Overall avalanche danger is decreasing. However watch for rising temps and increasing winds which could encourage snow settlement and slab development.
Weather Forecast
A series of low pressure systems will track trough the area this week. Expect minimal precipitation today (1cm of snow) and mainly cloudy skies. Freezing level will get up to 1450m today with Alpine highs of -5 and SW winds in the light range. Another system is arriving Thursday and could bring 15cm of new snow.
Snowpack Summary
In the alpine up to 50cm of new snow sits atop the January 4th interface. This interface is surface hoar in protected areas, sun crust on steep S - SW aspects and loose facets at tree-line and below. Where wind-affected, storm slabs have formed in lee features. Storm snow is unconsolidated at lower elevations but slab properties are developing.
Avalanche Summary
Yesterday 4 recent avalanches were observed in the highway corridor that were in the 1.5 - 2 size range. These avalanches were in very steep north facing terrain and involved only the recent storm snow. Backcountry reports came in of sluffing in steep shallow snowpack areas.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.