Triggered and natural wind slab avalanches are likely in exposed terrain this morning. Strong southwest winds yesterday and northwest winds overnight occurred during periods of heavy snowfall causing significant loading in lee slope deposition zones. The drifted snow will be a bit stiffer than the powder in more sheltered areas, but could still be soft and rather undetectable. Expect sensitive wind slabs on the lee sides of ridge-lines and in and around terrain features like rock outcroppings, sub-ridges and gullies and near ridge lines. Fresh wind slabs could be 2 to 3 feet deep in places and they could be fairly wide, depending on terrain.

Yesterday's storm created dangerous conditions in the backcountry, with heavy snow, strong winds, and rapid accumulations on preexisting weak snow. In places yesterday's heavy new snow will probably not stick so well to last week's snow surface consisting of sugary faceted snow and feathery surface hoar. Dangerous storm slab avalanche conditions exist today on many steep slopes. Natural storm slab avalanches are possible and triggered avalanches are likely.

Feathers of Surface Hoar or frost like these in Wood Camp Hollow can become a persistent weak layer if buried intact.