2-7 inches of new snow has accumulated over the last 24 hours at valley floors with the northern end of our forecast zone receiving the higher amounts.  Temperatures were warm during the day which may have created a sensitive interface just below yesterdays snow.  In areas that received 4 inches of snow or less new storm slabs are not expected to be a concern, except where redistributed by wind.  The continental zone received 7 inches at valley floors with higher amounts likely at upper elevations.  Storm slabs are expected to be initially sensitive to human triggers in areas with higher storm totals, especially where loaded by recent  north and east winds.

Today it will be important to pay attention to new snow amounts and the sensitivity within the new snow.  The most likely areas to find unstable snow will be in areas with higher storm totals and slopes loaded by recent wind.  Use hand pits to check the sensitivity of new snow and watch for hard snow over soft that would indicate wind slab.  Shooting cracks or collapsing will indicate that wind or storm slabs are capable of producing an avalanche.

The hazard is expected to be steady today as only light snowfall is expected along with light to moderate winds.

 The majority of locations in our forecast zone have shown the Hamilton storm snow from 3/17 sits atop very strong wind damaged snow with good bonding observed.  In areas that were more protected from late February-early March north winds, this interface consists of near surface facets.  This difference in interface is important to identify.

 Human triggered avalanches are possible up to 4 feet deep in areas where facets are present at the 3/17  interface or where the Hamilton slab is deeper than 3 feet.  These conditions are not as likely to be found within our forecast zone but have been reported in areas to the southeast of Thompson Pass that received higher storm totals, and in more continental locations where the underlying snowpack is weaker.  Ski pole probing and digging snowpits are good ways to identify what type of interface the recent new snow is sitting on.  Recent  snowfall and moderate winds today will be adding weight to persistent slabs.

Other persistent weak layers exist in our mid to lower snowpack.  These are currently unlikely to be affected where very strong wind affected snow exists at the 3/17 interface.

Weak snow exists at the base of our snowpack.  This weak snow is currently unlikely to be affected due to the strength of old wind affected snow at the 3/17 new/old interface.  Depth hoar may become a concern later in the season if our area continues to see major snowfall and the very strong wind damaged layer at the new/old interface starts to break down and lose strength within the snowpack.  As very hard wind slabs break down within the snowpack a person or machines weight will have a more direct affect on weak layers at the bottom of the snowpack.  In addition,  the increasing intensity of the sun will be putting pressure on deep layers during the heat of the day.