Wind drifted snow continues to be our primary concern. Strong southerly winds have blown for more than a week drifting snow on to slopes facing W-N-SE, and we now have new wind slabs on top of old. Most of the older slabs have gained strength, but fresh drifts will continue to form in the most recent snow. Be alert to recent deposits of wind drifted snow on the lee sides of ridge crests and terrain features. Due to the intense winds, cross-loading will also be a factor so beware of the sides of gully walls and down slope sub ridges. Fresh drifts are often recognizable by their smooth, rounded appearance, and they may sound, and feel hollow underneath. Cracking in the snow surface is a sign of instability.

The added snow load over the next few days will be a good test for buried persistent weak layers in the snowpack. Our primary layer of concern continues to be the early December snow that has turned into weak, sugary facets on top of the October crust. Where the snowpack is deepest, this layer is mostly non-reactive. Where the pack is shallow and weak, alarming results occasionally pop up. This puts us squarely in the MODERATE category where deep and dangerous, human triggered avalanches are still possible. And as our old buddy Clint would say, "Do you feel lucky?" In addition, Dave Garcia has noted some weak layers that have formed in the upper portion of the snowpack. For the time being, I'm going to continue to avoid steep, northerly facing terrain while waiting to see how it holds up to this storm cycle.

Dave Garcia's pit profile. Primary layer of concern continues to be the December facets at 70 cms, but buried near surface facet layers exist in the upper portion of the pack.

As dense, wind driven snow begins to pile up, we may see avalanches within the new snow. These can occur as both loose snow sluffs, and soft, cohesive slabs. Look for cracking in the most recent snow, as well as the presence of an overriding dense slab as clues to potential instability. Long running natural avalanches within the new snow will be possible off the higher peaks and steep faces, stay out from under this type of terrain.