Star Pass area

There are only a few slopes in this part of the forecast area with continuous old snow coverage, which could act as a weak layer or bedsurface under next week's snow: they're exclusively found above treeline on previously drifted north or northeast aspects.  Snow surfaces on these slopes are a mix of large facets, melt-freeze crusts, and wind crusts.  Elsewhere, bare or patchy coverage prevails and shouldn't be an issue with the incoming storm.  

Thin, patchy coverage lingers above 11,000' on northerlies.  Continuous coverage is limited to just a few previously drifted slopes, such as Carbonate and Crystal (See photos).  On due north ATL, we found 1.5 to 2.0 mm facets, sometimes under stiff wind crusts.  On northeast ATL, we found hard, textured, melt-freeze crusts.