Avalanche Forecast

Fair - Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Thursday: Moderate snowfall overnight Wednesday should ease to light accumulations on Thursday / Strong Southwest winds / Freezing level at 800mFriday: Light to moderate snowfall overnight Thursday should ease to flurries during the day on Friday / Strong to extreme southwest winds / Freezing level at 900mSaturday: Heavy to very heavy snowfall overnight Friday will continue throughout Saturday morning / Moderate to extreme southwest winds becoming northwest in the afternoon / Freezing level at 1200m falling to valley bottom throughout the day

No new avalanches were reported.

Light amounts of new snow now cover wind-pressed surfaces at upper elevations, surface hoar in sheltered terrain and a melt-freeze crust on previously sun-exposed slopes. 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 will probably 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.