Triggered wind slab avalanches around one-foot -deep are possible on drifted upper and mid elevation slopes this morning. Intensifying winds from the southwest will shift around from the northwest, increasing further in the afternoon, and snowfall will be heavy at times. I expect significant drifting in exposed terrain with today's storm, and developing sensitive wind slabs. Watch for and avoid stiffer fresh wind slabs on the lee side of major ridges and in and around terrain features like cliff bands, sub-ridges, gullies, and scoops. Potential wind slabs are drifts that often appear smooth or rounded and chalky looking, and they sometimes sound rather hollow. Cracking and audible collapsing are red flags, and reevaluation of your route is recommended if you encounter these conditions.

Avalanches will likely fail on very weak snow on either side of the shallowly buried January 8 rime-crust, which is intact and fairly widespread in the region. The preexisting snow on shady mid elevation slopes is especially weak, and avalanches could occur in unexpected areas on slopes approaching or steeper than 35 degrees. Heavy snowfall and strong winds are likely to add significant weight to the fragile snowpack and the danger of persistent slab avalanches will increase accordingly throughout the day. Dangerous avalanche conditions may develop in some areas by afternoon. In these conditions you could trigger avalanches remotely, from a distance or worse, from below.

Wet avalanches at lower elevations created quite a problem in the past couple days in the Logan Canyon Area. Lower elevation snow that has been kept very cold by the recent long lasting temperature inversion has warmed significantly and is completely saturated. Wet avalanches will again be possible on many steep slopes today. Avoid steep lower and mid elevation slopes with saturated snow, and stay clear of potential terrain traps like gullies, creek beds, or trees below.