It has been 48 hours since the onset of the latest wind event.  If we had a normal/strong snowpack in place we would begin expect windslabs to become less sensitive to triggers.  In the current situation, windslabs are sitting on weak faceted snow and it will remain likely to trigger wind slab avalanches on lee aspects 1-2 feet in depth.  A cautious approach is necessary when traveling anywhere in avalanche terrain at the moment.  But, is especially apparent in areas where there is hard snow over soft indicating that a slab is present. 

   Cautious terrain choices and careful terrain management will be necessary today to travel in areas recently affected by wind.  Watch for signs of windslab that include hard snow over soft, shooting cracks, collapsing and rounded pillowed snow surfaces.  Avoid traveling on large lee slopes steeper than 32°.

The cold and dry weather in November has left us with a weak faceted snowpack.  In areas protected from the wind there is 10-20 inches of dry unconsolidated powder.  The most important thing to pay attention to at the current time is how stiff or slabby the surface snow is.  The stiffer the surface snow is, the higher the likelihood will be for you to trigger an avalanche on terrain steeper than 30°.  In areas where the snow surface is dry and unconsolidated (no slab) the stability has been found to be better although structure is still poor, and human triggered avalanches are possible.  As snow surfaces stiffen human triggered avalanches become likely.  Keep an eye on your partners and only expose one person at a time to avalanche prone slopes.

Don’t expect to find the same snow stability across the forecast area. Re-assess the snowpack every time you are traveling to a new location.  Digging snowpits is a good way to asses a snowpack when persistent weak layers exist.

Photo of 1cm+ chained facet found buried 40 cms (16″) on Catchers Mitt 3500′ SE aspect.