Westerly winds the past several days continue to drift snow onto many mid and upper elevation slopes. Although you can expect to find fresh wind drifts on leeward aspects generally facing east, the wind can work through terrain and cross-load a slope on any aspect. The three remotely-triggered slides on Thursday are an indication these wind drifts will continue to be reactive today. Avoid wind-drifted slopes as avalanches can be triggered from below or on an adjacent slope. Watch for clues of wind loading such as cracking and wind-drifted pillows.

Although most observations indicate that avalanching will generally require a wind-loaded slope, the recent storm snow fell onto a weak, pre-existing snow surface, and sensitive shallow storm slabs 6-10" thick may be possible on steeper slopes. Signs to watch for include cracking and collapsing.

This layer has been mostly dormant and has been gaining strength, but it is not forgotten. This New Years storm which included strong winds and snowfall with over 2" of water weight in some areas is a good test for the stability of this weak layer. It is possible this load may stress the snowpack in some areas, and that avalanches may step down into this persistent weak layer down near the ground. This weak snow can be found at the mid and upper elevations, on aspects facing northwest, through north, and east.

Avalanching on this layer is most likely on repeater avalanche paths, generally shallower snowpacks, and in steep thin rocky terrain.