Widespread cracking and collapsing was observed over the weekend. This is a huge red flag and should tell us everything we need to know. On northerly aspects, the snowpack is hair-trigger and just waiting for the weight of a human to come along and tip the scales. Most failures are happening on the 2/11 weak layer just beneath the new snow but some failures are occurring on more deeply buried facets. Any avalanche triggered today has the potential to be deep and deadly. Avalanches can be triggered remotely or from a distance. Stay out from underneath steep slopes. Additionally, below treeline terrain is especially weak, use extra caution while traveling in and out of drainage bottoms and give a wide berth to terrain traps and gullies.

Slopes that face southwest and south are less sensitive, but it is still a tricky situation. These slopes hold layers of alternating crusts and facets. Touring parties are reporting collapsing on these aspects. Furthermore, the 2/11 weak layer was destroyed by strong winds on some of these slopes, and it is preserved and reactive on others. This is sort of like walking through a field of land mines and hoping you make it. When things get complicated the simple solution is to make conservative terrain choices.

The snowpit below is a north facing slope that illustrates the recent storm slab failing on the 2/11 weak layer.

Pesky winds continue to blow and drift snow at upper elevations and building slabs on slopes the face primarily NW-N-E-SE. Slabs of wind drifted snow may be sensitive to the weight of a skier or rider, but much more concerning is the likelihood that they will step down into buried. weak, faceted layers. For this reason alone, these slopes should be avoided.

The photo below shows drifted slopes that are primed for avalanches and just waiting for a trigger such as a skier.