There have been no recorded natural or human triggered avalanches the past 4 days post-storm which deposited 6-12” across the range. In the big picture the new snow has bonded and settled rapidly with recent warm temperatures and relative lack of wind until Monday when our customary SW flow kicked in. The facts that have given the forecaster group pause are the poor structure in the old snow (crust/facet combos) and numerous easily propagating results with Extended Column tests found in the central part of the zone. The uncertainty and lack of confidence with these underlying weaknesses possibly being reactive to skier triggers are the factors contributing to keeping Danger Rating levels in the Moderate category. It is difficult to list “Persistent Slab” as an “Avalanche Problem” since there has been no avalanches associated with this condition, but it is something we all should track and be aware of to see how things develop in the future. Although unlikely, the small possibility of larger avalanches in isolated terrain keeps us a bit wary. Additionally, since the storm, there have been limited observations from the highest elevations in regards to the extreme spatial variability in snowpack depth, structure and stability. As I stated yesterday, the winter season started out well in regards to consistent snow fall and right side up snowpack structure, but those initial conditions have degraded with a lengthy lull in precipitation in January, violent eroding winds and strong temperature gradients that have weakened residing old snow. A variety of crust/facet combos are present within the upper part of the snowpack and weaker loose snow can be found around most rocky areas and on shallow alpine slopes. Most of these shallow exposed alpine areas are composed of loose weaker snow encapsulated by firm wind board and slab from the extreme January winds.