Avalanches involving recent and wind drifted snow will be possible on all aspects today. I've lumped the two problems together as I think it will be hard to find unstable snow that hasn't been wind affected to some extent but storm slab avalanches may also be possible. The deepest and most dangerous drifts will be found on leeward slopes that face NW-N-NE-E. On some northerly facing slopes, deeper drifts have formed on top of a layer of weak, faceted snow. On these slopes a triggered wind drift cold step down to this buried weak layer causing a deeper and more dangerous avalanche.

On all other aspects, look for recent deposits of wind drifted snow on the leeward sides of subtle terrain features such as sub ridges, gully walls, and rock out crops. Also look for slab like properties in the recent snow such as blocks between your skis on the skin trail, as well as signs of instability such as cracking in the snow surface.

A layer of weak, sugary, faceted snow formed on the surface of northerly facing slopes during a dry period earlier this month. It was subsequently buried by a foot of snow from the Valentine's Day storm. The distribution of this weak layer is somewhat spotty - meaning we are finding it on some slopes, and not on others. The only way to know where it exists for sure is to get out your shovel and dig. We have a fair amount of uncertainty as to how this weak layer will react to the new load, and how widespread the problem is. For now, all steep, north facing terrain should be considered dangerous with human triggered avalanches likely.