Owing to the prolonged dry spell, the snow surface has become excessively weak and faceted on - at a minimum - westerly to northerly to easterly facing aspects. Patches of surface hoar exist in the more protected terrain. Once buried with a cohesive slab of snow, these layers will become problematic as a PWL (persistent weak layer) in that they (1) remain prone to avalanching with subsequent loading events (snowfall and/or wind) and (b) become tricky and often more unpredictable than other types of avalanches. Avalanches involving PWLs account for most of our accidents and fatalities.

These layers of faceted snow are so weak that I don't believe it will take much for them to become active and dangerous. I don't think we'll see them widespread and particularly active today; tomorrow, however may be a different story.

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.