The intensity of incoming weather is uncertain. If significant precipitation arrives on Wednesday, actual danger ratings may be higher than posted.
Confidence
Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Weather Forecast
Wednesday: 3-5cm of new snow / Moderate westerly winds / Freezing level at about 300mThursday: 10-30cm of new snow / Light southerly winds / Freezing level at about 400mFriday: 25-30cm of new snow / Light southerly winds / Freezing level at about 700m
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported. Looking forward, snow and wind forecast for the next few days will likely promote a new round of storm slab activity.
Snowpack Summary
A light dusting of snow covers a medley of surfaces which include stubborn wind slabs and wind-scoured exposed crust in the alpine, and soft unconsolidated snow in sheltered areas at treeline and below. About 15-30 cm below the surface you'll likely find the December 18th melt-freeze crust, which has been unreactive in recent snowpack tests. That said, I'd keep an eye on this crust as new snow accumulates overtop. Below this, the snowpack is thought to be strong and well settled. Snowpack depths are about 135 cm at the 1100 m elevation with many early season hazards present at lower elevations.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.