Yesterday, the due north aspects had a damp but soft snow surface and as soon as you got on any other aspect there was a melt-freeze crust that was either breakable or damp depending on the time of day. The snow that fell last night is slightly rimed and may not bond very well to the melt-freeze crust. Any avalanches may run fast and far on southerly aspects where the new snow fell on a slick surface. Expect to see snow pooling below cliff bands and in the bottom of gully features this morning.

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It will be possible for humans to trigger dry loose avalanches in steep terrain today. These will be 3"-8" deep and in areas where they have room to run could be powerful enough to push a human off their feet. Be aware of groups traveling below or above you if you start to see long running new snow avalanches.

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Any sun on new snow, even for an instant, will increase the likelihood of seeing wet snow avalanches. This is more likely to occur on the southerly and westerly facing slopes this afternoon. Rain on snow below 8,000' could also create wet loose avalanches in steep terrain.

The one consistent with this weather forecast is that the wind will blow. Expect to see drifts of wind-blown snow on the downwind side of ridgelines and terrain features. The wind-drifted snow will create soft and sensitives cornices on the ridgelines and these cornices may break further back than you expect and trigger soft slab avalanches below them.

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Look for and avoid pillowy, wind loaded features and if you see cracking or collapsing than move to lower angle terrain.

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