We have plenty of weak sugary faceted snow (persistent weak layer) scattered on almost all aspects and elevations throughout the Wasatch Range. However, what varies is the slab (the snow sitting above the weak layer). In sheltered locations, this slab might only be 10-15" inches deep, and in areas where the wind has loaded the slope, the slab could be anywhere from 1-3' feet deep and hard as a rock. In any case, we have dangerous avalanche conditions, and you can still trigger a season-ending slab avalanche failing on a persistent weak layer.

It's going to get a lot worse before it gets better. But, the good news! This problem will go away, just not this week. Remember, it's a long season, and it's shaping up to be an epic winter, don't ruin it now by getting caught in an avalanche.

As the southerly winds continue to blow 25-35 mph over the next 24 hours, and with plenty of snow available to transport, we can expect to find old & new slabs of wind-drifted snow dotted across the terrain. These slabs of wind-drifted snow can be soft or hard and will be most pronounced across the mid and upper-elevation slopes facing west through north through southeast. However, with such strong winds, be on the lookout for cross-loaded terrain features or drifts well off the ridgelines usually found on mid-slope breakovers. Avoid the snow that looks rounded, pillowy, or sounds hollow like a drum.

Remember, any wind slab avalanche that you trigger has the potential to step down into deeper weaker layers in the snowpack, creating a much more dangerous avalanche.