Heavy snowfall over the past week has been a good test for the persistent weak layer (PWL) of faceted snow that developed during the cold dry period in mid November, but the jury is still out. This weak layer exists on all aspects and has produced several large, natural avalanches on steep, northerly aspects, as well as a couple on southerly aspects. In our travels over the past several days we have been finding signs that the weak layer is strengthening, but thinner snowpack areas remain a concern. We've also just had a siginificant load applied and things need time to adjust. For now, this PWL should be presumed guilty until proven innocent and slopes steeper than 30 degrees should be avoided.

Dave Garcia and company dug this deep snowpit on a northerly aspect below treeline. The weak layer of concern is visible as a band of dust just above knee level. The overall depth and strength of the snow above the weak layer suggests we are moving in the right direction. Check out Dave's complete observation here.

Blowing and drifting snow over the weekend has has created fresh slabs over a foot deep on leeward slopes facing W-N-E near and above treeline. The greatest concern is the added weight and stress they have applied to the buried persistent weak layer. Steep, wind drifted slopes should be avoided as deep and dangerous, human triggered avalanches remain likely.

Reports from yesterday indicate a lack of slab properties within the most recent storm snow. Nevertheless, there is a foot of new snow lying around and loose snow sluffs remain a possibity in steep terrain. But we're not skiing or riding steep terrain yet right?