At this point in time, the Christmas Slab that was responsible for the widespread activity up until a week ago, now appears to be unreactive. In most places the slab is metamorphosing/degenerating/recrystallizing and in general becoming uncohesive. Of note, the largest (up to 3 mm), and weakest facets were observed 35 cm down directly below the dirty graupel layer that has been visible all season. Even a minimal amount of new snow combined with wind loading may be enough to get the surface facets reactive again, and avalanches that are able to gain momentum may be able to dig down into these deeper buried layers. Saturdays forecast for 1 to 3 inches most likely won't be enough unless the this forecast is underestimated and the winds are able to come into play. The highest elevation northerly and easterly facing terrain may get enough wind transport to be an issue.

Both loose dry and loose wet avalanches were easily initiated on slopes with angles 35 degrees and greater. This issue was manageable, but these avalanches were entraining significant amounts of snow and gouging up to 10 cm down in the pack. Finding oneself in a confined chute and or gully could result in being pushed into high consequence terrain issues, and with the early season snowpack there are plenty of obstacles.

Danger appeared to be Low, and may rise to Moderate on Saturday with additional snowfall accompanied with wind.