Snowfall totals overnight of 4-5″ of cold dry light snow transitioning to warmer wetter temps are setting up for an upside-down snowpack as the storm continues into the weekend. Increasing temperatures, precipitation (type/amount/rate) and winds speed all are important factors contributing to the storm snow problem. Be attentive to this current problem at hand, look for red flag signs of instability, cracking, whumphing or natural avalanches. Do quick hand pit shears, get off the main track & use low-consequence test slopes to help make stability assessments.

What we know, both zones up to 3000′ show poor structure (layers in the snow pack that could produce an avalanche) including melt-freeze crusts, buried surface hoar and near surface facets. It is best to assume spatial distribution is widespread until proven otherwise. Cold temperature gradients have weakening effects on these supportive crusts near the surface, close enough to the surface that they are prime for human triggering, especially in thin area near trees, rocks, cliffs and unsupported slopes.  Keep in mind this problem can be triggered from far distance/not on the slab.  Give respect to overhead exposure, look for convexities and identify hazardous terrain traps, or where snow could pile up quickly.

(Click photo to learn more about surface hoar at avalanche.org)

A steep temperature gradient from the ground at 32F and air temperatures 10-15F with melt-freeze crust vapor barriers are likely to exacerbate the presence of depth hoar and faceting (weakening of layers) below hard melt-freeze crusts. Be aware of outliers! The saturated mid-pack with a dry snow slab setup on top could also wreak havoc if triggered in the right spot. With a series of well-defined persistent layers above the deep slab concerns, the chances of an avalanche stepping-down are within the realm of possibility. Avoid 30° degree steep, exposed, open, planar, convex, or un-supported slopes, and terrain traps (cliffs, trees, rocks, gullies) especially any areas of drainage, where water could be flowing under the snowpack.