Recent storm snow, water weight, and winds brought our dormant, persistent weak layers back to life... and these layers are WOKE!

But here's the problem... while the region experienced a widespread natural avalanche cycle, much of the evidence is missing. Nearly all the crowns and slide paths filled back in from Tuesday nights wind. So you won't see one of the biggest clues to avalanches and of course, that's avalanches! Making matters more complicated is that some slopes have adjusted to the big two week storm and are good to go, while others just wait for us to roll along and knock the legs out from underneath. And here's the danger... once initiated, often low on the slope, avalanches have a distinct possibility of breaking much deeper and wider than you might expect.

We've had a lot of new snow this week and now its stacking up around our trailheads and at lower elevations. Remember... even if you're headed out for a trail run, snowshoe, dog walk, or family sled adventure, be aware of steep slopes above and adjacent to where you're playing and avoid terrain traps like gullies and streambeds.