Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Track of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Wednesday

Overview: The jet stream will flatten out allowing a series of pacific systems to impact the region with the south seeing the highest accumulations.Wednesday: Moderate snowfall / Moderate southwest winds / Freezing level at 1200mThursday: Moderate to locally heavy snowfall with the most intense precipitation falling late in the day / Strong to extreme southwest winds / Freezing level at 900mFriday: Moderate snowfall / Moderate to extreme westerly winds / Freezing level at 1200m

No new avalanches were reported.

Northerly outflow winds have stripped north aspects and developed sastrugi waves in open, high elevation terrain. Sheltered slopes at treeline have seen surface hoar development, while previously sun-exposed slopes are now sporting a melt-freeze crust. New snow forecast for the week will cover these surfaces.The cold temperatures from early December have left weak faceted crystals that seem to be variably reactive. In higher elevation terrain where the snowpack was deeper, the facets likely co-exist with a crust in the mid pack. In lower elevation terrain or in shallow, rocky areas of the alpine, the facets are most likely more widespread and may exist down near the ground. Either way, the "wait 48 hours and you're good" Coastal mantra does not apply as these conditions are likely to persist for some time, and may become reactive with forecast snowfall.Early season riding hazards such as rocks, stumps and logs are lurking below the surface in many areas. In glaciated terrain open and poorly bridged crevasses are everywhere.