The new snow will not bond to the old snow surface and I'm only expecting widespread sluffing in the new snow in steeper terrain today. However, snowfall rates are forecast to increase early this afternoon, and any period of high precipitation intensity (PI) will quickly create a more cohesive soft slab of storm snow which will be reactive.

Winds from the northwest will quickly and easily transport the low-density snow into shallow soft slabs of wind-drifted snow. Any fresh wind drifts will be 4-8" deep and sensitive as they are forming on top of weaker snow underneath.

Watch for cracking in fresh wind drifts as an indication of instability.

UAC forecaster colleague Nikki Champion said it perfectly in a text message Thursday evening: "If it's not dirt, it's facets". In other words, except for southerly aspects, any pre-existing snow is weak. Storm snow and wind-drifted snow will be deposited on top of weak, faceted snow and surface hoar. A UAC forecasting team went to the Ant Knolls on Thursday and the measly 1" of new snow sheared cleanly and easily at its interface with the weak snow at the old snow surface.