Strong winds at the mid and upper elevations will create sensitive soft slabs of wind drifted snow on all aspects, including well down off of ridgelines. Cornices will be sensitive.

This storm has come in "right-side up" with lower-density snow on top of heaver/denser snow, so I am expecting instabilities within the storm snow to settle out as the day progresses. However, the new snow will quickly become reactive during any period of heavy snowfall, especially if accompanied by winds, with natural avalanches possible. Watch for sensitive soft slabs of new snow and long-running sluffs. Avalanches may run further than expected.

Reactivity in our season-long persistent weak layers (PWLs) is becoming less-likely, but remains possible, especially with this fresh load of new and wind-drifted snow. The first PWL is a thin brown stripe buried down two to three feet and easy to identify. A second layer is down near the ground and can be found in thinner (less than about three or four feet) snowpack areas, especially on slopes that have avalanched one or more times this season.