The Northern Mountains saw a pretty nice dose of snow over the past few days, but avalanches were small and either isolated to recently wind drifted terrain bear ridgelines or were triggered in the wet gloppy snow at lower elevations. Most slopes are relatively safe today; however, you may be able to trigger small wind slabs at higher elevations that grow large enough to send you for a dangerous ride. This is particularly true if you are traveling in areas above rocks, cliffs, or trees where even a small avalanche can injure you. Use extra caution if you see drifts, new cornice formation, or cracking in the new or wind drifted snow. If you experience any of these red flags find a less steep place to ride and stay out of steep consequential terrain.
We will start to see the recent snow shed off of steep slopes as the day warms and the sun pops out through the clouds. You can trigger wet avalanches in surface snow that can tangle you up and send you for a dangerous ride in heavy wet gloppy snow. Wet avalanches may also run naturally from steep terrain below treeline. When the surface snow becomes wet and sticky the danger from these wet slides is increasing and you should look for a cooler aspect if you can find one or call it a day.
On Thursday and Friday, as the sun comes out and temperatures warm, we will likely see a cycle of natural loose wet avalanches. The new snow will not stick well to the layers below and you don't want to be under steep slopes when this cycle kicks off. Watch for changing conditions and an increasing danger particularly in near and below treeline areas over the next few days.