Never the less, we must be prepared for it. The effects of the gradual thaw during the day, and then the overnight freeze would make one believe that this could make the sno cap unstable. No, just the opposite. Actually this process makes the snow more stable and this action causes this pack to become what many skiers and mountaineers call cement. After the thaw, then refreeze this snow becomes hard as a rock and is very stable.
Avalanches occur most frequently when a new layer of snow falls onto the cement pack.
This new snowfall only need be about four inches or slightly more to cause a slide. The slide occurs from the weight of the new wet snow resting on a hard field of snow. Rarely does the cement pack tear loose, but rather the new snow slides off the cement snow pack. After a snowfall such as this it is best to use precautions in the back country. After all an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.