Westerly winds the past several days continue to drift snow onto many mid and upper elevation slopes. Although you can expect to find fresh wind drifts on leeward aspects generally facing east, the wind can work through terrain and cross-load a slope on any aspect. Remotely-triggered slides on Wednesday are an indication these wind drifts may continue to be reactive today. Avoid wind-drifted slopes as avalanches can be triggered from below or on an adjacent slope. Watch for clues of wind loading such as cracking and wind-drifted pillows.

Although most observations indicate that avalanching will generally require a wind-loaded slope, the recent storm snow fell onto a weak, pre-existing snow surface, and sensitive shallow storm slabs 6-10" thick may be possible on steeper slopes. Signs to watch for include cracking and collapsing.