Monday's storm did not provide enough of a load to produce a natural avalache cycle but underlying weak, sugary, faceted snow still exists, particularly at the base of the snowpack. The danger for triggering a persistent slab avalanche up to 3' deep is greatest on steep, upper elevation slopes that face NW-N-E, especially if these slopes are overloaded with recent deposits of wind drifted snow. Human triggered avalanches remain likely in these areas. Addtional snow over the next couple of days will continue to keep the pressure on the snowpack, and backcountry travelers should stick to lower angle terrain.

The snowpit below illustrates the unstable base we are dealing with. An extended column test produced propagation failure on weak, faceted snow at the ground. ECTP 21

Southerly winds have been blowing and drifting snow since before the storm on Monday and wind slabs are scattered liberally through the high country. Older, harder slabs, covered by more recent snow exist further down slope, while recent fresh drifts continue to form on the leeward sides of upper elevation ridge crests and terrain features. I was able to crack out several drifts yesterday and this trend will continue today with more snow and wind in the forecast. Backcountry travelers should avoid any slope where the snow has a smooth, rounded appearance, or where you can detect recent deposits of wind drifted snow. The danger is greatest in steep slopes right around treeline and above that face NW-N-E. A triggered wind slab has the very real potential to step down causing a deeper and more dangerous persistent slab avalanche.

Frequent cracking in the snow surface was observed yesterday above tree line.