A persistent weak layer (PWL) of early season facets makes up the base of the snowpack on west-north-easterly facing slopes at the mid and upper elevations. In these areas, it is still possible to trigger an avalanche up to about 18 inches deep and over 100 feet wide. Cracking and collapsing are become less common and snow tests hint at slow stabilization, yet persistent weak layers come by their name honestly. It is true that in some areas, the snowpack has warmed and become isothermal and this may end up being a good thing...but facets are facets and it's just part of their character: they are just hard to trust. Exercise caution if you're traveling through steep terrain with this poor structure.

Wet sluffs and wet slab avalanches will start to become a problem today through early next week. I've always felt uncomfortable forecasting wet avalanches and feel even less comfortable forecasting wet avalanches in mid-December. My recommendation - to keep it simple - is to pull the calendar off the wall and just observe what you're seeing and note how it feels under your feet. If you're seeing wet rollerballs and loose point releases and/or the snow starts to feel punchy and unconsolidated, head for a different aspect or low angle terrain. Remember that wet loose debris can pile up deeply in terrain traps.