The potential persists for humans to trigger dense surface slabs in steep terrain at the mid and upper elevations. Wet slides may become a possibility at the lower elevations on very steep slopes in areas where rain falls upon isothermal snow.
At the mid and upper elevations skiers and riders could trigger dense surface slabs up to two feet in depth. These slabs lie upon crusts that formed in late January and are unstable on steep slopes where faceted snow lies upon those crusts. New snow accumulations will increase the potential for these slabs to be triggered by humans.
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.
