Although the PWL of faceted snow has gained significant strength and is now buried over 4' deep in most areas, heavy/dense snowfall and strong winds over the past several weeks will ultimately find a weak layer, and it is possible that portions of the avalanche activity on the Ben Lomond Headwall ran on this PWL. Although triggering one of these avalanches is unlikely, consider these consequences if you choose to get onto a slope where the PWL can be found. Suspect spots include heavily wind-loaded slopes in thinner snowpack areas, such as slopes adjacent to rocks.

Photos of Ben Lomond where some portions of the slides may have broken down into the deeper PWL.

Today's south/southwest winds may create sensitive soft slabs of wind-drifted snow at the upper elevations, especially this afternoon as wind speeds increase. Watch for cracking in fresh wind drifts as an indication of unstable snow. Travel well back from corniced ridgelines as large cornices have developed this past week and today's winds may only increase their size and sensitivity. (How far back? Yesterday, my partner and I were traveling along the corniced ridgeline on Gobbers Knob above Alexander Basin and we were staying at least 30' from the edge.)