The general avalanche hazard is LOW this morning and will rise to MODERATE by mid-day and into CONSIDERABLE in the afternoon. Cold overnight lows at the higher elevations, combined with clear skies and radiational cooling, have likely produced stout crusts. These crust lie upon an unconsolidated, isothermal snowpack, and wet slides will once again become possible after they breakdown. At the lower elevations where overnight temperatures were warmer, this breakdown will occur first and then be followed by mid elevation thawing and then finally at the higher elevations. Plan for an early start, and avoid steep avalanche terrain after surface crusts breakdown.
Wet loose avalanches are possible on a variety of aspects in steep terrain at all elevations. These wet slides could be human triggered or release spontaneously and have potential to entrain snow to the ground in areas where the snowpack is isothermal.
Wet slab avalanches are possible in steep terrain where buried layers of faceted snow persist within the snow pack. These dangerous slab avalanches could be human triggered or release naturally with depths of two to five feet and could step down to the ground.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Cloud cover will decrease overnight, and mostly clear skies should be expected during the day on Thursday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near 20 before rising into the mid to upper 30s during the day. Northwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 5 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW early Thursday morning before rising to MODERATE by noon and possibly to CONSIDERABLE in the afternoon. Crusts that form overnight will lie above an unconsolidated, isothermal snowpack. Once these crusts thaw, the snowpack will return to unstable conditions, and wet loose sluffs and wet slabs will once again become possible. The hazard will rise quickly if cloud cover inhibits radiational cooling overnight and clear skies prevail during the day. Plan for an early start, and avoid steep, avalanche terrain once surface crusts break down.
