Today's snow and wind may form fresh slabs of wind drifted snow. Snowpack cracking means you've found a sensitive slab. Sluffs are possible in very steep terrain facing the northern half of the compass. Even small slides can have big consequences on slopes with cliffs, trees, and terrain traps. Cornices are large and may be unstable—give them a wide berth.
You may find thin, freshly forming wind slabs near and below ridgelines and on the sides of cross-loaded gullies. Today's snowfall and a steady moderate E and NE wind may move soft snow from shadier aspects onto slick crusts on sunnier slopes that face south and west. Cracks clearly indicate an unstable slab.
Today's storm will heavily favor the mountains east and south of Galena Summit. Some of this moisture is forecast to spill over into the Sawtooths, and additional snowfall may arrive on an uncommon easterly flow. More important is likely the steady moderate wind which could trasport new and existing dry snow, redepositing it in fresh drifts that form over stiff and potentially slick crusts.
In more wind-sheltered terrain, anticipate the chance of triggering loose snow avalanches (sluffs) on north-facing slopes. Recent warm weather has caused cornices to sag, releasing onto the slopes below or opening cracks along ridgelines. Cornices are a real hazard this time of year and can break further back from the edge than you may think.
Remember that even small slides can have outsized consequences in extreme terrain. To stack the odds in your favor, give yourself multiple route options, ride and ski within your ability, and share the day with a skilled partner.
