Overall avalanche danger is decreasing but human triggered avalanches are still possible! Be observant for slab formation and reassess conditions if you're approaching large open slopes or convex rolls.
Weather Forecast
Light accumulations of snow are forecasted for today(1-2cm of snow) with a mix of sun and clouds. The alpine will reach a high of -3, ridge top wind will be S 10-30 kph and freezing level will get up to 1500m A storm tonight should bring an additional 5-10cm
Snowpack Summary
In the alpine up to 50cm of new snow sits on the January 4th interface. This interface is surface hoar in protected areas, sun crust on steep S - SW aspects & facets at tree-line and below. Where wind-affected, soft slabs have formed in lee features and at lower elevations settlement is promoting slab development.
Avalanche Summary
Yesterday a natural avalanche cycle was observed in the in the highway corridor. These avalanches were up to sz 2.5 and came out of very steep unsupported terrain involving only the recent storm snow. Backcountry reports also came in of sluffing in steep shallow snowpack areas.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Thursday
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.