Buried layers of surface hoar are a concern in areas with a deeper snow pack. Poor snow structure, with surface slabs on a base of well-developed faceted snow can be found in areas where the snowpack is less than 4 feet deep. On steep slopes the weight of a single person could trigger slab avalanches on these persistent weak layers. Evaluate terrain and snowpack carefully. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 7,500 feet except on isolated terrain features.
In steep terrain above an elevation of 7,500 feet persistent slab avalanches 1 to 3 feet in depth could be triggered by humans on buried weak layers of faceted snow.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )High pressure will continue to control the weather. Fog is likely to develop in the valleys by morning and burn off during the day. Temperatures will remain inverted. Temperatures will be in the upper teens to low 30s in the mountains and from below zero to near 20 in the valleys.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be moderate above an elevation of 7,500 feet. On some steep slopes the weight of a single person could trigger slab avalanches one to three feet in depth on persistent buried weak layers of faceted snow. Evaluate terrain and snowpack carefully. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 7,500 feet.
