The general avalanche hazard is expected to increase to MODERATE above an elevation of 8,500 feet. Strong westerly winds are creating new soft slabs on hard old snow surfaces. These slabs will gain depth and volume as the day progresses and could be human triggered in steep, wind loaded avalanche starting zones. At the lower elevations an increasing hazard from isolated pockets of shallow surface slab less than a foot in depth is expected.
Westerly winds have begun to create small pockets of soft surface slab in upper elevation avalanche starting zones. These shallow slabs will gain volume and depth during the afternoon and build to depths of 12 to 18 inches. They lie upon hard crusts and are expected to be sensitive to human triggers.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Scattered mountain snow showers are likely overnight. The next storm system will move through the region during the later morning hours on Tuesday. This system is also expected to be a fast mover that will bring snow showers and winds that will create areas of blowing and drifting snow at the upper elevations. Winds will be west-southwest at 20 to 30 with gusts to 45 miles per hour along exposed ridge crests. Temperatures will drop into the mid-teens and 20s overnight and rise in to the mid-20s and 30s during the day. Isolated pockets of new soft slab will form on leeward aspects at the higher elevations in areas that receive significant new snow. These shallow slabs will lie upon hard snow surfaces and are likely to be sensitive to human triggers. The general avalanche hazard is expected to LOW.
