The avalanche danger should remain LOW at all elevations and on all aspects today. The meager amount of new snowfall expected today should not increase the avalanche hazard unless snow accumulations greatly exceed expectations. Continue to use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry.
Light snowfall on top of a refrozen snowpack should not create significant avalanche hazards today, and avalanche activity will remain unlikely. South of Carson Pass where a possibility for 2 to 4 inches of snow exists, some small wind slabs may form on isolated wind loaded terrain features. If they do form, these wind slabs should not extend very far down slope, and they should remain relatively thin.
Observations from the north side of Red Lake Peak yesterday showed that the surface crusts on the north aspects have started eroding in some areas leaving a thin breakable surface crust with a few inches of soft sugary snow below it (video). Below that soft snow, a thick, strong, and frozen rain crust exists. Father north on Castle Peak, the surface crust on the northerly aspects remained firm and supportable. On the sun-exposed E-SE-S-SW aspects on Castle Peak, 1-3 inches of soft corn snow existed above a well-consolidated and supportable snowpack by 11 am.
