There is a persistent weak layer (PWL) of old faceted snow down near the ground with 2-5' of snow on top of it. This PWL exists on mid and upper elevation slopes facing northwest through north and east. It does not exist on south-facing slopes as any early season snow melted away and December snowfall landed on bare ground on these slopes. This PWL has been fracturing and producing large, dangerous avalanches over the past few weeks. Since Wednesday, we have added up to 2' of dense snow containing up to 3" of water weight as well as wind-loaded snow- stressing this buried weak layer.

Mark Staples explains how we are moving in the right direction towards this PWL problem becoming dormant. However, we still haven't had a day where we aren't loading (adding weight) to our snowpack. So, for now, I will continue to avoid being on or underneath any steep slopes facing west/north/east at the mid and upper elevations for at least the next few days.

Over the past few days, strong southwest winds have created hard and soft drifts of wind-blown snow at the mid and upper elevations. Unfortunately, a trace to a couple of inches of new snow has likely covered these textured drifts, making them harder to see. But, as always, look for and avoid rounded pillowy snow or stiff/firm snow that sounds hollow like a drum.

Any wind drifted snow avalanche triggered on slopes facing northwest to north to east at the mid and upper elevations may step down, triggering a much larger and more dangerous avalanche that fails on a buried persistent weak layer (see avalanche problem 1 above).