Aspect: All aspects.

Elevation: All elevations, mainly at and above treeline.

NW winds are expected to increase today. Watch out for new wind loading which could raise the danger level to considerable in some areas.

Bottom Line: 

Weak layers (weak snow grains that form a layer within stronger grains, and/or a crusts with weak snow grains around it, and/or weak grains on the ground) are found out in our snowpack.  Continued cold temps help preserve these layers for now.  These weak layers exists in specific terrain features with common characteristics, but not always obvious.  They could be difficult to trigger by a person and produce just a few natural avalanches.  These avalanches could be relatively harmless or injury or kill a person.  Identify features of concern and evaluate snow and terrain carefully.

As important to what is going on in the snow, we all should pay close attention to what is happening on the surface.  This extended cold, clear, light winds with higher humidity is not a good recipe for stable snow from the next storm.  Stay tuned….

Travel advice:

Use safe travel techniques such as only exposing one person at a time both on the way up and down. Group up in safe zones that are out of harms way. Have good communication, including radios and a set plan in case of an emergency. Be practiced at companion rescue, identify potential hazards, and avoid possible trigger points on a given slope.

Identify old wind slab by looking for stiff or hollow surface snow, and looking for cracking, whumphing – treat these areas as highly suspect. You can find safer conditions in wind-protected areas with softer snow. Avoid terrain traps where snow could pile up quickly, or the consequences of a slide could cause injury or death.  

The persistent slab danger is not healing, it is standing by waiting for the right trigger. Keep in mind that most avalanches are triggered by someone in the group.

• Near recent observations from Old Faithful found a thin crust with weak snow down 60-70cm near 3,200′ and below.  However, it was not found at Flower treeline??
• This bathtub ring effect, from lower-elevations to mid-elevation, where freezing levels are more likely to cause crusts and weak layers – should be carefully evaluated.
• Weaker snow (buried facets) growing in the top of the pack.

It is still possible that any surface avalanches could step down to deeper weak layers, the October rain crust, or even the ground in alpine areas.