Overnight lows in the mountains were about five degrees cooler than yesterday. The chance for wet slabs, wet loose slides and cornice failures will all increase as the day warms. Monitor conditions and plan to avoid avalanche terrain after snow surfaces have significantly softened.
Once snow surfaces soften, backcountry travelers could trigger wet slab avalanches up to two feet in depth on steep, snow covered slopes.
Sunshine and warm temperatures may cause wet loose slides to occur on a variety of aspects in very steep terrain. At the upper elevations, these loose snow slides could trigger wet slab avalanches.
Huge cornices developed over the winter. Cornice failures are possible today, which could trigger large, deep slab avalanches.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )After passage of a cold front Wednesday evening, skies will be mostly clear to partly cloudy on Thursday. Mountain temperatures will rise to near 40 as the valleys climb into the 50s. Westerly ridgetop winds will range from 15 to 25 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be mostly LOW in the early morning hours before increasing to MODERATE after snow surfaces soften. Wet slabs up to two feet in depth, along with shallow wet loose slides, will be possible in steep terrain. Cornice failures remain a concern and have some potential to trigger large, deep wet slabs in isolated areas.
