Buried Weak Layer Found in the Mt. Rose Area

We went to the Mt. Rose area to monitor the shallow snowpack and to see how it is changing at these upper elevations.  6 to 8'' of snow exists on shaded aspects up to around 9600' with southerly aspects showing melt and snow loss.  Previous NE/E wind scouring has removed some snow from start zones on N-NE-E aspects on exposed terrain.  Weak faceted snow has developed and was found buried within the shallow snowpack on shaded northerly aspects above 9000'.  This weak snow is showing signs that additional load could cause failure with snowpack tests showing repeatable and consistent sudden collapse results-see snowpit profile.  Concern exists that the storm forecasted for Tuesday/Wednesday would be enough additional load to cause this layer to fail and cause avalanches.