4-10 inches of low density snow has accumulated in the last 24 hours.  On 1/11 the new snow was uncohesive (no slab), but was not bonded well with the underlying snow.  As the recent snow settles, expect for a shallow storm slab to be present that may be initially reactive to human triggers in steep terrain.  Convex slopes and unsupported terrain will be the most suspect.  In addition,  any wind that does occur will easily redistribute the new snow into wind slabs that will be reactive to human triggers 1-2 feet in depth.  Winds are forecasted to be light,  but wind channeled terrain and the lee slopes of high elevation ridge lines may see fresh wind slab formation.

Use test slopes to determine how well new snow has bonded and watch for signs of recent wind loading.  Signs of instability such as shooting cracks and recent avalanche activity will indicate that slopes steeper than 32° will have the potential to produce avalanches.

For the first time since 12-16 a natural avalanche was reported that failed at faceted snow near the base of our snowpack.  This occurred on a SW aspect ~3500′ between Catchers Mitt and Loveland Basin, crown 1-6 feet in depth.  This is a repeat offender slope when loaded by wind, although is noteworthy due to its depth.  

This avalanche has thus far been an outlier, however indicates that the strong wind affected snow that has capped the early season facets may be losing strength (faceting) making weak snow more easily affected by a person or Snowmachine at the surface in certain areas.  

Recently our snowpack has been slowly building with light snowfall and calm to moderate winds.  This weather will help our snowpack to heal in the longterm but in the short term will be putting incremental stress on weak layers at the base of our snowpack.  This is a fine balance and is very difficult to assess as spatial (place to place) variability is currently significant.  This recent avalanche is a perfect example that persistent weak layers are difficult to predict/assess and conditions may be different depending upon the area you choose to travel.  

In most places at this point, triggering a deep hard slab avalanche is very unlikely, but the consequences would be significant.  Keep this in mind when choosing terrain and strive to practice safe protocols.  These include:  good communication, skiing one at a time and avoiding terrain traps.