Avalanche danger will increase to HIGH danger this morning. Natural and human triggered avalanches are very likely today. Travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended.
High intensity snowfall rates today combined with strong S to SSW winds will create new wind slabs. The vast majority of wind slabs will form near treeline and above treeline on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects. More isolated wind slabs may form on other aspects or below treeline. Be aware of exposure to steeper slopes above where naturally occurring avalanches could run down into low angle terrain below treeline.
High intensity snowfall today is likely to create problematic storm slabs. Unstable storm slabs could form on any aspect in wind protected areas near treeline and below treeline. Open or sparsely treed N-NE aspects where new snow is deposited on top of surface hoar could be very unstable. In these areas, avalanches may occur in atypical locations. Be aware of the possibility of avalanches occurring in relatively low angle terrain down around 28-30 degree slope angle and well below traditional ridgeline avalanche start zones.
* Surface hoar was likely buried last night on many open wind protected slopes on N-NE aspects creating a problematic weak layer at the old/new snow interface. Surface hoar was reported prestorm on Stevens Peak (Carson Pass area), Jakes Peak (West Shore area), and on Tamarack Peak including in Hourglass Bowl (Mount Rose area).
* No problematic weak layers have been observed deeper in the snowpack below the old/new snow interface.
