Went out to look at the snow surface ahead of the next storm expected on Sunday. In addition to the continued assessment of the persistent weak layer, wanted to answer a few questions:

For the most part, the winds destroyed the old weak snow at the surface, but I did find wind-sheltered pockets where weak snow has been preserved. But warm temperatures have helped break it down somewhat. From what I saw today I am not concerned about the Sunday storm snow falling on a weak, pre-existing snow surface.

The southerly winds were sustained, but I was only finding pockets of fresh wind slabs, generally on northerly aspects. These slabs were up to 20 cms (8") thick and pencil-hard, but were not sensitive to stability tests (i.e. ski cuts). However, they are sitting on top of weaker snow, so I think it is possible there are some pockets of recent wind slabs that may be reactive to a trigger. Given the slabs were so stout, they also may allow someone to get well-out onto a slope before failing.

Video of snowpack discussion.

Video showing full propagation with ECT. (ECTP21 failing down 90 cms on faceted snow.)