Blowing and drifting snow today may create unstable wind slabs sensitive to the weight of a skier or rider in upper elevation, wind-exposed terrain on slopes facing primarily NW-N-E. Look for fresh drifts forming on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features including sub-ridges and gully walls. Wind drifts are recognizable by their smooth, rounded appearance, and cracking in the snow is a sign of instability. These fresh drifts will be mostly shallow and manageable today, but a greater concern is that they will add additional stress to a buried, persistent weak layer causing a deeper, and potentially more dangerous avalanche.

Generally speaking, the mountains have a deep, strong snowpack for this time of year without the typical layer of weak, sugary "faceted" snow at the base. In my travels on Friday, 13 however, I observed two weak layers that have formed in the upper 12"-18" of the snowpack. Though not overly reactive at this time, there is a possibility for triggering an avalanche on one of these buried weak layers on steep slopes facing NW-N-E, especially in areas that have overlying deposits of wind drifted snow. We will want to pay attention to these weak layers as new or wind drifted snow will add additional stress, increasing the likelihood of triggering an avalanche.