Expect a rising avalanche danger over the next several days! Blowing and drifting of the new snow has created a MODERATE avalanche danger in wind-exposed terrain primarily on slopes facing NW-N-E. You are most likely to encounter this problem on open scree slopes right around treeline and above that had about a foot or more of pre-existing snow. In the higher elevations, areas of CONSIDERABLE danger may exist. Look for areas of wind drifted snow on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features such as gully walls and sub ridges. Most of this terrain will be difficult to access due to overall low snow coverage, but if you managed to trigger a pocket of wind drifted snow, a ride over rocks, sticks, or even the ground would be rough. With a powerful storm on tap for the holiday expect the danger to rise over the next several days!