A significant warm up will occur again today and increase the avalanche hazard. Predawn temperatures in the mountains are in the upper 20s and low 30s and are expected to rise into the upper 30s and lows 40s during the day. This warming will increase the sensitivity of stiff wind slabs to human triggers and could create wet slides. 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.
At the mid and upper elevations hard surface slabs could be triggered by skiers and riders in steep wind loaded avalanche prone terrain. These stiff slabs are expected to be up to 18 inches and will become more sensitive to human triggers as the day progresses and snow surfaces soften.
Wet slides are possible today 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.
( 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.
