IF the winds verify, we'll see some sensitive soft slabs of wind drifted snow primarily on north to east to south facing terrain of the upper elevations...and scattered across the compass at the mid-elevations. Most of the wind slabs from the recent days and days of strong southwest winds have probably stabilized....but not all, particularly at the higher elevations. These older wind slabs are hard and stubborn and hold their cards close (ie-no cracking or collapsing), but the newest drifts will not be as coy - test slopes and ski cuts should provide the info you need. Please keep cornices on your radar - they loom large these days. Don't wander out on top of them in the whiteout.

Trend: Increasing danger

Uncertainty Level: Moderate

The likelihood of triggering an avalanche on one of two buried persistent weak layers is low, but still worth a mention, particularly during heavy snowfall and wind. The two layers of concern are essentially basal depth hoar on slopes that have avalanched a time or two earlier this winter. The second is a layer of faceted snow adjacent to a dust layer 2-3 feet deep. These might be more susceptible to releasing by cornice fall or by a more superficial avalanche that then steps down.