The snowpack is mostly stable; however areas of instability may exist at the upper elevations. Warming temperatures will increase the hazard as the day progresses. Small wet loose slides and cornice failures may become a possibility during the warmest portion of the day. Deep hard slab avalanches continue to be a potential hazard in steep upper elevation active avalanche paths. Monitor conditions and avoid steep avalanche prone terrain after significant warming has occurred and snow surfaces have softened.
Some potential may remain for snowmobiles to trigger deep hard slab avalanches in very steep upper elevation avalanche paths. These slabs could have depths to four feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Dry and warmer conditions will ensue as the system that brought the colder temperatures and winds heads east. Skies will be mostly sunny on Wednesday. It will be a cold start with overnight lows in the lower teens at the upper elevations. Daytime highs will rise into the 30s and 40s in the mountains and into the 50s in the valleys. West winds will decrease and become light and variable as a high pressure ridge begins to build over the region. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW. The snowpack is mostly stable; however some isolated areas of instability may exist in extreme terrain. Humans who venture into steep couloirs and cliff areas could trigger small pockets of wind slab or small wet slides during the heat of the day that could knock them over and carry them down very steep slopes. Normal caution is advised.
