A few inches of Holliday snow will go far to refresh conditions in the backcountry, and it won't be enough to increase the avalanche danger much. Heightened avalanche conditions exist on drifted upper and mid-elevation slopes. Strong and sustained southerly winds have been creating stiff drifts and wind slabs in exposed terrain, and a couple inches of new snow will hide yesterday's obvious wind deposits. Dangerous avalanches failing on a dormant persistent weak layer near the ground are unlikely for a person to trigger, but remain a possibility on isolated upper elevation slopes, especially on very steep rocky slopes with thin snow cover.

Snow showers are likely in the mountains today, with 1 to 3 inches possible. Expect 8500' high temperatures around 29°F, falling to around 23°F in the afternoon. 9 to 17 mph south-southwest winds will veer from the southeast in the afternoon. Snow showers should continue tonight, with another 1 to 3 inches possible. Low temperatures of around 20°F will be rising to around 27°F during the night, and expect 10 mph east-southeast winds. Snow showers are likely on Christmas Day, mainly in the morning, with less than an inch of accumulation expected. Temperatures will drop drop to around 18°F, and west winds will blow around 11 mph.