At the upper elevation small pockets of new soft slab and shallow loose snow sloughs may become a hazard in terrain with consequences. At the lower elevations warm temperatures and periods of rain will be increasing the wet snow avalanche hazard. Monitor conditions for increasing dry snow avalanche hazards at the higher elevations and for wet snow and glide avalanche hazards on very steep slopes at the lower elevations.
At the highest elevations southwest to west winds will begin to form shallow pockets of soft slab 6 to 18 inches in depth on leeward aspects. These small slides could be triggered by skiers and riders in steep avalanche starting zones and can cause injuries in extreme terrain.
At the lower elevations wet slides are possible on very steep slopes. These slides could dig down to the ground.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Light snowfall with periods of moderate snowfall will continue overnight and into Wednesday. Rain will change to snow this evening as the freezing level drops. Accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are possible in the mountains by tomorrow evening. On Wednesday temperatures will in the 20s and 30s in the mountains. Valley temperatures are forecast to be near 30 in the morning and rise into the 40s. Light southerly winds will begin to veer to the southwest and increase to 10 to 15 miles per hour by Wednesday night.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be low. At the upper elevations isolated pockets of new soft slab and shallow loose snow sloughs could begin to become a hazard in terrain features with consequences. Monitor conditions for increasing dry snow avalanche hazards at the higher elevations and for wet snow avalanche hazards on isolated terrain features in the lower elevations.
