Uncertainty around buried weak layers is best managed through conservative terrain choices. Check out this blog post for some insight into the current shallow yet complex snowpack.
A layer of surface hoar is buried 20-50 cm deep. If triggered, avalanches on this layer could step down to deeper weak layers.
A layer of weak facets near the ground may be reactive to human triggering, especially in shallow, rocky areas in alpine terrain where the layer is not capped by a crust.
On Sunday, a skier was uninjured after accidentally triggering a size 2 deep persistent slab on basal facets over a smooth rock slab.
Ongoing explosive control work in recent days has consistently produced deep persistent slab avalanches size 1.5-2.
A skiff of new snow rests on old surfaces including surface hoar, facets and crusts. Beneath lies a complex snowpack with several layers on our radar.
The most prominent is a layer of surface hoar buried 20-50 cm deep. It is less of a concern in areas where a strong, supportive crust exists above the surface hoar layer.
The mid and lower snowpack are typically characterized by sugary, facetted crystals and a basal crust.
Snowpack depths at treeline range from 50-130 cm.
Monday night
Partly cloudy, ridgetop wind 15 km/h southeast, treeline temperature -10 °C.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud, ridgetop wind 15 km/h south, treeline temperature -7 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy, ridgetop wind <10 km/h south, treeline temperature -6 °C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud, ridgetop wind <10 km/h south, treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
