Recent and wind drifted snow has elevated the avalanche danger by placing addtional stress on a buried foundation of weak, sugary, faceted snow. Avoid steep slopes that show signs of recent wind drifting. Wind drifts are recognizable by ther smooth, rounded appearance, and cracking is a sign of instability. Wind drifts form on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features such as gully walls and subridges. Another red flag sign of instability is collapsing, or whumphing. This indicates that the underlying poor snowpack structure is incapable of supporting the weight of the overlying snow. If you observe this, you know you have an unstable situation and steep terrain should be avoided.

In most cases, snowcover is still a little too thin to access avalanche terrain, but all steep, wind drifted slopes that have enough snow to ride are suspect, and human triggered avalanches are possible in these areas.

For more on the current state of the snowpack, see the video below.