Sunshine and warm temperatures will increase the wet snow avalanche hazard and create dangerous conditions on and beneath steep avalanche prone slopes. As the day warms at the upper elevations the potential for large wet slab avalanches to be human triggered or release naturally will increase. Warming conditions will also be increasing the potential for wet loose avalanches to occur on very steep slopes on a variety of aspects. The hazard at the higher elevations will be moderate in the early morning hours and will increase to considerable. The hazard below an elevation of 8,000 feet will be low in the early morning hours and will increase to moderate. Monitor conditions at all elevations for a rapid increase in the wet snow avalanche hazard and get off of and out from under avalanche prone terrain before conditions become unstable.
Large to very large wet slab avalanches are likely at the higher elevations. These slabs could be one to three feet deep and may dig down to the ground in areas where faceted snow persists at the base of the snowpack. Smaller wet loose slides are also likely on very steep terrain features. These wet slides may gouge down to the ground in areas where the snowpack is isothermal.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A high pressure ridge will build in from the west and bring dryer and much warmer conditions to the region. On Thursday skies will be mostly clear. Temperatures will drop to around 20 degrees overnight. Daytime highs will rise well into the 40s in the mountains and well into the 50s in the valleys. Winds will be from the northwest at 15 to 20 with gusts to 25 miles per.At the upper elevations the general avalanche hazard expected to be moderate at daybreak and will increase to considerable as temperatures warm. In steep active avalanche paths large slab avalanches comprised of the new snow that has been accumulating for over a week could be triggered by skiers and riders. These slabs are expected to become increasingly sensitive to human triggers and may release naturally during the warmest portion of the day. At the mid and lower elevations the general avalanche hazard is expected to be low at daybreak and will rise to moderate after significant warming occurs. Wet snow avalanches are possible on steep terrain features. Monitor conditions at all elevations for a rapid increase in the wet snow avalanche hazards and get off of and out from under avalanche prone terrain before conditions become unstable.
