It is warmer this morning, however snow surfaces should be frozen in the early morning hours. The wet snow avalanche hazard will increase after snow surfaces soften. Sunshine and warming temperatures may significantly increase the wet snow avalanche hazard. Monitor conditions for an increase in the wet snow avalanche hazard and avoid being on and under steep slopes if the snowpack loses cohesion and if the snow on those slopes is or becomes isothermal.
Wet loose and wet slab avalanches are possible on steep avalanche prone slopes during the warmest portion of the day. Wet loose slides could gouge down and trigger wet slab avalanches. Any wet slab avalanches are likely to be 1 to 3 feet deep and could be dangerous. These wet slides could be human triggered or release naturally.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A Pacific cold front will approach the area. A few showers are possible in northern areas later in the afternoon. Rain and snow showers in the evening are expected to spread from the northwest to the southeast and change over to all snow as colder air moves into the region.Skies will remain mostly clear overnight and allow temperatures to drop into the 20s. On Thursday clouds will be on the increase as temperatures rise back into the 30’s and 40’s before the arrival of the cold front. Southwest winds will strengthen during the day, become strong ahead of and during the frontal passage and will back to the northwest and stay strong later in the evening. This storm system will be moving fast and is not likely to bring more that a trace to a couple of inches of new snow to the mountains. The snowpack has been subjected to multiple melt-freeze cycles and is mostly stable. Snow surfaces are expected to freeze overnight and soften during the day. Wet snow slides are possible on steep sunlit aspects during the warmest portion of the day. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be low.
