Human triggered avalanches involving wind drifted snow are likely today, and we may also see some natural activity off the higher, steep faces. Sustained strong southerly winds have been blowing and drifting snow for the past few days, and you may find wind slabs on the lee sides of terrain features on all sides of the compass at upper elevations. Deeper drifts will be found on slopes facing NW-NE-E. Stay out from under high, steep faces with these aspects, and avoid steep slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow.

Drifting snow has added additional stress to buried, persistent weak layers in the snowpack. Our primary layer of concern is the early December snow that has turned to weak, sugary facets. Today there remains a very real possibility for triggering a deep and dangerous avalanche on this weak layer. The danger is greatest on steep, upper elevation slopes facing NW-N-E, but in some areas the problem wraps around to W and SE facing slopes.

Travis Nauman and Reed Kennard noted strengthening persistent weak layers in this observation but we aren't out of the woods yet.

Here is their snowpit from a NE aspect at 10,400'. Layer of conncern continues to be facets from early December.