Confidence: High.     Distribution: Specific to wind loaded aspects (S-E-W).   Sensitivity: Touchy.

Recent NW winds and forecasted northerly flow have drifted new snow into sensitive wind slabs. Human triggers are very likely. Moderate to strong winds transported snow significantly faster than it fell from the sky, resulting in deep deposits on leeward slopes. These fresh wind slabs are sitting over a variety of old snow surfaces including now buried near surface facets, melt-freeze crusts, and sun crusts. Cross loading and top loading adds texture to the snow surface, so keep an eye out of visible loading patterns. Wind slabs often are triggered from shallow areas in the snowpack like rocks, cliffs and vegetation and propagate to deeper areas. Be aware of run-out zones, islands of “safety”, underlying terrain and terrain traps. Avoid wind loaded slopes.

Confidence: High.     Distribution: Widespread.   Sensitivity: Reactive.

Recent storm snow on all aspects at all elevations will be reactive to human triggers, as it slowly bonds to the old snow surface and settles out. Human triggers are likely within the new snow, while the trend decreases over time. Keep in mind weak near surface facets that are now buried, or hard melt-freeze crusts provide a smooth running surface for the avalanches to occur on. Anticipate releases on slopes greater than 30 degrees and limit exposure  by traveling one at a time. Keep in mind that wind drifted snow, or wind slab could be significantly deeper and harder to anticipate (see wind slab problem above).