A warm up will occur today and increase the avalanche hazard. Predawn temperatures at the mid and upper elevations are in the upper 20s and low 30s and are expected to rise into the upper 30s and lows 40s during the day. This warming will increase the sensitivity of stiff wind slabs to human triggers and could create wet slides. Cornice drops are possible during the heat of the day and could trigger slab avalanches on the slopes beneath them. Monitor conditions and get off and out from under steep terrain after snow surfaces soften.
Pockets of hard wind slab exist at the upper elevations and in isolated pockets at the mid elevations. These wind slabs could be human triggered in wind loaded avalanche starting zones, steep couloirs and cliff areas. These stiff slabs are expected to be up to 18 inches deep and will become more sensitive to human triggers as the day progresses and snow surfaces soften.
Wet loose slides are possible on steep slopes on a variety of aspects after snow surfaces soften. These slides will be most likely occur in areas that are protected from the wind and collect heat. Wet loose and wet slab avalanches could release naturally or be human triggered.
Mild and dry conditions are expected at the upper elevations. Temperatures near 9000 feet are to start in the low twenties at daylight and rise into the mid to upper thirties. Valley temperatures are to start near zero degrees and also rise to above freezing. Winds along summits are to be from the west with ten to twenty mile per hour averages. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate by the afternoon as warming temperatures increase the potential for human triggered slides as well as small natural wet slide activity. At higher elevations wind slabs could be triggered with depths to 18 inches. Steep slopes that undergo significant warming could see small wet loose slides, or wet slabs. These wet slabs could be the more recently formed wind slabs or older persistent slabs. Activity involving the older persistent slabs is only expected in the Togwotee Pass area where a weaker snowpack exists.
