A Persistent Weak Layer of loose faceted snow remains at the base of our snowpack. It has gained a little strength after the large storm a week ago but it should not be trusted. You will probably not see many of the "red flags" that we look for like collapsing and shooting cracks. The biggest red flag is knowing the base is full of sugary loose snow. The second is that we just added weight with the new snow and the wind was blowing and drifting the snow which loads slopes much more rapidly than just snow falling straight from the sky.

Today is a typical type of day for an avalanche accident. We have some fresh snow and it's going to be a nice sunny day. But under the fresh powder the snowpack structure remains weak and dangerous. The new snow and sunny skies may be too enticing for some folks to restrain from getting onto steep powder filled slopes.