5" of new snow that fell at upper elevations yesterday has created a MODERATE avalanche danger for shallow, soft slab avalanches involving new and wind drifted snow on all aspects. Overall low coverage makes it very difficult to access avalanche terrain at this time, but if you find yourself in these areas, suspect slopes that have smooth, rounded deposits of wind drifted snow. Cracking in the snow surface is a sign of instability. Even a small avalanche triggered under these conditions can have serious and painful consequences.

On mid and upper elevation northerly aspects, old, pre-existing snow has deteriorated into layers of weak, sugary, faceted snow on top of a slick, hard bed surface. An avalanche failing on one of these weak layers is currently unlikely, but each additional snow load incrementally increases the probability. Collapsing or whumping in the snowpack are signs of this type of instability.