered by skiers and riders in steep upper elevation avalanche starting zones and steep couloirs. Wet slides are possible on very steep slopes at the mid and lower elevations.
Winds slabs up to two feet in depth could be triggered by skiers or riders who venture into steep avalanche starting zones and extreme terrain at the upper elevations. These slabs will become increasing sensitive to human triggers as temperatures warm and may behave as wet slabs during the warmest portion of the day.
Wet slab and wet loose avalanches are possible at the mid elevations. These slides could be up to a couple feet deep. Avoid steep slopes with areas of wet unconsolidated snow.
The next storm system will begin to impact the region after midnight and continue into Friday morning. This storm will bring 6 to 14 inches of snow to the upper elevations. Rain showers will occur at the lower elevations until colder air moves in and the snow level descends to the valley floor on Thursday afternoon. West winds will increase with gusts up to 60 miles per hour. At the upper elevations the new snow and strong gusty winds will create new wind slabs that will become sensitive to human triggers, especially on slopes that are being rapidly loaded. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE in the morning and may increase to CONSIDERABLE in areas favored by this storm system.
