The hazard from wet slides persists at the mid and lower elevations where warm temperatures and rain have created areas of loose, wet snow. At the upper elevations strong west winds will begin to form isolated pockets of new soft slab.
Wet loose slides are possible on steep slopes with areas of wet unconsolidated snow. These slides could step down into deeper layers or to the ground. Wet snow on or beneath the snow surface is an indicator of dangerous conditions where avalanche terrain should be avoided.
As the day progresses west winds will begin to create isolated pockets of new soft slab. These shallow surface slabs could build to depths of six to ten inches by the end of the day and could be human triggered in very steep, wind loaded avalanche starting zones.
Skies will be cloudy with mountain snow showers and valley rain showers. The rain line will fluctuate between 7,000 and 8,000 feet and will be lower at night and during the early morning hours and highest in the afternoon and evening hours. Temperatures are expected to drop into the low 20s on the summits and into the upper 20s in the valleys overnight and rise into the 30s in the mountains and into the 40s in the valleys during the day. Several inches of additional accumulation are likely at the higher elevations. Winds will be westerly at 20 miles per hour. The general avalanche hazard at the mid elevations and on steep slopes at the lower elevations that still have snow is expected to be MODERATE. Wet slides will continue to be a threat at these elevations. At the upper elevations the general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW. Isolated pockets of soft surface slab up to 12 inches in depth could pose a hazard to humans who venture into cliff areas and steep avalanche starting zones with fresh deposits of wind drifted snow.
