Backcountry users have a number of things to consider. The avalanche conditions are improving, but users must still keep an eye out for touchy conditions in isolated areas. As for the cold, shorter trips near the road will be the way to go.
Confidence
Fair - Due to the number of field observations on Thursday
Weather Forecast
The current high pressure will continue to build over the next 24hrs. With that we can expect an almost pure northerly flow, clear skies, cold temps, and you guessed it...no new snow. Winds in the forecast region are expected to remain light. Down the road temps are expected to rise slightly. Highs of -20 are predicted for Saturday. We have a rather stable airmass over our heads at the moment.
Avalanche Summary
No new observations today despite good visibility.
Snowpack Summary
Surface hoar continues to grow in valley bottom. The surface snow continues to facet and lose even more strength. Windslabs at TL & ALP elevations are expected to lose some strength as well, but they still remain an avalanche concern. Travel is pretty tough unless on an existing trail.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.
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.