Significant amounts or recent snow now sits on a weak layer and human triggering is a real possibility. Travel off of trails below about 1900m is still a poor idea. Watch weather forecasts carefully to see exactly what the storm will bring Tuesday.
Weather Forecast
A system is forecast to approach on Tuesday. West Winds and temperatures will both increase until about midnight and about 10 cm of precip should arrive by midday Wednesday. Models seem to disagree on the intensity of the precip and temperatures from this system but seem to agree on strong winds.
Snowpack Summary
Warm temperatures have kept the coverage thin below 1900m. Up to 170cm of snow now at treeline. 5 to 10cm of Facet Cyrstals capped with isolated pockets of Surface Hoar is sitting on the strong Dec 13 Crust. This weak layer is now buried by 20 to 40cm of Storm Snow at treeline. West Winds have built significant slabs in alpine features
Avalanche Summary
Evidence of a few storms slabs to size 2 could be seen at treeline. Small settlements were also felt by forecasters on patrol near treeline. In alpine areas a few recent slabs could be seen in the lee areas, the North and East aspects, of steep alpine features.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday
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.
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.