A persistent weak layer (PWL) of faceted snow that developed during the cold dry period in mid November exists on all aspects and elevation bands in the La Sal range. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist on any slope that harbors this buried PWL including those facing south. On northerly aspects, wind drifted snow has added more stress to this buried weak layer, and human triggered avalanches up to 4' deep are likely. The snowpack is undergoing a severe test right now, and this process will continue into next week. Once this next load is applied, we'll have a better idea about the future of our snowpack. For now, all slopes steeper than 30 degrees should be avoided.

Increasing southerly winds will blow and drift snow on to leeward northerly aspects. In most cases, only shallow wind slabs will develop today. In and of themselves, they won't pose too much of a threat. The greater concern is continued accumulation on top of buried persistent weak layers. And for this reason, all steep, wind drifted slopes should be avoided.