Strong west winds are drifting snow into soft slabs up to 12 inches thick. These slabs are most common on upper-elevation leeward slopes, but you should also watch for sensitive drifts below exposed mid-elevation ridges. Shooting cracks within the surface snow will be a key indicator that the snow is stiff enough to create reactive slabs.

On W-N-E facing slopes, you will find buried persistent weak layers, though the specific structure depends on the slope's avalanche history. In areas that did not avalanche during the December 6-7 cycle, you'll find a thin crust with facets buried beneath Wednesday's Cascadian mixture of refrozen snow and graupel. This setup hasn't been reactive in tests yet, but that may be different today, where wind drifts additional snow. Conversely, on slopes that did avalanche during the December 6-7 cycle, the snowpack consisted entirely of facets and 'lay in wait' for a cohesive slab to develop above. It is unlikely that the snow and wind overnight is enough to overload these layers a cause natural avalanches; however, it is possible they will be reactive to the additional weight of a rider. Cracking and collapsing will be bullseye indicators that the weak layers are teetering on the edge of failure.

View Greg's observations from the upper cottonwoods here.

Unseasonably warm temperatures and rain falling on snow below 8000 feet may create loose wet avalanches. While these slides may be small, the heavy, wet debris can be dangerous in tight spots. Avoid terrain traps like road banks, creek beds, and gully walls where this heavy snow can pile up deeply and bury a person.