The snowpack is generally warm and weak and the potential to trigger wet loose avalanches will quickly develop this morning. Overnight freezing of the snow surface occurred in at all elevations. This surface crust will be thin and will break down on east facing slopes early this morning, followed by all other elevations. Deep hard slab avalanches also continue to be an unlikely but potential hazard in steep upper elevation active avalanche paths. Cornices on high ridges have been weakened by consecutive warm days and travel on or under them should be avoided. Backcountry travelers are advised to be out of even high elevation terrain by the mid to late morning. Evaluate terrain carefully and watch for very steep areas where wet slides are more likely.
A very slight potential remains for snowmobiles to trigger deep hard slab avalanches in very steep upper elevation avalanche paths. These slabs could have depths from two to four feet.
Wet loose slides are possible in very steep terrain on a variety of aspects. These slides could begin as shallow surface snow and then entrain deeper and deeper layers of snow in steep and long slidepaths.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Following shower activity with possible lightning this evening, high pressure is to build tonight thru Tuesday morning. A wave of pacific moisture will lead to more widespread showers and possible thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon. Mountain temperatures should rise from just below freezing to the upper forties before these disturbances arrive, resulting in the snow line being around 9500 feet at the onset of the showers. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate on Tuesday. Although a harder surface crust is expected at high elevations in the early morning, it will quickly break down. Generally the snowpack remains warm and weak. The chance continues to trigger small wet slides that could entrain significant amounts of snow in longer paths, particularly at the mid elevations. Large cornices that have not failed will be fragile to human presence and could peel off naturally.
