The general avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE above an elevation of 8,000 feet and MODERATE below that elevation. The avalanche hazard will be increasing all day at all elevations. At the mid and upper elevations rising temperatures, heavy snowfall and strong winds will create unstable (upside down) conditions and new dense wind slabs on leeward aspects. These slabs are likely to be human triggered in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones and could step down to the ground on steep northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. Periods of rain may trigger loose, wet slides on very steep slopes at the lower elevations.
Dense, wind slab avalanches one to two feet in depth could be human triggered at the upper elevations and in isolated areas at the mid elevations. These slabs will gain volume and depth and become increasingly sensitive to human triggers as the day progresses. They could step down to depths of three feet on steep northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet.
At the lower elevations shallow, wet loose slides are possible on very steep slopes and road cuts in areas with significant rainfall.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A clockwise flow of subtropical Pacific moisture will ride up and over a high pressure ridge to our west and bring another significant storm event to our region. Light snow is expected to develop and increase in intensity by 2 AM. Snow, heavy at times, will continue through the day and evening and decrease on Wednesday. Temperatures will be in the teens at elevation, when the storm begins tonight and rise into the upper 20s during the day. The snow is likely to mix with or turn to rain at the lower elevations where temperatures will rise into the 30s. West-northwest winds will increase to speeds of 20 to 30 with gusts to 40 miles per hour. Whiteout conditions are likely along exposed ridge lines. Loading from the new snow and strong winds combined with rising temperatures will be increasing the hazard during the day. The greatest hazard will be at the upper elevations in steep, wind loaded avalanche starting zones. In these areas surface slabs one to two feet in depth are likely to be human triggered and could step down to the ground on northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. The general avalanche hazard is expected to remain CONSIDERABLE at the upper elevations. Warming temperatures and the new precipitation are expected to create a MODERATE hazard at the mid and lower elevations.
