Each storm continues to add weight to our fragile snowpack. This weight can be added from snow falling from the sky or the wind blowing the snow from one location to another. In any case, it just doesn't take much to stress the weak, faceted, old snow below.

It's a simple set up - we have a weak layer and a slab. There are two other critical components to triggering an avalanche; we need a slope steep enough to slide (generally greater than 30° in steepness). We need a trigger (skiers and riders make good triggers). These four components of a slab avalanche are good to know because if we remove any one of the components we don't get an avalanche. Unfortunately, we can't remove the slab and weak layer.

However, I can choose to ride slopes less than 30° in steepness with nothing steep above or adjacent to me and not trigger avalanches. For now, that's the only option we have, especially if we want to avoid being caught in an avalanche. Persistent Weak Layer avalanches are responsible for nearly 70% of all avalanche fatalities here in Utah.

West and northwest winds have been blowing 20-30 mph for nearly the past 24 hrs and I would expect a fresh batch of wind drifts scattered throughout the range. Some slopes will have hard drifts, and others will be soft. As always, look for and avoid any fresh deposits of wind-blown snow. Cracking and collapsing within the new snow is a sign of instability.

Adding wind drifted snow to any slope with weak faceted snow beneath will only make the avalanche deeper, wider, and more dangerous.