Watch for wind slab development today, particularly along the highest ridgelines. Soft wind drifts of up to 12-18" may be particularly sensitive on the steep south to east facing terrain and may be triggered on approach or at a distance. These smooth, rounded drifts should be obvious along the lee of ridgelines and other terrain features. Shooting cracks and collapsing are immediate signs of instability.

Click on the 'i' near the info-graphic for more info on Wind Slabs.

These seem less likely in the Ogden area mountains, though perhaps found in isolated pockety areas, such as the Snowbasin backcountry and high in the Ben Lomond/Willard peak very steep terrain.

Low probability, High consequence. The last human triggered slide was in No Name on Tuesday; the fatality along the Park City ridgeline was a week ago. These slides have generally been 2-4' deep and particularly tricky as there have often been other tracks on the slope or similar, adjacent paths skiied or ridden without retribution. They're also particularly tricky because by now they show little signs of instability - no cracking, collapsing; they're not hair trigger. You could dig a pit in one area, find stable snow and then commit to adjacent terrain that had previously avalanched and has a completely different depth and structure. Pull out your new avalanche probe (or Avatech SP2), throw away the nylon bag, and probe around snowpack depths. In general, the stable, intact depths are roughly 150-200cm or more; the repeater (conditionally unstable) avalanche snowpacks sit at 70-120cm (with fairly obvious weak snow at the base).*

These are more prominent on northwest to north to easterly facing slopes above 9000' and tend to become more stressed with significant weather events. Trigger points often include thin, rocky areas.

*The fine print - Side effects of putting oneself into avalanche terrain to determine structure/stability (repeaters are in avalanche terrain after all), include collapsing the slope and being caught and carried. More than one avalanche professional, aspirant, or keener has had their suspicions confirmed in this way. Other side effects do not include rashes, swelling, or baldness, though may include nausea, vertigo, broken bones, or burial.

Click on the 'i' near the info-graphic for more info on Deep Slabs.

Yesterday's wet avalanche forecast was a crapshoot. Blow the weather forecast, blow the wet avalanche forecast. For today, expect:

• Direct sun unimpeded by (much) cloud cover. CHECK. (Unless greenhousing noted - you'll feel damp, humid, muggy - even northerlies affected.)
• Rapidly warming temps. CHECK. Temps today should reach 30°F at 10,000'.
• Wind - can help to cool the snowpack. CHECK.

Truth-be-told, the now-cast is pretty useful. Warning signs -

• The crust has broken down and the snow is wet and unsupportable.
• Rollerballs and pinwheels start to cascade down on their own, often from trees, tree bombs, rocky outcrops and the like.
• You are able to initiate push-a-lanches in the wet snow.

It's a timing thing - too early on the east, south, and west and you'll find breakable and trapdoor crust. Too late and you're either the trigger or in the line of fire for wet avalanches.