The avalanche hazard is limited to areas at the upper elevations were new snow lies upon hard old snow surfaces. Those old snow surfaces persist on east through north to west aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. On those aspects new snow is accumulating on weak faceted snow that sits upon hard rain crusts that formed in October. Small, shallow loose snow slides and shallow pockets of soft wind slab 5 to 10 inches in depth are expected to release naturally or be easily triggered by humans in steep terrain on those slick old snow surfaces. Avalanche hazard is not a concern in terrain where the new snow has accumulated on bare ground.
Small pockets of new wind slab 5 to 10 inches in depth are likely to be easily triggered or release naturally on very steep slopes on east through north to west aspects at the upper elevations.
A high pressure ridge will begin to build over the region behind this departing storm system. Lingering snow showers could bring another inch of snow as the atmosphere slowly dries out and cloud cover decreases on Friday. Some fog is possible in the valleys during the morning hours. Temperatures should drop into the single digits overnight and rise into the 20s in the mountains and the 30s in the valleys during the day. Winds will be light at 5 to 15 miles per hour and rotate around to the east or south. At the upper elevations isolated pockets of soft slab less than a foot in depth and loose snow sloughs could be human triggered in steep terrain where the new snow lies upon slick old snow surfaces. Avalanches are not a concern in areas where the new snow accumulated on bare ground. The general avalanche is expected to be LOW at the upper elevations. Small slides in steep terrain can cause serious injury, especially during early season conditions when rocks and other obstacles increase the potential for traumatic injury. No hazard is anticipated at the mid and lower elevations.
