Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the fact that deep persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast.

Light snowfalls will continue overnight and temperatures will become more seasonal. Winds are forecast to be just touching into moderate tomorrow out of the SW at the peaks but overall looks like a nice day. 

No new avalanches were observed today but the light was poor in the light snowfalls. 

Up to 15cm of snow has trickled in over the past few days wit h the cooler temperatures. There has been some noticeable facetting and weakening of the snowpack in thinner areas also. The Dec 31st facet/surface hoar interface is being found up to 2300m down 50cm and produced moderate sheers today at treeline. Wind slabs should be expected in alpine areas especially along ridgelines and in gullied/crossloaded terrain that a skier may trigger. If these windslabs fail, there is a good chance they will step down to the weak basal facets and involve the entire snowpack. Be thinking about the consequences of a large avalanche as you travel. 

• Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
• Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
• Conditions may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.