A persistent weak layer of faceted snow that developed during the cold dry period in mid November is now present on aspects that face W-N-SE. A fresh load of 14" of snow may be enough to wake up this PWL and produce avalanche activity today. Audible collapses and shooting cracks are sure signs that the buried weak layer is failing under the weight of the new snow. This condition is most dangerous and wide spread on slopes facing NW-N-E, where wind drifted snow has built thick slabs on top. These hard slabs are 1-4' thick and can produce very large, deep, and potentially deadly avalanches. Fresh wind drifts formed on these slopes again yesterday during the storm. A slide triggered in a fresh drift can step down and trigger one of these larger more dangerous avalanches. Avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees that face W-N-SE.

The buried weak layer sits right behind my glove in this photo. If you dig down, it is easy to locate because of the brown dust in the layer.

In my travels yesterday I experienced unstable storm snow and I observed a good amount of cracking in the new snow. Failure was occurring at the new/old snow interface and the new snow was poorly bonded to the old surface snow. New snow instabilities will remain a concern today with an additional five inches last night. Human triggered dry loose snow avalanches will be possible in steep terrain today. Skier triggered sluffs on steep slopes can pick up speed quickly and run long distances. Be cautious on steep slopes, and avoid terrain traps.

Cracking in the storm snow indicates unstable conditions.