Watch for the new low density snow to move with human provocation on the steepest slopes. I expect the sluffs to move fast and far on the slick underlying sun and wind crusts, entraining all the storm snow in the path below. The good news is that these types of avalanches readily show their cards and hold little mystery: they respond to ski cuts and cornice drops and break at your feet or machine rather than above you. It's cause and effect (unlike our persistent slab problem - see below). Compare and contrast the two types of avalanche problems with their accompanying info-graphics (thanks to Jim Conway for the artwork).

The new storm snow is only window dressing for the continued persistent slab problems in our conditionally unstable snowpack. We've slowly transitioned to a "low-probability - high consequence" regime where likelihood and sensitivity have greatly diminished but the consequences remain severe. Note that the additional stress of a more superficial storm snow avalanche may subsequently trigger one of these persistent slab avalanches. In sharp contrast to loose snow avalanches, this avalanche problem often holds its cards close where tests and observations may be inconsistent and misleading and avalanches may break well above the committed skier or rider. Again, use the infographics below to contrast with loose snow avalanches above.