In spite of relatively low new snow totals, there was still plenty of snow available for transport, and yesterday in the mountains I observed lots of it blowing around. New wind slabs were forming along ridge crests and in exposed terrain on the lee sides of terrain features and they will be sensitive to the weight of a skier or rider. The hazard will be most pronounced on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees that have a NW-E aspect at mid and upper elevations. Be alert to signs of instability in the snow such as cracking or collapsing, and look for characteristic, round, smooth pillows that indicate recently deposited wind slabs.

The second avalanche problem continues to be persistent slabs over-riding buried weak snow. This problem exists on mid to upper elevation slopes with NW-NE aspects where snow has remained on the ground since early October. Newly deposited dense wind slabs have increased the load on this deeper instability adding more straw to the proverbial camels back. The added weight of a skier or rider could be just enough to tip the scales triggering a large and very dangerous avalanche.