A week's worth of strong winds have transported snow and, in many places stripped some windward locations back to rocks and brush. All of this blowing snow had to go somewhere and there are large drifts of snow on the leeward aspect of ridgelines and terrain features. The hardness of these wind drifts seemed to increase with elevation, which means they are more likely to allow you to get further onto the slope before breaking above you as you gain elevation.

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Cornices are a sign of fresh wind-loading and there were observations of sensitive and large cornices over the last few days.

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With temperatures above freezing at lower elevations and with any hint of sun today the newest snow surface will warm up quickly. Stay off of any slopes where you see wet loose rollerballs or start to sink down into the surface snow on steeper terrain. Your best bet is to head to higher elevation terrain if you notice warming at the lowest elevation. At lower elevations these could be wet avalanches where the heat is intensified by the sun warming the rocks.