After the prolonged dry spell, most of the snow left on the ground has become weak and faceted creating an unstable base for any load of snow. On northerly aspects the entire snowpack has faceted through, and prevailing southerly winds will continue to increase the load by drifting new snow on top of this poor snowpack structure. Dangerous, human triggered avalanches will become increasing more likely in these areas. On sunny slopes that still retained snow, the structure is also weak, particularly on slopes that have a west or easterly component to their aspect. These areas will have to be assumed guilty until proven otherwise. Avalanches are most likely to fail on persistent weak layers near the surface first, but as the load increases, avalanches will have the potential to step down to the ground. Avoidance of avalanche terrain is the only recommended strategy at this time.

Photo illustrates the weak structure I found on a north aspect around 10,500' earlier in the week.

Ryan Huels took this photo of weak snow on a southwest aspect.

Avalanches involving the new snow will grow increasingly more likely today on any steep slope that held snow prior to the storm. Pay attention to how the new snow is behaving - look for cracking in the snow surface and be suspicious of any steep slope that has more than about 6 inches of new snow. If you experience any collapsing or whumphing you are affecting buried weak layers, a sure sign that deeper, more dangerous avalanches are likely.

Areas with wind drifted snow will compound the danger by increasing the stress in buried persistent weak layers. Drifting is most likely to occur on steep slopes facing NW-N-NE-E near treeline and above, and theses slopes should simply be avoided.