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. Recent and wind drifted snow has incrementally loaded this weak layer and we are in a tentative state. Outward signs of instability may not be present, but 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. The only good strategy right now is to 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 his travels on Monday, Dave Garcia experienced unstable storm snow with failure occurring at the new/old snow interface. This type of instability typically settles out within a day or so, but the snow has continued to fall and we now have up to 20" of recent snow on top of the old snow surface. Continue to suspect human triggered avalanches within the snow, especially if you are headed to south facing terrain to avoid persistent weak layer problems. Skier triggered soft slabs or sluffs 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.