Significant warming will occur again today and increase the avalanche hazard. Daytime temperatures at 10,400 feet are forecast to rise into the mid 30s to low 40s. This warming will increase the sensitivity of stiff wind slabs and deeper hard slabs to human triggers and could create wet slides. We received a report that a snowmobiler was caught and partially buried somewhere on Angle Mountain On Monday afternoon. Similar events are possible today. Cornice drops are possible during the heat of the day and could trigger slab avalanches on the slopes beneath them. Monitor conditions and get off and out from under steep terrain after snow surfaces soften.
Buried layers of faceted snow persist in the snowpack and could become bed surfaces for avalanche activity after snow surfaces soften. Stiff surface slabs with depths to 18 inches could be human triggered on steep slopes. Older, dense slabs up to five feet in depth could also be triggered on deeper buried layers of faceted snow.
Wet slides are possible today on a variety of aspects at all elevations after temperatures warm and snow surfaces soften. These slides could release naturally or be human triggered. Wet loose slides are possible on steep sunlit slopes. Dangerous, wet slabs could fail to the ground with depths to five feet at the higher elevations.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Dry and mild conditions will continue with thermal inversions and warm temperatures aloft. A few clouds are possible on Wednesday above areas of morning valley fog. Overnight temperatures will drop into the lower teens in the valleys and into the mid-20s in the mountains. Daytime highs will rise into the mid-30s to near 40 at all elevations. West-northwest winds with average speeds of 15 miles per hour are expected along the higher ridge crests.The general avalanche hazard will increase as the day warms and is expected to be MODERATE. Stiff wind slabs with depths to 18 inches have some potential to be human triggered in steep terrain at the higher elevations. Wet loose slides are possible on steep sunlit aspects at all elevations. In the Togwotee Pass/Continental Divide area persistent slabs with depths to five feet could be human triggered in steep active avalanche paths.
