At the mid and upper elevations isolated pockets of new soft slab and older, hard slabs could be human triggered in steep terrain and cliff areas. At the lower elevations areas of isothermal snow present some potential for wet slides to be human triggered in steep terrain.
Strong west winds have formed isolated pockets of shallow, soft slab less than a foot deep in upper elevation starting zones and cliff areas. Older, denser slabs one to two feet in depth lie upon crusts and faceted snow. These slabs could be human triggered in steep terrain at the mid and upper elevations.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. ) The storm system passing to our north will continue to bring snow showers to the region through Tuesday morning before tapering off during the day. Cooler temperatures will change the rain showers to snow showers. Temperatures will drop into the 20s tonight and rise into the 20s in the mountains and 30s in the valleys on Tuesday. West winds will impact the higher elevations with average speeds of 25 to 35 and gusts from 45 to 55 miles per hour. Additional accumulations of four to ten inches of new snow are possible at the higher elevations. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE. New shallow wind slabs and denser older slabs, up to two feet in depth could be human triggered in steep terrain at the mid and upper elevations. Unstable areas of isothermal snow are possible on steep slopes at the lower elevations.
