Time and warm temperatures have helped to stabilize the snowpack, but persistent weak layers of loose, sugary, faceted snow remain. A melt freeze crust of varying strength and thickness exists on top of the October snow, and loose facets have developed above it and below. In areas where the snowpack is shallow, faceted snow beneath the crust exists all the way to the ground. In areas where the snowpack is more than about 3' deep, these weak layers are gaining strength. Spatial variability, or the variability in snow cover, is a key element right now. All you need to do is find the right trigger point in a rocky, shallow area, or above a hidden bush, and you could still trigger a dangerous avalanche 2'-4' deep.

Wednesday's wind event created stiff slabs of wind drifted snow in the upper elevations, primarily on slopes with an easterly component. They'll be stubborn today, but a triggered wind slab has the potential to break down into buried, persistent weak layers causing a deep and dangerous avalanche. Avoid steep slopes and areas such as cross-loaded gullies that have a smooth rounded appearance, or where the snow feels hollow underneath.