Aided by winds, the dense, new snow that fell yesterday formed a cohesive soft slab on all aspects and elevations. The recent storm snow will be less sensitive today, but pay attention to how it is behaving. Utilize test slopes and look for signs of instability such as cracking in the snow surface. Blocks of snow between your skis on the skin trail indicate that a slab has developed. In thinner snowpack areas, or in areas of more radical terrain, a triggered storm slab could step down into the buried persistent weak layer causing a deeper and more dangerous avalanche.

The widespread persistent weak layer (PWL) that formed in November is showing signs of strengthening and stability tests continue to be less reactive. This means avalanches are becoming harder to trigger but the consequences remain the same. Any avalanche triggered on this deeply buried PWL would be large and un-survivable. The greatest risk exists on steep, wind drifted, northerly aspects above treeline. As we start to think about easing into larger terrain, areas to avoid include slopes with steep convexities or blind break-overs; thin snowpack areas along slope margins or near rock outcrops; and areas of steep, rocky, more radical terrain.