The mid-November drought created a very weak snow surface composed of facets and patches of surface hoar on all aspects and elevations throughout the Wasatch Range. North and East facing aspects harbored some of the weaker faceted snow and have also seen the most wind loading (primarily last Wednesday and Thursday). Cracking and collapsing continue to be noted in backcountry travel and many experienced skiers have commented that conditions are tricky and stressful.

Greg's observation from a northeast aspect in the Powder Mountain Backcountry explains the current avalanche problem.

November's low sun angle and colder than normal temperatures led to a poor snowpack structure on south and west facing aspects on some slopes. This is fairly unusual. Although these "off aspects" have a more complicated snow structure and have experienced less loading (in fact some scouring away of snow), I am not ready to trust these aspects just yet.

TREND: STEADY