Faceted snow at the base of the snowpack continues to be a persistent weak layer on northerly and shaded aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. Steep slopes where this faceted snow exists at the base of the snowpack have been the venue for two recent accidents that resulted in serious injuries and should continue to be considered dangerous. Avalanches are unlikely at the mid elevations and patchy areas of snow and bare ground exist at the lower elevations.
Skiers and riders could trigger persistent slabs up to 30 inches in depth on steep, northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. These slabs lie upon a mid-October drought surface that is comprised of faceted snow. Thin areas of these slabs may be potential trigger points and previous tracks on these slopes may not be an indication of stability.
Clouds are expected to diminish overnight with additional snow accumulations of less than an inch possible before midnight. On Thursday skies will be partly to mostly sunny with temperatures rising from overnight lows in the upper teens to low 20s into the upper 20s to low 30s in the mountains. Winds will be westerly at 10 to 20 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE above an elevation of 9,000 feet where skiers or riders could trigger dense slabs up to 30 inches deep on steep northerly aspects. Thin areas of these slabs may be potential trigger points and previous tracks may not be an indication of stability. Avalanches are unlikely at the mid elevations where the general avalanche hazard is forecast to be LOW. Sparse amounts of snow exist at the lower elevations.
