In many areas, it is hard to find enough snow for an avalanche. The exception is isolated locations at high elevations, where it may be possible to trigger small avalanches in wind drifted snow. The shallow snowpack makes travel challenging and potentially a more significant hazard than avalanches.
While limited observations result in a high degree of uncertainty, strong winds and new snow have likely built slabs on lee slopes. Look for signs of wind deposition, such as snow that looks rounded, pillowlike, and sounds hollow.
Much of the East Central zone is still suffering from a nonexistent or very shallow snowpack, limiting any potential for avalanche concerns. As a result, any unstable snow is likely at high elevations, where you may find newly formed wind slabs. An NWAC forecaster recently observed weak snow above the November crust in the Icicle Creek Drainage. This weak layer may now be buried by the recent storm snow, potentially beneath deeper wind drifts. Digging down to this crust is a great way to investigate if this weak snow is still present.
We are in the midst of a transition back to colder temperatures and snowfall. With that in mind, it is worth noting that this new snow will fall on nearly bare ground in many areas near and below treeline. Travel conditions will remain arduous, and even a small avalanche or fall can result in you being carried into rocks, stumps, or creeks and increase your risk of injury. The approaching storm will help bury these obstacles while also increasing the avalanche danger.
