<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Fresh storm slabs will start to form on Wednesday as a storm tracks across the region from the north. Wind loaded terrain will be the first to develop reactive slabs.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50 cm of snow from the past week potentially sits on a weak layer of feathery surface hoar at treeline elevations and on a crust below 1800 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer of sugary facets and surface hoar lies around 150 to 200 cm deep in the snowpack. There have not been reports of avalanches on this layer for over a week. That being said, this layer may still exist in isolated areas around treeline in some parts of the region.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Fresh storm slabs will start to form on Wednesday as a storm tracks across the region from the north. Wind loaded terrain will be the first to develop reactive slabs.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-30 cm of recent snow covers a widespread weak layer of feathery surface hoar that formed around Christmas. This layer is reported to be most prevalent at the upper end of treeline on north and east aspects in the southern part of the region (e.g. Coquihalla Summit and Manning Park). In the north part of the region, another weak layer composed of facets and/or surface hoar is buried 100 to 150 cm deep. This weak layer appears most prominent around treeline (up to 2000 m). There have not been reports of avalanche activity on this layer for the past week, but field observations suggest slab avalanches may still be possible on this layer where it exists.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 50 cm of snow fell on Tuesday, mixed with rain below about 1500 m. Another 40 cm is possible Tuesday night above 1500 m. The storm came with strong southwest winds, which likely produced wind slabs in lee terrain features at high elevations. Below 1500 m, expect soggy snow and a thick melt-freeze crust once it is cold enough. This new snow along with other recent storm snow overlies a weak layer of feathery surface hoar that was buried around December 22. Expect to find this layer about 80 to 120 cm deep.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Lower in the snowpack around 150 to 200 cm deep, a weak layer from mid-December exists. It is likely that this layer was the culprit of a large, remotely-triggered avalanche on December 30 near Terrace. There are other reports indicating that this layer is still well-developed in the south of the region and it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas. Shallower storm slabs could step down to this layer and produce very large avalanches. For the north of the region, such as Ningunsaw, this layer was most prevalent between 1100 and 1300 m.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Expect fresh wind slabs to form with up to 20 cm of new snow falling with strong southwest winds. These will sit on lingering hard wind slabs from last weekend. Below about 1500 m, expect rain to make the snow surface soggy, before freezing into a melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Buried under recent storm snow, you may find one or two weak layers in sheltered areas comprising of feathery surface hoar crystals and/or sugary faceted snow. The upper layer may have been buried around December 22 and is likely 30-50 cm below the surface. The lower one was buried in early-December and is now approximately 80-120 cm below the surface. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Deeper in the snowpack, there are several crusts including an early-season crust with faceted snow near the bottom of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Saturday's storm brought about 30-40 cm of new snow to the region. Winds during and since the storm drove fairly aggressive wind slab development on most aspects at higher elevations. Outside of wind loaded areas, the new snow is showing good signs of bonding well to the old snow interface, which appears for the most part to be free of any weak surface hoar crystals. Below this interface, 10 to 20 cm of older low density snow sits above old wind slabs in the alpine, and in some isolated areas above small surface hoar (feathery crystals). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Avalanche activity on the 100-140 cm deep weak layer that formed during the dry spell in early December has greatly diminished over the past week. This aspect-dependant mix of facets, surface hoar, and sun crust is believed to be trending toward a dormant state after the loading test brought by Saturday's storm failed to produce consistent reports of avalanches 'stepping down'. A heavy trigger might still coax reactivity out of steep north and east facing slopes between 1900-2300 m or a steep south-facing slope in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong and settled, with a crust that formed in late October near the bottom of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Saturday's storm brought about 35-45 cm of new snow to the region. In many areas, the new snow overlies a layer of surface hoar that was reportedly widespread at treeline and above in advance of the storm. This interface has seen improving strength over the last day or so. It covers a few cm of storm snow from light snowfalls in days prior to the storm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Avalanche activity on the 110-180 cm deep weak layer that formed during the dry spell in early December has greatly diminished over the last week. This layer is composed of weak facets, surface hoar, and a sun crust on steep south-facing slopes. It is believed to be trending toward a dormant state after the loading test brought by Saturday's storm failed to produce consistent reports of avalanches 'stepping down'. Places that might still challenge this assumption of dormancy would be steep north and east facing slopes between 1900-2300 m and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer from mid-November and a crust that formed in late October are found near the bottom of the snowpack. The probability of triggering these deeper layers is low, but the most suspect areas would be shallow spots in steep, rocky terrain.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-30 cm of snow sits on a thin sun crust on southerly aspects and small feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Beneath this, 50 to 100 cm of snow sits on a rain crust and a weak layer of feathery surface hoar and sugary facets that formed in early December. Although there has not been a reported avalanche on this layer in over a week, snowpack test results tell us that it is still possible to trigger. The lower snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Pockets of fresh wind slab are found at upper elevations in lee and cross-loaded terrain, but these slabs are not widespread in distribution. Forecasters continue to have low confidence in the snowpack with 50 to 60cm of medium to high density snow overlying a very weak base of up to 50cm of facets. This is the perfect combination for avalanches. Despite a lack of recent naturally triggered avalanches, there is strong potential for human triggering with the current snowpack structure. Unfortunately, this state of affairs will be with us for some time to come.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Fresh storm slabs will build on Wednesday before the precipitation transitions to rain on Thursday. The new snow is falling on a widespread crust that extends at least to 1500 m elevation. At the highest elevations, an additional 40-60 cm of recent snow may not be bonding well to underlying surfaces. This is particularly the case in the north of the region near Squamish, where the snow may be sitting on a weak layer of feathery surface hoar. The lower snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-30 cm of new snow falling Wednesday through the day and night will add to the 30-40 cm of snow that fell last weekend. Moderate to strong southwest winds along with a rise in freezing level associated with the latest weather system is expected to promote storm slab development at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An aspect-dependant mix of facets, surface hoar, and sun crust buried mid-December now 80-140 cm deep, is reported to be less reactive in snowpack tests and showing signs of strengthening. A heavy trigger might still coax reactivity out of steep north and east facing slopes between 1900-2300 m or a steep south-facing slope in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong and settled, with a crust that formed in late October near the bottom of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An additional 10-15 cm of new snow falling Wednesday night will add to last weekend's storm snow totals of 20-30 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer that formed during the dry spell in early December is now 80 to 110 cm deep. The layer is composed of facets (sugary snow), surface hoar (feathery crystals), and a sun crust (on south aspects). Another similar weak layer is buried 90 to 150 cm deep. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Finally, the base of the snowpack has weak faceted layers at alpine and treeline elevations. These basal weak layers have been producing large avalanches as recently as December 31st. Human triggering any of these layers is most likely on slopes that didn't previously avalanche and on slopes that have variable snowpack depth (such as rocky alpine features).</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecasted amounts are variable for Thursday, but expect new storm slabs to form with the new snow falling with strong southwest winds. In sheltered areas, new snow will add to the current 20 cm of snow that covers a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals, which was buried on Boxing Day.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A persistent weak layer that formed in early December may be found 80 to 120 cm deep. This layer mostly consists of sugary faceted snow with some isolated areas also containing feathery surface hoar crystals. While professionals are still tracking this layer, it has not been reactive for some time now, except for the east side of the region near Corbin.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Near the bottom of the snowpack lies a mix of crusts and facets that formed in late October/early November. Triggering an avalanche at the base of the snowpack is unlikely at this time, although the most likely place to do so would be from a steep rocky start zone in an area where the snowpack was shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from practically no snow to almost 200 cm. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable snowfall amounts are forecasted for Thursday, ranging from 5 to 20 cm. New snow will form fresh slabs across the mountains. Expect the deepest snow accumulation in lee terrain features, as the snow will fall with strong southwest winds. This snow will sit on previous hard wind slabs, a scoured and shallow snowpack on exposed southerly ridges, and generally soft snow in sheltered areas</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 60 to 90 cm of snowfall in December has formed a slab that sits on a persistent weak layer of weak and sugary faceted snow that formed during dry and cold weather in early December. This layer is most likely to be triggered on steep features where snowpack depths are variable.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack has a weak structure composed primarily of sugary faceted snow around a crust near the ground. Should a shallower avalanche be triggered, it is likely that it would step down and scour to the ground.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Storm snow will rapidly accumulate on Thursday, with 60-100 cm of fresh snow possible by the afternoon. Rising then dropping freezing level will create an interesting mix of rain and snow at treeline and below treeline elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer composed of surface hoar that was buried on December 26 can be found at treeline elevations 30-50 cm below the new storm snow. This layer has shown some signs of reactivity in the past few days, and the incoming storm will definitely stress this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the lower snowpack, a weak layer of sugary facets is now 150 to 200 cm deep. There have not been reports of avalanches on this layer for over a week, but it may still be reactive to heavy loads in isolated areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Storm snow will rapidly accumulate on Thursday, with 40-80 cm of fresh snow possible by the afternoon in southern parts of the region and 30-60 cm in northern parts. Rising then dropping freezing level will create an interesting mix of rain and snow at treeline and below treeline elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer composed of surface hoar that was buried on December 26 can be found at treeline elevations 20-50 cm below the new storm snow. This layer is reported to be most prevalent at the upper end of treeline on north and east aspects in the southern part of the region (e.g. Coquihalla Summit and Manning Park). This layer has been reactive recently and will definitely be reactive during the storm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the north part of the region, another weak layer composed of facets and/or surface hoar is buried 100 to 150 cm deep at treeline (up to 2000 m), and may be reactive during the storm.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack varies substantially with elevation. Above around 1400 m, expect to find upwards of 100 cm of recent storm snow, which fell with strong southwest winds. The deepest amounts will be in lee terrain features adjacent to ridges. Below around 1300 m, the storm began with snow and switched to rain and may have switched back to snow again around treeline and upper below treeline elevations. With colder air temperatures, expect any wet snow to freeze and form a melt-freeze crust. The thickest crust will exist below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the northern part of the region, all this snow may overly a couple weak layers of feathery surface hoar buried near the end of December. Expect to find these layers about 50 to 120 cm deep.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For most of the region around 150 to 200 cm deep, a weak layer of sugary faceted snow buried on December 8 may still exist. It is likely that this layer was the culprit of a large, remotely-triggered avalanche on December 30 near Terrace, described in a MIN report </span><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span><span class="s_3FE45715">. Other reports indicate that this layer is still present and it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas. Storm slabs could step down to this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Expect fresh wind slabs to have formed with up to 20 cm of new snow that fell with strong southwest winds. These will sit on lingering hard wind slabs from last weekend. Below around treeline elevations, expect rain to have made some of the recent snow soggy, before freezing into a melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Buried under recent storm snow, you may find a few weak layers in sheltered areas comprising of feathery surface hoar crystals and/or sugary faceted snow. The upper layer was buried around December 31 and is about 20 cm deep. The next layer may have been buried around December 22 and is likely 30-50 cm deep. The lower one was buried in early-December and is now approximately 80-120 cm deep. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Deeper in the snowpack, there are several crusts including an early-season crust with faceted snow near the bottom of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-30 cm of new snow falling Wednesday through the day and night will add to the 30-40 cm of snow that fell last weekend. Moderate to strong southwest winds along with a rise in freezing level associated with the latest weather system is expected to promote storm slab development at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An aspect-dependant mix of facets, surface hoar, and sun crust buried mid-December now 100-150 cm deep, is reported to be less reactive in snowpack tests and showing signs of strengthening. A heavy trigger might still coax reactivity out of steep north and east facing slopes between 1900-2300 m or a steep south-facing slope in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong and settled, with a crust that formed in late October near the bottom of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An additional 30-40 cm of new snow falling Wednesday during the day and night will add to last weekend's storm snow totals of 35-45 cm. In many areas, the accumulated new snow overlies a layer of surface hoar that was reportedly widespread at treeline and above. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A layer buried 110-180cm composed of weak facets, surface hoar, and a sun crust on steep south-facing slopes is believed to be gaining strength. Places that might still challenge this assumption would be steep north and east facing slopes between 1900-2300 m and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer from mid-November and a crust that formed in late October are found near the bottom of the snowpack. The probability of triggering these deeper layers is low, but the most suspect areas would be shallow spots in steep, rocky terrain.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Fresh storm slabs will form as a storm passes through the region on Thursday and into Friday. Several layers of small spotty surface hoar and thin crusts have been observed in the top 50 cm of the snowpack. Some snowpack tests suggest the snow may be poorly bonded to these layers in isolated areas. However, the main weak layer worth considering is still the widespread weak layer that formed in early December. The layer consists of a rain crust with a weak layer of feathery surface hoar and sugary facets and can be found 50 to 100 cm below the surface. Although there has not been a reported avalanche on this layer in over a week, the incoming storm could be enough to reawaken it.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Heavy snowfall and strong winds are expected for Thursday, changing conditions drastically. The snow and strong winds will add a heavy load to an already weak snowpack. The bottom 50cm of the snowpack is mostly made up of facets. Natural and human avalanche triggering will become likely on Thursday.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Fresh storm slabs will form on Wednesday night and then get soaked with heavy rain on Thursday. The rising then dropping freezing level makes it hard to predict the rain/snow mix and the exact properties of the storm slabs throughout the day, but regardless, all the ingredients for dangerous avalanche conditions are there.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow is falling on a widespread crust that extends at least to 1500 m elevation. At the highest elevations in the north of the region near Squamish, there could be a weak layer of feathery surface hoar roughly 50 cm below the new snow. Otherwise, the lower snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">As of Thursday afternoon the storm has produced 15 to 30 cm of new snow accompanied by moderate to strong wind out of the south. Storm slabs up to 80 cm in depth were reported Wednesday evening in lee features. This adds to the 30 to 40 cm of snow that fell last weekend. There are a few reports of spotty surface hoar underneath all of this new snow, but for the most part the storm snow does not sit on any kind of persistent weak layer and is expected to rapidly settle this weekend as the storm exits to the east. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An aspect-dependant mix of facets, surface hoar, and sun crust buried mid-December now 80 to 140 cm deep, is reported to be less reactive in snowpack tests and shows signs of strengthening. A heavy trigger might still coax reactivity out of steep north and east facing slopes between 1900-2300 m or a steep south-facing slope in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong and settled, with a crust that formed in late October near the bottom of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A strong storm is dumping snow in the region Thursday into Friday. Around 20 to 40 cm of snow has fallen over most of the region up to Thursday evening (almost 70 cm in the far north!), and another 20 to 30 cm is expected Thursday night into Friday. All this snow has likely formed touchy storm slabs. The snow is falling with strong westerly winds, so expect deeper deposits in lee terrain features near ridges.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">All this snow is loading a weak layer that formed during the dry spell in early December. It is around 80 to 120 cm deep. The layer is composed of weak and sugary faceted snow, feathery surface hoar crystals, and on south aspects also a sun crust. Another similar weak layer is buried around 120 to 150 cm deep. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack has weak faceted layers at alpine and treeline elevations. These basal weak layers have been producing large avalanches as recently as December 31. Human triggering any of these layers is most likely on slopes that didn't previously avalanche and on slopes that have variable snowpack depth, such as rocky alpine features.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Upwards of 40 cm of snow fell in the region on Thursday and more is expected into Friday. This new snow has likely formed new storm slabs. The snow is falling with strong southwest winds, so expect the deepest deposits in lee terrain features near ridges. In sheltered areas, new snow will add to the current 20 cm of snow that covers a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals, which was buried on Boxing Day. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A persistent weak layer that formed in early December may be found 80 to 120 cm deep. This layer mostly consists of sugary faceted snow with some isolated areas also containing feathery surface hoar crystals. While professionals are still tracking this layer, it has not been reactive for some time now, except for the east side of the region near Corbin.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Near the bottom of the snowpack lies a mix of crusts and facets that formed in late October/early November. Triggering an avalanche at the base of the snowpack is unlikely at this time, although the most likely place to do so would be from a steep rocky start zone in an area where the snowpack was shallow.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from practically no snow to almost 200 cm. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Upwards of 30 cm of snow fell on Thursday and more is expected on Thursday night into Friday. The snow fell with strong southwest winds, moving the snow around in exposed areas. Expect the deepest deposits in lee terrain features. This snow will sit on previous hard wind slabs, a scoured and shallow snowpack on exposed southerly ridges, and soft snow in sheltered areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A persistent weak layer of weak and sugary faceted snow that formed during dry and cold weather in early December is buried around 60 to 90 cm. This layer is most likely to be triggered on steep features where snowpack depths are variable.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack has a weak structure composed primarily of sugary faceted snow around a crust near the ground. Should a shallower avalanche be triggered, it is likely that it would step down and scour to the ground.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy snowfall, rising freezing levels and extreme winds are setting up a widespread storm slab problem. Around 40-80 cm of new snow since Wednesday adds to 30-50 cm of snow from the past week. This new load potentially sits on a weak layer of feathery surface hoar at treeline elevations and on a crust below 1800 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer of sugary facets and surface hoar lies around 150 to 200 cm deep in the snowpack. There have not been reports of avalanches on this layer for over a week. That being said, this layer may still exist in isolated areas around treeline in some parts of the region. The additional weight of the new snow could stress deeper weak layers too.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy snowfall, rising freezing levels and extreme winds are setting up a widespread storm slab problem. Wind loaded terrain will be the first to develop reactive slabs.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 20-50 cm of new snow starting Wednesday adds to 20-30 cm of recent snow that covers a widespread weak layer of feathery surface hoar that formed just after Christmas. This layer is reported to be most prevalent in the southern part of the region (e.g. Coquihalla Summit and Manning Park) at the upper end of treeline on north and east aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the north part of the region, another weak layer composed of facets and/or surface hoar is buried 100 to 150 cm deep. This weak layer appears most prominent around treeline (up to 2000 m). There have not been reports of avalanche activity on this layer for the past week, but field observations suggest slab avalanches may still be possible on this layer where it exists.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack varies substantially with elevation. Above around 1400 m, expect to find upwards of 100 cm of recent storm snow, which fell with strong southwest winds. The deepest amounts will be in lee terrain features adjacent to ridges. Below around 1400 m, the storm began with snow and switched to rain and may have switched back to snow again around treeline and upper below treeline elevations. With colder air temperatures, expect any wet snow to freeze and form a melt-freeze crust. New snow Thursday night will fall on these surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the northern part of the region, all this snow may overly a couple weak layers of feathery surface hoar buried near the end of December. Expect to find these layers about 50 to 120 cm deep.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For most of the region around 150 to 200 cm deep, a weak layer of sugary faceted snow buried on December 8 may still exist. It is likely that this layer was the culprit of a large, remotely-triggered avalanche on December 30 near Terrace, described in a MIN report </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/bfab4d1b-f63e-4ffd-8e52-b944161dbeb9" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. Other reports indicate that this layer is still present and it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas. Storm slabs could step down to this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Expect fresh storms slabs to have formed with around 20 cm of new snow and possibly more for the south of the region on Thursday night into Friday. The snow fell with strong southwest winds, so the deepest and touchiest deposits will be in lee terrain features. These will sit on lingering hard wind slabs from last weekend. Below around treeline elevations, expect rain to have made some of the recent snow soggy, before freezing into a melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Buried under recent storm snow, you may find a few weak layers in sheltered areas comprising of feathery surface hoar crystals and/or sugary faceted snow. The upper layer was buried around December 31 and is about 20 cm deep. The next layer may have been buried around December 22 and is likely 30-50 cm deep. The lower one was buried in early-December and is now approximately 80-120 cm deep. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Deeper in the snowpack, there are several crusts including an early-season crust with weak faceted snow near the bottom of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">As of Thursday afternoon the storm has produced up to 45 cm of new snow accompanied by moderate to strong wind out of the south. Wind fueled storm slabs up to 120 cm in depth were reported in lee features Thursday. This adds to the 30 to 40 cm of snow that fell last weekend. There are a few reports of spotty surface hoar underneath all of this new snow, but for the most part the storm snow does not sit on any kind of persistent weak layer and is expected to rapidly settle this weekend as the storm exits to the east. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An aspect-dependant mix of facets, surface hoar, and sun crust buried mid-December now 100 to 150 cm deep, is reported to be less reactive in snowpack tests and shows signs of strengthening. A heavy trigger might still coax reactivity out of steep north and east facing slopes between 1900-2300 m or a steep south-facing slope in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong and settled, with a crust that formed in late October near the bottom of the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">By Friday, a total of 40-80 cm of new snow will have fallen over a 48 hour period. The new snow sits atop 30-40 cm of settling snow from last weekend's storm, which sits above a layer of surface hoar that was reportedly widespread at treeline and above. The overall combination of new snow and strong wind has likely blanketed the region with thick storm slabs.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A layer buried 150-200 cm composed of weak facets, surface hoar, and a sun crust on steep south-facing slopes is believed to be gaining strength. Places that might still challenge this assumption would be steep north and east facing slopes between 1900-2300 m and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer from mid-November and a crust that formed in late October are found near the bottom of the snowpack. The probability of triggering these deeper layers is low, but the most suspect areas would be shallow spots in steep, rocky terrain. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Fresh storm slabs are expected to develop with new snow into Friday. Several layers of small spotty surface hoar and thin crusts have been observed in the top 50 cm of the snowpack. Some snowpack tests suggest the snow may be poorly bonded to these layers in isolated areas. However, the main weak layer worth considering is still the widespread weak layer that formed in early December. The layer consists of a rain crust with a weak layer of feathery surface hoar and sugary facets and can be found 50 to 100 cm below the surface. Although there has not been a reported avalanche on this layer in over a week, the storm could be enough to reawaken it.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">15-20cm of snow has fallen over the past 24hrs in the alpine with associated strong winds.  New windslabs are building in all open terrain that are reactive to skier traffic.  These windslabs are also failing naturally.  As the new snow falls the weak base will continue to be overloaded and we are expecting a natural avalanche cycle to begin over the next 24hrs.  Friday will be a good day to avoid avalanche terrain. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Fresh snow overnight Wednesday turned to a snow/rain mix on Thursday accompanied with strong winds and high freezing levels. More precipitation is expected overnight Thursday as freezing levels drop. The fluctuation freezing level makes it hard to predict the rain/snow mix and how the new storm snow is bonding to the old surface. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Under the new new snow is a widespread crust that extends at least to 1500 m elevation. At the highest elevations in the north of the region near Squamish, there could be a weak layer of feathery surface hoar roughly 50 cm below the new snow. Otherwise, the lower snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Thursday and Friday's storm produced 30 to 60 cm of new snow accompanied by moderate to strong wind out of the south. A 2 mm &quot;zipper&quot; (melt/freeze/mist) crust under the new snow has been reported in the mountains surrounding Revelstoke. Underneath the most recent storm snow is the 30 to 40 cm of snow that fell last weekend. There are a few reports of spotty surface hoar underneath all of this new snow, but for the most part the storm snow does not sit on any kind of persistent weak layer and is expected to rapidly settle this weekend as as precipitation slows and temperatures cool. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An aspect dependant mix of facets, surface hoar, and sun crust was buried in mid-December. This interface is 80 to 140 cm below the surface and is now considered dormant. It is most prevalent on steep south-facing slopes in the alpine as well as north and east facing slopes between 1900 and 2300 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong and settled, with a crust that formed in late October near the bottom of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm dropped variable snowfall amounts across the region. In the north, upwards of 100 cm of snow fell. In the remainder of the region, around 40 to 60 cm of snow accumulated. The snow fell with strong westerly winds, so the deepest and touchiest deposits will likely be in lee terrain features. The freezing level rose to around 1500 m on Friday, so expect to find wet snow or a frozen crust below this elevation.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">All this snow is loading a weak layer that formed during the dry spell in early December. It is around 80 to 120 cm deep. The layer is composed of weak and sugary faceted snow, feathery surface hoar crystals, and on south aspects also a sun crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted snow at alpine and treeline elevations. These basal weak layers have been producing large avalanches as recently as December 31. Human triggering any of these layers is most likely on slopes that didn't previously avalanche and on slopes that have variable snowpack depth, such as rocky alpine features.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 60 to 80 cm of snow fell in the region on Thursday and Friday above 1500 m. This new snow has formed touchy storm slabs. The snow is falling with strong southwest winds, so expect the deepest deposits in lee terrain features near ridges at higher elevations. In sheltered areas around treeline, this snow overlies a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals. Below 1500 m, the precipitation largely fell as rain, so expect wet snow that will freeze into a hard crust once temperatures cool.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the east side of the region near Corbin, a persistent weak layer that formed in early December may still be found 80 to 120 cm deep. This layer mostly consists of sugary faceted snow with some isolated areas also containing feathery surface hoar crystals. While professionals are still tracking this layer, it has not been reactive for some time now.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Near the bottom of the snowpack lies a mix of crusts and facets that formed in late October/early November. This layer may only be an issue on steep slopes where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from practically no snow to almost 200 cm. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Upwards of 60 cm of snow fell on Thursday and Friday above 1500 m. The snow fell with strong southwest winds. Expect the deepest deposits in the lee of terrain features. This snow will sit on previous hard wind slabs, a scoured and shallow snowpack on exposed ridges, and soft snow in sheltered areas. Below 1500 m, expect to find wet snow that will freeze into a hard crust once temperatures cool.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">All of this recent snow has loaded a weak snowpack. For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted grains around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks. It will take time for the snowpack to adjust to the added load.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent heavy snowfall has accumulated 40-80 cm around the region by Friday afternoon. 75-150 cm total storm snow has accumulated since Jan 1. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1850 m, the storm snow remained dry and covered previous wind slabs on south aspects. Extreme alpine winds continue to redistribute snow and develop wind slabs and cornices. At treeline and below, the new storm snow rests on two closely-spaced weak layers (developed Dec 26 and Jan 1), a crust on solar aspects and variable surface hoar found in more sheltered areas. Storm slab avalanche activity on Thursday occurred on this interface between new snow and old, down 50-100 cm in the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the lower snowpack, a weak layer of sugary facets is now 150 to 200 cm deep. There have not been reports of avalanches on this layer for over a week, but it may still be reactive to heavy loads in isolated areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the last week, 40-100 cm storm snow accumulated through the region. This new snow rests on two variable weak layers (from Dec 26 and Jan 1). Now down 70-100 cm, there is a crust on steep south and west aspects and surface hoar in more sheltered terrain. The surface hoar layer is reported to be most prevalent in the southern part of the region (e.g. Coquihalla Summit and Manning Park) at the upper end of treeline on north and east aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the north part of the region, another weak layer composed of facets and/or surface hoar is buried 100 to 150 cm deep. This weak layer appears most prominent around treeline (up to 2000 m). There have not been reports of avalanche activity on this layer for the past week, but field observations suggest slab avalanches may still be possible on this layer where it exists.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper snowpack varies substantially with elevation. Above around 1400 m, expect to find lingering wind slabs from Tuesday’s storm, which dropped upwards of 100 cm of snow with strong southwest winds. Below around 1400 m, the storm began with snow and switched to rain and may have switched back to snow again. It is likely that the wet snow has now frozen into a thick and supportive melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the northern part of the region, all this snow may overly a couple weak layers of feathery surface hoar buried near the end of December. Expect to find these layers about 50 to 120 cm deep.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For most of the region around 150 to 200 cm deep, a weak layer of sugary faceted snow buried on December 8 may still exist. It is likely that this layer was the culprit of a large, remotely-triggered avalanche on December 30 near Terrace, described in a MIN report </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/bfab4d1b-f63e-4ffd-8e52-b944161dbeb9" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong and variable winds have produced variable surfaces at treeline and alpine elevations. Expect to find wind-scoured surfaces as well as wind slabs in lee terrain features. Below treeline, expect to find a melt-freeze crust near the snow surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Buried under recent storm snow, you may find a few weak layers in sheltered areas comprising of feathery surface hoar crystals and/or sugary faceted snow. The upper layer was buried around December 31 and is about 20 cm deep. The next layer may have been buried around December 22 and is likely 30-50 cm deep. The lower one was buried in early-December and is now approximately 80-120 cm deep. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of weak and sugary faceted grains and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It is possible that shallower avalanches could scrub down to ground in these thin snowpack areas, due to this weak layer at the base of the snowpack. </span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Thursday and Friday's storm produced 40 to 80 cm of new snow accompanied by moderate to strong wind out of the south. A 2 mm &quot;zipper&quot; (melt/freeze/mist) crust under the new snow has been reported in the mountains surrounding Revelstoke. Underneath the most recent storm snow is the 30 to 40 cm of snow that fell last weekend. There are a few reports of spotty surface hoar underneath all of this new snow, but for the most part the storm snow does not sit on any kind of persistent weak layer and is expected to rapidly settle this weekend as as precipitation slows and temperatures cool.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An aspect dependant mix of facets, surface hoar, and sun crust was buried in mid-December. This interface is 100 to 150 cm below the surface and is now considered dormant. It is most prevalent on steep south-facing slopes in the alpine as well as north and east facing slopes between 1900 and 2300 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong and settled, with a crust that formed in late October near the bottom of the snowpack. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An intense storm delivered 50-80 cm of snow between Wednesday and Friday. The new snow is rapidly settling at lower elevations, while at higher elevations it continues to get blown around into fresh wind slabs.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Prior to the storm, a widespread layer of surface hoar was reactive around treeline elevations. This layer is now 50-100 cm deep, and there is some uncertainty about whether it will still be reactive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Another layer buried 150-200 cm composed of weak facets, surface hoar, and a sun crust is believed to be gaining strength. Places that might still challenge this assumption would be steep north and east facing slopes between 1900-2300 m and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The probability of triggering other deep layers in the snowpack is low, but the most suspect areas would be shallow spots in steep rocky terrain.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-20 cm recent snow accumulation has been redistributed by winds forming slabs in lee features and scouring exposed terrain. A zipper crust within the storm snow resulting from a freezing mist is most likely found at elevations below 2100 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below the storm snow, several layers of small spotty surface hoar and thin crusts have been observed in the top 50-70 cm of the snowpack. Some snowpack tests suggest the snow may be poorly bonded to these layers in isolated areas. However, the main weak layer worth considering is still the widespread weak layer that formed in early December. The layer consists of a rain crust with a weak layer of feathery surface hoar and sugary facets and can be found 70 to 100 cm below the surface. Although there has not been a reported avalanche on this layer in over a week, a large load like a cornice falling could be enough to reawaken it.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">As of this afternoon, the storm has left 25cm of settled snow at 2250m. This puts the total treeline snow depth to 120cm.  So far the winds haven't touched the lower treeline area, but the upper treeline and alpine areas have seen a fair bit of wind and widespread slabs. The deeper instabilities (Dec 10 and Oct 26) are very pronounced and basically make up the entire bottom third. The exact burial depth of this interface will vary depending on aspect (wind loading) and elevation. The trick with this snowpack will be identifying where there is a wind slab or not. Once the storm snow has &quot;slabbed&quot; up expect things to become very touchy. Avalanches stepping down and/or entraining loose snow are probable.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy rain overnight has saturated the snowpack to alpine elevations and settled storm snow. At high alpine elevations above the rain, dry snow has been redistributed by strong winds forming slabs and cornices. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Prior to the storm a crust extended to 1500 m elevation. At the highest elevations in the north of the region near Squamish, there could be a weak layer of feathery surface hoar roughly 50 cm below the new snow. Otherwise, the lower snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Thursday and Friday's storm produced 30 to 60 cm of new snow accompanied by moderate to strong wind out of the south. A 2 mm &quot;zipper&quot; (melt/freeze/mist) crust under the new snow has been reported in the mountains surrounding Revelstoke. Underneath the most recent storm snow is the 30 to 40 cm of snow that fell last weekend. There are a few reports of spotty surface hoar underneath all of this new snow, but for the most part the storm snow does not sit on any kind of persistent weak layer and is expected to rapidly settle this weekend as as precipitation slows and temperatures cool. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An aspect dependant mix of facets, surface hoar, and sun crust buried in mid-December, now 80 to 140 cm below the surface, is considered dormant at this time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong and settled, with a crust that formed in late October near the bottom of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm dropped variable snowfall amounts across the region. In the north, upwards of 100 cm of snow fell. In the remainder of the region, around 40 to 60 cm of snow accumulated. The snow fell with strong westerly winds, so the deepest and touchiest deposits will likely be in lee terrain features. The freezing level rose to around 1500 m on Friday, so expect to find wet snow or a frozen crust below this elevation.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">All this snow is loading a weak layer that formed during the dry spell in early December. It is around 80 to 120 cm deep. The layer is composed of weak and sugary faceted snow, feathery surface hoar crystals, and on south aspects also a sun crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted snow at alpine and treeline elevations. These basal weak layers have been producing large avalanches as recently as December 31. Human triggering any of these layers is most likely on slopes that didn't previously avalanche and on slopes that have variable snowpack depth, such as rocky alpine features.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 60 to 80 cm of snow fell in the region on Thursday and Friday above 1500 m. This new snow has formed touchy storm slabs. The snow fell with strong southwest winds, so expect the deepest deposits in lee terrain features near ridges at higher elevations. In sheltered areas around treeline, this snow overlies a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals. Below 1500 m, the precipitation largely fell as rain, so expect wet snow that will freeze into a hard crust once temperatures cool.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the east side of the region near Corbin, a persistent weak layer that formed in early December may still be found 80 to 120 cm deep. This layer mostly consists of sugary faceted snow with some isolated areas also containing feathery surface hoar crystals. While professionals are still tracking this layer, it has not been reactive for some time now.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Near the bottom of the snowpack lies a mix of crusts and facets that formed in late October/early November. This layer may only be an issue on steep slopes where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from practically no snow to almost 200 cm. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Upwards of 60 cm of snow fell on Thursday and Friday above 1500 m. The snow fell with strong southwest winds. Expect the deepest deposits in the lee of terrain features. This snow will sit on previous hard wind slabs, a scoured and shallow snowpack on exposed ridges, and soft snow in sheltered areas. Below 1500 m, expect to find wet snow that will freeze into a hard crust once temperatures cool.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">All of this recent snow has loaded a weak snowpack. For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted grains around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks. It will take time for the snowpack to adjust to the added load.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">100-130 cm storm snow snow is both settling and being redistributed by strong winds. In the alpine cornices are growing and wind slabs are developing in lee terrain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1850 m, the storm snow remained dry and covered previous wind slabs on south aspects. Extreme alpine winds continue to redistribute snow and develop wind slabs and cornices. At treeline and below, the new storm snow rests on two layers (Jan 1 down 80 cm and Dec 26 down 150-200 cm). These variable layers consist of surface hoar in more sheltered areas and a crust on solar aspects and below 1500m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the lower snowpack, a weak layer of sugary facets is now 150 to 200 cm deep. There have not been reports of avalanches on this layer for over a week, but it may still be reactive to heavy loads in isolated areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow continued to accumulate through Friday, 10-30 cm new snow fell with higher amounts further north in the region. Since Jan 1, 50-100 cm storm snow accumulated through the region. Warm temperatures are causing the new snow to settle and wind is redistributing snow to lee features. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">This new snow rests on two variable weak layers (from Dec 26 and Jan 1). Recent avalanche activity throughout the region has occurred at this interface with the new snow. Now down 70-100 cm, there is a crust on steep south and west aspects and surface hoar in more sheltered terrain. The surface hoar layer is reported to be most prevalent in the southern part of the region (e.g. Coquihalla Summit and Manning Park) at the upper end of treeline on north and east aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the north part of the region, a deeper weak layer composed of facets and/or surface hoar is buried 100 to 150 cm. This weak layer appears most prominent around treeline (up to 2000 m). There have not been reports of avalanche activity on this layer for the past week, but field observations suggest slab avalanches may still be possible on this layer where it exists.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15 cm of new snow from Friday night sits on the snow surface in the Terrace area. The upper snowpack varies substantially with elevation. Above around 1400 m, expect to find lingering wind slabs from Tuesday's storm, which dropped upwards of 100 cm of snow with strong southwest winds. Below around 1400 m, the storm began with snow and switched to rain and may have switched back to snow again. It is likely that the wet snow has now frozen into a thick and supportive melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the northern part of the region, all this snow may overly a couple weak layers of feathery surface hoar buried near the end of December. Expect to find these layers about 50 to 120 cm deep.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For most of the region around 150 to 200 cm deep, a weak layer of sugary faceted snow buried on December 8 may still exist. It is likely that this layer was the culprit of a large, remotely-triggered avalanche on December 30 near Terrace, described in a MIN report </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/bfab4d1b-f63e-4ffd-8e52-b944161dbeb9" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong and variable winds have produced variable surfaces at treeline and alpine elevations. Expect to find wind-scoured surfaces as well as wind slabs in lee terrain features. Below treeline, expect to find a melt-freeze crust near the snow surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Buried under recent storm snow, you may find a few weak layers in sheltered areas comprising of feathery surface hoar crystals and/or sugary faceted snow. The upper layer was buried around December 31 and is about 20 cm deep. The next layer may have been buried around December 22 and is likely 30-50 cm deep. The lower one was buried in early-December and is now approximately 80-120 cm deep. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of weak and sugary faceted grains and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It is possible that shallower avalanches could scrub down to ground in these thin snowpack areas, due to this weak layer at the base of the snowpack. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Thursday and Friday's storm produced 40 to 80 cm of new snow accompanied by moderate to strong wind out of the south. A 2 mm &quot;zipper&quot; (melt/freeze/mist) crust under the new snow has been reported in the mountains surrounding Revelstoke. Underneath the most recent storm snow is the 30 to 40 cm of snow that fell last weekend. There are a few reports of spotty surface hoar underneath all of this new snow, but for the most part the storm snow does not sit on any kind of persistent weak layer and is expected to rapidly settle this weekend as as precipitation slows and temperatures cool.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An aspect dependant mix of facets, surface hoar, and sun crust buried in mid-December, now 100 to 150 cm below the surface, is considered dormant at this time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong and settled, with a crust that formed in late October near the bottom of the snowpack. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An intense storm delivered 50 to 80 cm of snow between Wednesday and Friday. The new snow is rapidly settling at lower elevations, while at higher elevations it continues to get blown around into fresh wind slabs.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Prior to the storm, a widespread layer of surface hoar was reactive around treeline elevations. This layer is now 50 to 100 cm deep, and there is some uncertainty about whether it will still be reactive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Another layer buried 150 to 200 cm composed of weak facets, surface hoar, and a sun crust is believed to be gaining strength. Places that might still challenge this assumption would be steep north and east facing slopes between 1900 and 2300 m and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The probability of triggering other deep layers in the snowpack is low, but the most suspect areas would be shallow spots in steep rocky terrain.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-30 cm recent snow has been redistributed by winds forming slabs in lee features and scouring exposed terrain. A zipper crust may be found within the storm snow resulting from a freezing mist on January 2, most likely found below 2150 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below the storm snow, several layers of small spotty surface hoar and thin crusts have been observed in the top 60 cm of the snowpack. Some snowpack tests suggest the snow may be poorly bonded to these layers in isolated areas. However, the main weak layer worth considering is still the widespread weak layer that formed in early December. The layer consists of a rain crust with a weak layer of feathery surface hoar and sugary facets and can be found 70 to 110 cm cm below the surface. Although there has not been a reported avalanche on this layer in over a week, a large load like a cornice falling could be enough to reawaken it.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The storm snow (40-50cm) that we received over the past few days is beginning to settle and SLOWLY strengthen. Shears with the upper snowpack and at the storm snow interface have tightened up but we still have a big concern for the weak facetted base that persists everywhere. New winds slabs should be expected in open wind affected areas in the alpine especially on N and E aspects. Moderate sudden collapse failures within the basal facets indicate the snowpack is still ripe for human triggering. Give the snowpack time to strengthen and stick to mellow low consequence terrain. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy rain overnight has saturated the snowpack to alpine elevations and settled storm snow. At high alpine elevations above the rain, dry snow has been redistributed by strong winds to lee terrain. More snow is forecasted into Sunday, initially this new snow may not bond to the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Prior to the recent storm a crust extended to 1500 m elevation. At the highest elevations in the north of the region near Squamish, there could be a weak layer of feathery surface hoar roughly 50 cm below the new snow. Otherwise, the lower snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Thursday and Friday's storm produced 30 to 70 cm of new snow accompanied by moderate to strong wind generally out of the south. Wind effect is widespread in the alpine as well as isolated features at treeline. A 1 to 2 mm &quot;zipper&quot; (melt/freeze/mist) crust under the new snow has been reported in the mountains surrounding Revelstoke. Below this the snowpack is generally strong and well settled. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At the bottom of the snowpack is a crust that formed in late October which is considered dormant at this time.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm dropped variable snowfall amounts across the region. In the north, upwards of 100 cm of snow fell. In the remainder of the region, around 40 to 60 cm of snow accumulated. The snow fell with strong westerly winds, so the deepest and touchiest deposits will likely be in lee terrain features. The freezing level rose to around 1500 m on Friday, so expect to find wet snow or a frozen crust below this elevation.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">All this snow is loading a weak layer that formed during the dry spell in early December. It is around 80 to 120 cm deep. The layer is composed of weak and sugary faceted snow, feathery surface hoar crystals, and on south aspects also a sun crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted snow at alpine and treeline elevations. These basal weak layers have been producing large avalanches as recently as December 31. Human triggering any of these layers is most likely on slopes that didn't previously avalanche and on slopes that have variable snowpack depth, such as rocky alpine features.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 60 to 80 cm of snow fell in the region last Thursday and Friday above 1500 m. The snow fell with strong southwest winds, so expect the deepest deposits in lee terrain features near ridges at higher elevations. In sheltered areas around treeline, this snow overlies a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals. Below 1500 m, the precipitation largely fell as rain, so expect wet snow that will freeze into a hard crust once temperatures cool.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the east side of the region near Corbin, a persistent weak layer that formed in early December may still be found 80 to 120 cm deep. This layer mostly consists of sugary faceted snow with some isolated areas also containing feathery surface hoar crystals. While professionals are still tracking this layer, it has not been reactive for some time now.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Near the bottom of the snowpack lies a mix of crusts and facets that formed in late October/early November. This layer may only be an issue on steep slopes where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from practically no snow to almost 200 cm. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Upwards of 50-60 cm of snow fell late last week above 1500 m. The snow fell with strong southwest winds. Expect the deepest deposits in the lee of terrain features. This snow will sit on previous hard wind slabs, a scoured and shallow snowpack on exposed ridges, and soft snow in sheltered areas. Below 1500 m, expect to find wet snow that will freeze into a hard crust once temperatures cool.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">All of this recent snow has loaded a weak snowpack. For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted grains around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks. It will take time for the snowpack to adjust to the added load.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The Sea to Sky region has received approximately 100-140 cm of recent storm snow with strong to extreme southerly winds. Cornices are growing and slab formation is likely widespread.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At treeline and below, the storm snow sits on two weak layers that are down 80-100 cm and 150-200 cm. These layers consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in more sheltered areas and a crust on solar aspects and on all aspects below 1500m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the lower snowpack, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) is now over 200 cm deep. There have been no reports of avalanches on this layer for over a week, but it may still be reactive to heavy loads (such as a cornice fall) in isolated areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">50-100 cm of storm snow has accumulated throughout the region since January 1. Strong to extreme winds will have promoted slab formation and cornice growth. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm snow sits on two weak layers that formed in mid and late December. These layers consists of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or a sun crust on steep south facing slopes. The surface hoar is reported to be most prominent in the southern part of the region in areas like the Coquihalla Summit and Manning Park, on north and east aspects at treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the northern portion of the region, a deeper weak layer composed of facets (sugary snow) and/or surface hoar is buried 100 to 150 cm. There have been no reports of avalanche activity on this layer for the past week, but field observations suggest that avalanches may still be possible on this layer with a heavy load such as a cornice fall.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The surface snow consists of about 10-20 cm of new snow in the Terrace area. The upper snowpack varies substantially with elevation. Above around 1400 m, expect to find lingering wind slabs from last Tuesday's storm, which dropped upwards of 100 cm of snow with strong southwest winds. Below around 1400 m, the storm began with snow and switched to rain and may have switched back to snow again. It is likely that the wet snow has now frozen into a thick and supportive melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the northern part of the region around Ningunsaw pass, all this snow may overly a couple weak layers of feathery surface hoar buried near the end of December. Expect to find these layers about 50 to 120 cm deep.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For most of the region around 150 to 200 cm deep, a weak layer of sugary faceted snow buried on December 8 may still exist. It is likely that this layer was the culprit of a large, remotely-triggered avalanche on December 30 near Terrace, described in a MIN report </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/bfab4d1b-f63e-4ffd-8e52-b944161dbeb9" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15 cm of new snow over past two days along with moderate to strong and variable winds have produced variable surfaces at treeline and alpine elevations. Expect to find wind-scoured surfaces as well as wind slabs in lee terrain features. Below treeline, expect to find a melt-freeze crust near the snow surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Buried under recent storm snow, you may find a few weak layers in sheltered areas comprising of feathery surface hoar crystals and/or sugary faceted snow. The upper layer was buried around December 31 and is about 20-30 cm deep. The next layer may have been buried around December 22 and is likely 40-60 cm deep. The lower one was buried in early-December and is now approximately 80-120 cm deep. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of weak and sugary faceted grains and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It is possible that shallower avalanches could scrub down to ground in these thin snowpack areas, due to this weak layer at the base of the snowpack. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Thursday and Friday's storm produced 40 to 80 cm of new snow accompanied by moderate to strong wind generally out of the south. Wind effect is widespread in the alpine as well as isolated features at treeline. A 1 to 2 mm &quot;zipper&quot; (melt/freeze/mist) crust under the new snow has been reported in the mountains surrounding Revelstoke. Below this the snowpack is generally strong and well settled. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At the bottom of the snowpack is a crust that formed in late October which is considered dormant at this time.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An intense storm delivered 50 to 90 cm of snow between Wednesday and Friday. The new snow is rapidly settling at lower elevations, while at higher elevations it continues to get blown around into fresh wind slabs.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Prior to the storm, a widespread layer of surface hoar was reactive around treeline elevations. This layer is now 50 to 100 cm deep, and there is some uncertainty about whether or not it remains reactive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Another layer buried 150 to 200 cm composed of weak facets, surface hoar, and a sun crust is believed to be gaining strength. Places that might still challenge this assumption would be steep north and east facing slopes between 1900 and 2300 m and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The probability of triggering other deep layers in the snowpack is low, but the most suspect areas would be shallow spots in steep rocky terrain.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">25-40 cm of recent snow has fallen in the region. Moderate to strong winds will be promoting widespread slab formation. The storm snow sits on several layers of small surface hoar (feathery crystals) and thin crusts. Recent snowpack tests suggest the snow may be poorly bonded to these layers in some areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most prominent weak layer in the snowpack is layer that formed in early December and is buried approximately 70-110 cm. This layer consists of a rain crust, surface hoar, and facets (sugary snow). There have been no recent reports of avalanches on this layer, however a large load, such as a cornice fall may still have the potential to trigger large avalanches on this layer.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent storm snow has settled to 25 to 30cm at Treeline. Wind slabs forming in the Alpine and soft slabs in open areas at Treeline and below. Test profile at 2300m on a North aspect today produced easy shears at the storm snow interface, moderate shears down 40cm at the Dec 30th facet interface, and moderate/hard shears on the basal facets down 100cm.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 cm of new snow likely sits on a melt freeze crust at the treeline and the upper reaches of the below treeline elevation band. At upper elevations, where the recent precipitation fell as snow, over 100 cm has accumulated since the stormy weather began mid last week. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At upper elevations in the north of the region near Squamish, there may be a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) buried approximately 50 cm. Information on the strength and distribution of this layer is very limited.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30 to 70 cm of recent snow has been redistributed by strong south to southwest winds. Wind effect is widespread in the alpine as well as isolated features at treeline elevations. A thin (1 to 2 mm) freezing-rain crust under the new snow has been reported in the mountains surrounding Revelstoke. Below this, the snowpack is generally settled and strong.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs are reported as being widespread in lee and cross-loaded terrain features from recent south to west winds.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are deeper weaknesses in the snowpack. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 80 to 120 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains. The likelihood of triggering these deep weak layers is low and would most likely be triggered by humans in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 60 to 80 cm of snow fell&nbsp; above 1500 m in the region late last week. The snowfall was followed up with moderate to strong southwest winds that have since redistributed some of the new snow into alpine and treeline lee terrain. In sheltered areas around treeline, this snow possibly overlies a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals. Below 1500 m, the precipitation largely fell as rain, so expect see a crust at or near the snow surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the east side of the region near Corbin, a persistent weak layer that formed in early December may still be found 80 to 120 cm deep. This layer mostly consists of sugary faceted snow with some isolated areas also containing feathery surface hoar crystals. While professionals are still tracking this layer, it has not been reactive for some time now.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is a mix of crusts and facets that formed in late October/early November near the bottom of the snowpack. This layer may only be an issue on steep slopes where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from practically no snow to almost 200 cm. Upwards of 50-60 cm of snow fell late last week above 1500 m. The snow fell with strong southwest winds and sits on previous hard wind slabs, a scoured and shallow snowpack on exposed ridges, and soft snow in sheltered areas. Below 1500 m, expect to find a hard crust at or near the snow surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted grains around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 140 cm recent storm snow was shifted into slabs on slopes lee to the south-east to south-west. In general, the recent storm snow is slowly gaining strength and settling. New storm slabs are expected to build by Tuesday afternoon. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At treeline and below, the storm snow sits on two weak layers that are down 80-100 cm and 150-200 cm. These layers consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in more sheltered areas and a crust on solar aspects and on all aspects below 1500m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the lower snowpack, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) is now over 200 cm deep. There have been no reports of avalanches on this layer for over a week, but it may still be reactive to heavy loads (such as a cornice fall) in isolated areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">50-100 cm of storm snow has accumulated throughout the region since January 1. Strong to extreme winds have promoted slab formation and cornice growth. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm snow sits on two weak layers that formed in mid and late December. These layers consists of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or a sun crust on steep south facing slopes. The surface hoar is reported to be most prominent in the southern part of the region in areas like the Coquihalla Summit and Manning Park, on north and east aspects at treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the northern portion of the region, a deeper weak layer composed of facets (sugary snow) and/or surface hoar is buried 100 to 150 cm. There have been no reports of avalanche activity on this layer for the past week, but field observations suggest that avalanches may still be possible on this layer with a heavy load such as a cornice fall.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There has been around 15-25 cm of new snow in the Terrace area over the weekend. This new snow is possibly sitting on top of weak feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas. The upper snowpack varies substantially with elevation. Above around 1400 m, expect to find the new snow and lingering wind slabs. Below around 1400 m there may a crust just below the most recent new snow. For most of the region around 150 to 200 cm deep, a weak layer of sugary faceted snow buried on December 8 may still exist. It is likely that this layer was the culprit of a large, remotely-triggered avalanche on December 30 near Terrace, described in a MIN report </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/bfab4d1b-f63e-4ffd-8e52-b944161dbeb9" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the northern part of the region around Ningunsaw pass, a couple weak layers of feathery surface hoar may be found that were buried near the end of December. Expect to find these layers about 50 to 120 cm deep.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15 cm of new snow sits above previous wind-scoured surfaces as well as wind slabs in lee terrain features. Below treeline, expect to find a melt-freeze crust near the snow surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Beneath you may find a few weak layers in sheltered areas comprising of feathery surface hoar crystals and/or sugary faceted snow. The upper layer was buried around December 31 and is about 20-30 cm deep. The next layer may have been buried around December 22 and is likely 40-60 cm deep. The lower one was buried in early-December and is now approximately 80-120 cm deep. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of weak and sugary faceted grains and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It is possible that shallower avalanches could scrub down to ground in these thin snowpack areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">40 to 80 cm of recent snow has been redistributed by strong south to southwest winds. Wind effect is widespread in the alpine as well as isolated features at treeline elevations. A thin (1 to 2 mm) freezing-rain crust under the new snow has been reported in the mountains surrounding Revelstoke. Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs are reported as being widespread at treeline and alpine elevations. These formed from the recent storm that deposed 50 to 90 cm of snow with strong southwest winds. There have been reports that all this snow is not bonding well to underlying surfaces in areas. Below treeline, this new snow is likely settling and gaining strength.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are a few deeper weaknesses in the snowpack. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 150 to 200 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains in parts of the region. The likelihood of triggering these deep weak layers is low and would most likely be triggered by humans in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">25-40 cm of recent snow has fallen in the region. Moderate to strong winds have promoted widespread slab formation. The storm snow sits on several layers of small surface hoar (feathery crystals) and thin crusts. Recent snowpack tests suggest the snow may be poorly bonded to these layers in some areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most prominent weak layer in the snowpack is a layer that formed in early December and is buried approximately 70-120 cm. This layer consists of a rain crust, surface hoar, and facets (sugary snow). There have been no recent reports of avalanches on this layer, however a large load such as a cornice fall may still have the potential to trigger large avalanches on this layer.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">We traveled to Burstall Pass today. 5-10cm of new snow overlies the previous 25 cm of storm snow which is bonding well to the layer below. Some wind effect in the alpine and variable wind effect at tree line. Our snow pit revealed the December 30 facet layer is producing hard compression tests down approximately 50cm. This is quite different from our snow tests yesterday on Tryst ridge which were in the moderate range. The bottom half of the snow pack is still very weak and is made up of large facets and depth hoar; something that will be with us for a long time. We were conservative with our ski lines as we have little confidence in the snow pack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At alpine and treeline elevations in the north of the region, 70-100 cm recent storm snow is slowly settling. Recent snowpack tests around treeline indicated some storm snow instabilities. Below the recent storm snow, a melt freeze crust exists, with associated facets (sugar snow) in some areas. Further south on the North Shore mountains, around 10 cm snow overlies a crust.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall on Wednesday may form new wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain features at high elevations. This new snow will fall on widespread wind-affected snow at alpine and treeline elevations. Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs are reported as being widespread in lee and cross-loaded terrain features at treeline and alpine elevations. Wind slabs may be found on all aspects due to variable wind directions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are deeper weaknesses in the snowpack. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 80 to 120 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains. Humans could trigger these layers in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 60 to 80 cm of snow fell above 1500 m in the region late last week. Strong winds have redistributed the snow and formed wind slabs in alpine and treeline areas. In sheltered areas around treeline, this snow possibly overlies a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). Below 1500 m, the precipitation largely fell as rain, so expect to see a crust at or near the snow surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the east of the region near Corbin, a persistent weak layer that formed in early December may still be found 80 to 120 cm deep. This layer mostly consists of faceted (sugary) snow with some isolated areas also containing surface hoar. While professionals are still tracking this layer, it has not been reactive for some time now.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is a mix of crusts and facets that formed in late October/early November near the bottom of the snowpack. This layer may only be an issue on steep slopes where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. Upwards of 50-60 cm of snow fell late last week above 1500 m. The snow fell with strong southwest winds and sits on previous hard wind slabs, a scoured and shallow snowpack on exposed ridges, and soft snow in sheltered areas. Below 1500 m, expect to find a hard crust at or near the snow surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow, wind and warming are expected to build new storm slabs. Cornices are also likely to grow larger. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow will bury old wind slabs on a variety of slopes at alpine and treeline elevations. At treeline and below, two weak layers exist in the upper 2 m of the snowpack. These layers consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in more sheltered areas and a crust on solar aspects and on all aspects below 1500m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the lower snowpack, a crust/facet (sugar snow) layer is now over 2 m deep. There have been no recent reports of avalanches on this layer, but it may still be reactive to heavy loads (such as a cornice fall) in isolated areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds have built wind slabs and cornices on a variety of slopes. New snow, wind and warming are expected to build new storm slabs on top of these.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Professionals continue to monitor two weak layers the upper 100-150 cm of the snowpack. These layers consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a sun crust on steep south facing slopes. The surface hoar is reported to be most prominent in the southern part of the region in areas like the Coquihalla Summit and Manning Park, on north and east aspects at treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the lower snowpack, a crust/facet (sugar snow) layer may still be reactive to heavy loads such as a cornice fall in isolated areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 65 cm of new snow (and an additional 15 cm by Wednesday afternoon) sits on a melt-freeze crust at treeline and below. New snow and strong winds will be promoting ongoing slab formation. The new snow may be sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 150-200 cm. It is likely that this layer was the culprit of a large, remotely-triggered avalanche on December 30 near Terrace, described in a MIN report </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/bfab4d1b-f63e-4ffd-8e52-b944161dbeb9" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas. The potential may also exist for storm slab avalanches to step down to this layer, resulting in large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the northern part of the region, near Ningunsaw pass, a couple of weak layers of surface hoar may be found that were buried near the end of December. Expect to find these layers about down approximately&nbsp; 50 to 120 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15 cm of new snow sits above previous wind-scoured surfaces as well as wind slabs in lee terrain features. Below treeline, expect to find a melt-freeze crust near the snow surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few buried weak layers that consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or faceted (sugary) snow may exist in some sheltered areas. The upper layer was buried around December 31 and is about 20-30 cm deep. The next layer may have been buried around December 22 and is likely 40-60 cm deep. The lower one was buried in early December and is now approximately 80-120 cm deep. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It is possible that wind slab avalanches could scrub down to ground in thin snowpack areas, resulting in large, full depth avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall on Wednesday may form new wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain features at high elevations. This new snow will fall on widespread wind-affected snow at alpine and treeline elevations. Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs are reported as being widespread and reactive at treeline and alpine elevations. Below treeline, recent snow is likely settling and gaining strength.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are a few deeper weaknesses in the snowpack. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 150 to 200 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains in parts of the region. The likelihood of triggering these deep weak layers is low and would most likely be triggered by humans in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snow and winds have created variable storm slabs and wind slabs. Wind slabs were observed at all elevations on Monday. Isolated layers of surface hoar and or crusts may be found in the upper snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 1 m down in the snowpack is a buried weak layer that formed in early December. It consists of a rain crust, surface hoar, and facets (sugary snow). Professionals continue to monitor this interface as it has potential to produce large avalanches, although the likelihood of triggering has gone down. It is most likely to be triggered from a thin-spot trigger point or with a large load, like cornice fall.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">An additional 2cm of new snow fell overnight. The upper snowpack consists of mostly low density surface snow with ski penetrations around 30cm. However, wind slabs are noticeable at Treeline elevations and get progressively more dense and widespread across the terrain as you gain elevation. In most cases the bond below these wind slabs seems to be relatively good, but convex and unsupported terrain should be approached cautiously. Forecasters are watching a few persistent weak layers deeper in the snowpack that continue to give results in stability tests. The layers to watch for include the Dec 30th facet interface (down 50cm), the Dec 10th surface hoar/facet interface (down 70cm) and the extensive basal facets which make up the entire bottom half of the snowpack. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow is expected to create storm slabs at treeline and above. At lower elevations, rain on snow can rapidly lead to loose wet avalanches. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At alpine and treeline elevations in the north of the region, 70-100 cm recent storm snow is slowly settling. Recent snowpack tests around treeline indicated some storm snow instabilities. Below the recent storm snow, a melt freeze crust exists, with associated facets (sugar snow) in some areas. Further south on the North Shore mountains, around 10 cm snow overlies a crust.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall combined with wind on Wednesday into Thursday will have formed new wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain features at high elevations. This new snow has fallen on widespread wind-affected snow at alpine and treeline elevations. Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled. There is however, a layer of feathery surface hoar that is sitting on a crust that was buried late November down 100-200 cm. This crust is suspected to be the bed surface for few notably large avalanches over the past 2-3 days on southwest through southeast aspects in the North and South Columbia regions.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs are reported as being widespread in lee and cross-loaded terrain features at treeline and alpine elevations. Wind slabs may be found on all aspects due to variable wind directions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are deeper weaknesses in the snowpack. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 80 to 120 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains. Humans could trigger these layers in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-30 cm of new snow combined with strong winds will be promoting storm slab formation at alpine and treeline elevations. The new snow sits on previous storm snow and wind slabs above 1500 m, and a melt freeze crust below 1500 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas around treeline, 70-120cm of recent snow may sit on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). In the east of the region near Corbin, a persistent weak layer that formed in early December may still be found 90 to 150 cm deep. This layer mostly consists of faceted (sugary) snow with some isolated areas also containing surface hoar. While professionals are still tracking this layer, it has not been reactive for some time now.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is a mix of crusts and facets that formed in late October/early November near the bottom of the snowpack. This layer may only be an issue on steep slopes where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-30 cm of storm snow has fallen in the region since late last week. The snow fell with strong southwest winds and sits on previous hard wind slabs, a scoured and shallow snowpack on exposed ridges, and soft snow in sheltered areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below 1200 m, expect to find a crust at or near the snow surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-40 cm new snow adds to the previous 150+ cm of settled storm snow. Another 20 cm is expected by Friday morning as freezing levels rise. New snow, wind and warming are expected to build new storm slabs. Cornices are also likely to grow larger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow will bury old wind slabs on a variety of slopes at alpine and treeline elevations. At treeline and below, two weak layers exist in the upper 2 m of the snowpack. These layers consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in more sheltered areas and a crust on solar aspects and on all aspects below 1600m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the lower snowpack, a crust/facet (sugar snow) layer is now over 2 m deep. There have been no recent reports of avalanches on this layer, but it may still be reactive to heavy loads (such as a cornice fall) in isolated areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 20-40 cm new snow adds to the previous 100+ cm of settled storm snow. Recent strong winds have redistributed recent snow built wind slabs and cornices on a variety of slopes. New snow, wind and warming are expected to build new storm slabs on top of these.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around the Coquihalla, the top 30 cm recent snow sits on a thick 10-15 cm crust up to 1550 m. This crust is not found in the north of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Professionals continue to monitor two weak layers the upper 100-150 cm of the snowpack. These layers consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a sun crust on steep south facing slopes. The surface hoar is reported to be most prominent in the southern part of the region in areas like the Coquihalla Summit and Manning Park, on north and east aspects at treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the lower snowpack, a crust/facet (sugar snow) layer may still be reactive to heavy loads such as a cornice fall in isolated areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 65-80 cm of new snow (with another 10-20 by Thursday afternoon) sits on a melt-freeze crust at treeline and below. New snow and strong winds will be promoting ongoing slab formation. In some sheltered areas, the new snow is sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 160-220 cm. It is likely that this layer was the culprit of a large, remotely-triggered avalanche on December 30 near Terrace, described in a MIN report </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/bfab4d1b-f63e-4ffd-8e52-b944161dbeb9" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas. The potential may also exist for storm slab avalanches to step down to this layer, resulting in large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the northern part of the region, near Ningunsaw pass, a couple of weak layers of surface hoar may be found that were buried near the end of December. Expect to find these layers about down approximately 70 to 150 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-20 cm of new snow sits above previous wind-scoured surfaces as well as wind slabs in lee terrain features. Below treeline, the new snow sits on a melt-freeze crust. Strong winds have likely redistributed this new snow, creating fresh wind slabs.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few buried weak layers that consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or faceted (sugary) snow may exist in some sheltered areas. The upper layer is about 20-30 cm deep. The next layer  is likely 40-60 cm deep. The lower one is now approximately 80-120 cm deep. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It is possible that wind slab avalanches could scrub down to ground in thin snowpack areas, resulting in large, full depth avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall combined with wind on Wednesday into Thursday will have formed new wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain features at high elevations. This new snow has fallen on widespread wind-affected snow at alpine and treeline elevations. Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled. There is however, a layer of feathery surface hoar that is sitting on a crust that was buried late November down 100-200 cm. This crust is suspected to be the bed surface for few very large avalanches over the past several days on southwest through southeast aspects in this region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs are reported as being widespread and reactive at treeline and alpine elevations. Below treeline, recent snow is likely settling and gaining strength.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are a few deeper weaknesses in the snowpack. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 150 to 200 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains in parts of the region. The likelihood of triggering these deep weak layers is low and would most likely be triggered by humans in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 20 cm recent snow falling with moderate to strong winds and increasing temperatures have created variable storm slabs and wind slabs. Wind slabs were observed at all elevations on Monday and may be hidden under the most recent snowfall. Isolated layers of surface hoar and or crusts may be found in the upper snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer buried early December is down 60-120 cm in the alpine and treeline elevations. It consists of a rain crust, surface hoar, and facets (sugary snow). Professional are continuing to monitor this interface. Although the likelihood of triggering has gone down, if triggered this weak layer has the potential to produce large avalanches. This layer most likely to be triggered from a thin-spot trigger point or with a large load, like cornice fall.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Strong SW winds today has moved the snow around a bunch in the alpine and tree line today. Expect some wind slabs starting at tree line in lee features and getting more dense as you get into the alpine. The December 30 facet layer which is down about 50cm is still on our radar as it has produced clean sheers earlier in the week. The bottom half of the snowpack is weak and made up of facets. Any avalanches that happen have a chance of stepping down to ground because of these basal facets. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1700 m, up to 30 cm recent snow is being redistributed by wind and forming cornices. Another 10 cm may accumulate by Thursday morning in alpine terrain in the north of the region. Below 1500 m, rain has saturated the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow is expected to create storm slabs in the alpine. At lower elevations, warming temperatures and rain on snow can rapidly lead to loose wet avalanches. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At alpine and treeline elevations in the north of the region, 70-100 cm recent storm snow is slowly settling. Recent snowpack tests around treeline indicated some storm snow instabilities. Below the recent storm snow, a melt freeze crust exists, with associated facets (sugar snow) in some areas. Further south on the North Shore mountains, around 10 cm snow overlies a crust.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Although the snow tap appears to have been switched off for a while, recent new snow will have formed new wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain features at high elevations. This new snow has fallen on widespread wind-affected snow at alpine and treeline elevations. Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled. There is however, a layer of feathery surface hoar that is sitting on a crust that was buried late November down 100-200 cm. This crust is suspected to be the bed surface for few notably large avalanches over the past 2-3 days on southwest through southeast aspects in the North and South Columbia regions.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs are reported as being widespread in lee and cross-loaded terrain features at treeline and alpine elevations. Wind slabs may be found on all aspects due to variable wind directions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Of concern are the are deeper weaknesses in the snowpack. There is a weak layer around 80 to 120 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains. A few large avalanches have recently run on one or other of these layers (see Avalanche Activity Discussion). The possibility of triggering these layers will likely increase with anticipated warm weather. Triggering is also more likely on south-facing slopes and in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-30 cm of recent new snow combined with mild temperatures and strong winds has formed storm slabs at alpine and treeline elevations. The new snow sits on previous storm snow and wind slabs above 1500 m, and a melt freeze crust below 1500 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas around treeline, 70-120cm of recent snow may sit on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). In the east of the region near Corbin, a persistent weak layer that formed in early December may still be found 90 to 150 cm deep. This layer mostly consists of faceted (sugary) snow with some isolated areas also containing surface hoar. While professionals are still tracking this layer, it has not been reactive for some time now. However, the warming event that is forecast in the coming days may wake this layer up.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is a mix of crusts and facets that formed in late October/early November near the bottom of the snowpack. This layer may only be an issue on steep slopes where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of recent storm snow has been redistributed by strong winds and has formed wind slabs at upper elevation. This new snow sits on previous hard wind slabs, a scoured and shallow snowpack on exposed ridges, and soft snow in sheltered areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below 1200 m, expect to find a crust at or near the snow surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks. Warming temperatures and sunshine over the coming days could re-activate this layer, resulting in a possible avalanche cycle.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">35 cm accumulating Thursday morning with 40-50 cm snow since January 7 being redistributed to moderate to strong south winds. Wind and warming temperatures have built storm slabs and cornices. As of Thursday morning, freezing levels were around 1700m, and some areas below 1600 m receiving rain. As freezing levels rise, warming temperatures and rain on snow can rapidly lead to loose wet avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow has buried old wind slabs on a variety of slopes at alpine and treeline elevations. At treeline and below, two weak layers exist in the upper 2 m of the snowpack. These layers consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in more sheltered areas and a crust on solar aspects and on all aspects below 1600m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the lower snowpack, a crust/facet (sugar snow) layer is now over 2 m deep. There have been no recent reports of avalanches on this layer, but it may still be reactive to heavy loads (such as a cornice fall) in isolated areas. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 20 cm new snow adds to the previous 100+ cm of settled storm snow. Recent strong winds have redistributed recent snow built wind slabs and cornices on a variety of slopes. New snow has buried older slabs and developed new storm slabs and cornices.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around the Coquihalla, the top 30-40 cm recent snow sits on a thick 10-15 cm crust up to 1550 m. This crust is not found in the north of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Professionals continue to monitor two suspicious layers in the mid-pack. A surface hoar layer buried December 26 is down 60-90 cm and has produced harder results in snowpack tests. Down 100-150 cm in a surface hoar and crust layer buried early December. This layer consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a sun crust on steep south facing slopes. The surface hoar is reported to be most prominent on north and east aspects at treeline, and has been well reported in the southern part of the region in areas like the Coquihalla Summit and Manning Park.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the lower snowpack, a crust/facet (sugar snow) layer may still be reactive to heavy loads such as a cornice fall in isolated areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 30 cm of new snow Thursday night adds to the growing pile of storm snow. Strong to extreme winds, warm temperatures and ongoing snowfall/rainfall will be promoting widespread slab formation.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 60-100 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust at treeline and below. In some sheltered areas, this snow is sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm. It is likely that this layer was the culprit of a large, remotely-triggered avalanche on December 30 near Terrace, described in a MIN report </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/bfab4d1b-f63e-4ffd-8e52-b944161dbeb9" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas. The potential may also exist for storm slab avalanches to step down to this layer, resulting in large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the northern part of the region, near Ningunsaw pass, a couple of weak layers of surface hoar may be found that were buried near the end of December. Expect to find these layers about down approximately 100 to 180 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-40 cm of new snow sits above previous wind-scoured surfaces, and wind slabs in lee terrain features. Below treeline, the new snow sits on a melt-freeze crust. Strong winds have likely redistributed this new snow, creating fresh wind slabs.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few buried weak layers that consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or faceted (sugary) snow may exist in some sheltered areas. The upper layer is about 30-50 cm deep. The next layer is likely 60-80 cm deep. The lower one is now approximately 100-140 cm deep. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It may be possible for storm slab avalanches to scrub down to ground in thin snowpack areas, resulting in large avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Although the recent new snow has now ended, wind slabs are likely still reactive in lee and cross-loaded terrain features at higher elevations. This new snow has fallen on widespread wind-affected snow at alpine and treeline elevations. Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled. There is however, a layer of feathery surface hoar that is sitting on a crust that was buried late November down 100-200 cm. This crust is suspected to be the bed surface for few very large avalanches over the past several days on southwest through southeast aspects in this region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs are reported as being widespread and reactive at treeline and alpine elevations. Below treeline, recent snow is likely settling and gaining strength.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are a few deeper weaknesses in the snowpack. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 150 to 200 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains in parts of the region. The likelihood of triggering these deep weak layers is low and would most likely be triggered by humans in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20-40 cm recent snow around the region falling with moderate to strong winds and increasing temperatures have created variable storm slabs and wind slabs. Approximately 60 cm snow has accumulated since Dec 31. Wind slabs were observed at all elevations on Monday and may be hidden under the most recent snowfall. Isolated layers of surface hoar and or crusts may be found in the upper snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer buried early December is down 60-120 cm in the alpine and treeline elevations. It consists of a rain crust, surface hoar, and facets (sugary snow). Professionals are continuing to monitor this interface and although the likelihood of triggering has gone down, if triggered this weak layer has the potential to produce large avalanches. This layer is most likely to be triggered from thin, rocky areas with a variable snowpack or with a large load, like cornice fall.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Wind and basal facets are the themes this year so far... Another windy day today has added to the wind slabs in the alpine and open areas at tree line.  Northerly and Easterly aspects and lee feature are most likely to have more snow and soft slabs because of the winds. Some whumphing was felt in the trees in the Commonwealth area today. This is a reminder that the bottom half of the snowpack is weak and consists mostly of facets. Good skiing can be found on moderate angles and the forecasters are staying off of the steeper lines and away from large slopes. Any avalanche that occurs has the potential to step down to the basal facets creating an even larger avalanche.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1700 m, up to 30-40 cm recent snow is being redistributed by wind and forming cornices. Below 1600 m, the snowpack is settled. New snow is expected to create storm slabs in the alpine. As freezing levels rise, warming temperatures and rain on snow can rapidly lead to loose wet avalanches. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At alpine and treeline elevations in the north of the region, 70-100 cm recent storm snow is settling. Recent snowpack tests around treeline indicated some storm snow instabilities. Below the recent storm snow, a melt freeze crust exists, with associated facets (sugar snow) in some areas. Further south on the North Shore mountains, around 10 cm snow overlies a crust.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm upper-level air temperatures may be impacting the snow surface. You may find dry snow, moist snow, or possibly a frozen melt-freeze crust, depending on how warm the air temperatures are. The warm air may produce touchy storm slabs at all elevations. At the highest of elevations, wind slabs may still linger in lee and cross-loaded terrain features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong. However, there still remain a few deeper weaknesses in the snowpack around treeline and alpine elevations. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 150 to 200 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains. The likelihood of triggering these layers may increase with the warm air incoming this weekend. These layers would most likely be triggered by humans in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm upper-level air temperatures may be impacting the snow surface. You may find dry snow, moist snow, or possibly a frozen melt-freeze crust, depending on how warm the air temperatures are. The warm air may make wind slabs touchy at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Of concern are the deeper weaknesses in the snowpack. There is a weak layer around 80 to 120 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains. Humans could trigger these layers in areas where the snowpack is shallow. The likelihood of triggering these layers may increase this weekend due to a substantial warming trend.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-30 cm of recent new snow combined with mild temperatures and strong winds has formed storm slabs at alpine and treeline elevations. The snow surface has likely frozen into a melt freeze crust below 1600 m, and a sun crust at upper elvations. The new snow sits on previous storm snow and wind slabs above 1500 m, and a melt freeze crust below 1500 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas around treeline, 70-120cm of recent snow may sit on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). In the east of the region near Corbin, a persistent weak layer that formed in early December may still be found 90 to 150 cm deep. This layer mostly consists of faceted (sugary) snow with some isolated areas also containing surface hoar. While professionals are still tracking this layer, it has not been reactive for some time now.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is a mix of crusts and facets that formed in late October/early November near the bottom of the snowpack. This layer may only be an issue on steep slopes where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The deeper layers in the snowpack may become reactive this weekend with warm temperatures and sun impacting the snow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of recent storm snow has been redistributed by strong winds and has formed wind slabs at upper elevations. This new snow sits on previous hard wind slabs, a scoured and shallow snowpack on exposed ridges, and soft snow in sheltered areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks. Warming temperatures and sunshine over the coming days could re-activate this layer, resulting in a possible avalanche cycle.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent rain and freezing levels rising to 1600 m has promoted rapid snowpack settlement at lower elevations. At higher elevations, recent snow has settled to 30-50 cm and has been redistributed by moderate to strong south winds. Cornices have grown and the storm snow has been reactive to skier traffic. As freezing levels reach the alpine, rapid warming in the snowpack can lead to loose wet avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow has buried old wind slabs on a variety of slopes at alpine and treeline elevations. At treeline and below, two weak layers exist in the upper 2 m of the snowpack. These layers consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in more sheltered areas and a crust on solar aspects and on all aspects below 1600m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the lower snowpack, a crust/facet (sugar snow) layer is now over 2 m deep. There have been no recent reports of avalanches on this layer, but it may still be reactive to heavy loads (such as a cornice fall) in isolated areas. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warming temperatures and moderate to strong south winds have have redistributed recent snow and promoted settlement. Freezing levels pushed above 1600 m on Thursday with no overnight recovery into Friday. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around the Coquihalla, the top 30-40 cm recent snow sits on a thick 10-15 cm crust up to 1550 m. This crust is not found in the north of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Professionals continue to monitor two suspicious layers in the mid-pack. A surface hoar layer buried December 26 is down 70-100 cm and has produced harder results in snowpack tests. Down 120-150 cm in a surface hoar and crust layer buried early December. This layer consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a sun crust on steep south facing slopes. The surface hoar is reported to be most prominent on north and east aspects at treeline, and has been well reported in the southern part of the region in areas like the Coquihalla Summit and Manning Park. In the lower snowpack, a crust/facet (sugar snow) layer may still be reactive to heavy loads such as a cornice fall in isolated areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The Northwest Coast has seen upwards of 100 mm of precipitation since Wednesday. Depending on elevation and location in the region, this came in as snow, rain and freezing rain. Strong to extreme winds, warm temperatures and ongoing snowfall/rainfall will be promoting widespread slab formation. The snowpack is likely rain-soaked at lower elevations, particularly in southern portions of the region around Terrace.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some sheltered areas, the new snow is sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas. The potential may also exist for storm slab avalanches to step down to this layer, resulting in large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the northern part of the region, near Ningunsaw pass, a couple of weak layers of surface hoar may be found down approximately 150 to 220 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">25-50 cm of new snow sits above previous wind-scoured surfaces, and wind slabs in lee terrain features. Strong winds have likely redistributed this new snow, creating fresh slabs.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few buried weak layers that consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or faceted (sugary) snow may exist in some sheltered areas. The upper layer is about 35-60 cm deep. The next layer is likely 65-90 cm deep. The lower one is now approximately 100-150 cm deep. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It may be possible for storm slab avalanches to scrub down to ground in thin snowpack areas, resulting in large avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm upper-level air temperatures may be impacting the snow surface. You may find dry snow, moist snow, or possibly a frozen melt-freeze crust, depending on how warm the air temperatures are. The warm air may produce touchy storm slabs at all elevations. At the highest of elevations, wind slabs may still linger in lee and cross-loaded terrain features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong. However, there still remain a few deeper weaknesses in the snowpack around treeline and alpine elevations. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 150 to 200 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains. The likelihood of triggering these layers may increase with the warm air incoming this weekend. These layers would most likely be triggered by humans in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm air temperatures at higher elevations may impact the snow surface. You may find dry snow, moist snow, or possibly a frozen melt-freeze crust, depending on local air temperatures. Wind slabs are still being reported as widespread and reactive to human traffic in alpine terrain. Below around 1500 m, the snow surface is moist from recent light rain, which will freeze into a crust when temperatures cool.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are a few deeper weaknesses in the snowpack. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 150 to 200 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains in parts of the region. The likelihood of triggering these layers may increase with the warm air incoming this weekend. These layers would most likely be triggered by humans in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Thursday, pin wheeling and tree bombs were noted with warming temperatures through the day. Surface snow became moist to 1700 m. At higher elevations, strong southerly winds have redistributed recent storm snow creating variable storm slabs and wind slabs. Wind slabs were observed at all elevations on Monday and may be hidden under the most recent snowfall. Isolated layers of surface hoar and or crusts may be found in the upper snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer buried early December is down 60-120 cm in the alpine and treeline elevations. It consists of a rain crust, surface hoar, and facets (sugary snow). Professionals are continuing to monitor this interface and although the likelihood of triggering has gone down, if triggered this weak layer has the potential to produce large avalanches. This layer is most likely to be triggered from thin, rocky areas with a variable snowpack or with a large load, like cornice fall.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A major input of heat into the snowpack can stress deeper instabilities and buried weak layers may be activated. Use caution as the snowpack responds to the initial punch of rapid warming and spiking freezing levels.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Wind and basal facets are the themes this year so far... Another windy day again today has added to the wind slabs in the alpine and open areas at tree line. Northerly and Easterly aspects and lee feature are most likely to have more snow and soft slabs because of the winds.  This is a reminder that the bottom half of the snowpack is weak and consists mostly of facets. Good skiing can be found on moderate angles and the forecasters are staying off of the steeper lines and away from large slopes. Any avalanche that occurs has the potential to step down to the basal facets creating an even larger avalanche.  Skiing is OK but not great.  Still feels like a low snowpack year...</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below 1600 m, the snowpack is settled. Above 1700 m, recent snow has been redistributed by wind and formed cornices. Rising freezing levels are warming any dry snow left in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At alpine and treeline elevations in the north of the region, 70-100 cm recent storm snow is settling. Recent snowpack tests around treeline indicated some storm snow instabilities. Below the recent storm snow, a melt freeze crust exists, with associated facets (sugar snow) in some areas. Further south on the North Shore mountains, around 5-30 cm saturated snow overlies a crust with a good bond.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm upper-level air temperatures and sunny skies may be impacting the snow surface. You may find dry snow, moist snow, or possibly a frozen melt-freeze crust, depending on how warm the air temperatures are. The warm air may produce touchy storm slabs at all elevations and particularly touchy on south aspects during the heat of the day in the sun. At the highest of elevations, wind slabs may still linger in lee and cross-loaded terrain features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong. However, there still remain a few deeper weaknesses in the snowpack around treeline and alpine elevations. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 150 to 200 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains. These layers would most likely be triggered by humans in areas where the snowpack is shallow. The likelihood of triggering these layers may increase with the warm air expected to last until Tuesday.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm upper-level air temperatures may be impacting the snow surface. You may find dry snow, moist snow, or possibly a frozen melt-freeze crust, depending on how warm the air temperatures are. The warm air may make slabs touchy at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Of concern are the deeper weaknesses in the snowpack. There is a weak layer around 80 to 120 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains. Humans could trigger these layers in areas where the snowpack is shallow. The likelihood of triggering these layers may increase this weekend due to a substantial warming trend.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm upper-level air temperatures may be impacting the snow surface. You may find dry snow, moist snow, or possibly a frozen melt-freeze crust, depending on how warm the air temperatures are. The warm air may produce touchy storm slabs at all elevations. At the highest of elevations, wind slabs may still linger in lee and cross-loaded terrain features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong. However, there still remain a few deeper weaknesses in the snowpack around treeline and alpine elevations. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 150 to 200 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains. The likelihood of triggering these layers may increase with the warm air incoming this weekend. These layers would most likely be triggered by humans in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of recent storm snow has been redistributed by strong winds and has formed wind slabs at upper elevations. This new snow sits on previous hard wind slabs, a scoured and shallow snowpack on exposed ridges, and soft snow in sheltered areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks. Warming temperatures and sunshine over the coming days could re-activate this layer, resulting in a possible avalanche cycle.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm temperatures have moistened surface snow and promoted settlement. On Saturday morning, a melt-freeze crust was noted on all aspects up to 1900 m and south to southwest aspects in the alpine. Cold, dry snow may still be found on north aspects in the alpine. Cornices are large and suspect with warming. Warm temperatures are expected to penetrate to high alpine areas, poor overnight recoveries are expected up to 2000 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent new snow has buried old wind slabs on a variety of slopes at alpine and treeline elevations. At treeline and below, two weak layers exist in the upper 2 m of the snowpack. These layers consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in more sheltered areas and a crust on solar aspects and on all aspects below 1600m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the lower snowpack, a crust/facet (sugar snow) layer is now over 2 m deep. There have been no recent reports of avalanches on this layer, but it may still be reactive to heavy loads (such as a cornice fall) in isolated areas. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm temperatures have moistened surface snow and promoted settlement. On Saturday morning, a melt-freeze crust was noted on all aspects up to 1900 m and south to southwest aspects in the alpine. Cold, dry snow may still be found on north aspects in the alpine along with wind slabs. Cornices are large and suspect with warming. Warm temperatures are expected to penetrate to high alpine areas, Saturday night poor overnight recoveries are expected up to 2000 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around the Coquihalla, the top 30-40 cm recent snow sits on a thick 10-15 cm crust up to 1550 m. This crust is not found in the north of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Professionals continue to monitor two suspicious layers in the mid-pack consisting of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on steep south-facing slopes. The surface hoar is reported to be most prominent on north and east aspects at treeline, and has been well reported in the southern part of the region in areas like the Coquihalla Summit and Manning Park. In the lower snowpack, a crust/facet (sugar snow) layer may still be reactive to heavy loads such as a cornice fall in isolated areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The Northwest Coast has seen upwards of 100 mm of precipitation since Wednesday. Depending on elevation and location in the region, this came in as snow, rain and freezing rain. Strong to extreme winds, warm temperatures and ongoing snowfall/rainfall will be promoting widespread slab formation. The snowpack is likely rain-soaked at lower elevations, particularly in southern portions of the region around Terrace.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some sheltered areas, the new snow is sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas. The potential may also exist for storm slab avalanches to step down to this layer, resulting in large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the northern part of the region, near Ningunsaw pass, a couple of weak layers of surface hoar may be found down approximately 150 to 220 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">25-50 cm of new snow sits above previous wind-scoured surfaces, and wind slabs in lee terrain features. Strong winds have likely redistributed this new snow, creating fresh slabs.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few buried weak layers that consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or faceted (sugary) snow may exist in some sheltered areas. The upper layer is about 35-60 cm deep. The next layer is likely 65-90 cm deep. The lower one is now approximately 100-150 cm deep. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It may be possible for storm slab avalanches to scrub down to ground in thin snowpack areas, resulting in large avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm upper-level air temperatures and sunny skies may be impacting the snow surface. You may find dry snow, moist snow, or possibly a frozen melt-freeze crust, depending on how warm the air temperatures are. The warm air may produce touchy storm slabs at all elevations and particularly touchy on south aspects if the sun is strong. At the highest of elevations, wind slabs may still linger in lee and cross-loaded terrain features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong. However, there still remain a few deeper weaknesses in the snowpack around treeline and alpine elevations. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 150 to 200 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains. These layers would most likely be triggered by humans in areas where the snowpack is shallow. The likelihood of triggering these layers may increase with the warm air expected to last until Tuesday.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm air temperatures and sunny skies at higher elevations may impact the snow surface. You may find dry snow, moist snow, or possibly a frozen melt-freeze crust, depending on local air temperatures. Wind slabs are still being reported as widespread and reactive to human traffic in alpine terrain. Below around 1500 m, the snow surface is moist from recent light rain, which will freeze into a crust when temperatures cool.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are a few deeper weaknesses in the snowpack. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 150 to 200 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains in parts of the region. The likelihood of triggering these layers may increase with the warm air incoming this weekend. These layers would most likely be triggered by humans in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Friday, pin wheeling and tree bombs were noted with warming temperatures through the day. Surface snow became moist to 1700 m. At higher elevations, strong southerly winds have redistributed recent storm snow creating variable storm slabs and wind slabs. Wind slabs were observed at all elevations on Monday and may be hidden under the most recent snowfall. Isolated layers of surface hoar and or crusts may be found in the upper snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer buried early December is down 60-120 cm in the alpine and treeline elevations. It consists of a rain crust, surface hoar, and facets (sugary snow). Professionals are continuing to monitor this interface and although the likelihood of triggering has gone down, if triggered this weak layer has the potential to produce large avalanches. This layer is most likely to be triggered from thin, rocky areas with a variable snowpack or with a large load, like cornice fall.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A major input of heat into the snowpack can stress deeper instabilities and buried weak layers may be activated. Use caution as the snowpack responds to the initial punch of rapid warming and spiking freezing levels.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack settled a bit yesterday with the warm temperatures. Wind slabs are widespread in the Alpine and at Treeline. The depth and sensitivity of these slabs is widely variable across the forecast region, and it is worth digging into the snowpack often to evaluate this avalanche problem. The bottom half of the snowpack is very weak consisting primarily of facets. This condition will persist over the long term, which means that any avalanche that occurs could step down to these weak basal layers causing a very large avalanche.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Rising freezing levels have moistened surface snow at all elevations. Dry snow may still be found on north aspects in the high alpine. Cornices have grown and are suspect to fail with warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At alpine and treeline elevations in the north of the region, 70-100 cm recent storm snow is settling. A melt freeze crusts exists below this with associated facets (sugar snow), however the recent snow appears to be settling well on this interface.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm air temperatures and sunny skies may impact the snow surface at higher elevations. You may find dry or moist snow, depending on how warm it gets. On south aspects, you will likely find moist snow during the day or a sun crust if it freezes. The warm air may increase the reactiveness of storm slabs, particularly on southerly aspects where the greatest amount of warming is expected. Wind slabs may still linger in lee and cross-loaded terrain features in alpine and exposed treeline terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong. However, there still remain a few deeper weaknesses in the snowpack around treeline and alpine elevations. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 150 to 200 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains. These layers would most likely be triggered by people in areas where the snowpack is shallow. The likelihood of triggering these layers may increase with the warm air expected to last until Tuesday.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack is weak and touchy in a large portion of the Purcells. Numerous very large avalanches have been reported daily. This is the type of weak snowpack that could stick around for the remainder of the winter season.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At the top of the snowpack, warm upper-level air temperatures may be impacting the snow surface. You may find dry snow or moist snow depending on local temperatures. On south aspects, expect the most amount of warming, with either moist snow or a sun crust. The warm air will likely make slabs touchy on all aspects and at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weak nature of the snowpack lies at depth. There is a weak layer around 80 to 120 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack is also composed of weak faceted grains in many parts of the region. Humans have and will continue to be able to trigger these layers in areas where the snowpack is shallow. The likelihood of triggering these layers will likely increase due to the warming trend that is expected to last until Tuesday.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm upper-level air temperatures may be impacting the snow surface. You may find dry snow, moist snow, or possibly a frozen melt-freeze crust, depending on how warm the air temperatures are. The warm air may make storm slabs a bit more touchy, especially in the alpine. At the highest of elevations, wind slabs may still linger in lee and cross-loaded terrain features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong. However, there still remain a few deeper weaknesses in the snowpack around treeline and alpine elevations. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 150 to 200 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains.  These layers would most likely be triggered by humans in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10 to 20 cm of recent storm snow has been redistributed by strong winds and has formed wind slabs at upper elevations. This new snow sits on previous hard wind slabs, a scoured and shallow snowpack on exposed ridges, and soft snow in sheltered areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks. Warming temperatures and sunshine Monday have the potential to re-activate this layer.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm temperatures are weakening surface snow layers and making cornices extra touchy. The warmth can also penetrate into more deeply buried weak layers. Minimal overnight freeze is expected, meaning warming is likely to affect the snowpack early in the day.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Refrozen crusts may be found on all aspects below about 1800-2000 m; and on sunny aspects in the alpine in some places. These may break down through the day. Cold, dry and possibly wind-affected snow may still be found on various aspects in the alpine. Variable instabilities exist in recent storm snow layers. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two weak layers exist in the upper 2 m of the snowpack at and below treeline. These layers consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in more sheltered areas and a crust on solar aspects and on all aspects below 1600m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the lower snowpack, a crust/facet (sugar snow) layer is now over 2 m deep. This layer may still be reactive to heavy loads (such as a cornice fall) in isolated areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Due to warming, cornices are likely to be weak if you encounter them. Melt-freeze crusts are likely on south aspects, and on all aspects below about 1900 m. A limited overnight freeze is expected, so crusts may break down quickly with daytime warming, potentially leading to loose wet avalanche conditions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warmth has promoted settlement of the snowpack and helped bond old wind slabs. At alpine elevations, variable areas of wind slabs and dry snow may be found. However, a generally well-settled upper snowpack is reported, with supportive crusts in the upper snowpack that are isolating deeper snowpack weaknesses. Most of our observations come from the Duffey Lake and Coquihalla regions, so if you are venturing further afield,  the local snowpack may not be as strong. Please investigate.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There remains a small chance of triggering a deeply buried crust/facet layer with a heavy trigger such as a cornice fall, or from a thin spot.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The Northwest Coast has seen upwards of 100 mm of precipitation since Wednesday. Above 1500 m most of the precipitation came in as snow, slopes below 1500 m were largely rain soaked, particularly in southern portions of the region around Terrace. Strong to extreme wind and mild temperatures associated with the warm storm have formed widespread storm slabs. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some sheltered areas the new snow is sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas. The potential may also exist for storm slab avalanches to step down to this layer, resulting in large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the northern part of the region, near Ningunsaw pass, a couple of weak layers of surface hoar may be found down approximately 150 to 220 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm produced 25 to 50 cm of new snow which came in warm and wet below 1300 m. Strong winds have likely redistributed the storm snow at and above treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few buried weak layers that consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or faceted (sugary) snow may exist in some sheltered areas. The upper layer is about 35-60 cm deep. The next layer is likely 65-90 cm deep. The lower one is now approximately 100-150 cm deep. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It may be possible for storm slab avalanches to scrub down to ground in thin snowpack areas, resulting in large avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm air temperatures and sunny skies at higher elevations may impact the snow surface. You may find dry or moist snow depending on how warm it gets. On south aspects, you will likely find a sun crust. The warm air may produce touchy storm slabs at all elevations and particularly on southerly aspects where the greatest amount of warming is expected. Wind slabs may still linger in lee and cross-loaded terrain features in alpine and exposed treeline terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong. However, there still remain a few deeper weaknesses in the snowpack around treeline and alpine elevations. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 150 to 200 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains. These layers would most likely be triggered by humans in areas where the snowpack is shallow. The likelihood of triggering these layers may increase with the warm air expected to last until Tuesday.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm air temperatures and sunny skies at higher elevations may impact the snow surface. You may find dry or moist snow, depending on how warm it gets. On south aspects, you will likely find loose and moist snow during the day and a sun crust at night. Also expect to find a surface crust on all aspects below 1500 m. Wind slabs are still being reported as widespread in alpine terrain. The warming may make these slabs easier to trigger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are a few deeper weaknesses in the snowpack. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 150 to 200 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains in parts of the region. The likelihood of triggering these layers may increase with the warm air incoming this weekend. These layers would most likely be triggered by humans in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warming has promoted settlement of upper snowpack layers and created surface crusts. Wind slabs exist in alpine areas and may overlie buried surface hoar. Professionals continue to monitor a couple of persistent weak layers in the upper 50-150 cm of the snowpack. Poor overnight freezes and daytime warming will keep the chance of triggering a deeper slab elevated for another day or two. Persistent weak layers are most likely to be triggered from thin, rocky areas with a variable snowpack or with a large load, like cornice fall.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Widespread wind slabs exist in the alpine and open areas at tree line.  Cross loaded features and lee areas show harder wind slabs and could be be triggered at the thinner spots. The upper half of the snow pack is well settled and overlies 50-60cm of very weak facets(sugar like snow).  This condition will persist over the long term, which means that any avalanche that occurs could step down to these weak basal layers causing a very large avalanche.  See the avalanche summary below. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm temperatures have created moist surface snow, which has refrozen into crusts at low elevations and on sunny aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the north of the region, you may find wind-affected snow or dry snow (on shady aspects) at upper elevations. Lingering cornices may fail with warming. A solid surface crust exists below about 1600 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm and sunny weather at higher elevation has resulted in moist snow during the day on sunny aspects, freezing into a crust overnight. The snow has remained dry on north aspects slopes. Wind slabs are now old and hard to trigger. Cornices exist but are not unduly large. Still, they could still collapse during warm and/or sunny weather.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong. On southerly aspects you may find a thin sun crust with facets down around 55 cm. Recent sudden snowpack results on this layer indicate this could still be a failure plane on steep southerly slopes in thin snowpack areas. Professionals are also tracking a layer around 130 to 180 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The chance of triggering this layer is very low. In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack is weak and touchy in a large portion of the Purcells. Numerous very large avalanches have been reported daily. This is the type of weak snowpack that could stick around for months or longer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At the top of the snowpack, recent warm air and sunny skies may have produced a crust on the snow surface. Expect to find a sun crust on southerly aspects and possibly a temperature crust on other aspects. At higher elevations in exposed terrain, wind slabs may still exist.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weak nature of the snowpack lies at depth. There is a weak layer around 80 to 120 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack is also composed of weak faceted grains in many parts of the region. Humans have and will continue to be able to trigger these layers in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent sunshine and warm alpine temperatures have created moist/crusty surfaces on solar aspects. The snow appears to have remained dry on shady aspects. Wind slabs have become difficult to trigger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack may still be composed of weak faceted grains. In deeper snowpack areas, the middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally considered to be well-settled and strong. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm alpine temperatures have created moist/crusty surfaces on southerly aspects. The snow appears to have remained dry on northerly aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm temperatures are weakening surface snow layers has made cornices extra touchy. The warmth can also penetrate into more deeply buried weak layers. Minimal overnight freeze is expected, meaning warming is likely to affect the snowpack early in the day.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Refrozen crusts may be found on all aspects below about 1800-2000 m; and on sunny aspects in the alpine in some places. These may break down through the day. Cold, dry and possibly wind-affected snow may still be found on various aspects in the alpine. Variable instabilities exist in recent storm snow layers. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two weak layers exist in the upper 2 m of the snowpack at and below treeline. These layers consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in more sheltered areas and a crust on solar aspects and on all aspects below 1600m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the lower snowpack, a crust/facet (sugar snow) layer is now over 2 m deep. This layer may still be reactive to heavy loads (such as a cornice fall) in isolated areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Due to warming, cornices are likely to be weak if you encounter them. Melt-freeze crusts are likely on south aspects, and on all aspects below about 1900 m. A limited overnight freeze is expected, so crusts may break down quickly with daytime warming, potentially leading to loose wet avalanche conditions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warmth has promoted settlement of the snowpack and helped bond old wind slabs. At alpine at sheltered treeline elevations, variable areas of wind slabs and dry snow may be found. However, a generally well-settled upper snowpack is reported, with supportive crusts in the upper snowpack that are isolating deeper snowpack weaknesses. Most of our observations come from the Duffey Lake and Coquihalla regions, so if you are venturing further afield, the local snowpack may not be as strong. Please investigate.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There remains a small chance of triggering a deeply buried crust/facet layer with a heavy trigger such as a cornice fall, or from a thin spot.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Precipitation has eased since last week's warm and wet storm (up to 100 mm precipitation fell between Wednesday and Sunday, with rain as high as 1500 m). Recent new snow is likely to have blown into wind slab deposits at higher elevations. Storm slabs remain a concern on many steep slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some sheltered areas the new snow is sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas. The potential may also exist for storm slab avalanches to step down to this layer, resulting in large avalanches. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm that ended late on Saturday produced 25 to 50 cm of new snow at higher elevations with rain falling up to 1500 m. Strong winds have likely redistributed the storm snow at and above treeline. The snow at lower elevations is now most likely crusty.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few buried weak layers that consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or faceted (sugary) snow may exist in some sheltered areas. The upper layer is about 35-60 cm deep. The next layer is likely 65-90 cm deep. The lower one is now approximately 100-150 cm deep. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It may be possible for storm slab avalanches to scrub down to ground in thin snowpack areas, resulting in large avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On south aspects, warm air temperatures and sunny skies will continue to impact the snow surface at higher elevations where you will likely find moist snow during the day or a sun crust if it freezes. Wind slabs may still linger in lee and cross-loaded terrain features in alpine and exposed treeline terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong. However, there still remain a few deeper weaknesses in the snowpack around treeline and alpine elevations. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 150 to 200 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains. These layers would most likely be triggered by humans in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm air and sunny skies may have left a crust on the snow surface. Expect to find a sun crust on southerly aspects and a temperature crust on all aspects below 1700 m. At higher elevations in exposed terrain, wind slabs are being reported as widespread.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warming has promoted settlement of upper snowpack layers and created surface crusts. A melt-freeze crust exists on solar aspects. Cold, dry snow may still be found on north aspects in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs exist in alpine areas and may overlie buried surface hoar. Professionals continue to monitor a couple of persistent weak layers in the upper 50-150 cm of the snowpack. Minimal overnight re-freezes and daytime warming will keep the chance of triggering a deeper slab lingering into Tuesday. Persistent weak layers are most likely to be triggered from thin, rocky areas with a variable snowpack or with a large load, like cornice fall.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Wind slabs are pretty much everywhere in the alpine and open areas at tree line. The upper half of the snowpack is well settled and comprised of two hard layers, each around 35cm thick. The upper hard layer is still producing moderate test results on what appears to be the December 30 facets. The lower hard layer is resting on the Dec 10 facets(start of the basal facets) which is approximately 70cm down. The basal facets make up the bottom 50-60cm of the snow pack. We had several repeatable compression tests(sudden planar) in the moderate to hard range that occurred on the basal facets.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Have a look on our Facebook page for our latest video showing the compression test on the basal facets: https://www.facebook.com/KCPublicSafety/</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm temperatures have created moist surface snow, which has refrozen into crusts at low elevations and on sunny aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the north of the region, you may find wind-affected snow or dry snow (on shady aspects) at upper elevations. Lingering cornices may fail with warming. A solid surface crust exists below about 1700 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm and sunny weather at higher elevation has resulted in moist snow during the day on sunny aspects, freezing into a crust overnight. The snow has remained dry on north aspects slopes. Wind slabs are now old and hard to trigger. Cornices exist but are not unduly large.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong. On southerly aspects you may find a thin sun crust with facets down around 55 cm. Recent sudden snowpack results on this layer indicate this could still be a failure plane on steep southerly slopes in thin snowpack areas. Professionals are also tracking a layer around 130 to 180 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The chance of triggering this layer is very low. In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack is weak and touchy in a large portion of the Purcells. Numerous very large avalanches have been reported daily. This is the type of weak snowpack that could stick around for months. </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">Read more here.</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At the top of the snowpack, recent warm air and sunny skies may have produced a crust on the snow surface. Expect to find a sun crust on southerly aspects and possibly a temperature crust on other aspects. At higher elevations in exposed terrain, wind slabs may still exist.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weak nature of the snowpack lies at depth. There is a weak layer around 80 to 120 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack is also composed of weak faceted grains in many parts of the region. Humans have and will continue to be able to trigger these layers in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent sunshine and warm alpine temperatures left crusty surfaces on solar aspects while the snow appears to have remained dry on shady aspects. Wind slabs have become difficult to trigger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack may still be composed of weak faceted grains. In deeper snowpack areas, the middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally considered to be well-settled and strong. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm alpine temperatures left crusty surfaces on southerly aspects. The snow appears to have remained dry on northerly aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm temperatures can weaken surface snow layers and have recently made cornices touchy. The warmth can also penetrate into more deeply buried weak layers. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Colder overnight temperatures are promoting better recovery of the snowpack, making for easier travel in the morning. Refrozen crusts may be found on all aspects below about 1800-2000 m; and on sunny aspects in the alpine. These may break down with warming through the day. Cold, dry and wind-affected snow may still be found on more north-facing and polar aspects in the alpine. Variable instabilities exist in recent storm snow layers. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two weak layers exist in the upper 2 m of the snowpack at and below treeline. These layers consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in more sheltered areas and a crust on solar aspects and on all aspects below 1600m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the lower snowpack, a crust/facet (sugar snow) layer is now over 2 m deep. This layer may still be reactive to heavy loads (such as a cornice fall) in isolated areas. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Colder overnight temperatures are promoting better recovery of the snowpack, refrozen crusts may be found on all aspects below about 1800-2000 m; and on sunny aspects in the alpine. These may break down with sunshine and warming through the day. Cold, dry and wind-affected snow may still be found on more north-facing and polar aspects in the alpine and around treeline. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warmth has promoted settlement of the snowpack and helped bond old wind slabs. At alpine elevations, variable areas of wind slabs and dry snow may be found. However, a generally well-settled upper snowpack is reported, with supportive crusts in the upper snowpack that are isolating deeper snowpack weaknesses. Most of our observations come from the Duffey Lake and Coquihalla regions, so if you are venturing further afield, the local snowpack may not be as strong. Please investigate.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There remains a small chance of triggering a deeply buried crust/facet layer with a heavy trigger such as a cornice fall, or from a thin spot.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A warm and wet storm brought up to 100 mm precipitation between Wednesday and Sunday last week, with rain falling as high as 1500 m. Precipitation has now ended and temperatures have started to cool. New snow from the storm is likely to have blown into wind slab deposits at higher elevations. The snow is crusty at lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some sheltered areas the new snow is sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas, particularly in the north of the region. The potential may also exist for storm slab avalanches to step down to this layer, resulting in large avalanches. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm that ended late on Saturday produced 25 to 50 cm of new snow at higher elevations with rain falling up to 1500 m. Strong winds redistributed the storm snow at and above treeline. The snow at lower elevations is now most likely crusty.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few buried weak layers that consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or faceted (sugary) snow may exist in some sheltered areas. The upper layer is about 35-60 cm deep. The next layer is likely 65-90 cm deep. The lower one is now approximately 100-150 cm deep. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It may be possible for storm slab avalanches to scrub down to ground in thin snowpack areas, resulting in large avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On south aspects, you will likely find a sun crust as it freezes with temperature cooling. Wind slabs may still linger in lee and cross-loaded terrain features in alpine and exposed treeline terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong. However, there still remains a few deeper weaknesses in the snowpack around treeline and alpine elevations. Professionals are still tracking a layer around 150 to 200 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains. These layers would most likely be triggered by humans in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm air and sunny skies may have left a crust on the snow surface on southerly aspects. At higher elevations in exposed terrain, wind slabs are being reported as widespread.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Daytime warming and cool overnight temperatures have promoted settlement of upper snowpack layers and created surface crusts on solar aspects. Cold, dry snow may still be found on north aspects in the alpine. Large surface hoar has begun to form particularly on shaded aspects. While not a concern yet (an maybe really neat to ski), this is something to keep in mind forecasted snowfall this weekend buries the weak layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs exist in alpine areas and may overlie buried surface hoar. Professionals continue to monitor a couple of persistent weak layers in the upper 50-150 cm of the snowpack. Persistent weak layers are most likely to be triggered from thin, rocky areas with a variable snowpack or with a large load, like cornice fall.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Surface hoar was observed up to 2200m in sheltered locations. This may be a layer of concern in the future if it ever snows again. Moist snow was found on solar aspects in the Alpine and at Treeline by early afternoon today. Wind slabs are widespread at all elevations except for very sheltered areas below treeline. Compression Test results today at TL on an East aspect produced moderate shears down 100cm in the basal facets. The bottom half of the snowpack remains very weak and facetted.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm temperatures have created moist surface snow, which has refrozen into crusts at low elevations and on sunny aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the north of the region, you may find wind-affected snow or dry snow (on shady aspects) at upper elevations. Lingering cornices may fail with warming. A solid surface crust exists below about 1700 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm alpine temperatures left crusty surfaces on southerly aspects, while the snow remained dry on northerly aspects. Old wind slabs and cornices could be lingering at higher elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong. On southerly aspects you may find a thin sun crust with facets down around 50 cm. Recent sudden snowpack results indicate this layer could still be a failure plane on steep southerly slopes in thin snowpack areas. Professionals are also tracking a layer around 130 to 180 cm deep, composed of weak faceted grains, surface hoar, and a sun crust. The chance of triggering this layer is very low. In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack is weak and touchy in large portions of the Purcells. Numerous very large avalanches have been reported on a regular basis. This is the type of weak snowpack that could stick around for months. </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">Read more here.</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent sunshine and warm alpine temperatures left crusty surfaces on solar aspects while the snow appears to have remained dry on shady aspects. At higher elevations in exposed terrain, wind slabs may still exist.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weak nature of the snowpack lies at depth. There is a weak layer around 80 to 120 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack is also composed of weak faceted grains in many parts of the region. Humans have and will continue to be able to trigger these layers in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm alpine temperatures left crusty surfaces on southerly aspects, while the snow remained dry on northerly aspects. Old wind slabs and cornices could be lingering at higher elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack may still be composed of weak faceted grains. In deeper snowpack areas, the middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally considered to be well-settled and strong. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm alpine temperatures left crusty surfaces on south aspects while the snow appears to have remained dry on north aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Colder overnight temperatures are promoting better recovery of the snowpack, refrozen crusts are found on all aspects below about 1800-2000 m and sunny aspects in the alpine. These may break down with warming through the day. Cold, dry and wind-affected snow may still be found on more north-facing and polar aspects above 1700 m. Variable instabilities exist in recent storm snow layers. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface hoar has begun to form, and is most noticeable on shaded aspects and below tree line. While not a concern yet (and maybe really neat to ski), this potentially weak layer will not bond well with incoming snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Professionals continue to track two weak layers in the upper 2 m of the snowpack at and below treeline. These layers consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in more sheltered areas and a crust on solar aspects and on all aspects below 1600 m. In the lower snowpack, a crust/facet (sugar snow) layer is now over 2 m deep. This layer may still be reactive to heavy loads (such as a cornice fall) in isolated areas. Recent warm temperatures have promoted settlement in the midpack and there have be no recent significant results on these layers.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Colder overnight temperatures are promoting recovery of the snowpack. Refrozen crusts are found on all aspects below about 1800-2000 m and sunny aspects in the alpine. Cold, dry and wind-affected snow is found on more north-facing and sheltered aspects in the alpine and around treeline; expect to find variable surfaces in areas where a crust has not formed. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface hoar has begun to form, and is most noticeable on shaded aspects and below tree line. While not a concern yet (and maybe really neat to ski), this potentially weak layer will not bond well with incoming snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warmth has promoted settlement of the snowpack and helped bond old wind slabs. A generally well-settled upper snowpack is reported, with supportive crusts that are isolating deeper snowpack weaknesses. Most of our observations come from the Duffey Lake and Coquihalla regions, so if you are venturing further afield, the local snowpack may not be as strong. Please investigate.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There remains a small chance of triggering a deeply buried crust/facet layer with a heavy trigger such as a cornice fall, or from a thin spot.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A warm and wet storm brought up to 100 mm precipitation between Wednesday and Sunday last week, with rain falling as high as 1500 m. Forecast outflow winds, although mainly expected at lower elevations, may be blowing the new snow into new wind slab deposits at higher elevations. The snow is crusty at lower elevations, with little snow available to be transported by the wind.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some sheltered areas that were unaffected by rain, the new snow is sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas, particularly in the north of the region. The potential may also exist for storm slab avalanches to step down to this layer, resulting in large avalanches. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A combined crust/facet layer may also be found at the base of the snowpack in alpine areas. It is suspected to have been involved in several large 'step down' avalanches during the storm.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm that ended late on Saturday produced 25 to 50 cm of new snow at higher elevations, with rain falling up to 1500 m. Strong winds redistributed the storm snow at and above treeline. The snow at lower elevations is now most likely crusty.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few buried weak layers that consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or faceted (sugary) snow may exist in some sheltered areas. The upper layer is about 35-60 cm deep. The next layer is likely 65-90 cm deep. The lower one is now approximately 100-150 cm deep. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It may be possible for storm slab avalanches to scrub down to ground in thin snowpack areas, resulting in large avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Following warm and sunny weather at higher elevation, moist snow on solar aspects has turn into a crust with temperature cooling. The snow has remained dry on north aspects slopes.  Wind slabs are still lingering in lee and cross-loaded features in alpine and exposed treeline terrain but they are old and hard to trigger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm air and sunny skies at higher elevations have left a crust on the snow surface on southerly aspects. The snow has remained dry on north aspects slopes. Wind slabs are still lingering in lee and cross-loaded features in alpine and exposed treeline terrain but they are old and hard to trigger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A temperature crust can be found on all solar aspects and most places tree line and below. Cold, dry snow may still be found on north aspects in the alpine. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large surface hoar has begun to form, and is most noticeable on shaded aspects and below tree line. While not a concern yet (and maybe really neat to ski), this potentially weak layer well not bond will with incoming snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs exist in alpine areas and may overlie buried surface hoar. Professionals continue to monitor a couple of persistent weak layers in the upper 50-150 cm of the snowpack. Persistent weak layers are most likely to be triggered from thin, rocky areas with a variable snowpack or with a large load, like cornice fall.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm temperatures have created moist surface snow, which has refrozen into crusts. The snowpack is well settled. Snowpack depths have shrunk considerably below tree line.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the north of the region, you may find wind-affected snow or dry snow (on shady aspects) at upper elevations. Lingering cornices may fail with warming with added loading from rain or snow. A solid surface crust exists below about 1700 m. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Although incoming snowfall amounts are on the lighter side, the snow is burying large surface hoar crystals and sun crusts. This will create the potential for fast moving sluffs and thin slab avalanches with wide propagations. The most suspect terrain features are steep slopes and rolls below 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crusts exist).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong. Professionals are tracking a layer around 130 to 180 cm deep, composed of weak faceted grains, surface hoar, and a sun crust. The chance of triggering this layer is low. In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack is weak and touchy in large portions of the Purcells. Numerous very large avalanches have been reported on a regular basis. This is the type of weak snowpack that could stick around for months. </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">Read more here.</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow is burying large surface hoar crystals and/or sun crusts, which could eventually develop into a touchy problem as snow accumulates. The most suspect terrain features will be steep slopes and rolls below 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crusts exist).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weak nature of the snowpack lies at depth. There is a weak layer around 80 to 120 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack is also composed of weak faceted grains in many parts of the region. Humans have and will continue to be able to trigger these layers in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Although incoming snowfall amounts are on the lighter side, the snow is burying large surface hoar crystals and sun crusts. This will create the potential for fast moving sluffs and/or thin slab avalanches with wide propagations. The most suspect terrain features will be steep slopes and rolls below 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crusts exist).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack may still be composed of weak faceted grains. In deeper snowpack areas, the middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally considered to be well-settled and strong. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow is burying large surface hoar crystals and/or sun crusts, which could eventually develop into a touchy problem as snow accumulates. The most suspect terrain features will be steep slopes and rolls below 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crusts exist).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow will fall onto a sun crust on south aspects, a temperature crust below 1700 m on all aspects, and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas at all elevation bands. The new snow may not bond well to these surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow will fall onto a sun crust on south aspects, a temperature crust on all aspects below around 1700 m, and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas. The new snow may not bond well to these surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A warm and wet storm brought up to 100 mm precipitation between Wednesday and Sunday last week, with rain falling as high as 1500 m. Forecast outflow winds, although mainly expected at lower elevations, may be blowing the new snow into new wind slab deposits at higher elevations. The snow is crusty at lower elevations, with little snow available to be transported by the wind.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some sheltered areas that were unaffected by rain, the new snow is sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). This layer has been identified as the failure plane in several recent large avalanches in the north of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas, particularly in the north of the region. The potential may also exist for storm slab avalanches to step down to this layer, resulting in large avalanches. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A combined crust/facet layer may also be found at the base of the snowpack in alpine areas. It is suspected to have been involved in several large 'step down' avalanches during the storm.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm that ended late on Saturday produced 25 to 50 cm of new snow at higher elevations, with rain falling up to 1500 m. Strong winds redistributed the storm snow at and above treeline. The snow at lower elevations is now most likely crusty.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few buried weak layers that consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or faceted (sugary) snow may exist in some sheltered areas. The upper layer is about 35-60 cm deep and was the likely culprit in the Kispiox avalanche noted above. The next layer is likely 65-90 cm deep. The lower one is now approximately 100-150 cm deep. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It may be possible for storm slab avalanches to scrub down to ground in thin snowpack areas, resulting in large avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Expected snowfalls starting Thursday night will accumulate over a variety of surfaces. Those snowpack surfaces include a sun crust on solar aspects at treeline and above, faceted dry snow on north aspects and surface hoar up to 15-20 mm in sheltered and shaded areas at all elevation. New wind slabs may also form on north and northeast aspects in the alpine on Friday.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Expected snowfalls starting Thursday night will accumulate over a variety of surfaces. Those snowpack surfaces include a sun crust on solar aspects at treeline and above, faceted dry snow on north aspects and surface hoar up to 15-20 mm in sheltered and shaded areas at all elevation. New wind slabs may form on north and northeast aspects in the alpine on Friday.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow on Friday and Saturday will fall onto a sun crust on south aspects and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas at all elevation bands. The new snow may not bond well to these surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Large surface hoar was observed mostly in sheltered areas.  This will be on our radar when the next snow flies.  Widespread wind slabs are present in the alpine and down into the open areas of tree line.  The upper snow pack is dense and still producing sheers down about 40cm on the December 30 facet layer and down 70cm on the Dec 10 basal facet interface(bottom 55 cm of the snow pack) .  The eye opener is that the sheer with the basal facets is still clean and fast and the consequences of triggering this layer would mean that the entire snowpack could come down.  </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm incoming Thursday night will drop a substantial amount of new snow above approximately 1200 m. The snow will fall onto sun and temperature crusts at most elevations and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas at treeline and alpine elevations. The new snow may not bond well to these surfaces. Below 1200 m, expect the precipitation as rain, and hence, to find rain-soaked snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is well-settled.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">By Saturday, 15-30 cm of snow will have buried a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crusts. This will create the potential for fast moving sluffs and thin slab avalanches with wide propagations. The most suspect terrain features are steep slopes and rolls below 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crusts exist).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong. Professionals are tracking a layer around 130 to 180 cm deep, composed of weak faceted grains, surface hoar, and a sun crust. The chance of triggering this layer is low. In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack may also still be composed of weak faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack is weak and touchy in large portions of the Purcells, with very large avalanches being reported on a regular basis. This type of weak snowpack could stick around for months. </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">Read more here.</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-20 cm of new snow is burying large surface hoar crystals and/or sun crusts, which could eventually develop into a touchy problem as snow accumulates. The most suspect terrain features will be steep slopes and rolls below 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crusts exist).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weak nature of the snowpack lies at depth. There is a weak layer around 80 to 120 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack is also composed of weak faceted grains in many parts of the region. Humans have and will continue to be able to trigger these layers in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">By Saturday, 15-25 cm of snow will have buried a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crusts. This will create the potential for fast moving sluffs and/or thin slab avalanches with wide propagations. The most suspect terrain features will be steep slopes and rolls below 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crusts exist).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack may still be composed of weak faceted grains. In deeper snowpack areas, the middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally considered to be well-settled and strong. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-15 cm of new snow is burying large surface hoar crystals and/or sun crusts, which could eventually develop into a touchy problem as snow accumulates. The most suspect terrain features will be steep slopes and rolls below 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crusts exist).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 to 15 cm of new snow fell on Thursday night and Friday, with associated strong south winds. This snow fell onto a sun crust on south aspects, a temperature crust below 1700 m on all aspects, and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas at all elevation bands. The new snow may not bond well to these surfaces. More snow is forecast for Friday night.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 5 to 10 cm of snow fell on Friday and more is expected on Saturday. All this snow is falling onto a sun crust on south aspects, a temperature crust below around 1700 m on all aspects, and feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas at all elevation bands. The new snow may not bond well to these surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled. In sections of the region, for example in Manning Park, you may still find a weak layer of surface hoar buried about 60 to 100 cm in sheltered areas around treeline. This layer has not produced any recent avalanches but snowpack tests suggest that it still could.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow is accumulating above surfaces that range from faceted (sugary) wind-affected snow in wind-exposed alpine areas to weak surface hoar over facets at protected higher elevations to surface hoar over rain crust below about 1500 metres. Below the new snow interface, the wind-affected storm snow from last weekend's storm is expected to have formed a good bond with the underlying snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An exception to this 'good bond' may exist in some sheltered higher elevations that were unaffected by rain during the storm. Here, the old storm snow described above may overlie a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). This layer was identified as the failure plane in several recent large avalanches in the north of the region. It has not shown in reports elsewhere.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas, particularly in the north of the region. The potential may also exist for large wind slab avalanches to step down to this layer, resulting in even larger avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow is accumulating above mainly wind-affected and faceted (sugary snow) surfaces but also over a new weak layer of surface hoar in more protected areas. Last weekend's storm brought rain up to 1500 m, so the new snow is accumulating above a probable combo of surface hoar over rain crust below this elevation. Below this new snow interface, 25-50 cm of wind-redistributed storm snow from last weekend is expected to have formed a good bond with the underlying snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few buried weak layers that consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or faceted (sugary) snow may exist in some sheltered areas. The upper layer is about 35-60 cm deep and is a possible culprit in the Kispiox avalanche noted above. The next layer is likely 65-90 cm deep. The lower one is now approximately 100-150 cm deep. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It may be possible for storm slab avalanches to scrub down to ground in thin snowpack areas, resulting in large avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfalls continuing overnight Friday and Saturday will lead up to a total of 15 to 25 cm.  This new snow is accumulating over a variety of surfaces including a sun crust on solar aspects at treeline and above, faceted dry snow on north aspects and surface hoar up to 15-20 mm developed in sheltered and shaded areas at all elevation.  Wind slabs are also developing on north aspects in the alpine and at treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfalls continuing overnight Friday and Saturday will lead up to a total of 15 to 20 cm. This new snow is accumulating over a variety of surfaces including a sun crust on solar aspects at treeline and above, faceted dry snow on north aspects and surface hoar up to 15 mm developed in sheltered and shaded areas at all elevation. Wind slabs are also developing on north aspects in the alpine and at treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 to 15 cm of snow fell on Thursday night with strong southwest winds. More is expected on Friday night. This snow is falling onto a sun crust on south aspects and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas at all elevation bands. The new snow may not bond well to these surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A light dusting of 3-4cm of snow now covers the Jan 17th surface hoar found up to 2100m and sun crusts on steep south and west aspects up to 2600m.  This new layer will be something to pay attention to as we move through winter.  Other wise the snowpack is pretty non-changing.  The upper snowpack has settled with isolated windslabs in alpine areas but the main concern is still the weak facetted base that is widespread throughout the region at all elevations.  Concern for triggering this base should be forefront in your mind in shallow or variable snowpack areas.  We are below average snowpack depth for this time of year and the 6 day wind warning earlier in December has scoured many areas that haven't recovered from the severe scouring. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Upwards of 70 mm of water equivalent fell on Thursday night!  The freezing level appeared to be around 1300 m, so it is suspected that around 70 cm of snow fell at treeline and alpine elevations and the snowpack is rain-soaked below treeline. More snow is forecasted to fall on Friday night, with a freezing level at 1500 m and peaking around 1800 m but then dropping to 1000 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At treeline and alpine elevations, all of this snow is falling onto sun and temperature crusts at most elevations and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas. The new snow may not bond well to these surfaces. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is well-settled.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-25 cm of snow has fallen in the past few days with strong wind forming deeper deposits at higher elevations. The new snow sits above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crusts, potentially creating touchy slab conditions. In addition to wind loaded slopes, other suspect areas are steep slopes and rolls below 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crusts exist).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack is weak and touchy in large portions of the Purcells, with very large avalanches being reported on a regular basis. Read the Forecaster's Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for a more detailed description of conditions in the Purcells.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-15 cm of new snow is burying large surface hoar crystals and/or sun crusts, which could eventually develop into a touchy problem as snow accumulates. The most suspect terrain features will be steep slopes and rolls below 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crusts exist).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weak nature of the snowpack lies at depth. There is a weak layer around 80 to 120 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack is also composed of weak faceted grains in many parts of the region. Humans have and will continue to be able to trigger these layers in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-25 cm of new snow has buried a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crusts. This will create the potential for fast moving sluffs and/or slab avalanches with wide propagations. The most suspect terrain features will be steep slopes and rolls below 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists), steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crusts exist), and in wind-loaded terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack may still be composed of weak faceted grains. In deeper snowpack areas, the middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally considered to be well-settled and strong. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm new snow is being redistributed by strong winds are forming wind slabs in the alpine and treeline. This new snow is burying large surface hoar crystals and/or sun crusts, which could eventually develop into a touchy problem as snow accumulates. The most suspect terrain features will be steep slopes and rolls below 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crusts exist). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20 to 30 cm of recent snow fell in the region, with associated extreme south winds. This snow fell onto a sun crust on south aspects, a temperature crust below 1700 m on all aspects, and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas at all elevation bands. The new snow may not bond well to these layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 15 to 20 cm of recent snow fell, with associated strong southwest winds that switched to northeast winds near Coquihalla. All this snow is falling onto a sun crust on southerly aspects, a temperature crust below around 1700 m on all aspects, and feathery surface hoar in areas sheltered by the wind at all elevation bands. The new snow may not bond well to these layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled. In sections of the region, for example in Manning Park, you may still find a weak layer of surface hoar buried about 60 to 100 cm in sheltered areas around treeline. This layer has not produced any recent avalanches but snowpack tests suggest that it still could </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/6b76d4df-994b-4a91-acde-78cb3861f059" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">(see here)</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">New snow is accumulating above surfaces that range from faceted (sugary) wind-affected snow in wind-exposed alpine areas to weak surface hoar over facets at protected higher elevations to surface hoar over rain crust below about 1500 metres. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below the new snow interface, the wind-affected storm snow from last weekend's storm is expected to have formed a good bond with the underlying snowpack. An exception to this 'good bond' may exist in some sheltered higher elevations that were unaffected by rain during the storm. Here, the old storm snow described above may overlie a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). This layer was identified as the failure plane in several recent large avalanches in the north of the region. It has not shown in reports elsewhere.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas, particularly in the north of the region. The potential may also exist for large wind slab avalanches to step down to this layer, resulting in even larger avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow is accumulating above mainly wind-affected and faceted (sugary snow) surfaces but also over a new weak layer of surface hoar in more protected areas. Last weekend's storm brought rain up to 1500 m, so the new snow is accumulating above a probable combo of surface hoar over rain crust below this elevation. Below this new snow interface, 25-50 cm of wind-redistributed storm snow from last weekend is expected to have formed a good bond with the underlying snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few buried weak layers that consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or faceted (sugary) snow may exist in some sheltered areas. The upper layer is about 35-60 cm deep and is a possible culprit in the Kispiox avalanche noted above. The next layer is likely 65-90 cm deep. The lower one is now approximately 100-150 cm deep.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It may be possible for storm slab avalanches to scrub down to ground in thin snowpack areas, resulting in large avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-25 cm of snow has fallen in the past few days with strong wind forming deeper deposits at higher elevations. The new snow sits above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crusts, potentially creating touchy slab conditions. In addition to wind loaded slopes, other suspect areas are steep slopes and rolls below 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crusts exist). The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of snow has fallen in the past few days with strong wind potentially forming deeper deposits at high elevations. The new snow sits above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crusts, potentially creating touchy slab conditions. In addition to wind loaded slopes, other suspect areas are steep rolls below 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crusts exist).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 to 20 cm of recent snow fell with strong southwest winds. This snow fell onto a sun crust on south aspects and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas at all elevation bands. The new snow may not bond well to these layers, particularly once the new snow gains slab properties.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">5-10cm of new snow over the past 48hrs at treeline and above.  This snow is now burying the Jan 17th surface hoar and sun crust layers that were being found up to 2300m. This will be important to note later as the winter continues.  Otherwise our main concern is still for the weak basal layers under the Dec 10th interface down 80-110cm.  Thin areas we were able to get easy results and the tests also indicate that this layer will likely propagate across a given terrain feature given the widespread nature of the basal problem.  We backed off steeper terrain on Saturday due to variable snowpack depths and are still very cautious in and under bigger terrain.  Sheltered areas were offering some good skiing!</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 100 mm of water equivalent feel on Thursday and Friday nights, with the freezing level varying between 1200 and 1500 m. Therefore, expect around 100 cm of snow to have fallen in alpine terrain, a mix of dry snow and crusts at treeline, and a rain-soaked snowpack that will freeze into a thick crust below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At high elevations, the snow may have fallen onto a sun crust on southerly aspects and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas. The new snow may not bond well to these layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is well-settled.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-25 cm of new snow from the weekend now sits above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crusts. The new snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between about 1500-1800 metres, where surface hoar is particularly well developed. Although the surface hoar is less prevalent in the alpine, strong southerly winds during and immediately after the storm formed deeper deposits on lee slopes that have proven similarly reactive at higher elevations. New snow deposits that overlie sun crust on steep, south-facing slopes may be especially touchy. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack is weak and touchy in large portions of the Purcells, with very large avalanches being reported on a regular basis. Read the Forecaster's Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for a more detailed description of conditions in the Purcells.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-15 cm of new snow is burying large surface hoar crystals and/or sun crusts, which could eventually develop into a touchy problem as snow accumulates. The most suspect terrain features will be steep slopes and rolls below 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crusts exist).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weak nature of the snowpack lies at depth. There is a weak layer around 80 to 120 cm deep, composed of sugary faceted grains, feathery surface hoar, and a sun crust. The base of the snowpack is also composed of weak faceted grains in many parts of the region. Humans have and will continue to be able to trigger these layers in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-40 cm recent snow has buried a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crusts. This has created the potential for fast moving sluffs and slab avalanches with wide propagations. The most suspect terrain features will be steep slopes and rolls below 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crusts exist). Winds have begun to redistribute snow to lee and cross loaded areas, and build up cornices.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack may still be composed of weak faceted grains. In deeper snowpack areas, the middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally considered to be well-settled and strong. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Winds are redistributing up to 20 cm recent snow and building wind slabs in the alpine and treeline. This new snow is burying large surface hoar crystals and/or sun crusts, which could eventually develop into a touchy problem as snow accumulates. The most suspect terrain features will be steep slopes and rolls below 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crusts exist). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20 to 30 cm of recent snow was redistributed from extreme south winds. Expect to find extensive wind effect in exposed terrain at all elevation bands. The snow may sit on a sun crust on south aspects, a temperature crust below 1700 m on all aspects, feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas, and sugary faceted snow elsewhere. The recent snow may not bond well to these layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20 to 40 cm of snow recently fell in the region with the most around Coquihalla. The snow fell with associated strong southwest winds, which has produced wind affected snow surfaces in expose terrain. This recent snow fell onto a sun crust on southerly aspects, a temperature crust below around 1700 m on all aspects, and feathery surface hoar in areas sheltered by the wind at all elevation bands. The new snow may not bond well to these layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled. In certain parts of the region, you may still find a weak layer of surface hoar buried about 60 to 100 cm in sheltered areas around treeline. This layer was recently triggered by a skier in the north of the region </span><a href="https://www.mountainconditions.com/reports/older-surface-hoar-dec-26-or-jan-2-reactive" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">(see here)</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. In the south of the region, snowpack tests suggest that avalanches could still be triggered within the layer </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/6b76d4df-994b-4a91-acde-78cb3861f059" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">(see here)</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">20-30 cm recent snow is being redistributed by westerly winds forming hard slabs and loading snow in lee and cross loaded terrain. This snow covers a variable surface of wind-affected and faceted snow, a weak layer of surface hoar in more protected areas, and a rain crust/surface hoar combination below 1500 m. Rain has saturated the snowpack below 600 m. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below the new snow interface, old wind-affected storm snow is expected to have formed a good bond with the underlying snowpack. An exception to this 'good bond' may exist in some sheltered higher elevations that were unaffected by rain during the storm. Here, the old storm snow described above may overlie a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). This layer was identified as the failure plane in several recent large avalanches in the north of the region. It has not shown in reports elsewhere.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas, particularly in the north of the region. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-30 cm recent snow is being redistributed by westerly winds forming hard slabs and loading snow in lee and cross loaded terrain. This snow covers a variable surface of wind-affected and faceted snow, a weak layer of surface hoar in more protected areas, and a rain crust/surface hoar combination below 1500 m. Below this new snow interface, 25-50 cm of affected storm snow from over a week ago is expected to have formed a good bond with the underlying snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few buried weak layers that consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or faceted (sugary) snow may exist in some sheltered areas. The upper layer is about 35-60 cm deep and is a possible culprit in the Kispiox avalanche noted above. The next layer is likely 65-90 cm deep. The lower one is now approximately 100-150 cm deep.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It may be possible for storm slab avalanches to scrub down to ground in thin snowpack areas, resulting in large avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-25 cm of new snow from the weekend now sits above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crusts. The new snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between about 1500-1800 metres, where surface hoar is particularly well developed. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Although the surface hoar is less prevalent in the alpine, strong southerly winds during and immediately after the storm formed deeper and similarly reactive deposits on lee slopes at higher elevations. New snow deposits that overlie sun crust on steep, south-facing slopes may be especially touchy. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_E6FD2046 { font-family: 'Verdana';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of new snow from the weekend now sits above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crusts. Because the average depth of new snow is quite thin, the greatest danger exists at higher elevations where strong southerly winds during and immediately after the storm formed deeper deposits on lee slopes. New snow deposits that overlie sun crust on steep, south-facing slopes may be especially touchy.</span><span class="s_E6FD2046"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At lower elevations, the new snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab over the above mentioned weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between about 1500-1800 metres, where surface hoar is particularly well-developed. This will mainly be an issue in areas that hold 15 or more cm of new snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 to 20 cm of recent snow recently fell with strong southwest winds. This snow fell onto a sun crust on south aspects and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas at all elevation bands. The new snow may not bond well to these layers, particularly in areas where the new snow has slab properties, such as in wind-loaded terrain features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">About 10-15cm of snow has fallen in the past 3 days providing good skiing in sheltered areas. This new snow has covered the January 17 surface hoar which is mostly found in open areas up to tree line.  This recent snow has caused numerous natural loose avalanches within our region.  Ice climbers should be aware of open slopes above them.  Some soft slabs can be found in open areas from Saturday's wind event. The bottom 50-60cm of basal facets is still the major concern in the snow pack and will be for a long time.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline, expect to find wet snow at low elevations and a melt-freeze crust on the surface at higher elevations. At treeline, expect to find a melt-freeze crust near the surface. In the alpine, recent snow has been reported to be capped with a melt-freeze crust from rain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_EBE90460 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #595959; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-25 cm of new snow from the weekend now sits above a layer of large feathery surface hoar crystals and sun crusts. Strong winds associated with the new snow formed reactive wind slabs on leeward slopes and scoured southerly aspects down to the old crust at treeline and in the alpine. The recent snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between 1500-1800 metres, where the surface hoar is particularly well developed on all aspects. <br />The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong</span><span class="s_EBE90460">.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack in this region is complex, weak and touchy, with very large avalanches easily triggered from specific terrain features. Those features are typically were people want to ski or snowmobile which makes decision making and managing this risk tricky. Up to 20 cm of recent snow has buried large surface hoar crystals and/or sun crusts. This will likely develop into a touchy problem as more snow accumulates. The most suspect terrain features will be steep slopes and rolls between 1500m- 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crusts exists.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weak nature of the snowpack lies at depth. The base of the snowpack is also composed of weak faceted grains and a crust in many parts of the region. Humans have and will continue to be able to trigger these layers in areas where the snowpack is shallow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-30 cm recent snow buried a weak layer of surface hoar and sun crusts. Wind has redistributed snow in the alpine and treeline and built cornices. The surface hoar is associated with a crust on solar aspects and is most prominent around treeline elevations (1500-1850 m) and sheltered alpine areas. Below 1500 m, the surface hoar/crust combo is found on all aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack may still be composed of weak faceted grains. In deeper snowpack areas, the middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally considered to be well-settled and strong. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Winds have redistributed up to 20 cm recent snow into wind slabs in the alpine and treeline. This new snow buried large surface hoar crystals and/or sun crusts, which could eventually develop into a touchy problem as snow accumulates. The most suspect terrain features will be steep slopes and rolls below 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crusts exist). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Expect to find extensive wind effect in exposed terrain at all elevation bands. Around 20 to 30 cm of recent snow may sit on a sun crust on south aspects and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas. You may find deeper snow deposits in wind-loaded terrain features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20 to 40 cm of snow recently fell in the region with the most around Coquihalla. The snow fell with associated strong southwest winds, which has produced wind-affected snow surfaces in expose terrain. This recent snow fell onto a sun crust on southerly aspects, a temperature crust below around 1700 m on all aspects, and feathery surface hoar in areas sheltered by the wind at all elevation bands. The recent snow may not bond well to these layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled. In certain parts of the region, you may still find a weak layer of surface hoar buried about 60 to 100 cm in sheltered areas around treeline. This layer was recently triggered by a skier in the north of the region </span><a href="https://www.mountainconditions.com/reports/older-surface-hoar-dec-26-or-jan-2-reactive" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">(see here)</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. In the south of the region, snowpack tests suggest that avalanches could still be triggered within the layer </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/6b76d4df-994b-4a91-acde-78cb3861f059" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">(see here)</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">20-30 cm recent snow is being redistributed by winds forming slabs and loading snow in lee and cross loaded terrain. This snow covers a variable surface of wind-affected and faceted snow, a weak layer of surface hoar in more protected areas, and a rain crust/surface hoar combination below 1500 m. Warm temperatures are promoting settlement of the snowpack. Rain has saturated the snowpack below 600 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below the new snow interface, old wind-affected storm snow is expected to have formed a good bond with the underlying snowpack. An exception to this 'good bond' may exist in some sheltered higher elevations that were unaffected by rain during the last storm. Here, the old storm snow described above may overlie a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). This layer was identified as the failure plane in several recent large avalanches in the north of the region. It has not shown in reports elsewhere.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas, particularly in the north of the region. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-30 cm recent snow is being redistributed by winds forming hard slabs and loading snow in lee and cross loaded terrain. At alpine and high treeline elevations, the recent snow covers a variable surface of wind-affected and faceted snow, and a weak layer of surface hoar in more protected areas. A rain crust/surface hoar combination is found below 1500 m, with warm temperatures settling the snowpack below treeline. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Under the new snow interface, 25-50 cm of wind affected storm snow from over a week ago is expected to have formed a good bond with the underlying snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few buried weak layers that consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and/or faceted (sugary) snow may exist in some sheltered areas. The upper layer is about 35-60 cm deep and is a possible culprit in the Kispiox avalanche noted above. The next layer is likely 65-90 cm deep. The lower one is now approximately 100-150 cm deep.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It may be possible for storm slab avalanches to scrub down to ground in thin snowpack areas, resulting in large avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-25 cm of new snow from the weekend continues to settle above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crusts. The new snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between about 1500-1800 metres, where surface hoar is particularly well developed.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Although the surface hoar is less prevalent in the alpine, strong southerly winds during and immediately after the storm formed deeper and similarly reactive deposits on lee slopes. New snow deposits that overlie sun crust on steep, south-facing slopes may be especially touchy.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of new snow from the weekend continues to settle above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crusts. At higher elevations, strong southerly winds during and immediately after the storm have moved the snow and formed deeper deposits on lee slopes. New snow deposits that overlie sun crust on steep, south-facing slopes may be especially touchy.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At lower elevations, the new snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slabs. Reactivity is most notable at elevations between about 1500-1800 metres, where surface hoar was particularly well-developed. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 to 20 cm of recent snow fell with strong southwest winds. This snow fell onto a sun crust on south aspects and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas at all elevation bands. The new snow may not bond well to these layers, particularly in areas where the new snow has slab properties, such as in wind-loaded terrain features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The most recent snowfall left us with about 10cm of snow. This new snow overlies the Jan. 17 SH which is mostly found below tree line(below 2200m) and will be on our radar again when we get more snow. This new snow has been touched by the wind in the alpine in places but skies nicely once it becomes sheltered.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">We dug in a few different places today and got varying results. The thin areas are more reactive to test results on the basal facets than the deeper places. In the Commonwealth area today we dug a pit with a depth of 80cm and the bottom half was facets. That said, we have had a lot of wind on the slopes this winter, so it is challenging to know where the thin and deeper areas are. Triggering an avalanche from a thin spot has a high likelihood to spread across the slope.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A surface crust is found at all elevation bands in the region. New snow on Tuesday will fall on this crust and may not bond well to it.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
.s_EBE90460 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #595959; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Another 10-15 cm of new snow brings a total of 20-35 cm above a layer of large feathery surface hoar crystals and sun crust. The recent snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between 1500-1800 metres where the surface hoar is particularly well developed on all aspects. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds associated with the new snow formed reactive wind slabs on leeward slopes and scoured southerly aspects down to the crust at upper elevations. <br />The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong</span><span class="s_EBE90460">.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of recent snow has buried large surface hoar crystals and/or sun crusts. This will likely develop into a touchy problem as more snow accumulates. The most suspect terrain features will be steep slopes and rolls between 1500m- 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crust exists). Reactive wind slabs can also be found at upper elevations on lee (N-NE) slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weak nature of the snowpack lies at depth. The base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted grains and a crust in many parts of the region. People have and will continue to be able to trigger these layers in areas where the snowpack is shallow. These areas typically include ridgelines, large open slopes and bowls at upper elevations. Common trigger points are rocks, trees and areas where the snowpack is variable (thin to thick and variable). </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Flurries with strong winds overnight adds to recent snowfall accumulation totaling 10-30 cm. In the alpine and treeline areas, winds are redistributing storm snow loading lee terrain features and building cornices. The recent snow is sitting over a reactive layer of surface hoar and sun crusts. The surface hoar is most prominent around treeline elevations (1500-1900 m) and sheltered alpine areas. On solar aspects and below treeline, the surface hoar sits on a temperature crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack may still be composed of weak faceted grains. In deeper snowpack areas, the middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally considered to be well-settled and strong. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds have redistributed snow into thin winds slab in alpine lees and scoured wind-ward areas. In more sheltered alpine terrain and between 1600-2000 m, 5-15 cm recent snow overlies a layer of weak surface hoar and crusts (on solar aspects). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Another 20-35 cm of new snow fell between Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning. This brings total recent snowfall amounts to approximately 40-60cm. This new snow likely sits on a sun crust on south facing slopes and surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered and shaded areas. Recent strong to extreme southerly winds will have redistributed the new snow, forming storm slabs. Expect to find deeper deposits of snow in wind loaded terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of new snow on Tuesday night brings recent snowfall amounts to approximately 30 to 60 cm. The highest snowfall amounts have been around the Coquihalla area. Moderate to strong southwest winds have redistributed the snow, forming storm slabs. The recent snow fell onto a sun crust on southerly aspects, a melt-freeze crust below approximately 1700 m on all aspects, and surface hoar (feathery crystals) in areas sheltered from the wind at all elevations. The recent snow may not bond well to these layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well settled. In certain parts of the region, you may still find a weak layer of surface hoar buried about 60 to 100 cm in sheltered areas around treeline. This layer was recently triggered by a skier in the north of the region </span><a href="https://www.mountainconditions.com/reports/older-surface-hoar-dec-26-or-jan-2-reactive" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">(see here)</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. In the south of the region, snowpack tests suggest that avalanches could still be triggered within the layer </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/6b76d4df-994b-4a91-acde-78cb3861f059" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">(see here)</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 40 cm recent snow is being affected by wind forming slabs and loading snow in lee and cross loaded terrain. This snow covers a variable surface of wind-affected and faceted snow, a weak layer of surface hoar in more protected areas, and a rain crust/surface hoar combination below 1500 m. Forecasted rising freezing levels may result in moist snow below 900 m. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below the new snow interface, old wind-affected storm snow is expected to have formed a good bond with the underlying snowpack. An exception to this 'good bond' may exist in some sheltered higher elevations that were unaffected by rain during the last storm. Here, the old storm snow described above may overlie a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). This layer was identified as the failure plane in several recent large avalanches in the north of the region. It has not shown in reports elsewhere.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm. The likelihood of triggering this layer is decreasing, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas, particularly in the north of the region. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Another 10 cm Tuesday night brings recent snow totals to around 30 cm. A thin crust may be found within the recent snow from a variable mist layer on Sunday. In wind-loaded terrain, wind slabs overly lower density snow. At alpine and high treeline elevations, the recent snow sits on variable surface of wind-affected and faceted snow, and a weak layer of surface hoar in more protected areas. A rain crust/surface hoar combination is found below 1500 m, with warm temperatures settling the snowpack below treeline. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Under the new snow interface, 25-50 cm of wind affected storm snow from over a week ago is expected to have formed a good bond with the underlying snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few buried weak layers that consist of surface hoar faceted snow may exist in some sheltered areas. The upper layer is 35-60 cm deep and a possible culprit in the Kispiox avalanche noted above. The next layer is likely 65-90 cm deep. The lower one is now around 100-150 cm deep.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It may be possible for storm slab avalanches to scrub down to ground in thin snowpack areas, resulting in large avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Another 5-10 cm of new snow brings a total of 20-35 cm above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crust. This slab may show enhanced reactivity between 1500 m-1800 m where the surface hoar is well preserved and on solar aspects at most elevations where there is a buried sun crust. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br />Isolated pockets of reactive wind slab </span><span class="s_3FE45715">exist on leeward slopes in the alpine. The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Another 5-10 cm of new snow brings a total of 20-30 cm above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crusts. This slab may show enhanced reactivity between 1500 m-1800 m where the surface hoar is well preserved and on solar aspects which host the buried sun crust. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">Moderate to strong winds from the southwest have formed new wind slabs on leeward slopes in the alpine. The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50 cm of recent snow has fallen in the region. Moderate to strong winds will be promoting widespread slab formation. The storm snow sits on several layers of small surface hoar (feathery crystals) and thin crusts. Recent snowpack tests suggest that the snow may be poorly bonded to these layers in some areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most prominent weak layer in the snowpack is layer that formed in early December and is buried approximately 70-110 cm. This layer consists of a rain crust, surface hoar, and facets (sugary snow). There have been no recent reports of avalanches on this layer, however a large load, such as a cornice fall may still have the potential to trigger large avalanches on this layer.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">We ski toured up the Robertson glacier today and there was mostly hard wind slabs. We suspect that today's very strong westerly winds has created some more surface wind slabs in the alpine. We have a pretty well settled upper snow pack that is sitting on 50-60cm of basal facets. Because of the variability in snow depth, it is easy to come across thinner spots which are more sensitive to lighter loads such as a skier and also likely to trigger an avalanche. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50 cm of new snow mixed with rain has fallen over the South Coast region between Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning. This new snow likely sits on a melt freeze crust at treeline. Below treeline the new snow is likely moist to wet depending on how much rain fell during Tuesday night's storm. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At upper elevations, where the recent precipitation fell as snow, over 130 cm has accumulated since the stormy weather began last week. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At upper elevations in the north of the region near Squamish, there may be a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) buried approximately 80-100 cm. Information on the strength and distribution of this layer is very limited.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-35 cm of snow sits above a layer of large feathery surface hoar crystals and sun crust. In areas that have had wind effect the recent snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between 1500-1800 metres where the surface hoar is particularly well developed on all aspects. In sheltered areas the snow is faceting, low density and lacks cohesion above this layer which is only reactive as dry loose sluffing. Forecast warmer temperatures will likely change this and promote increased slab properties this weekend.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds associated with the new snow formed reactive wind slabs on leeward slopes and scoured southerly aspects down to the crust at upper elevations. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of recent snow has buried large surface hoar crystals and/or sun crusts. This will likely develop into a touchy problem in areas where a cohesive slab sits above the weak interface. The most suspect terrain features will be steep slopes and rolls between 1500 m- 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crust exists). Reactive wind slabs can also be found at upper elevations on lee (N-NE) slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weak nature of the snowpack lies at depth. The base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted grains and a crust in many parts of the region. People have and will continue to be able to trigger these layers in areas where the snowpack is shallow. These areas typically include ridgelines, large open slopes and bowls at upper elevations. Common trigger points are rocks, trees and areas where the snowpack is variable (thin to thick and variable). If you trigger a deep persistent slab it will go big and be a destructive avalanche. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Flurries with strong winds overnight brought recent snowfall accumulation to around 10-30 cm. In alpine and treeline areas, winds are redistributing storm snow loading lee terrain features and building cornices. Lower down, the recent snow is sitting over a weak layer of surface hoar and sun crusts. The surface hoar is most prominent around treeline elevations (1500-1900 m). On solar aspects and below treeline, the surface hoar and new snow overlie sun and temperature crusts.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack may still be composed of weak faceted grains. In deeper snowpack areas, the middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally considered to be well-settled and strong. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds have redistributed snow into thin winds slab in alpine lees and scoured windward areas. In more sheltered alpine terrain and between 1600-2000 m, 5-15 cm of recent snow overlies a layer of weak surface hoar and crusts (on solar aspects). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-35 cm of new snow fell between Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning. This brings total recent snowfall amounts to approximately 40-60cm, which likely sits on a sun crust on south facing slopes and surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered and shaded areas. The surface hoar is reportedly most prominent at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent winds will have redistributed the new snow, forming storm slabs. Expect to find deeper deposits of snow in wind loaded terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few stormy days brought total recent snowfall amounts to approximately 40-70 cm.  This snow fell onto a sun crust on south facing slopes, a melt freeze crust below approximately 1700 m on all aspects, and surface hoar (feathery crystals) in areas sheltered from the wind at all elevations.  The recent snow may not bond well to these layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some areas, another weak layer of surface hoar is buried about 60 to 100 cm in sheltered areas around treeline elevations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Around 50 cm recent snow is being affected by wind, forming slabs and loading snow in lee and cross-loaded terrain. This snow covers a variable surface of wind-affected and faceted snow, a weak layer of surface hoar in more protected areas, but more predominantly a rain crust/surface hoar combination below 1500 m. Recent reports from the Shames area suggest a strengthening bond between the recent snow and the underlying crust now down about 50 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below the interface described above, old wind-affected storm snow is expected to have formed a good bond with the underlying snowpack, although exceptions exist in the far north of the region. Here, the old storm snow may overlie a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). This layer was identified as the failure plane in several large avalanches in the north of the region last week. It has not shown in reports elsewhere.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm. The likelihood of triggering this layer is generally low, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas, particularly in the north of the region. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow accumulations from the past few days are at around 30 cm. A thin crust may be found within the recent snow from a variable mist layer on Sunday. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At alpine and high treeline elevations, the recent snow sits on variable surface of wind-affected and faceted snow, and possibly over a weak layer of surface hoar in more protected areas. The new snow sits on a rain crust/surface hoar combination below about 1500 m and may become increasingly reactive over this weak interface as forecast warming promotes slab formation in the new snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Under the new snow interface, the mid snowpack is generally strong. Although faceted (sugary snow) is present in this part of the snowpack, the overall dense structure here overcomes the inherent weakness of these faceted grains.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of a weak layering of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It may be possible for large slab avalanches to scrub down to ground in these thin snowpack areas, resulting in even larger avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-35 cm of snow sits above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crust. In areas that have had wind effect the recent snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between 1500-1800 metres. In sheltered areas the snow lacks cohesion above this layer and is only reactive as dry loose sluffing. Forecast warmer temperatures will likely change this and promote increased slab properties later this week.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-30 cm of snow sits above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crust. In areas that have had wind effect the recent snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between 1500-1800 metres. In sheltered areas the snow is faceting and lacks cohesion above this layer which is only reactive as dry loose sluffing. Forecast warmer temperatures will likely change this and promote increased slab properties this weekend. Strong winds associated with the new snow formed reactive wind slabs on leeward slopes at upper elevations. The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50 cm of recent snow has fallen in the region. This snow sits on surface hoar (feathery crystals) in shaded areas that are sheltered from the wind, thin rain crusts in some areas, and sun crusts on south facing slopes. The surface hoar is most prominent at treeline and below. Recent snowpack tests suggest that the snow may be poorly bonded to these layers in some areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Another prominent weak layer in the snowpack is a layer that formed in early December and is buried approximately 70-110 cm. This layer consists of a rain crust, surface hoar, and facets (sugary snow). There have been no recent reports of avalanches on this layer, however a large load, such as a cornice fall may still have the potential to trigger large avalanches on this layer.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">5cm of snow fell overnight and a dusting of snow throughout the day.  The eastern region (Kananaskis Valley and Ghost) saw slightly more than this as the snowfall was more up-slope in nature.  This new snow is sitting on a variety of snow surface such as windslabs and facetted snow.  The Jan 17th layer is now down approx 15cm at treeline.  We have a pretty well settled upper snow pack that is sitting on 50-60cm of basal facets. Because of the variability in snow depth, it is easy to come across thinner spots which are more sensitive to lighter loads such as a skier and also likely to trigger an avalanche. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50 cm of new snow mixed with rain has fallen over the South Coast region recently. This new snow likely sits on a melt-freeze crust at treeline and below. Expect to find a breakable melt-freeze crust on the surface below approximately 1300 m. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At upper elevations, where the recent precipitation fell as snow, over 130 cm has accumulated since the stormy weather began last week. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At upper elevations in the north of the region near Squamish, there may be a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) buried approximately 80-100 cm. Information on the strength and distribution of this layer is very limited.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-35 cm of recent new snow sits above a layer of large feathery surface hoar crystals and a sun crust. The new snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between 1500-1800 metres where the surface hoar is particularly well developed on all aspects. Until recently, in most sheltered places there was insufficient cohesion in the snow above the weak layer to form slab avalanches; reactivity was noted most in exposed areas where the wind had stiffened up the slab. Forecast warmer temperatures will likely change this and give enough cohesion in the upper snowpack for slab avalanches to be widely triggerable.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of recent snow has buried large surface hoar crystals and/or sun crusts. This will likely develop into a touchy problem in areas where a cohesive slab sits above the weak interface. The most suspect terrain features are steep slopes and rolls between 1500 m- 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crust exists). Reactive wind slabs have also been noted at upper elevations on lee (N-NE) slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack also has a significant weekness at depth. The base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted grains and a crust in many parts of the region. There have been sporadic reports of people triggering this layer in areas where the snowpack is shallow. The most likely trigger points include ridgelines and large open slopes and bowls at upper elevations, particularly those that have rocky or variable (thin to thick) features. If you trigger a deep persistent slab it will go big and be a highly destructive avalanche. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-30 cm of new snow forms the snow surface, the product of snowfall this past weekend. In alpine and treeline areas, winds have been redistributing this storm snow, loading lee terrain features, and building cornices. Lower down, the recent snow is sitting over a weak layer of surface hoar and sun crusts. The surface hoar is most prominent around treeline elevations (1500-1900 m). On solar aspects and below treeline, the surface hoar and new snow overlie sun and temperature crusts.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack may still be composed of weak faceted grains. In deeper snowpack areas, the middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally considered to be well-settled and strong. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds have redistributed snow into thin winds slab in alpine lees and scoured windward areas. In more sheltered alpine terrain and between 1600-2000 m, 5-15 cm of recent snow overlies a layer of weak surface hoar and crusts (on solar aspects). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack has been the culprit for large avalanches in the region over the past few weeks.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">40-60cm of recent storm snow likely sits on a sun crust on south facing slopes and surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered and shaded areas. The surface hoar is reportedly most prominent at treeline and below. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A sun crust likely exists on the surface on south facing slopes at all elevations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60 cm of recent storm snow is likely sitting on a sun crust on south facing slopes, a melt freeze crust below approximately 1700 m on all aspects, and surface hoar (feathery crystals) in areas sheltered from the wind at all elevations. The recent snow may not bond well to these weak layers. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some areas, another layer of surface hoar that was buried near the end of December is down approximately 60 to 120 cm in sheltered areas around treeline elevations. There have been no recent reports of avalanches on this layer, but a large trigger such as cornice fall may still have the potential to trigger avalanches on this layer.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Around 50 cm recent low density snow covers a variable surface of wind-affected and faceted snow, a weak layer of surface hoar in more protected alpine areas, but more predominantly a rain crust/surface hoar combination below 1500 m. Thin breakable crusts have been observed both at the new snow surface as well as within the recent snow. Reports from the Shames area suggest a strengthening bond between the recent snow and the supportive underlying crust now down about 50 cm. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below the interface described above, old wind-affected storm snow is expected to have formed a good bond with the underlying strong mid snowpack, although exceptions may exist in the far north of the region. Here, the old storm snow may overlie a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). This layer was identified as the failure plane in several large avalanches in the north of the region last week. It has not shown in reports elsewhere.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm. The likelihood of triggering this layer is generally low, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas, particularly in the north of the region. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow accumulations from the past few days are at around 30 cm. A thin crust may be found within this predominantly low density snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At alpine and high treeline elevations, the recent snow sits on variable surface of wind-affected and faceted snow, and possibly over a weak layer of surface hoar in more protected areas. The new snow sits on a rain crust/surface hoar combination below about 1600 m and may become increasingly reactive over this weak interface as forecast warming promotes slab formation in the new snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Under the new snow interface, the mid snowpack is generally strong. Although faceted (sugary snow) is present in this part of the snowpack, the overall dense structure here helps to overcome the weakness of these faceted grains.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of a weak layering of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It may be possible for large slab avalanches to step down down to ground in these thin snowpack areas, resulting in even larger avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-35 cm of snow sits above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crust. In areas that have had wind effect the recent snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between 1500-1800 metres. In sheltered areas the snow lacks cohesion above this layer and is only reactive as dry loose sluffing. Expected warmer temperatures starting late Friday will change this and promote increased cohesion in the upper snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-30 cm of snow sits above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crust. In areas that have had wind effect the recent snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between 1500-1800 metres. In sheltered areas the snow is faceting and lacks cohesion above this layer which is only reactive as dry loose sluffing. Forecasted warmer temperatures starting late Friday will change this and promote increased cohesion in the upper snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moderate to strong winds associated with the new snow formed reactive wind slabs on leeward slopes at upper elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50 cm of recent snow has fallen in the region. This snow sits on surface hoar (feathery crystals) in shaded areas that are sheltered from the wind, thin rain crusts in some areas, and sun crusts on south facing slopes. The surface hoar is most prominent at treeline and below. Recent snowpack tests suggest that the snow may be poorly bonded to these layers in some areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Another prominent weak layer in the snowpack is a layer that formed in early December and is buried approximately 70-110 cm. This layer consists of a rain crust, surface hoar, and facets (sugary snow). There have been no recent reports of avalanches on this layer, however a large load, such as a cornice fall may still have the potential to trigger large avalanches on this layer.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">No new snow and isolated wind has kept the snowpack basically unchanged from the past few days. We're seeing a light surface dusting in many areas with older windslabs underneath. The windslab's bond to the underlying layers is improving with time and moderate temperatures. Of growing concern is the Jan 17 surface hoar layer, now down 15-20cm at treeline. As the load/burial depth increases this layer will become more of a worry. If you've been reading the bulletins lately, you can probably guess the next line. That's right, the deeper facets and depth hoar layers are still there! In some areas this is presenting as 2 distinct layers and in others its just one thick layer of junk. Thin areas, or areas with a hard surface wind slab are especially concerning. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50 cm of new snow mixed with rain fell over the South Coast region recently. This new snow likely sits on a melt-freeze crust at treeline and below. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Expect to find a breakable melt-freeze crust on the surface below approximately 1300 m. This crust may melt and turn to moist or wet snow as freezing levels rise on Friday.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At upper elevations, where the recent precipitation fell as snow, over 130 cm has accumulated since the stormy weather began last week. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At upper elevations in the north of the region near Squamish, there may be a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) buried approximately 80-100 cm. Information on the strength and distribution of this layer is very limited.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-35 cm of recent new snow sits above a layer of large feathery surface hoar crystals and a sun crust. The new snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between 1500-1800 metres where the surface hoar is particularly well developed on all aspects. Until recently, in most sheltered places there was insufficient cohesion in the snow above the weak layer to form slab avalanches; reactivity was noted most in exposed areas where the wind had stiffened up the slab. Warmer temperatures are consolidating the upper snowpack are will likely make slab avalanches more widely triggerable.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of recent snow has buried large surface hoar crystals which, on southern aspects, may rest on a sun crust. In most places, there is still insufficient snow over this layer and the upper snow too unconsolidated to create a widespread problem. However, locally, in deeper snowpack areas, or where the wind has blown snow above this layer, avalanches large enough to be of concern could be triggered. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack also has a significant weekness at depth. The base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted grains and a crust in many parts of the region. There have been sporadic reports of people triggering this layer in areas where the snowpack is shallow. The most likely trigger points include ridgelines and large open slopes and bowls at upper elevations, particularly those that have rocky or variable (thin to thick) features. If you trigger a deep persistent slab it will go big and be a highly destructive avalanche. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-30 cm of badly wind-affected snow forms the current snow surface, the product of snowfall this past weekend and more recent strong and shifting winds. In alpine and treeline areas, winds have been redistributing this storm snow, loading lee terrain features, and building cornices. Lower down, the recent snow is sitting over a weak layer of surface hoar and sun crusts. The surface hoar is most prominent around treeline elevations (1500-1900 m) and is an increasing concern during the warming forecast in our region. On solar aspects and below treeline, the surface hoar and new snow overlie sun and temperature crusts.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack may still be composed of weak faceted grains. In deeper snowpack areas, the middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally considered to be well-settled and strong. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds have redistributed snow into thin winds slab in alpine lees and scoured windward areas. Strong northwest winds have had some of the most recent impact on snow redistribution, creating 'reverse loaded' pockets of wind slab.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In more sheltered alpine terrain and between 1600-2000 m, 5-15 cm of recent snow overlies a layer of weak surface hoar and crusts (on solar aspects). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack was the culprit in several large avalanches in the region in the past few weeks. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface may moisten with warm air temperatures on all aspects, but most pronounced on southerly aspects. Beneath this, around 40 to 60 cm of snow sits on a sun crust on south aspects and weak and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas. The surface hoar is likely most pronounced at treeline and upper below treeline elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm air temperatures are entering the region and may moisten the snow surface at all elevations and on all aspects, but most pronounced on south aspects. Beneath this, around 30 to 60 cm of snow sits on a sun crust on southerly aspects, a temperature crust below around 1700 m on all aspects, and feathery surface hoar in areas sheltered by the wind at all elevation bands. The surface hoar may be most pronounced on west, north, and east aspects below 2100 m. This layer may be touchy to human traffic this weekend.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled. In certain parts of the region, you may still find a weak layer of surface hoar buried about 60 to 120 cm in sheltered areas around treeline. There haven’t been any recent avalanches on this layer but the likelihood of triggering it may increase this weekend with warm air temperatures.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">5-10 cm of new snow (with more new snow on the way) has covered a new layer of surface hoar that may coexist with a crust on sun-exposed slopes. Below the surface, around 50 cm of recent low density snow covers a variable surface of wind-affected, faceted snow and possibly a weak layer of surface hoar in protected alpine areas, but more predominantly a rain crust/surface hoar combination below 1500 m. Reports from the Shames area suggest a strengthening bond between this recent snow and the supportive underlying crust now down 50-60 cm. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below the interface described above, the mid snowpack is strong, although exceptions may exist in the far north of the region where an older layer of storm snow may overlie a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals). This layer was the failure plane in several large avalanches in the north of the region last week. It has not shown in reports elsewhere.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm. The likelihood of triggering this layer is generally low, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas, particularly in the north of the region. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light snowfall and strong winds are expected to form a new surface of wind-affected snow by Saturday morning.&nbsp; Beneath the evolving surface, we have around 30 cm of newly wind-affected snow from snowfall earlier in the week. A thin crust may be found within this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At alpine and high treeline elevations, this recent snow sits on old wind-affected and faceted snow, and possibly over a weak layer of surface hoar in more protected areas. The recent snow sits on a rain crust/surface hoar combination below about 1600 m. This weak interface is one of our primary avalanche problems, particularly as wind and warming have worked to transform the overlying snow into a more cohesive slab..</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Under the interface described above, the mid snowpack is generally strong. Faceted (sugary snow) is present in this part of the snowpack, but the overall dense structure here helps to overcome the weakness of these grains.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of a weak layering of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It may be possible for large slab avalanches to step down down to ground in these thin snowpack areas, resulting in even larger avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-35 cm of snow sits above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crust. In areas that have had wind effect the recent snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between 1500-1800 metres. In sheltered areas the snow lacks cohesion above this layer and is only reactive as dry loose sluffing. Warmer temperatures are consolidating the upper snowpack are will likely make slab avalanches more widely triggerable.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-30 cm of snow sits above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crust. In areas that have had wind effect the recent snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between 1500-1800 metres. In sheltered areas the snow is faceting and lacks cohesion above this layer which is only reactive as dry loose sluffing. Warmer temperatures are starting to consolidate the upper snowpack are will likely make slab avalanches more triggerable.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moderate to strong winds associated with the new snow formed reactive wind slabs on leeward slopes at upper elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm air temperatures may moisten the snow surface on all aspects, with the most pronounced warming expected on southerly aspects. Below this, a rain crust exists about 10 to 20 cm beneath the surface. At depths of around 20 to 50 cm, expect to find a sun crust on south aspects and feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered and shaded areas. The surface hoar may be most pronounced at treeline elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally reported as well-settled.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The midpack of the current snowpack is slowly strengthening.  Current two main issues exist within the snowpack.  First, the Jan 17th layer is now buring under 10-15cm of snow.  Not enough load to be a concern yet, but in time this will be a problem layer worth remembering.  Second is the deeper basal weaknesses.  The facets and depth hoar that exist at the base of the snowpack are weak and sensitive to human triggerring especially from a thin snowpack area.  Use careful route selection as you move through the terrain.  </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A warming trend this weekend may moisten the snow surface at all elevations, with the most pronounced warming expected on southerly aspects. There is uncertainty in how much the warming will affect the snowpack. Use additional caution if you notice signs of snowpack warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20 to 35 cm of recent new snow sits above a layer of large feathery surface hoar crystals and a sun crust. The new snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between 1400 and 1800 m where the surface hoar is particularly well developed on all aspects. Until recently, in most sheltered places there was insufficient cohesion in the snow above the weak layer to form slab avalanches; reactivity was noted most in exposed areas where the wind had stiffened up the slab. The weekend temperature trend form warm to cold is expected to consolidate the upper snowpack but this layer of surface hoar will likely remain sensitive to human triggering. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of recent snow has buried large surface hoar crystals which, on southern aspects, may rest on a sun crust. In most places, there is still insufficient snow over this layer to create a widespread problem. However, locally, in deeper snowpack areas, or where the wind has blown snow above this layer, avalanches large enough to be of concern could be triggered. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack also has a deeply buried weak layer near the ground composed of weak faceted grains and a crust that is present in most of the region. There have been sporadic reports of people triggering this layer in areas where the snowpack is shallow. The most likely trigger points include ridgelines, large open slopes and bowls in the alpine, particularly those that have rocky or variable (thin to thick) features. If you trigger a deep persistent slab it will go big and be a highly destructive avalanche. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A new surface crust is now likely to be widespread below about 1500 metres. Above this elevation, 10-30 cm of badly wind-affected snow forms the current snow surface, the product of snowfall this past weekend and more recent strong and shifting winds. Lower down, the recent snow is sitting over a weak layer of surface hoar. This surface hoar is most prominent around treeline elevations (1500-1900 m). On solar aspects it is likely to combined with an underlying sun crust and below treeline with a more widespread temperature crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack may still be composed of weak faceted grains. In deeper snowpack areas, the middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally considered to be well-settled and strong. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds are stripping the last loose snow available and packing it into thin winds slab in alpine lees and scoured windward areas. Northwest winds have had some of the most recent impact on snow redistribution, creating 'reverse loaded' pockets of wind slab.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered alpine terrain and between 1600-2000 m, 5-15 cm of recent snow overlies a layer of weak surface hoar and crusts (on solar aspects). Wind slabs that have formed over this interface are likely to be more susceptible to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack was the culprit in several large avalanches in the region in the past few weeks. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On the snow surface, you will likely find moist snow or a sun crust on southerly aspects and either a thin crust or dry snow on northerly aspects. Beneath this, around 40 to 60 cm of snow sits on a sun crust on south aspects and weak and feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas. The surface hoar is likely most pronounced at treeline elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On the snow surface, you will likely find a sun crust on south aspects but still dry snow on northerly aspects. Beneath this, around 30 to 60 cm of snow sits on a sun crust on southerly aspects, a temperature crust below around 1700 m on all aspects, and feathery surface hoar in areas sheltered by the wind at all elevation bands. The surface hoar may be most pronounced on west, north, and east aspects below 2100 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled. In certain parts of the region, you may still find a weak layer of surface hoar buried about 60 to 120 cm in sheltered areas around treeline. There haven't been any recent avalanches on this layer but the likelihood of triggering it may increase this weekend with warm air temperatures.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In high alpine areas and further north toward Bear Pass, 20-30 cm of new snow (with more new snow on the way) has covered a new layer of surface hoar that may coexist with a crust on sun-exposed slopes. Below the new snow interface, around 50 cm of recent storm snow covers a variable surface of wind-affected, faceted snow and possibly a weak layer of surface hoar in protected alpine areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below about 1500 metres (closer to 1000 metres in Bear Pass), the recent storm snow mentioned above is a bit thinner (25-50 cm), more likely rain-saturated, and overlying a more widespread rain crust/surface hoar combination. Reports from the Shames area suggest a good bond between this now saturated surface layer and the supportive underlying crust. Avalanches were observed failing on this layer below treeline in the Bear Pass area on Friday.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below the interface described above, the mid snowpack is strong. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm. The likelihood of triggering this layer is generally low, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas, particularly in the north of the region. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light snowfall and strong winds have been creating a new surface of wind-affected snow. Beneath the evolving surface, we have around 30 cm of newly wind-affected snow from snowfall earlier in the week. A thin crust may be found within this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At alpine and high treeline elevations, this recent snow sits on old wind-affected and faceted snow, and possibly over a weak layer of surface hoar in more protected areas. The recent snow sits on a rain crust/surface hoar combination below about 1600 m. This weak interface has been one of our primary avalanche problems, particularly as wind and warming worked to transform the overlying snow into a more cohesive slab.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Under the interface described above, the mid snowpack is generally strong. Faceted (sugary) snow is present in this part of the snowpack, but the overall dense structure here helps to overcome the weakness of these grains.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of a weak layering of facets and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is thin. It may be possible for large slab avalanches to step down down to ground in these thin snowpack areas, resulting in even larger avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20 to 35 cm of snow sits above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crust. In areas that have had wind effect the recent snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between 1400 and 1800 m. In sheltered areas the snow lacks cohesion above this layer and is only reactive as dry loose sluffing. The weekend temperature trend form warm to cold is expected to consolidate the upper snowpack but this layer of surface hoar will likely remain sensitive to human triggering.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 to 40 cm of snow sits above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crust. In areas that have had wind effect the recent snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between 1500 and 1800 m. In sheltered areas the snow is faceting and lacks cohesion above this layer which is only reactive as dry loose sluffing. Slightly warmer temperatures are starting to consolidate the upper snowpack which will likely make slab avalanches more sensitive to human triggering. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper snowpack consists of a variety of crusts and weak layers. On the snow surface, you will likely find a sun crust on south aspects but still dry snow on northerly aspects. Buried around 10 to 20 cm, a widespread crust should be found. At a depth of around 20 to 40 cm, expect to find yet another crust on south aspects and feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered and shaded areas. The surface hoar may be most pronounced at treeline elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally reported as well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm air may continue to moisten the snow surface, particularly on southerly aspects during the day if clear skies prevail. There is uncertainty in how much the warming will affect the snowpack. Use additional caution if you notice signs of snowpack warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this warming effect, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Saturday delivered warmth and strong to extreme wind out of the west, south, southwest and northwest. This left a crust on steep south facing aspects and likely redistributed quite a bit of snow into fresh and potentially deep wind slabs in lee alpine features. The warmth also allowed 25 to 45 cm of snow to continue to consolidate above the mid-January persistent weak layer (PWL). This PWL is made up of large surface hoar that is most prevalent at and below treeline, with enhanced reactivity noted between 1400 and 1800 m. On steep solar aspects this interface presents as a crust, there may be locations where the surface hoar actually sits on the crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Saturday delivered warmth and strong to extreme wind out of the south, southwest and northwest. This left a crust on steep south facing aspects and likely redistributed quite a bit of snow into fresh and potentially deep wind slabs in lee alpine features. The warmth also allowed 10 to 50 cm of snow to continue to consolidate above the mid-January persistent weak layer (PWL). This PWL is made up of large surface hoar that is most prevalent at and below treeline. On steep solar aspects this interface presents as a crust, there may be locations where the surface hoar actually sits on the crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack is also harboring a nasty weak layer near the ground that is made up of weak faceted grains above a crust. This interface continues to produce sporadic avalanches that are very large and destructive. Avalanches triggered on this weak layer take the entire seasons snowpack with it and have resulted in numerous close calls and serious incidents. This layer is most likely to be triggered from zones where the snowpack is thin and weak. Rock outcroppings and ridge crests around large open slopes and bowls in the alpine are particularly suspect</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is likely a crust below approximately 1500 m, and on sun-exposed slopes at all elevations. Above 1500 m, the top 10-30 cm of snow is likely wind-affected. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">This 10-30 cm of recent snow is sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals), which is most prominent around treeline. On sun-exposed slopes, the surface hoar may be sitting on a sun crust, and below treeline it may be sitting on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack is composed of facets (sugary snow). In deeper snowpack areas, the middle and lower portions of the snowpack appear to be generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-15 cm of recent snow overlies a weak layer of sun crusts on south facing slopes, and surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas. Strong winds have stripped the new snow off of this layer in wind exposed areas and created deeper deposits in lee features. Wind slabs that have formed over this interface are likely to be more susceptible to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack was the culprit in several large avalanches in the region in the past few weeks. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface has been impacted by warm air temperatures, the sun, and recent strong northwest winds. Above 2000 m, you will likely find a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects, wind-loaded terrain features on southwesterly aspects, and dry, wind-effected snow on northerly aspects. Below 2000 m, expect to find a crust on all aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Beneath this, around 40 to 60 cm of snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on south aspects and a spotty weak layer of surface hoar or sugary faceted grains. There have been no observations of avalanches on this layer and snowpack test results suggest the overlying snow is bonding to the layer. Where this layer exists, it is most likely to be found between 1700 m and 2000 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On the snow surface, you will likely find a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects to the top of the mountain and wind affected snow in the alpine. Wind deposits may exist in lee terrain features due to recent west winds.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 30 to 50 cm of snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects, a crust below around 1700 m on all aspects, and feathery surface hoar in areas sheltered by the wind at all elevation bands. The surface hoar may be most pronounced on west, north, and east aspects between 1700 m and 2000 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">20-30 cm of recent snow has fallen, mainly in alpine areas and further north towards Bear Pass. This precipitation mainly fell as rain at lower elevations, and to higher elevations in the south of the region. The new snow sits on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) that may coexist with a sun crust on sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below approximately 1600 m (1000 m near Bear Pass), the recent snow is likely rain-saturated, and sits on a melt-freeze crust and surface hoar combination. In the Shames area, reports suggest that the new snow is bonding to the crust. Avalanches were observed failing on this layer below treeline in the Bear Pass area on Friday.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">There may be another layer of surface hoar in shady and wind sheltered areas that is now buried approximately 50 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">For most of the region, a weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm. The likelihood of triggering this layer is generally low, but it could be triggered by humans in shallow snowpack areas, particularly in the north of the region. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent new snow and wind has formed wind slabs at upper elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the alpine and at upper treeline elevations, this recent snow likely sits on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in wind sheltered areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At lower elevations, the recent precipitation fell as rain. The surface has formed a melt-freeze crust below treeline and possibly into treeline as well.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of a weak combination of facets (sugary snow) and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is shallow. It may be possible for large triggers such as cornice failures or rock fall to trigger avalanches on this layer.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Saturday delivered warmth and strong to extreme wind out of the west, south, southwest and northwest. This left a crust on steep south facing aspects and likely redistributed quite a bit of snow into fresh and potentially deep wind slabs in lee alpine features. The warmth also allowed 25 to 50 cm of snow to continue to consolidate above the mid-January persistent weak layer (PWL). This PWL is made up of large surface hoar that is most prevalent at and below treeline, with enhanced reactivity noted between 1400 and 1800 m. On steep solar aspects this interface presents as a crust, there may be locations where the surface hoar actually sits on the crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Saturday delivered warmth and wind to the region, this </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/map?panel=mountain-information-network-submissions/3bafce21-30ab-42ff-b7ec-19d092faeb29" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">MIN report</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> notes strong southwest wind Saturday. In the neighboring North Columbias winds were strong to extreme out of the west, south, southwest and northwest. This left a crust on steep south facing aspects and likely redistributed quite a bit of snow into fresh and potentially deep wind slabs in lee alpine features. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The warmth also allowed 15 to 45 cm of snow to continue to consolidate above the mid-January persistent weak layer (PWL). This PWL is made up of large surface hoar that is most prevalent at and below treeline, with enhanced reactivity noted between 1500 and 1800 m. On steep solar aspects this interface presents as a crust, there may be locations where the surface hoar actually sits on the crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface was recently impacted by strong northwest winds, the sun, and warm air temperatures. Expect to find wind slabs in lee terrain features due to the winds. On southerly aspects, a melt-freeze crust may be found to the mountain top. At lower elevations, a melt-freeze crust may be found on all aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below the snow surface, a widespread crust exists about 10 to 20 cm deep. At a depth of around 20 to 40 cm, expect to find yet another crust on south aspects and feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered and shaded areas. The surface hoar may be most pronounced at treeline elevations in sheltered and shaded locations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Quite a few changes last night. Firstly, the wind once again picked up and created new slabs in the alpine. Judging from how things look, these slabs are isolated in nature and mostly in immediate lee areas. Treeline was spared the full brunt of the wind so there is a bit of new snow overlying the older windslabs. Having said that, there may be slabs in wind exposed areas. Secondly, there is a hint of sun crust on solar aspects. In Alpine and treeline areas the mid pack is generally well settled with a minor shear (failure) noted on the Jan 17 layer. I say minor because the snow above isn't a slab yet and the layer is shallow. The deeper weak layers are just...deep &amp; weak. From what we can gather, in deeper snowpack areas the bridging effect of the midpack keeps the house of cards from collapsing. In shallow areas, all bets are off. That layer is delicate and if it fails, expect a large avalanche!</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm air may continue to moisten the snow surface, particularly on southerly aspects when the sun is shining. Use additional caution if you notice signs of snowpack warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this warming effect, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Saturday delivered warmth and strong to extreme wind out of the west, south, southwest and northwest. This left a crust up to 3 cm thick on steep south and some west facing aspects and redistributed quite a bit of snow into wind slabs in lee features at and above treeline. The warmth also allowed 25 to 45 cm of snow to continue to consolidate above the mid-January persistent weak layer (PWL). This PWL is made up of large surface hoar that is most prevalent at and below treeline, with enhanced reactivity noted between 1400 and 1800 m. On steep solar aspects this interface presents as a crust, there may be locations where the surface hoar actually sits on the crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Saturday delivered warmth and strong to extreme wind out of the south, southwest and northwest. This left a robust crust (up to 4 cm thick) on steep south facing aspects and redistributed snow into potentially deep wind slabs in lee alpine features. The warmth also allowed 10 to 50 cm of snow to settle into a well consolidated slab above the mid-January persistent weak layer (PWL). This PWL is made up of large surface hoar that is most prevalent at and below treeline. On steep solar aspects this interface presents as a crust, there may be locations where the surface hoar actually sits on the crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack is also harboring a nasty weak layer near the ground that is made up of weak faceted grains above a crust. This interface continues to produce sporadic avalanches that are very large and destructive. Avalanches triggered on this weak layer take the entire seasons snowpack with it and have resulted in numerous close calls and serious incidents. This layer is most likely to be triggered from zones where the snowpack is thin and weak. Rock outcroppings and ridge crests around large open slopes and bowls in the alpine are particularly suspect</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">About 5 cm of new snow likely sits on a a crust below 1500 m, and on sun-exposed slopes at all elevations. Sun-exposed slopes may become moist during the day.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-35 cm of snow is sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals), which is most prominent around treeline. On sun-exposed slopes, the surface hoar may be sitting on a sun crust, and below treeline it may be sitting on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack is composed of facets (sugary snow). In deeper snowpack areas, the middle and lower portions of the snowpack appear to be generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15 cm of cold smoke arrived by surprise on Sunday night! </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-30 cm of recent snow overlies a weak layer of sun crusts on south facing slopes, and surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas. Previous strong winds had formed wind slabs over this interface. These are likely to be susceptible to human triggers, and they may be difficult to see now with the new snow on top of them.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack was the culprit in several large avalanches in the region in the past few weeks. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface has been impacted by warm air temperatures, the sun, and recent strong northwest winds. Above 2000 m, you will likely find a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects, wind-loaded terrain features on southwesterly aspects, and dry, wind-effected snow on northerly aspects. Below 2000 m, expect to find a crust on all aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Beneath this, around 40 to 60 cm of snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on south aspects and a spotty weak layer of surface hoar or sugary faceted grains. There have been no observations of avalanches on this layer and snowpack test results suggest the overlying snow is bonding to the layer. Where this layer exists, it is most likely to be found between 1700 m and 2000 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is currently well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On the snow surface, you will likely find a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects to the top of the mountain and wind affected snow in the alpine. Small wind slabs may exist in lee terrain features formed by recent west winds.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 30 to 50 cm of snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects, a crust below around 1700 m on all aspects, and feathery surface hoar in areas sheltered by the wind at all elevation bands. The surface hoar may be most pronounced on west, north, and east aspects between 1700 m and 2000 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 40 cm of recent storm snow sits on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals), and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. The highest amounts of this new snow are north of Stewart and taper significantly as you head south.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The recent precipitation fell mainly as rain below about 1200 m in the north and below about 1600 m in the south.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In some areas, there is another layer of surface hoar that is now buried 50-70 cm. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Avalanches triggered within the new snow have the potential to step down to these deeper layers, resulting in very large avalanches. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 30 cm of recent snow has been blown into wind slabs at upper elevations. Due to previous variable wind directions, wind slabs may be found on all aspects in some areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the alpine and at upper treeline elevations, this recent snow likely sits on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in wind sheltered areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At lower elevations, the recent precipitation fell as rain. The surface has formed a melt-freeze crust below treeline, and into treeline in some areas as well.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Generally speaking, areas north of Hazelton received the highest snowfall amounts in the last storm, while the south of the region received less. The northern areas have had more avalanche activity as a result of this, as noted in the Avalanche Summary. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of a weak combination of facets (sugary snow) and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is shallow. It may be possible for large triggers such as cornice failures or rock fall to trigger avalanches on this layer.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Saturday delivered warmth and strong to extreme wind out of the west, south, southwest and northwest. This left a crust on steep south facing aspects and redistributed quite a bit of snow into wind slabs in lee features at and above treeline. The warmth also allowed 25 to 50 cm of snow to continue to consolidate above the mid-January persistent weak layer (PWL). This PWL is made up of large surface hoar that is most prevalent at and below treeline, with enhanced reactivity noted between 1400 and 1900 m. On steep solar aspects this interface presents as a crust, there may be locations where the surface hoar actually sits on the crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Saturday delivered warmth and wind to the region, followed by 10 to 15 cm of new snow and a very strong wind event on Sunday. This </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/map?panel=mountain-information-network-submissions/1f1ef350-ea18-4461-b72f-c000dcf18438" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">MIN report</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> provides a good description along with some photos that encompass conditions Sunday. The weekend weather left a crust on steep south facing aspects and redistributed quite a bit of snow into potentially deep wind slabs in lee features at and above treeline. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 to 45 cm of snow continues to consolidate above the mid-January persistent weak layer (PWL). This PWL is made up of large surface hoar that is most prevalent at and below treeline, with enhanced reactivity noted between 1500 and 1800 m. On steep solar aspects this interface presents as a crust, there may be locations where the surface hoar actually sits on the crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface was recently impacted by strong northwest winds, the sun, and warm air temperatures. Expect to find small wind slabs in lee terrain features. On southerly aspects, a melt-freeze crust may be found to the mountain top. At lower elevations, a melt-freeze crust may be found on all aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below the snow surface, a widespread crust exists about 10 to 20 cm deep. At a depth of around 20 to 40 cm, expect to find yet another crust on south aspects and feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered and shaded areas. The surface hoar may be most reactive at treeline elevations on shady aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10cm of low density snow fell last night and was being moved around a bit with the moderate NW winds today. Some soft wind slabs were observed in lee areas in the alpine. The warm temps from the weekend has densed up the top 10cm of the snowpack just below the storm snow. This layer was producing moderate compression tests down 23cm from the top. Besides some of the surface instabilities, a generally well settled upper snowpack sits on 50-60cm of basal facets that are more reactive in shallower areas. The predictability of where to find thin and thicker areas is very challenging. There is a strong likelihood to trigger an avalanche from a thin spot and it has the potential to go big.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm air may continue to moisten the snow surface, particularly on southerly aspects when the sun is shining. Use additional caution if you notice signs of snowpack warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this warming effect, the remainder of the snowpack is currently well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Saturday delivered warmth and strong to extreme wind out of the west, south, southwest and northwest. This left a crust up to 3 cm thick on steep south and some west facing aspects and redistributed quite a bit of snow into wind slabs in lee features at and above treeline. These wind slabs are probably growing old and tired. In the absence of solar input Wednesday, these are probably only suspect in extreme terrain. The warmth also allowed 25 to 60 cm of snow to continue to consolidate above the mid-January persistent weak layer (PWL). This PWL is made up of large surface hoar that is most prevalent at and below treeline, with enhanced reactivity noted between 1400 and 1800 m. On steep solar aspects this interface presents as a crust, there may be locations where the surface hoar actually sits on the crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Last weekend featured warmth &amp; extreme wind out of the south, southwest and northwest. This left a robust crust (up to 4 cm thick) on steep south facing aspects and redistributed snow into wind slabs which are growing old, tired and likely only susceptible to triggering in extreme terrain. The warmth allowed 10 to 50 cm of snow to settle into a consolidated slab above the mid-January persistent weak layer (PWL) which is made up of large surface hoar that is most prevalent at and below treeline. On steep solar aspects this interface presents as a crust, there may be locations where the surface hoar actually sits on the crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack is harboring a nasty weak layer near the ground composed of weak facets above a crust. This interface continues to produce sporadic avalanches that are very large and destructive. Avalanches triggered on this weak layer take the entire seasons snowpack with it and have resulted in numerous close calls and serious incidents. This layer is most likely to be triggered from zones where the snowpack is thin and weak. Rock outcroppings and ridge crests around large open slopes and bowls in the alpine are particularly suspect</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is likely a crust on south facing slopes at all elevations, and on all aspects below approximately 1500 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-35 cm of snow is sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals), which is most prominent around treeline and below. On sun-exposed slopes, the surface hoar may be sitting on a sun crust, and below treeline it may be sitting on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack is composed of facets (sugary snow). In deeper snowpack areas, the middle and lower portions of the snowpack appear to be generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-30 cm of recent snow overlies a weak layer of sun crusts on south facing slopes, and surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas. The surface hoar is most prominent at treeline and below. Previous strong winds had formed wind slabs over this weak layer. These may to be susceptible to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large variability in snow depths still exists in the region, ranging from almost no snow to nearly 200 cm in some areas. For average snowpack areas, expect to find weak and sugary faceted snow around 50 to 100 cm deep, which extend to the ground. This weak bottom half of the snowpack was the culprit in several large avalanches in the region in the past few weeks. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Currently, there is a smorgasbord of snow surfaces out there. Sunny skies and a temperature inversion have created crusts on all but northerly aspects. Many north facing alpine slopes are wind-pressed and sheltered north facing terrain have large surface hoar (10-20 mm) and surface facets. Both these crystal types form weak layers, but the surface hoar tends to be more reactive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">There have been no recent avalanches reported on the weak layers in the upper snowpack which suggests they are bonding well to the snow above them.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The remainder of the snowpack is currently well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On the snow surface, you will likely find a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects to the top of the mountain and wind affected snow in the alpine. Small wind slabs may exist in lee terrain features formed by recent west winds.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 30 to 50 cm of snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects, a crust below around 1700 m on all aspects, and feathery surface hoar in areas sheltered by the wind at all elevation bands. The surface hoar may be most pronounced on west, north, and east aspects between 1700 m and 2000 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 40 cm of snow fell in the region on the weekend. The highest snowfall amounts were north of Stewart and tapered significantly to the south.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">This snow sits on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals), and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The recent precipitation fell mainly as rain below about 1200 m in the north and below about 1600 m in the south.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In some areas, there is another layer of surface hoar that is now buried 50-100 cm. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A weak layer of facets (sugary snow) buried in early December exists down 180-250 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Avalanches triggered within the new snow have the potential to step down to these deeper layers, resulting in very large avalanches. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 30 cm of snow has been blown into wind slabs at upper elevations. Due to previous variable wind directions, wind slabs may be found on all aspects in some areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the alpine and at upper treeline elevations, this recent snow likely sits on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in wind sheltered areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At lower elevations, the recent precipitation fell as rain. The surface has formed a melt-freeze crust at treeline and below, and into some alpine areas as well.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Generally speaking, areas north of Hazelton, and areas on the western edge of the region received the highest snowfall amounts in the last storm, while the south and east of the region received less. The northern areas have had more avalanche activity as a result of this, as noted in the Avalanche Summary. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom 30 to 50 cm of the snowpack consists of a weak combination of facets (sugary snow) and crusts, particularly in areas where the snowpack is shallow. It may be possible for large triggers such as cornice failures or rock fall to trigger avalanches on this layer.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Saturday delivered warmth and strong to extreme wind out of the west, south, southwest and northwest. This left a crust up to 3 cm thick on steep south and some west facing aspects and redistributed quite a bit of snow into wind slabs in lee features at and above treeline. These wind slabs are probably growing old and tired. In the absence of solar input Wednesday, these are probably only suspect in extreme terrain. The warmth also allowed 25 to 50 cm of snow to continue to consolidate above the mid-January persistent weak layer (PWL). This PWL is made up of large surface hoar that is most prevalent at and below treeline, with enhanced reactivity noted between 1400 and 1900 m. On steep solar aspects this interface presents as a crust, there may be locations where the surface hoar actually sits on the crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Saturday delivered warmth and wind to the region, followed by 10 to 15 cm of new snow and a very strong wind event on Sunday. This </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/map?panel=mountain-information-network-submissions/1f1ef350-ea18-4461-b72f-c000dcf18438" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">MIN report</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> provides a good description along with some photos that encompass conditions Sunday. The weekend weather left a crust on steep south facing aspects and redistributed quite a bit of snow into potentially deep wind slabs in lee features at and above treeline.  These wind slabs are likely growing old and tired, and are probably only susceptible to triggering in extreme terrain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 to 45 cm of snow continues to consolidate above the mid-January persistent weak layer (PWL). This PWL is made up of large surface hoar that is most prevalent at and below treeline, with enhanced reactivity noted between 1500 and 1800 m. On steep solar aspects this interface presents as a crust, there may be locations where the surface hoar actually sits on the crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface was recently impacted by strong northwest winds, the sun, and warm air temperatures. Expect to find small wind slabs in lee terrain features. On southerly aspects, a melt-freeze crust may be found to the mountain top. At lower elevations, a melt-freeze crust may be found on all aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below the snow surface, a widespread crust exists about 10 to 20 cm deep. At a depth of around 20 to 40 cm, expect to find yet another crust on south aspects and feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered and shaded areas. The surface hoar may be most reactive at treeline elevations on shady aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">5 to 10cm of low density recent storm snow overlies a very dense mid-pack of between 50 and 70cm at Treeline. Under this mid-pack is between 50 and 70cm of very weak facets, including depth hoar. The strong mid-pack is bridging over the weak layer in much of the region, but forecasters and being very cautious in shallow snowpack areas due to the higher likelihood of finding a weak spot (buried rock, thin spot, buried tree/shrub) that could act as a trigger. While triggering this deep persistent slab has a relatively low probability, the consequences will be high. Any avalanche that steps down to the basal layers will be large and destructive.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm air may continue to moisten the snow surface, particularly on southerly aspects when the sun is shining. Use additional caution if you notice signs of snowpack warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this warming effect, the remainder of the snowpack is currently well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The current snow surface is a mix of sastrugi, stubborn old wind slabs, facets, crust and surface hoar. Last saturday delivered warmth and strong to extreme wind out of the west, south, southwest and northwest. This left a crust up to 3 cm thick on steep south and some west facing aspects and redistributed quite a bit of snow into wind slabs in lee features at and above treeline. These wind slabs have grown old and tired and are probably only suspect in extreme terrain. The warmth also allowed 25 to 60 cm of snow to continue to consolidate above the mid-January persistent weak layer (PWL). This PWL is made up of large surface hoar that is most prevalent at and below treeline, with enhanced reactivity noted between 1400 and 1800 m. On steep solar aspects this interface presents as a crust, there may be locations where the surface hoar actually sits on the crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The current surface is a mix of sastrugi, old wind slab, facets, sun crust and a bit of surface hoar. Last weekend was warm &amp; extreme wind came out of the south, southwest and northwest. This left a robust crust (up to 4 cm thick) on steep south facing aspects and redistributed snow into wind slabs which have grown old and tired. The warmth allowed 10 to 35 cm of snow to settle into a slab above the mid-January persistent weak layer (PWL) which is made up of large surface hoar that is most prevalent at and below treeline. On steep solar aspects this interface presents as a crust, there may be locations where the surface hoar actually sits on the crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack is harboring a nasty weak layer near the ground composed of weak facets above a crust. This interface continues to produce sporadic avalanches that are very large and destructive. Avalanches triggered on this weak layer take the entire seasons snowpack with it and have resulted in numerous close calls and serious incidents. This layer is most likely to be triggered from zones where the snowpack is thin and weak. Rock outcroppings and ridge crests around large open slopes and bowls in the alpine are particularly suspect</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 cm of wind-affected snow overlies hard wind-consolidated snow in exposed terrain and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. You may be able to find isolated pockets of wind slab in steep alpine terrain features. Beneath this, around 10 to 40 cm of snow overlies a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals on shady and sheltered slopes. This layer may be most prominent between 1500 m and 1900 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the east of the region, may find weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 to 30 cm of snow overlies a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals, with the most snow found at higher elevations. The surface hoar is most prominent between 1500 and 1900 m. The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Currently, there is a smorgasbord of snow surfaces out there. Sunny skies and a temperature inversion have created crusts on all but northerly aspects. Many north facing alpine slopes are wind-pressed and sheltered north facing terrain have large surface hoar (10-20 mm) and surface facets. Both these crystal types form weak layers, but the surface hoar tends to be more reactive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">There have been no recent avalanches reported on the weak layers in the upper snowpack which suggests they are bonding well to the snow above them.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The remainder of the snowpack is currently well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">On the snow surface, you will likely find a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects to the top of the mountain and wind effected snow in the alpine. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Around 30 to 50 cm down is a melt-freeze crust to mountain top on southerly aspects, a crust below around 1700 m on all aspects, and feathery surface hoar in areas sheltered by the wind at all elevation bands. The distribution of the surface hoar seems to be spotty but may be most pronounced on west, north, and east aspects between 1700 m and 2000 m. There have not been any recently reported avalanches on this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Below this, the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow will fall with an incoming storm. It will fall on a wind-affected surface, such as scoured snow on windward slopes and thicker snow deposits in lee terrain features. The snow will fall on a melt-freeze crust below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 40 cm of snow may overly a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered and shaded areas and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. The layer is likely most prominent around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, but may still exist above around 1600 m in the south of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Within the middle and lower half of the snowpack, a few weak layers may still exist in the north of the region. These include another layer of surface hoar around 50 to 100 cm deep and a weak layer of sugary faceted snow around 200 cm deep.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow will fall onto a wind-affected surface in high alpine, a widespread melt-freeze, and feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack has been reported as generally well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around and north of Hazelton, 40 to 100 cm of snow may overly two weak layers of surface hoar in sheltered and shaded areas. A weak layer of sugary faceted grains may also exist, approximately 150 to 200 cm deep. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Incoming storm snow is unlikely to bond well to the old surface which is a mix of sastrugi, stubborn old wind slabs, facets, crust and surface hoar. Saturday delivered warmth and strong to extreme wind out of the west, south, southwest and northwest. This left a crust up to 3 cm thick on steep south and some west facing aspects and redistributed quite a bit of snow into wind slabs in lee features at and above treeline. These wind slabs have grown old and tired and are probably only suspect in extreme terrain. The warmth also allowed 25 to 50 cm of snow to continue to consolidate above the mid-January persistent weak layer (PWL). This PWL is made up of large surface hoar that is most prevalent at and below treeline, with enhanced reactivity noted between 1400 and 1900 m. On steep solar aspects this interface presents as a crust, there may be locations where the surface hoar actually sits on the crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Saturday delivered warmth and wind to the region, followed by 10 to 15 cm of new snow and a very strong wind event on Sunday. This </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/map?panel=mountain-information-network-submissions/1f1ef350-ea18-4461-b72f-c000dcf18438" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">MIN report</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> provides a good description along with some photos that encompass conditions Sunday. The weekend weather left a crust on steep south facing aspects and redistributed quite a bit of snow into potentially deep wind slabs in lee features at and above treeline. These wind slabs have grown old and tired, and are probably only susceptible to triggering in extreme terrain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 to 45 cm of snow continues to consolidate above the mid-January persistent weak layer (PWL). This PWL is made up of large surface hoar that is most prevalent at and below treeline, with enhanced reactivity noted between 1500 and 1800 m. On steep solar aspects this interface presents as a crust, there may be locations where the surface hoar actually sits on the crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">There is currently a wide variety of snow surfaces. Sun crusts on south aspects to mountaintops, some of which have small surface hoar(weak, feathery crystals) growing on top, which is a particularly nasty combination. Most exposed alpine areas have been heavily wind effected. 5-10 mm surface hoar has been widespread in areas that are protected from sun and wind.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Around 20 to 40 cm down, expect to find a crust on south aspects and feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered and shaded areas. The surface hoar is currently the primary layer of concern and may be most reactive at treeline elevations on shady aspects. However, no recent avalanches have been reported on this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10cm of low density snow overlies mostly a well settled upper snow pack. In sheltered areas, the January 17 surface hoar can be found down 20cm and is on our radar if a slab develops overtop of it. The upper snow pack is sitting on top of 40-60cm of weak basal facets. In higher snow pack areas, there is more bridging with the basal facets and in thinner snow pack areas, the basal facets are more reactive to testing. The bottom line is that the thinner spots can be more easily triggered and if there is a slide on this layer, it will most likely propagate and go to ground.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The majority of the snow surfaces on all aspects and at all elevations are either crusts or wind effected.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Below the surface, the remainder of the snowpack is currently well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow has begun to accumulate on the previous surface, which consists of a mix of sastrugi, stubborn old wind slabs, facets, crust and surface hoar. The new snow is unlikely to bond well to these surfaces over the near term.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Last weekend's warm and windy weather left a crust up to 3 cm thick on steep south and some west facing aspects and redistributed quite a bit of snow into wind slabs in lee features at treeline and above. These older wind slabs are now probably only suspect in extreme terrain. The warmth also allowed 25 to 60 cm of older snow to continue to consolidate above the mid-January persistent weak layer (PWL). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">This PWL is made up of large surface hoar that is most prevalent at and below treeline, with enhanced reactivity noted between 1400 and 1800 m. On steep solar aspects this interface presents as a crust, there may be locations where the surface hoar actually sits on the crust. Potential exists for this layer to become increasingly reactive as new snow adds load to the snowpack. Slab releases or loose snow avalanches formed of new snow may also act as a trigger for this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The current surface is a mix of sastrugi, old wind slab, facets, sun crust and a bit of surface hoar. Last weekend was warm &amp; extreme wind came out of the south, southwest and northwest. This left a robust crust (up to 4 cm thick) on steep south facing aspects and redistributed snow into wind slabs which have grown old and tired. The warmth allowed 10 to 35 cm of snow to settle into a slab above the mid-January persistent weak layer (PWL) which is made up of large surface hoar that is most prevalent at and below treeline. On steep solar aspects this interface presents as a crust, there may be locations where the surface hoar actually sits on the crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack is harboring a nasty weak layer near the ground composed of weak facets above a crust. This interface continues to produce sporadic avalanches that are very large and destructive. Avalanches triggered on this weak layer take the entire seasons snowpack with it and have resulted in numerous close calls and serious incidents. This layer is most likely to be triggered from zones where the snowpack is thin and weak. Rock outcroppings and ridge crests around large open slopes and bowls in the alpine are particularly suspect</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall should begin on Friday, which will fall with strong southwest winds. Once enough snow falls, expect to find new wind slabs form in lee and cross-loaded terrain features near ridges. The new snow will overly feathery surface hoar crystals, previously wind-affected snow, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Buried around 10 to 40 cm, a weak layer of surface hoar may be found on shady and sheltered slopes. Use added caution between 1500 m and 1900 m, where this layer is most prominent. On southerly aspects, the snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust all the way to the mountain tops.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the east of the region, may find weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow will begin to fall on Friday with an incoming storm. The snow will fall with strong southwest winds, so expect wind slabs to begin to form in lee and cross-loaded terrain features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow will continue to build a slab over a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals, which is buried about 10 to 30 cm. The surface hoar is most prominent between 1500 and 1900 m but has been found up to 2100 m. On south aspects, the snow overlies a melt-freeze crust to the top of the mountains.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">A significant amount of new snow is forecast to cover a variety of snow surfaces. These include crusts on all but northerly aspects, wind-pressed surfaces on northerly aspects in the alpine, and a mixture of surface hoar (weak feathery crystals) and surface facets (sugary grains) in terrain sheltered from wind/sun at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">There have been no recent avalanches reported on the weak layers deeper in the upper snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The remainder of the snowpack is currently well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The forecast new snow will cover a variety of snow surfaces. These include crusts on all but northerly aspects, wind-pressed surfaces on northerly aspects in the alpine, and a mixture of surface hoar (weak feathery crystals) and surface facets (sugary grains) in terrain sheltered from wind/sun at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Around 30 to 50 cm down is a melt-freeze crust to mountain top on southerly aspects, a crust below around 1700 m on all aspects, and feathery surface hoar in areas sheltered by the wind/sun at treeline elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The remainder of the snowpack is currently well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">About 20 cm of snow has fallen in the south of the region and another 20 cm or so is expected by Friday midday. In the high alpine, it fell on a wind-affected surface, such as scoured snow on windward slopes and thicker snow deposits in lee terrain features. The snow fell on a thick melt-freeze crust below around 1600 m. Expect the snow to be reactive to human traffic on Friday.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, there is a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals about 50 cm deep. This weak layer is likely most prominent in sheltered and shaded areas. Also in the north, a few weak layers may still exist within the middle and lower half of the snowpack. These include another layer of surface hoar around 70 to 100 cm deep and a weak layer of sugary faceted snow around 200 cm deep.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow is falling onto a wind-affected surface in high alpine and a widespread melt-freeze crust elsewhere. In the central and northern parts of the region, this snow may fall onto feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered terrain at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack has been reported as well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around and north of Hazelton, 40 to 100 cm of snow may overly two weak layers of surface hoar found in sheltered and shaded areas. A weak layer of sugary faceted grains may also exist, approximately 150 to 200 cm deep.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow has begun to accumulate on the previous surface, which consists of a mix of sastrugi, stubborn old wind slabs, facets, crust and surface hoar. The new snow is unlikely to bond well to these surfaces over the near term. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Last weekend's warm and windy weather left a crust up to 3 cm thick on steep south and some west facing aspects and redistributed quite a bit of snow into wind slabs in lee features at treeline and above. These older wind slabs are now probably only suspect in extreme terrain. The warmth also allowed 25 to 50 cm of older snow to continue to consolidate above the mid-January persistent weak layer (PWL). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">This PWL is made up of large surface hoar that is most prevalent at treeline and below, with enhanced reactivity noted between 1400 and 1900 m. On steep solar aspects this interface presents as a crust, there may be locations where surface hoar actually sits on the crust. Potential exists for this layer to become increasingly reactive as new snow adds load to the snowpack. Slab releases or loose snow avalanches formed of new snow may also act as a trigger for this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow has begun to bury the previous surface, which consists mainly of wind-affected surfaces at higher elevations with a new layer of surface hoar present at lower elevations and in some protected areas closer to treeline. Sun crust is being buried on steep, south-facing aspects. Areas where sun crust and surface hoar coexist could produce particularly touchy slabs as new snow accumulates. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 to 45 cm of older storm snow continues to consolidate above the mid-January persistent weak layer (PWL). This PWL is made up of large surface hoar that is most prevalent at and below treeline, with enhanced reactivity noted between 1500 and 1800 m. On steep solar aspects this interface presents as a crust, there may be locations where the surface hoar actually sits on the crust. Potential exists for this layer to become increasingly reactive as new snow adds load to the snowpack. Slab releases or loose snow avalanches formed of new snow may also act as a trigger for this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">There is currently a wide variety of snow surfaces. Sun crusts on south aspects to mountaintops, some of which have small surface hoar(weak, feathery crystals) growing on top, which is a particularly nasty combination. Most exposed alpine areas have been heavily wind effected. 5-10 mm surface hoar has been widespread in areas that are protected from sun and wind.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Around 20 to 40 cm down, expect to find a crust on south aspects and feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered and shaded areas. The surface hoar is currently the primary layer of concern and may be most reactive at treeline elevations on shady aspects. However, no recent avalanches have been reported on this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Wide spread wind effect in the alpine. Treeline is mostly broken down, facetted surface slabs with facets/depth hoar below. There are pockets of harder and likely reactive windslabs kicking around the more exposed areas, but for the most part the snowpack is improving from a hazard perspective despite getting weaker overall... a little counter intuitive. Valley bottoms are still on the skimpy side for coverage, but the upside is the lack of any avalanche problem.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">A significant amount of snow in the alpine and rain at treeline and below is forecast to bury the current snow surface which is either a crust or heavily wind effected.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Below the surface, the remainder of the snowpack is currently well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-50 cm of new snow has fallen in the region since Thursday.  The highest amounts fell near Revelstoke, and the amounts taper significantly south of Trout Lake. This new snow sits wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January is now buried 35-85cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-30 cm of new snow has fallen in the region since Thursday. This new snow sits wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes.&nbsp; </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January is now buried 20-50 cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack has a deep persistent weak layer near the ground. This layer consists of facets over a crust. This weak interface continues to produce large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature, and very difficult to predict.&nbsp; This layer is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests and rocky outcroppings are some examples of the kind of terrain to be wary of.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow Friday night is expected to fall with strong southwest winds. Expect to find new wind slabs form in lee and cross-loaded terrain features near ridges. The new snow will overly feathery surface hoar crystals, previously wind-affected snow, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Buried around 20 to 50 cm, a weak layer of surface hoar may be found on shady and sheltered slopes. Use added caution between 1500 m and 1900 m, where this layer is most prominent. On southerly aspects, the snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust all the way to the mountain tops.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the east of the region, may find weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow Friday evening will continue to build a slab over a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals, which is suspected to buried about 10 to 30 cm. The surface hoar is most prominent between 1500 and 1900 m but has been found up to 2100 m. On south aspects, the snow overlies a melt-freeze crust to the top of the mountains.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">40-50 cm of new snow with strong southwesterly winds have covered a variety of snow surfaces. These include crusts on all but northerly aspects, wind-pressed surfaces on northerly aspects in the alpine, and a mixture of surface hoar (weak feathery crystals) and surface facets (sugary grains) in terrain sheltered from wind/sun at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">There have been no recent avalanches reported on the weak layers deeper in the upper snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The remainder of the snowpack is currently well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">15-30 cm of new snow with moderate southwesterly winds have covered a variety of snow surfaces. These include crusts on all but northerly aspects, wind-pressed surfaces on northerly aspects in the alpine, and a mixture of surface hoar (weak feathery crystals) and surface facets (sugary grains) in terrain sheltered from wind/sun at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Around 50-80 cm down is a melt-freeze crust to mountain top on southerly aspects, a crust below around 1700 m on all aspects, and feathery surface hoar in areas sheltered by the wind/sun at treeline elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The remainder of the snowpack is currently well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-30 cm of snow fell in the south of the region Thursday evening into Friday. In the high alpine this new snow sits on a wind-affected surface, such as scoured snow on windward slopes and thicker snow deposits in lee terrain features. Below around 1600 m the snow fell on a thick melt-freeze crust . In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, there is a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals about 50 cm deep. This weak layer is likely most prominent in sheltered and shaded areas. Also in the north, a few weak layers may still exist within the middle and lower half of the snowpack. These include another layer of surface hoar around 70 to 100 cm deep and a weak layer of sugary faceted snow around 200 cm deep.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-15 cm new snow has fallen onto a wind-affected surface in high alpine and a widespread melt-freeze crust elsewhere. In the central and northern parts of the region, this snow may fall onto feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered terrain at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack has been reported as well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around and north of Hazelton, 40 to 100 cm of snow may overly two weak layers of surface hoar found in sheltered and shaded areas. A weak layer of sugary faceted grains may also exist, approximately 150 to 200 cm deep.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">40-80 cm of snow has fallen in the North Columbia region since Thursday. This new snow sits on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow), wind slabs and a crust on sun-exposed slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January is now buried 50-100 cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-45 cm of snow has fallen in the Cariboos since Thursday, with some areas seeing as much as 60 cm.  This new snow is sitting on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">40-60 cm of snow now sits on a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January. This layer consists of surface hoar and a crust on sun-exposed slopes.  It is most prominent at treeline and below, and it will likely be reactive due to the recent heavy snowfall.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">15-20 cm of new snow has covered a wide variety of snow surfaces. Sun crusts on south aspects to mountaintops, some of which have small surface hoar(weak, feathery crystals) growing on top, which is a particularly nasty combination. Most exposed alpine areas have been heavily wind effected. 5-10 mm surface hoar has been widespread in areas that are protected from sun and wind.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Around 20 to 40 cm down, expect to find a crust on south aspects and feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered and shaded areas. The surface hoar is currently the primary layer of concern and may be most reactive at treeline elevations on shady aspects. However, no recent avalanches have been reported on this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The leading edge of the approaching storm has so far given us only 4cm near the divide. It is exactly what the forecast said would happen (don't hear that much!). That's giving us confidence in there being a further 20cm by tomorrow. The forecasted winds are also correct. As of this afternoon ridgetop winds were around 50km/hr from the SW. Windslabs are building on any easterly aspect in the alpine and treeline areas. How well these slabs stick to the underlying windslabs is the question. Given how long the slabs were exposed for, it may be a poor bond at first. Treeline saw little change today, but again, if there are new slabs by tomorrow expect them to be poorly bonded due to surface facetting. In general, this 20cm would be considered a rapid load. The Jan 17th surface hoar is isolated, but where it exists, expect it to be down 30cm and possibly reactive. Deeper layers will be stressed trying to support the weight of a 20-30cm storm. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">In the alpine, 35-50 cm of new snow has buried either a crust or heavily wind effected old snow. A mixture of wet snow and rain fell at treeline elevations which will likely bond well to the old snow surface. Below treeline, the snowpack has soaked up the rain like a sponge.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Below the surface, the remainder of the snowpack is currently well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-70 cm of new snow has fallen in the region since Thursday. The highest amounts fell in the northeast corner of the region: east of the Columbia (Upper Arrow Lake) and north of Trout Lake, with a few exceptions. This new snow sits on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January is now buried 40-100cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-55 cm of new snow has fallen in the region since Thursday. This new snow sits on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January is now buried approximately 30-80 cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack has a deep persistent weak layer near the ground. This layer consists of facets over a crust. This weak interface continues to produce large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature, and very difficult to predict. This layer is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests and rocky outcroppings are some examples of the kind of terrain to be wary of.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Somewhere around 60 mm of precipitation fell on Friday with a freezing level around 1600 m. Above 1600 m, expect to find around 30 to 60 cm of new snow. This snow overlies feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas, previously wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Below 1600 m, the precipitation fell as rain and froze into a melt-freeze crust. Any new snow that falls on Saturday night into Sunday will accumulate onto these surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar or a crust is buried around 50 to 100 cm. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the east of the region, may find weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1700 m, 30 to 40 cm of recent snow overlies a variety of surfaces, including feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas, wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Below 1700 m, expect to find around 5 to 10 cm of low-density snow on a melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar or a crust is buried around 40 to 60 cm. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2100 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_DDF6C5E8 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14.6666666666667px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_DDF6C5E8">40-50 cm of new snow Thursday and Friday combined with with strong southwesterly winds sits on a crust on all aspects except north, wind-affected surfaces in the alpine and possibly a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets in sheltered terrain at treeline and below. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-30 cm of new snow with moderate southwesterly winds is sitting on a crust on all but northerly aspects, wind-affected surfaces in the alpine, and possibly a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar and/or sugary facets in sheltered terrain at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A crust that recently formed right to mountain top on southerly aspects and on all aspects below 1700 m is now buried 50-80 cm deep. Additionally at this depth, feathery surface hoar may be found in shady sheltered areas at treeline. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong northeast winds will redistribute the 40 cm of recent storm snow, creating wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain features. This snow overlies wind-affected surfaces in the high alpine and a thick melt-freeze crust at and below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, there is a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals about 50 cm deep. This weak layer is likely most prominent in sheltered and shaded areas. Also in the north, a few weak layers may still exist within the middle and lower half of the snowpack. These include another layer of surface hoar around 70 to 100 cm deep and a weak layer of sugary faceted snow around 200 cm deep.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong northeast winds will redistributed the recent 20 to 40 cm of storm snow at higher elevations, forming wind slabs. This snow overlies previously wind-affected snow in the high alpine and a widespread melt-freeze crust elsewhere. In the central and northern parts of the region, the storm snow may sit on feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered terrain at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack has been reported as well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around and north of Hazelton, 50 to 100 cm of snow may overly two weak layers of surface hoar or sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The North Columbia region wins the storm with 30-90 cm of snow since Thursday. Average total amounts since Thursday are in the 50-70 cm range. This new snow sits on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow), wind slabs and a crust on sun-exposed slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January is now buried 50-100 cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below, and was very reactive during the height of the recent storm. It is uncertain how reactive this layer will be with temperatures dropping, but it may still be reactive to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-45 cm of snow has fallen in the Cariboos since Thursday. This new snow is sitting on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60 cm of snow now sits on a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January. This layer consists of surface hoar and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. It is most prominent at treeline and below, and was very reactive during the recent storm. It remains to be seen how this layer will behave as temperatures drop. It may still be reactive to human triggers.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_DDF6C5E8 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14.6666666666667px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_DDF6C5E8">10-30 cm of new snow sits on variety of snow surfaces, which may include wind crust in wind exposed areas, sun crust on solar aspects to mountain top and weak feathery surface hoar in sheltered and shady areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_DDF6C5E8">40-60 cm below the snow surface, expect to find another crust on south aspects and another layer of feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered and shaded areas. This deeper layer of surface hoar may be most reactive at treeline elevations on shady aspects. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong in most locations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">35-45cm of new snow has fallen in the last 24hrs. With the warm temps during the storm the snow was quick to settle and in many areas formed a soft slab almost immediately. Today we had reactive soft slabs from 2200m up. The winds also played a role in open areas at all elevations. Touchy windslabs are present at treeline and alpine on easterly aspects. What these slabs rest on is important. On north aspects the old slabs were dense with some surface facetting. On south aspects the Jan 28 sun crust is down 40cm. Both of these older layers are a poor bonding surface for the new snow. To add another variable, the Jan 17 surface hoar layer is also present. It's been hard to nail down the details of this layer, but keep an eye out for it below 2200m sheltered areas. The deeper layers are also adjusting to the new load. While not reactive today, don't forget about them and remember that they are gradually getting used to the new snow load.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_DDF6C5E8 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14.6666666666667px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_DDF6C5E8">In the alpine, 35-50 cm of new snow has buried either a crust or heavily wind effected old snow. At the tree line elevation recent precipitation fell as a mix of rain and snow. Expect to see the snow surface turn into a crust as the temperature begins to drop below freezing. Below the surface the snowpack is well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-70 cm of new snow has fallen in the region since Thursday. The highest amounts fell in the northeast corner of the region: east of the Columbia (Upper Arrow Lake) and north of Trout Lake, with a few exceptions. This new snow sits on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. Recent strong to extreme winds have formed wind slabs at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January is now buried 40-90cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 30-60 cm of new snow has fallen in the region since Thursday. This new snow sits on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January is now buried approximately 50-90 cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack has a deep persistent weak layer near the ground. This layer consists of facets over a crust. This weak interface continues to produce large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature, and very difficult to predict. This layer is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests and rocky outcroppings are some examples of the kind of terrain to be wary of.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 60 mm of precipitation fell on Friday with a freezing level at 1600 m. Above 1600 m, the precipitation fell as snow, which has been redistributed by northwest winds. It may sit on weak and feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas. Below 1600 m, the precipitation fell as rain and froze into a melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar or a crust is buried around 40 to 60 cm. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the east of the region, may find weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1700 m, 30 to 40 cm of recent snow overlies a variety of surfaces, including feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas, wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Below 1700 m, expect to find around 5 cm of low-density snow on a melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar or a crust is buried around 40 to 60 cm. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2100 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_DDF6C5E8 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14.6666666666667px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_DDF6C5E8">40-50 cm of new snow Thursday and Friday has been redistributed by strong southwesterly winds and sits on a crust on all aspects except north and possibly a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets in sheltered terrain at treeline and below. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-30 cm of new snow with moderate southwesterly winds is sitting on a crust on all but northerly aspects, wind-affected surfaces in the alpine, and possibly a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar and/or sugary facets in sheltered terrain at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A crust that recently formed right to mountain top on southerly aspects and on all aspects below 1700 m is now buried 50-80 cm deep. Additionally at this depth, feathery surface hoar may be found in shady sheltered areas at treeline. This layer is reported to be most prevalent in the far southeast of the region near Manning Park.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong north to east wind redistributed the 40 cm of recent storm snow, which has created wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain features. This snow overlies wind-affected surfaces in the high alpine and a thick melt-freeze crust at and below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, you may find two or three weak layers of feathery surface hoar crystals between 50 and 100 cm deep. These weak layers are likely most prominent in sheltered and shaded terrain. Also in the north of the region, the base of the snowpack may be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong northeast winds have redistributed the recent 20 to 40 cm of storm snow in exposed terrain, forming wind slabs. This snow overlies previously wind-affected snow in the high alpine and a widespread melt-freeze crust elsewhere. In the central and northern parts of the region, the storm snow may sit on feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered terrain at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack has been reported as well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around and north of Hazelton, 50 to 100 cm of snow may overly two weak layers of surface hoar or sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The North Columbia region has received 30-90 cm of snow since Thursday. Average total amounts since Thursday are in the 50-70 cm range. This new snow sits on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow), wind slabs and a crust on sun-exposed slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January is now buried 50-100 cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below, and was very reactive during the height of the recent storm. It is uncertain how reactive this layer will be with temperatures dropping, but it may still be reactive to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50 cm of snow has fallen in the Cariboos since Thursday. This new snow is sitting on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. Recent strong winds have redistributed the new snow and formed wind slabs at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">40-80 cm of snow now sits on a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January. This layer consists of surface hoar and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. It is most prominent at treeline and below, and was very reactive during the recent storm. It remains to be seen how this layer will behave as temperatures drop. It may still be reactive to human triggers.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_DDF6C5E8 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14.6666666666667px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_DDF6C5E8">10-30 cm of new snow sits on variety of snow surfaces, which may include wind crust in wind exposed areas, a crust on solar aspects to mountain top and weak feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas treeline and below. In some places this surface hoar is reported be sitting on a crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_DDF6C5E8">40-80 cm below the snow surface, expect to find another crust on south aspects and another layer of feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered and shaded areas. This deeper layer of surface hoar may be most reactive at treeline elevations on shady aspects. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 45cm of snow fell over the week end and is bonding well with the interface; give it a little more time for it to bond even better. We had limited observations today but suspect some wind slab in the alpine from Saturday's winds and yet there were also some loose dry avalanches observed on easterly alpine bowls. The buried sun crust on solar aspects down around 60cm is still a concern with this new load as well as the isolated January 17 SH also down around 60cm around tree line. The basal facets are down 80-100cm down and should still be on everyone's radar as any avalanche triggered in the upper snow pack has the potential to trigger this lower weakness.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_DDF6C5E8 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14.6666666666667px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the alpine, 40-60 cm of recent new snow has buried either a crust or heavily wind affected old snow. At the tree line elevation and below 5-10 cm of snow falling Saturday and Sunday sits on a supportive crust. Below the surface the snowpack is well-settled and strong.</span><span class="s_DDF6C5E8" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-70 cm of recent new snow sits on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent winds have formed wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January is now buried 40-90cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 30-60 cm of recent new snow sits on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January is now buried approximately 50-90 cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack has a deep persistent weak layer near the ground. This layer consists of facets over a crust. This weak interface continues to produce large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature, and very difficult to predict. This layer is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests and rocky outcroppings are some examples of the kind of terrain to be wary of.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 60 mm of precipitation fell on Friday with a freezing level at 1600 m. Above 1600 m, the precipitation fell as snow, which has been redistributed by northwest winds. It may sit on weak and feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas. Below 1600 m, the precipitation fell as rain and froze into a melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar or a crust is buried around 40 to 60 cm. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the east of the region, may find weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1700 m, 30 to 40 cm of recent snow overlies a variety of surfaces, including feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas, wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Below 1700 m, expect to find around 5-10 cm of low-density snow on a melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar or a crust is buried around 40 to 60 cm. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2100 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">40-50 cm of new snow from the end of last week has been redistributed by strong southwesterly winds initially and now northerly winds. This sits on a crust on all aspects except north and possibly a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets in isolated sheltered terrain at treeline and below. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-30 cm of recent new snow has been redistributed&nbsp; by southwesterly winds shifting to north and east. This is sitting on a crust on all but northerly aspects, wind-affected surfaces in the alpine, and possibly a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar and/or sugary facets in sheltered terrain at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A crust that formed mid-January right to mountain top on southerly aspects and on all aspects below 1700 m is now buried 50-80 cm deep. Additionally at this depth, feathery surface hoar may be found in shady sheltered areas at treeline. This surface hoar layer is reported to be most prevalent in the far southeast of the region near Manning Park.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong northeast winds have redistributed up to 40 cm of recent storm snow, creating wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain features. This snow overlies wind-affected surfaces in the high alpine and a thick melt-freeze crust at and below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, there is a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals about 50 cm deep. This weak layer is likely most prominent in sheltered and shaded areas. Also in the north, a few weak layers may still exist within the middle and lower half of the snowpack. These include another layer of surface hoar around 70 to 100 cm deep and a weak layer of sugary faceted snow around 200 cm deep.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong northeast winds have redistributed the recent 20 to 40 cm of storm snow in exposed terrain, forming wind slabs. This snow overlies previously wind-affected snow in the high alpine and a widespread melt-freeze crust elsewhere. In the central and northern parts of the region, the storm snow may sit on feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered terrain at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack has been reported as well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around and north of Hazelton, 50 to 100 cm of snow may overly two weak layers of surface hoar or sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-80 cm of recent new snow sits on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow), wind slabs and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent winds have redistributed the new snow, forming wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January is now buried 50-100 cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below, and was very reactive during the height of the recent storm. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60 cm of recent new snow is sitting on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent strong winds have redistributed the new snow and formed wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">50-80 cm of snow now sits on a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January. This layer consists of surface hoar and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. It is most prominent at treeline and below, and was very reactive during the recent storm. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_DDF6C5E8 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14.6666666666667px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_DDF6C5E8">10-30 cm of new snow falling late last week sits on variety of snow surfaces, which may include wind crust in wind exposed areas, a crust on solar aspects to mountain top and weak feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas treeline and below. In some places this surface hoar is reported to be sitting on a crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_DDF6C5E8">40-80 cm below the snow surface, expect to find another crust on south aspects and another layer of feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered and shaded areas. This deeper layer of surface hoar may be most reactive at treeline elevations on shady aspects. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">35-45cm of storm snow overlies a strong mid snowpack. This storm snow is low density at tree line and below. In the alpine, this storm snow has either turned into a wind slab or is loose and dry; it will be important to determine this before adventuring into the alpine. The buried sun crust on solar aspects down around 60cm is still a concern with this new load as well as the isolated January 17 SH also down around 60cm around 2200m. The basal facets are down 80-100cm and should still be on everyone's radar as any avalanche triggered in the upper snow pack has the potential to trigger this lower weakness. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the alpine, 40-60 cm of recent new snow has buried either a crust or heavily wind affected old snow. At the tree line elevation and below 5-10 cm of snow falling Saturday and Sunday sits on a supportive crust. Below the surface the snowpack is well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-70 cm of recent new snow sits on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent winds have formed wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 40-90cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer is the most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to produce avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 30-60 cm of recent new snow sits on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A very notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 50-90 cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack has a deep persistent weak layer near the ground. This layer consists of facets over a crust. This weak interface continues to produce large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature, and very difficult to predict. This layer is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests and rocky outcroppings are some examples of the kind of terrain to be wary of.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 60 mm of precipitation fell on Friday with a freezing level at 1600 m. Above 1600 m, the precipitation fell as snow, which has been redistributed by northwest winds. It may sit on weak and feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas. Below 1600 m, the precipitation fell as rain and froze into a melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar and/or crust is buried around 40 to 60 cm deep. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the east of the region, may find weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1700 m, 25 to 35 cm of recent snow overlies a variety of surfaces, including feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas, wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Below 1700 m, expect to find around 5-10 cm of low-density snow on a melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar or a crust is buried around 35 to 45 cm deep. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2100 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">40-50 cm of new snow from last weekend has been redistributed by strong southwesterly winds initially and now northerly winds. This sits on a crust on all aspects except north and possibly a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets in isolated sheltered terrain at treeline and below. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-30 cm of recent new snow has been redistributed by southwesterly winds shifting to north and east. This is sitting on a crust on all but northerly aspects, wind-affected surfaces in the alpine, and possibly a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar and/or sugary facets in sheltered terrain at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this down 50-80 cm sits a crust that formed mid-January right to mountain top on southerly aspects and on all aspects below 1700 m. Additionally at this depth, feathery surface hoar may be found in shady sheltered areas at treeline. This surface hoar layer is reported to be most prevalent in the far southeast of the region near Manning Park.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong northeast winds have redistributed up to 40 cm of recent storm snow, creating wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain features. This snow overlies wind-affected surfaces in the high alpine and a thick melt-freeze crust at and below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, there is a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals about 50 cm deep. This weak layer is likely most prominent in sheltered and shaded areas. Also in the north, a few weak layers may still exist within the middle and lower half of the snowpack. These include another layer of surface hoar around 70 to 100 cm deep and a weak layer of sugary faceted snow around 200 cm deep.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong northeast winds have redistributed the recent 20 to 40 cm of storm snow in exposed terrain, forming wind slabs. This snow overlies previously wind-affected snow in the high alpine and a widespread melt-freeze crust elsewhere. In the central and northern parts of the region, the storm snow may sit on feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered terrain at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack has been reported as well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around and north of Hazelton, 50 to 100 cm of snow may overly two weak layers of surface hoar or sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-80 cm of recent new snow sits on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow), wind slabs and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent winds have redistributed the new snow, forming wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 50-100 cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer is the most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to be produce avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60 cm of recent new snow is sitting on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent strong winds have redistributed the new snow and formed wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 50-80 cm. This layer consists of surface hoar and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. It is most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to produce avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_DDF6C5E8 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14.6666666666667px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-30 cm of new snow falling late last week now sits on variety of snow surfaces, including buried wind crust on westerly aspects, crusts on southerly aspects to mountain top and weak feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas at treeline and below. In some places this surface hoar is reported to be sitting on a crust and has been reactive to light loads like people.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Digging deeper 40-80 cm below the snow surface, expect to find another crust on south aspects and another layer of predominant feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered and shaded areas. This deeper layer of surface hoar may be most reactive at treeline elevations on shady aspects. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span><span class="s_DDF6C5E8" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">35-45cm of low density snow at tree line sits on the surface while in the alpine, wind slabs cover most of the surface. The mid pack is strong at all elevations but sits on top of  weak basal facets that cover the bottom 50cm.  This basal layer is still a concern especially where the snowpack is under 120cm.  Any avalanche triggered in the upper snow pack has the potential to trigger this lower weakness. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the alpine, 40-60 cm of storm snow fell last weekend and sits above a crust or heavily wind affected old snow surfaces. Strong outflow winds have redistributed and formed isolated wind slabs at most elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At the treeline elevation and below 5-10 cm of snow from last weekend now sits on a supportive crust. The mid-pack is well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-70 cm of recent new snow sits on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent winds have formed wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 40-90cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer is the most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to produce avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 30-60 cm of recent new snow sits on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A very notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 50-90 cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack has a deep persistent weak layer near the ground. This layer consists of facets over a crust. This weak interface continues to produce large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature, and very difficult to predict. This layer is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests and rocky outcroppings are some examples of the kind of terrain to be wary of.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 60 mm of precipitation fell last Friday. Above 1600 m, this produced 30-40 cm of new snow which has since been redistributed by strong winds from both north and south. It may sit on weak and feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas. Below 1600 m, the precipitation fell mainly as rain and formed a new melt-freeze crust on the surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1600 metres, the mid-January layer of surface hoar and/or crust is now buried around 40 to 60 cm deep. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations. Slabs that exist above a combination of surface hoar and crust are likely to be particularly reactive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the east of the region, may hold weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1700 m, 25 to 35 cm of recent snow overlies a variety of surfaces, including feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas, wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Below 1700 m, expect to find around 5-10 cm of low-density snow on a melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar or a crust is buried around 35 to 45 cm deep. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2100 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Alpine terrain is heavily wind affected to varying degrees on all aspects. The 40-50 cm of new snow from last weekend has been redistributed initially by strong southwesterly winds and now northerly outflow winds. This sits on a crust on all aspects except north and possibly a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets in isolated sheltered terrain at treeline and below. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Alpine terrain is heavily wind affected to varying degrees on all aspects. 15-30 cm of snow from last weekend was initially redistributed by southwesterly winds shifting to northeasterly forming stiff wind slabs on most aspects. This recent snow is sitting a variety of old snow surfaces including a crust on all but northerly aspects, wind pressed and possibly a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar and/or sugary facets in sheltered terrain at treeline and below. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this 50-80 cm down sits a crust that formed mid-January right to mountain top on southerly aspects and on all aspects below 1700 m. Additionally at this depth, feathery surface hoar may be found in shady sheltered areas at treeline. This surface hoar layer is reported to be most prevalent in the far southeast of the region near Manning Park.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong northeast winds have redistributed up to 40 cm of recent storm snow, creating wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain features. Recent cold temperatures have been transforming surface of this snow into a lower-density layer of faceted (sugary) grains at all elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Collectively, this wind-affected and faceting storm snow overlies previously wind-affected surfaces in the high alpine and a thick melt-freeze crust at and below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, there is a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals about 50 cm deep. This weak layer is likely most prominent in sheltered and shaded areas. Also in the north, a few weak layers may still exist within the middle and lower half of the snowpack. These include another layer of surface hoar around 70 to 100 cm deep and a weak layer of sugary faceted snow around 200 cm deep.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_E6FD2046 { font-family: 'Verdana';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong northeast winds have redistributed a recent 20 to 40 cm of storm snow in exposed terrain, forming wind slabs. Recent cold temperatures have been transforming the surface of this snow into a lower-density layer of faceted (sugary) grains at all elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Collectively, this layer of faceting storm snow overlies previously wind-affected snow in the high alpine and a widespread melt-freeze crust elsewhere. In the central and northern parts of the region, it may sit on feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered terrain at all elevations.</span><span class="s_E6FD2046"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack has been reported as well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around and north of Hazelton, 50 to 100 cm of snow may overly two weak layers of surface hoar or sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-80 cm of recent new snow sits on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow), wind slabs and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent winds have redistributed the new snow, forming wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 50-100 cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer is the most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to be produce avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60 cm of recent new snow is sitting on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent strong winds have redistributed the new snow and formed wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 50-80 cm. This layer consists of surface hoar and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. It is most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to produce avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-30 cm of snow that fell late last week now sits on variety of snow surfaces, including buried wind crust on westerly aspects, sun crust on southerly aspects to mountain top and weak feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered areas at treeline and below. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack now hosts two predominant buried surface hoar layers. The one that was buried on February 1st seems to be more reactive to human triggers than the one buried deeper down (40-80 cm). This deeper layer of surface hoar may be most reactive below treeline on shady aspects but doesn't seem to be a widespread problem in the region. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Around 40cm of low density snow sits on the surface at tree line and below.  In the alpine, we have a mixture of low density snow and wind slabs.  All of this overlies a strong mid pack that is mostly pencil hardness density. The alpine should be approached with caution to sort out whether a slab is present. What is still on our radar is the fact that the strong mid pack is sitting on the december 10  basal facets that covers the bottom 50cm of the snow pack.  Despite the fact that we have not seen recent avalanche activity on the basal facets, if triggered from a thinner area, the potential is for a large avalanche.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the alpine, 40-60 cm of storm snow fell last weekend and sits above a crust or heavily wind affected old snow surfaces. Strong outflow winds have redistributed and formed isolated wind slabs at most elevations. Loose dry sluffing within the recent snow can be found in steeper terrain features. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">At treeline elevation and below 5-10 cm of snow from last weekend now sits on a supportive crust and feathery surface hoar crystals are forming on the surface. The mid-pack is well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-70 cm of recent new snow sits on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent winds have formed wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 40-90cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer is the most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to produce avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 30-60 cm of recent new snow sits on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A very notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 50-90 cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack has a deep persistent weak layer near the ground. This layer consists of facets over a crust. This weak interface continues to produce large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature, and very difficult to predict. This layer is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests and rocky outcroppings are some examples of the kind of terrain to be wary of.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 60 mm of precipitation fell last Friday. Above 1600 m, this produced 30-40 cm of new snow which has since been redistributed by strong winds from both north and south. It may sit on weak and feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas. Below 1600 m, the precipitation fell mainly as rain and formed a new melt-freeze crust on the surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1600 metres, the mid-January layer of surface hoar and/or crust is now buried around 40 to 60 cm deep. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations. Slabs that exist above a combination of surface hoar and crust are likely to be particularly reactive. This layer is the subject of our Special Public Avalanche Warning.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the east of the region, may hold weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1700 m, 25 to 35 cm of recent snow overlies a variety of surfaces, including feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas, wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Below 1700 m, expect to find around 5-10 cm of low-density snow on a melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar or a crust is buried around 35 to 45 cm deep. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations. This layer is the subject of our Special Public Avalanche Warning. A social media post from the Elk Valley Snow Shepherds from Wednesday does a great job of highlighting the issue. </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Btj-ehyF7bY/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">Check the link here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Alpine terrain is heavily wind affected to varying degrees on all aspects. The 40-50 cm of new snow from last weekend has been redistributed initially by strong southwesterly winds and now northerly outflow winds forming reactive pockets of wind slab. This sits on a crust on all aspects except north and possibly a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets in isolated sheltered terrain at treeline and below which hasn't shown much reactivity.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Alpine terrain is heavily wind affected to varying degrees on all aspects. 15-30 cm of snow and sifting winds from last weekend has formed wind slabs predominantly on southerly aspects. This recent snow is sitting a variety of old snow surfaces including a crust on all but northerly aspects, wind pressed and possibly a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar and/or sugary facets in sheltered terrain at treeline and below. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this 50-80 cm down sits a crust that formed mid-January right to mountain top on southerly aspects and on all aspects below 1700 m. Additionally at this depth, feathery surface hoar may be found in shady sheltered areas at treeline. This surface hoar layer is reported to be most prevalent in the far southeast of the region near Manning Park but is unreactive at this time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light new snow amounts fell over the region on Wednesday night, mainly in coastal areas. This buried surface snow that has been faceting (becoming sugary) under the influence of recent cold temperatures. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The uppermost layer of the snowpack is composed of a heavily wind-redistributed 40 cm of storm snow from the weekend. Some older wind slabs may still linger in steeper lee and cross-loaded terrain features, but these are a diminishing concern as cold temperatures work to decrease their cohesion and reactivity.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Collectively, this wind-affected and faceting storm snow overlies previously wind-affected surfaces in the high alpine and a thick melt-freeze crust at and below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, there is a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals about 50 cm deep. This weak layer is likely most prominent in sheltered and shaded areas. Also in the north, a few weak layers may still exist within the middle and lower half of the snowpack. These include another layer of surface hoar around 70 to 100 cm deep and a weak layer of sugary faceted snow around 200 cm deep.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_E6FD2046 { font-family: 'Verdana';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent cold temperatures have been transforming surface snow into a lower-density layer of faceted (sugary) grains at all elevations. This faceting process affects the uppermost part of the wind-affected 20 to 40 cm of storm snow we received last weekend. Time and cold temperatures are gradually reducing the cohesion and reactivity of wind slabs that formed in the wake of the storm, however forecast strong winds are expected to transport remaining loose surface snow into thin new slabs in leeward terrain on Friday.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">This upper layer of faceting storm snow overlies previously wind-affected snow in the high alpine and a widespread melt-freeze crust elsewhere. In the central and northern parts of the region, it may sit on feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered terrain at all elevations.</span><span class="s_E6FD2046"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack has been reported as well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around and north of Hazelton, 50 to 100 cm of snow may overlie two weak layers of surface hoar or sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-80 cm of recent new snow sits on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow), wind slabs and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent winds have redistributed the new snow, forming wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 50-100 cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer is the most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to be produce avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60 cm of recent new snow is sitting on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent strong winds have redistributed the new snow and formed wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 50-80 cm. This layer consists of surface hoar and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. It is most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to produce avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-30 cm of snow that fell late last week now sits on variety of snow surfaces, including buried wind crust on westerly aspects, sun crust on southerly aspects to mountain top and weak feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered areas at treeline and below. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack now hosts two buried surface hoar layers. The one that was buried on February 1st seems to be more predominant and reactive to human triggers than the one buried deeper down (40-80 cm). This deeper layer of surface hoar may be most reactive below treeline on shady aspects but doesn't seem to be a widespread problem in the region. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Around 40cm of low density snow sits on the surface at tree line and below. In the alpine, we have a mixture of low density snow and wind slabs. All of this overlies a strong mid pack that is mostly pencil hardness  in density. The alpine should be approached with caution to sort out whether a slab is present. What is still on our radar is the fact that the strong mid pack is sitting on the december 10 basal facets that covers the bottom 50cm of the snow pack. Despite the fact that we have not seen recent avalanche activity on the basal facets, if triggered from a thinner area, the potential is for a large avalanche.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the alpine, 40-60 cm of wind affected snow sits above a crust or old wind pressed snow surfaces. This tapers significantly below treeline and new surface hoar is forming. Strong outflow winds have redistributed and formed isolated wind slabs at most elevations. Loose dry sluffing within the recent snow can be found in steeper terrain features. The mid-pack is well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-70 cm of recent new snow sits on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent winds have formed wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 40-90cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer is the most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to produce avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 30-60 cm of recent new snow sits on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A very notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 50-90 cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack has a deep persistent weak layer near the ground. This layer consists of facets over a crust. This weak interface continues to produce large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature, and very difficult to predict. This layer is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests and rocky outcroppings are some examples of the kind of terrain to be wary of.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 60 mm of precipitation fell last Friday. Above 1600 m, this produced 30-40 cm of new snow which has since been redistributed by strong winds from both north and south. It may sit on weak and feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas. Below 1600 m, the precipitation fell mainly as rain and formed a new melt-freeze crust on the surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1600 metres, the mid-January layer of surface hoar and/or crust is now buried around 40 to 60 cm deep. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations. Slabs that exist above a combination of surface hoar and crust are likely to be particularly reactive. This layer is the subject of our Special Public Avalanche Warning.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the east of the region, may hold weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1700 m, 25 to 35 cm of recent snow overlies a variety of surfaces, including feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas, wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Below 1700 m, expect to find around 5-10 cm of low-density snow on a melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar or a crust is buried around 35 to 45 cm deep. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations. This layer is the subject of our Special Public Avalanche Warning. A social media post from the Elk Valley Snow Shepherds from Wednesday does a great job of highlighting the issue. </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Btj-ehyF7bY/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">Check the link here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains. The basal snowpack is becoming even weaker under prolonged cold temperatures, especially in thin snowpack areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Alpine terrain is heavily wind affected to varying degrees on all aspects. The 40-50 cm of new snow from last weekend has been redistributed initially by strong southwesterly winds and now northerly outflow winds forming reactive pockets of wind slab. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">This recent snow sits on a crust on all aspects below 2000m and solar aspects into the alpine. In isolated sheltered terrain and treeline and below, a layer of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets may be identified, but with little reactivity. Current cold temperatures are promoting surface faceting and may be breaking down the buried crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Alpine terrain is heavily wind affected to varying degrees on all aspects. 15-30 cm of snow and shifting winds from last weekend has formed wind slabs predominantly on southerly aspects. This recent snow is sitting a variety of old snow surfaces including a crust on all but northerly aspects, wind pressed and possibly a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar and/or sugary facets in sheltered terrain at treeline and below. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this 50-80 cm down sits a crust that formed mid-January right to mountain top on southerly aspects and on all aspects below 1700 m. Additionally at this depth, feathery surface hoar may be found in shady sheltered areas at treeline. This surface hoar layer is reported to be most prevalent in the far southeast of the region near Manning Park but is unreactive at this time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In most areas, the upper snowpack is composed of successive layers of aging, wind affected storm snow layers. The top layer of this snow has been faceting (becoming sugary) under the influence of recent cold temperatures at all elevations. More recent, thin wind slabs may be found directly in the lee of ridgecrests and other wind exposed features impacted by recent southeast and northeast winds.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sheltered areas at lower elevations may still hold pockets of around 40 cm of low density snow which will overlie a thick melt-freeze crust at and below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, there is a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals about 50 cm deep. This layer is likely most prominent in sheltered and shaded areas. Also in the north, a few weak layers may still exist within the middle and lower half of the snowpack. These include another layer of surface hoar around 70 to 100 cm deep and a layer of sugary faceted snow around 200 cm deep. These layers are a concern in thinner snowpack areas at higher elevations, where thicker, bridging layers of old storm snow and crust may be absent.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_E6FD2046 { font-family: 'Verdana';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of new snow fell over the region on Wednesday night and is being redistributed by predominantly northeast winds. The new snow buried 20-40 cm of storm snow from the weekend that became wind-affected early in the week and has since been faceting (becoming sugary) under the influence of cold temperatures. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">This older, faceting storm snow overlies previously wind-affected snow in the high alpine and a widespread melt-freeze crust elsewhere. In the central and northern parts of the region, it may sit on feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered terrain at all elevations.</span><span class="s_E6FD2046"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack has been reported as well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around and north of Hazelton, 50 to 100 cm of snow may overlie two weak layers of surface hoar or sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-80 cm of recent new snow sits on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow), wind slabs and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent winds have redistributed the new snow, forming wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 50-100 cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer is the most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to be produce avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60 cm of recent new snow is sitting on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent strong winds have redistributed the new snow and formed wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 50-80 cm. This layer consists of surface hoar and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. It is most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to produce avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-30 cm of snow that fell late last week now sits on variety of snow surfaces, including buried wind crust on westerly aspects, sun crust on southerly aspects to mountain top and weak feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered areas at treeline and below. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack now hosts two buried surface hoar layers. The one that was buried on February 1st (down 20-40 cm) seems to be more predominant and reactive to human triggers than the one buried deeper down (40-80 cm). This deeper layer of surface hoar may be most reactive below treeline on shady aspects but doesn't seem to be a widespread problem in the region. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Isolated windslabs can be found in alpine terrain along ridgelines and in cross loaded feature but the overall lack of wind has been suprising!  These slabs are on all aspects also due to the recent northerly flow.  The upper snowpack continues to facet and in thinner areas, the entire snowpack is facetting.  Generally the midpack is supportive and bridging the weaker basal facets but dont forget this weak base.  Depth hoar and large facets dominate the base of the snowpack and large triggers such as a cornice, or avalanche in the upper snowpack could wake up this weakness.  Thin areas are also likely places where one could trigger the basal facets so be thinking about thick to thin terrain....</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the alpine, 40-60 cm of wind affected snow sits above a crust or old wind pressed snow surfaces. This tapers significantly below treeline and new surface hoar is forming. Strong outflow winds have redistributed and formed isolated wind slabs at most elevations. Loose dry sluffing within the recent snow can be found in steeper terrain features. The mid-pack is well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-70 cm of recent new snow sits on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent winds have formed wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 40-90cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer is the most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to produce avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 30-60 cm of old storm snow sits on, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A very notable feature in the snowpack is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now 50-90 cm below the surface. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack has a deep persistent weak layer near the ground. This layer consists of facets over a crust. This weak interface continues to produce large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature, and very difficult to predict. This layer is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests and rocky outcroppings are some examples of the kind of terrain to be wary of.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 60 mm of precipitation fell last Friday. Above 1600 m, this produced 30-40 cm of new snow which has since been redistributed by strong winds from both north and south. It may sit on weak and feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas. Below 1600 m, the precipitation fell mainly as rain and formed a new melt-freeze crust on the surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1600 metres, the mid-January layer of surface hoar and/or crust is now buried around 40 to 60 cm deep. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations. Slabs that exist above a combination of surface hoar and crust are likely to be particularly reactive. This layer is the subject of our Special Public Avalanche Warning.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the east of the region, may hold weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1700 m, 25 to 35 cm of recent snow overlies a variety of surfaces, including feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas, wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Recent winds continue to redistribute loose snow and develop wind slabs. Below 1700 m, expect to find around 5-10 cm of low-density snow on a melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar or a crust is buried around 35 to 45 cm deep. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations. This layer is the subject of our Special Public Avalanche Warning. A social media post from the Elk Valley Snow Shepherds from Wednesday does a great job of highlighting the issue. </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Btj-ehyF7bY/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">Check the link here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains. The basal snowpack is becoming even weaker under prolonged cold temperatures, especially in thin snowpack areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Significant strong to extreme winds have redistributed the 40-50 cm of recent snow in the alpine and treeline, producing a variety of wind affected surfaces including hard/soft wind slabs, sastrugi, and isolated and protected pockets of soft faceted snow. Expect wind affect to extend to all elevations including a surface wind skin at lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Due to scouring and wind-loading, anywhere from 0-60 cm recent snow sits on a crust on all aspects below 2000m and solar aspects into the alpine. In isolated and sheltered terrain at treeline and below, a layer of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets may be identified, but with little reactivity. Current cold temperatures are promoting surface faceting and are breaking down the buried crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Significant recent winds have redistributed the 15-30 cm of recent snow in the alpine and treeline, producing a variety of wind affected surfaces including hard/soft wind slabs, sastrugi, and isolated and protected pockets of soft faceted snow. Expect wind affect to extend to all elevations including a surface wind skin at lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Due to scouring and wind-loading, anywhere from 0-60 cm recent snow sits on a crust on all but northerly alpine aspects. Wind pressed surfaces and a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar and/or sugary facets in sheltered terrain are found at treeline and below. Current cold temperatures are promoting surface faceting and are breaking down the buried crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below the recent wind affect snow and crust, another crust is found down 50-80 cm that formed mid-January right to mountain top on southerly aspects and on all aspects below 1700 m. Additionally at this depth, feathery surface hoar may be found in shady sheltered areas at treeline. This surface hoar layer is reported to be most prevalent in the far southeast of the region near Manning Park but is unreactive at this time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In most areas, the upper snowpack is composed of successive layers of aging, wind affected storm snow layers. The top layer of this snow has been faceting (becoming sugary) under the influence of recent cold temperatures at all elevations. With recent southeast and northeast winds, thin wind slabs have developed in the lee of ridgecrests and other wind exposed features. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sheltered areas at lower elevations may still hold pockets of around 40 cm of low density snow which will overlie a thick melt-freeze crust at and below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, there is a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals about 50 cm deep. This layer is likely most prominent in sheltered and shaded areas. Also in the north, a few weak layers may still exist within the middle and lower half of the snowpack. These include another layer of surface hoar around 70 to 100 cm deep and a layer of sugary faceted snow around 200 cm deep. These layers are a concern in thinner snowpack areas at higher elevations, where thicker, bridging layers of old storm snow and crust may be absent.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm snow overnight Wednesday buried 20-40 cm of wind-affected storm snow from last weekend that has since been faceting (becoming sugary) under the influence of cold temperatures. Winds are redistributing snow into wind slabs and other wind-affected surfaces at treeline and above.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The older, faceting storm snow overlies previously wind-affected snow in the high alpine and a widespread melt-freeze crust elsewhere. In the central and northern parts of the region, it may sit on feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered terrain at all elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack has been reported as well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around and north of Hazelton, 50 to 100 cm of snow may overlie two weak layers of surface hoar or sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-80 cm of recent new snow sits on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow), wind slabs and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent winds have redistributed the new snow, forming wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 50-100 cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer is the most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to be produce avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60 cm of old storm snow is sitting on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent strong winds have redistributed the new snow and formed wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most notable feature in the snowpack is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now 50-80 cm below the surface. This layer consists of surface hoar and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. It is most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to produce avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Winds are redistributing 10-30 cm of low density snow, scouring exposed aspects and developing pockets of touchy wind slabs in lee terrain. This wind-affected snow covers on variety of snow surfaces, including buried wind crust on westerly aspects, sun crust on southerly aspects to mountain top and weak feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered areas at treeline and below. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack now hosts two buried surface hoar layers. The one that was buried on February 1st (down 20-40 cm) seems to be more predominant and reactive to human triggers than the one buried deeper down (40-80 cm). This deeper layer of surface hoar may be most reactive below treeline on shady aspects but doesn't seem to be a widespread problem in the region. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A steady N to NW wind today contributed to some further wind slab development in the Alpine, potentially on all aspects, but these slabs are expected to be fairly thin. With the persistent frigid temperatures the snowpack continues to facet and loose strength. In thicker snowpack areas, the midpack is hanging on to some strength and is still bridging over the weak basal layers, but its a good idea to keep this very weak base in mind. Though a full-depth avalanche is unlikely, if it does occur it will be catastrophic. Large triggers, such as a cornice failure, or triggering from a shallow snowpack area, are possible ways to wake up the deep persistent weak layer.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the alpine and along ridgetops, 20-40 cm of wind affected snow sits above a crust or old wind pressed snow surfaces. Strong outflow winds have redistributed and formed isolated wind slabs at most elevations. In sheltered areas, loose dry sluffing within the recent snow can be found in steeper terrain features. Winds are impacting all elevations, however surface hoar development may be found in the most sheltered areas at treeline and below. The mid-pack is well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-70 cm of recent new snow sits on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent winds have formed wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 40-90cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer is the most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to produce avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 30-60 cm of old storm snow sits on, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A very notable feature in the snowpack is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now 50-90 cm below the surface. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack has a deep persistent weak layer near the ground. This layer consists of facets over a crust. This weak interface continues to produce large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature, and very difficult to predict. This layer is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests and rocky outcroppings are some examples of the kind of terrain to be wary of.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1600 m, 30-40 cm of snow from last weekend has been redistributed by strong winds from both north and south. It may sit on weak and feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas. Below 1600 m, rain from the same event created a new melt-freeze crust on the surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1600 metres, the mid-January layer of surface hoar and/or crust is now buried around 40 to 60 cm deep. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations. Slabs that exist above a combination of surface hoar and crust are likely to be particularly reactive. This layer was the subject of our recent Special Public Avalanche Warning.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the east of the region, may hold weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1700 m, 25 to 35 cm of recent snow overlies a variety of surfaces, including feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas, wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Recent winds continue to redistribute loose snow and develop wind slabs. Below 1700 m, expect to find around 5-10 cm of low-density snow on a melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar or a crust is buried around 35 to 45 cm deep. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations. This layer is the subject of our Special Public Avalanche Warning. A social media post from the Elk Valley Snow Shepherds from Wednesday does a great job of highlighting the issue. </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Btj-ehyF7bY/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">Check the link here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains. The basal snowpack is becoming even weaker under prolonged cold temperatures, especially in thin snowpack areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Heavy wind transport has produced a variety of wind affected surfaces including hard/soft wind slabs, sastrugi, and protected pockets of soft faceted snow. Most high north-northeasterly aspects are scoured and wind buffed, soft snow may still be found in sheltered areas and is more likely on south and west aspects. Widespread wind slabs have developed in the alpine and treeline with deeper deposits lower in start zones. Wind has affected all elevations including a surface wind skin at lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Due to scouring and wind-loading, anywhere from 0-80 cm of this wind-affected snow sits on a crust on all aspects below 2000m and solar aspects into the alpine. Current cold temperatures are promoting surface faceting and are breaking down the buried crust. In isolated and sheltered terrain at treeline and below, a layer of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets may be identified, but with little reactivity. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy wind transport has produced scoured surfaces, hard and soft wind slabs, sastrugi, and isolated pockets of soft faceted snow. Most high north-northeasterly aspects are scoured and wind buffed, sheltered areas holding less consolidated snow and more likely on south and west aspects. Widespread wind slabs have developed in the alpine and treeline with deeper deposits lower in start zones. Wind has affected all elevations including a surface wind skin at lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Anywhere from 0-60 cm of this wind affected snow sits on wind-pressed surfaces on northerly alpine features, and crust on most aspects and found with a mixture of weak feathery surface hoar and/or sugary facets in sheltered terrain at treeline and below. Cold temperatures have promoted surface faceting and are breaking down the buried crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below the recent wind affected snow and crust, another crust is found down 50-80 cm that formed mid-January right to mountain top on southerly aspects and on all aspects below 1700 m. Additionally at this depth, feathery surface hoar may be found in shady sheltered areas at treeline, but with little reactivity.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In most areas, the upper snowpack is composed of successive layers of aging, wind affected storm snow layers. The top layer of this snow has been faceting (becoming sugary) under the influence of recent cold temperatures at all elevations. With recent southeast and northeast winds, thin wind slabs have developed in the lee of ridgecrests and other wind exposed features. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sheltered areas at lower elevations may still hold pockets of around 40 cm of low density snow which will overlie a thick melt-freeze crust at and below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, there is a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals about 50 cm deep. This layer is likely most prominent in sheltered and shaded areas. Also in the north, a few weak layers may still exist within the middle and lower half of the snowpack. These include another layer of surface hoar around 70 to 100 cm deep and a layer of sugary faceted snow around 200 cm deep. These layers are a concern in thinner snowpack areas at higher elevations, where thicker, bridging layers of old storm snow and crust may be absent.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the alpine and upper treeline, the upper snowpack is composed of successive layers of aging, wind-affected storm snow layers. Our most recent new snow is likely to have been redistributed into wind slabs on southwest aspects by predominantly northeast winds. The upper snowpack has been faceting (becoming sugary) under the influence of recent cold temperatures at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sheltered areas at lower elevations still hold around 20-40 cm of low density snow from a couple of recent snowfall events. A new weak layer of surface hoar was noted under the most recent 10 cm. Below this more recent snow, another 20-40 cm of older, faceted (sugary) storm snow overlies a widespread melt-freeze crust. In the central and northern parts of the region, it may sit on feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered terrain at all elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack has been reported as well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around and north of Hazelton, 50 to 100 cm of snow may overlie two weak layers of surface hoar or sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-80 cm of recent new snow sits on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow), wind slabs and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent winds have redistributed the new snow, forming wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 50-100 cm. This layer consists primarily of surface hoar, however there is also a crust associated with it on sun-exposed slopes. This layer is the most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to produce large avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60 cm of old storm snow is sitting on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent strong winds have redistributed the new snow and formed wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most notable feature in the snowpack is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now 50-80 cm below the surface. This layer consists of surface hoar and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. It is most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to produce avalanches.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent wind event has create a variety of wind affected surfaces: scoured and wind-press in exposed terrain, hard wind slabs in wind-loaded areas and around the alpine, softer wind slabs and loose faceted snow in sheltered terrain and at lower elevations. This wind-affected snow covers on variety of snow surfaces, including buried wind crust on westerly aspects, sun crust on southerly aspects to mountain top, variable wind-affect in northerly terrain, and weak feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered areas at treeline and below. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack now hosts two buried surface hoar layers. The one that was buried on February 1st (down 20-40 cm) seems to be more predominant and reactive to human triggers than the one buried deeper down (40-80 cm). This deeper layer of surface hoar may be most reactive below treeline on shady aspects but doesn't seem to be a widespread problem in the region. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy wind transport has produced wind press, sastrugi, and scoured most high north-northeasterly aspects. Widespread wind slabs have developed in the alpine and treeline with deeper deposits lower in start zones. Pockets of soft snow may still be found in sheltered areas and more likely on south and west aspects. This wind affected snow sits above an crust, old wind-pressed snow surfaces, or surface hoar in the most sheltered areas. The mid-pack is well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The top 10 to 20 cm of snow has been affected by recent strong wind from variable directions. Expect to find wind slabs in lee terrain features in exposed terrain. This snow may be particularly touchy where it sits on a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals</span><a href="https://www.mountainconditions.com/reports/sr-2m-sz15-wsl" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">, as seen here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Beneath this lies two weak layers of surface hoar, which have produced large avalanches in the region. The layer that was buried at the end of January is around 30 cm deep and the layer buried mid-January is between 40 and 90 cm deep. The mid-January layer may also be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below treeline elevations. Recent avalanches on the mid-January layer have been mostly in the northern half of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. However, there have been sporadic reports of very large avalanches that have released near the base of the snowpack, suggesting that instability exists in isolated locations. Most of the avalanches have been in the high alpine. There has been about one report a week for the past month, suggesting it is a low probability but very high consequence problem.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds from all directions have affected the snow surface at all elevation bands. Expect to find wind slabs in terrain depressions, such as adjacent to ridges, and otherwise wind affected snow on all aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Beneath this lies two weak layers of surface hoar that were buried at the end of January and mid-January. These layers are around 30 to 60 cm deep. The mid-January layer may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below treeline elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that overly a melt-freeze crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and very difficult to predict. It is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests, and rocky outcroppings are some examples of terrain features to be wary of. See the Forecaster Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for more info on this problem.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light new snow amounts have begun to bury a variable surface of older wind-affected snow at wind-exposed treeline and alpine elevations, a new weak layer of feathery surface hoar in protected areas at lower elevations, and a thick melt-freeze crust below 1600 metres. Below the new snow, 20-40 cm of snow from last weekend's storm may sit on weak and feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1600 metres, the mid-January layer of surface hoar and/or crust is now buried around 40 to 60 cm deep. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations. Slabs that exist above a combination of surface hoar and crust are likely to be particularly reactive. This layer was the subject of our recent Special Public Avalanche Warning.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the east of the region, may hold weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast new snow will bury a variable surface of heavily wind affected old storm snow at alpine and wind-exposed treeline elevations, while adding to 25-35 cm of lower density storm snow from last week in sheltered areas above 1700 metres. In these sheltered areas, this older storm snow may cover a layer of weak, feathery surface hoar crystals. Below 1700 metres, the new snow will accumulate above a thinner cover (5-10 cm) of the same storm snow that instead overlies a melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar or a crust is buried around 35 to 45 cm deep. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations. This layer was the subject of a recent Special Public Avalanche Warning.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains. The basal snowpack is becoming even weaker under prolonged cold temperatures, especially in thin snowpack areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A dusting of snow fell on variable wind-pressed, wind-sculpted, exposed crust and windslab surfaces cover the alpine and higher treeline elevations. The recent extreme wind event deposited snow lower in start zones than usual and developed wind slabs in more protected areas and at lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Due to scouring and wind-loading, anywhere from 0-80 cm of this wind-affected snow sits on a crust on all aspects below 2000m and solar aspects into the alpine. Current cold temperatures are promoting surface faceting and are breaking down the buried crust above 1800m. In isolated and sheltered terrain at treeline and below, a layer of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets may be identified, but with little reactivity. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A light dusting of snow fell on variable wind-pressed, wind-sculpted, exposed crust and windslab surfaces covering alpine and higher treeline elevations. The recent extreme wind event deposited snow lower in start zones than usual and developed wind slabs in more protected areas and at lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Due to scouring and wind-loading, anywhere from 0-60 cm of this wind-affected snow sits on a crust on all aspects below 2000m and solar aspects into the alpine. Current cold temperatures are promoting surface faceting and are breaking down the buried crust at high elevations. In isolated and sheltered terrain at treeline and below, a layer of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets may be identified, but with little reactivity. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below the recent wind affected snow and crust, another crust is found down 50-80 cm that formed mid-January right to mountain top on southerly aspects and on all aspects below 1700 m. Additionally at this depth, feathery surface hoar may be found in shady sheltered areas at treeline, but with little reactivity.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In most areas, the upper snowpack is composed of successive layers of aging, wind affected storm snow layers. The top layer of this snow has been faceting (becoming sugary) under the influence of recent cold temperatures at all elevations. Limited sheltered areas at lower elevations may still hold pockets of around 40 cm of low density snow which will overlie a thick melt-freeze crust at and below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, there is a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals about 50 cm deep. This layer is likely most prominent in sheltered and shaded areas. Also in the north, a few weak layers may still exist within the middle and lower half of the snowpack. These include another layer of surface hoar around 70 to 100 cm deep and a layer of sugary faceted snow around 200 cm deep. These layers are a concern in thinner snowpack areas at higher elevations, where thicker, bridging layers of old storm snow and crust may be absent.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the alpine and upper treeline, the upper snowpack is composed of successive layers of aging, wind-affected storm snow layers. Our most recent new snow is likely to have been redistributed into wind slabs on southwest aspects by predominantly northeast winds. The upper snowpack has also been faceting (becoming sugary) under the influence of recent cold temperatures at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sheltered areas at lower elevations still hold around 20-40 cm of low density snow from a couple of recent snowfall events. Below this more recent snow, another 20-40 cm of older, faceted (sugary) storm snow overlies a widespread melt-freeze crust. In the central and northern parts of the region, it may sit on feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered terrain at all elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack has been reported as well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around and north of Hazelton, 50 to 100 cm of snow may overlie two weak layers of surface hoar or sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A touchy weak layer responsible for a several close calls and surprise avalanches lies approximately 50 cm below the surface (30 cm in shallow areas, 60 cm or more in deeper spots). This weak layer was buried mid-January and comprises a mix of surface hoar and facets. On southerly aspects, it lies on top of a sun crust. This is a dangerous weak layer that is shallow enough to be easily triggered but deep enough to produce large avalanches. It is most prevalent at treeline and below treeline elevations, but there have been a few reports of its presence in sheltered areas in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong northerly and easterly winds have created complicated patterns of wind-loaded snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Average snow depths are approximately 270 cm. Lower layers in the snowpack are not a significant factor at this time.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A dusting of new snow fell on a collection of wind-affected surfaces found at all elevations: scoured and wind-pressed surfaces in alpine and exposed areas with hard wind slabs in lee features, to softer wind slabs and loose, dry snow at at lower elevations and in sheltered terrain. This wind-affected snow overlies a variety of snow surfaces: sun crust on southerly aspects to mountain top, variable wind-affect and wind-press in north to westerly terrain, and weak feathery surface hoar crystals down 20- 40 cm in sheltered areas at treeline and below . </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack now hosts two buried surface hoar layers. The one that was buried on February 1st (down 20-40 cm) seems to be more predominant and reactive to human triggers than the one buried deeper down (40-80 cm). This deeper layer of surface hoar may be most reactive below treeline on shady aspects but doesn't seem to be a widespread problem in the region. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Pretty widespread wind slabs in the alpine from the hard drummy type to pockets of soft slab.  The snowpack is continuing to facet with the continued cold temperatures. We have a pretty strong mid to upper snowpack that is bridging  the basal facets that make up the bottom 50cm of the snow pack.  Though a full-depth avalanche is unlikely, if it does occur it will be catastrophic. Large triggers, such as a cornice failure, or triggering from a shallow snowpack area, are possible ways to wake up the deep persistent weak layer.  </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">After Monday's new snow, another 20 cm is expected to accumulate by the end of the day Tuesday. Moderate winds will redistribute falling snow and begin developing cohesive slabs that may not bond well to the wind-affected surface snow it's falling on. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow covers a variety of wind affected surfaces from scoured and wind-pressed to stiff wind slabs as a result of the recent extreme wind event. Widespread wind slabs developed in the alpine with pockets of soft snow in sheltered areas and lower elevations. This layer of wind-affected snow sits above a crust, old wind-pressed snow surfaces, or surface hoar in the most sheltered areas. The mid-pack is well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The top 10 to 20 cm of snow has been affected by recent strong wind from variable directions. Expect to find wind slabs in lee terrain features in exposed terrain. This snow may be particularly touchy where it sits on a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals</span><a href="https://www.mountainconditions.com/reports/sr-2m-sz15-wsl" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">, as seen here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Beneath this lies two weak layers of surface hoar, which have produced large avalanches in the region. The layer that was buried at the end of January is around 30 cm deep and the layer buried mid-January is between 40 and 90 cm deep. The mid-January layer may also be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below treeline elevations. Recent avalanches on the mid-January layer have been mostly in the northern half of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. However, there have been sporadic reports of very large avalanches that have released near the base of the snowpack, suggesting that instability exists in isolated locations. Most of the avalanches have been in the high alpine. There has been about one report a week for the past month, suggesting it is a low probability but very high consequence problem.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds from all directions have affected the snow surface at all elevation bands. Expect to find wind slabs in terrain depressions, such as adjacent to ridges, and otherwise wind affected snow on all aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Beneath this lies two weak layers of surface hoar that were buried at the end of January and mid-January. These layers are around 30 to 60 cm deep. The mid-January layer may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below treeline elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that overly a melt-freeze crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and very difficult to predict. It is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests, and rocky outcroppings are some examples of terrain features to be wary of. See the Forecaster Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for more info on this problem.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50 cm of new snow has buried a variable surface of older wind-affected snow at wind-exposed treeline and alpine elevations, a new weak layer of feathery surface hoar in protected areas at lower elevations, and a thick melt-freeze crust below 1600 metres. Below the new snow, another 20-40 cm of snow from last weekend's storm may sit on weak and feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1600 metres, the mid-January layer of surface hoar and/or crust is now buried around 60 to 80 cm deep. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations. This layer was the subject of a recent Special Public Avalanche Warning.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the east of the region, may hold weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 30 cm of new snow has buried a variable surface of heavily wind affected old storm snow at alpine and wind-exposed treeline elevations, while adding to 25-35 cm of lower density storm snow from last week in sheltered areas above 1700 metres. In these sheltered areas, this older storm snow may cover a layer of weak, feathery surface hoar crystals. Below 1700 metres, the new snow buried a thinner cover (5-10 cm) of the same storm snow that instead overlies a melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar or a crust is now buried around 55 to 65 cm deep. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations. This layer was the subject of a recent Special Public Avalanche Warning.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains. The basal snowpack is becoming even weaker under prolonged cold temperatures, especially in thin snowpack areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">15-30 cm new snow fell on variable wind-pressed, wind-sculpted, exposed crust and windslab surfaces covering alpine and higher treeline elevations as a result of the recent extreme wind event. Additionally, the extreme winds deposited snow lower in start zones than usual and developed wind slabs in more protected areas and at lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Due to scouring and wind-loading, anywhere from 0-100 cm of new snow and old, wind-affected snow sits on a crust on all aspects below 2000m and solar aspects into the alpine. Above 1800 m, recent cold temperatures have been working to facet and break down the buried crust. In isolated and sheltered terrain at treeline and below, a layer of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets may be identified, but with little reactivity. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A dusting of new snow fell on variable wind-pressed, wind-sculpted, exposed crust and windslab surfaces covering alpine and higher treeline elevations. as a result of the recent extreme wind event. Additionally, the extreme winds deposited snow lower in start zones than usual and developed wind slabs in more protected areas and at lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Due to scouring and wind-loading, anywhere from 0-60 cm of new snow and old, wind-affected snow sits on a crust on all aspects below 2000m and solar aspects into the alpine. Above 1800 m, recent cold temperatures have been working to facet and break down the buried crust. In isolated and sheltered terrain at treeline and below, a layer of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets may be identified, but with little reactivity. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below the new snow, wind-affected snow and crust, another crust is found down 50-80 cm that formed mid-January right to mountain top on southerly aspects and on all aspects below 1700 m. Additionally at this depth, feathery surface hoar may be found in shady sheltered areas at treeline, but with little reactivity.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In most areas, the upper snowpack is composed of successive layers of aging, wind affected storm snow layers. The top layer of this snow has been faceting (becoming sugary) under the influence of recent cold temperatures at all elevations. Limited sheltered areas at lower elevations may still hold pockets of around 40 cm of lower density snow which will overlie a thick melt-freeze crust at and below treeline. This crust now presents on the surface in many wind-exposed areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region a few weak layers may still be preserved within the middle and lower half of the snowpack. These include layers of surface hoar at around 50 cm deep, 70 to 100 cm deep, and a layer of sugary faceted snow around 200 cm deep. These layers are a concern in thinner snowpack areas at higher elevations where thicker, bridging layers of old storm snow and crust may be absent.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the alpine and upper treeline, the upper snowpack is composed of successive layers of aging, wind-affected storm snow layers. The most recent wind slabs are likely to exist on on southwest aspects as a result of ongoing, predominantly northeast winds. The upper snowpack has also been faceting (becoming sugary) under the influence of recent cold temperatures at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sheltered areas at lower elevations still hold around 20-30 cm of low density snow from a couple of recent snowfall events. Below this more recent snow, another 20-40 cm of older, faceted (sugary) storm snow overlies a widespread melt-freeze crust. In the central and northern parts of the region, it may sit on feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered terrain at all elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack has been reported as well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around and north of Hazelton, 50 to 100 cm of snow may overlie two weak layers of surface hoar or sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A touchy weak layer responsible for a several close calls and surprise avalanches lies approximately 50 cm below the surface (30 cm in shallow areas, 60 cm or more in deeper spots). This weak layer was buried mid-January and comprises a mix of surface hoar and facets. On southerly aspects, it lies on top of a sun crust. This is a dangerous weak layer that is shallow enough to be easily triggered but deep enough to produce large avalanches. It is most prevalent at treeline and below treeline elevations, but there have been a few reports of its presence in sheltered areas in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong northerly and easterly winds have created complicated patterns of wind-loaded snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Average snow depths are approximately 270 cm. Lower layers in the snowpack are not a significant factor at this time.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 25-40 cm storm snow fell on a collection of wind-affected surfaces found at all elevations, in alpine and upper treeline, scoured and wind-pressed surfaces in exposed areas with hard wind slabs in lee features to softer wind slabs and loose, dry snow in sheltered terrain and lower elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">This recently covered wind-affected snow overlies a variety of snow surfaces: sun crust on southerly aspects to mountain top, variable wind-affect and wind-press in north to westerly terrain, and weak feathery surface hoar crystals down 40-60 cm in sheltered areas at treeline and below. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack now hosts two buried surface hoar layers. The one that was buried on February 1st (down 40-60 cm) seems to be more predominant and reactive to human triggers than the one buried deeper down (60-100 cm). This deeper layer of surface hoar may be most reactive below treeline on shady aspects but doesn't seem to be a widespread problem in the region. Below that, the snowpack is well settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The North Shore mountains picked up around 30 cm new snow over the past few days. Winds have begun to redistribute snowfall with deeper deposits in wind loaded areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow covers a variety of wind affected surfaces from scoured and wind-pressed to stiff wind slabs as a result of the recent extreme wind event. Widespread wind slabs developed in the alpine with pockets of soft snow in sheltered areas and lower elevations. This layer of wind-affected snow sits above a crust, old wind-pressed snow surfaces, or surface hoar in the most sheltered areas, with little reactivity. Below that, the snowpack is well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 25 cm of new snow has fallen in the southern portion of the region (south of Nakusp) in the past 48 hours. 5-10 cm has fallen further north. This new snow is sitting on previously wind-affected surfaces, sugary facets or feathery surface hoar. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Beneath this lies two weak layers of surface hoar, which have produced large avalanches in the region. A layer that was buried at the end of January is around 30 cm deep and a layer buried mid-January is between 40 and 90 cm deep. The mid-January layer may also be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. However, there have been sporadic reports of very large avalanches that have released near the base of the snowpack, suggesting that instability exists in isolated locations. Most of the avalanches have been in the high alpine. There has been about one report a week for the past month, suggesting it is a low probability but very high consequence problem.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In much of the region 5-10 cm of recent snow sits above wind-affected snow and/or sugary facets. In the far south of the region (south of Cranbrook) 30-40 cm of new snow that fell Tuesday also sits above wind-affected snow or sugary facets. Beneath this lies two weak layers of surface hoar that were buried at the end of January and mid-January. These layers are around 30 to 60 cm deep. The mid-January layer may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below treeline elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that overly a melt-freeze crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and very difficult to predict. It is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests, and rocky outcroppings are some examples of terrain features to be wary of. See the Forecaster Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for more info on this problem.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30 to upwards of 50 cm of new snow has buried a variable surface of older wind-affected snow at wind-exposed treeline and alpine elevations, a new weak layer of feathery surface hoar in protected areas at lower elevations, and a thick melt-freeze crust below 1600 metres. Below the new snow, another 20-30 cm of older storm snow may sit on weak and feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above 1600 metres, the mid-January layer of surface hoar and/or crust is now buried around 70 to 90 cm deep. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations. This layer was the subject of a recent Special Public Avalanche Warning and remains a serious concern as it adjusts to the load of new snow above it.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the east of the region, may hold weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 40 cm of new snow has buried a variable surface of heavily wind affected old storm snow at alpine and wind-exposed treeline elevations, while adding to 20-30 cm of lower density storm snow from last week in sheltered areas above 1700 metres. In these sheltered areas, this older storm snow may cover a layer of weak, feathery surface hoar crystals. Below 1700 metres, the new snow buried a thinner cover (5-10 cm) of the same storm snow that instead overlies a melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar or a crust is now buried around 50 to 80 cm deep. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations. This layer was the subject of a recent Special Public Avalanche Warning.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10 to 30 cm of low density storm snow has fallen over the last few days with wind generally out of the south. Previous to this most recent storm, the region was hit hard by an extreme wind event featuring winds out of the north and northeast which wreaked havoc on alpine and treeline features. So, the fresh snow rests on heavily wind affected snow and stiff old wind slabs. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Due to the scouring and wind-loading, anywhere from 0-100 cm of snow sits on a crust on all aspects below 2000m and solar aspects into the alpine. Above 1800 m, recent cold temperatures have been working to facet and break down the buried crust. In sheltered terrain at and below treeline a layer of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets may be identified, but this interface has produced little recent avalanche activity. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">On average, 10 to 20 cm of low density storm snow has fallen over the last few days with wind generally out of the south. Previous to this most recent storm, the region was hit hard by an extreme wind event featuring winds out of the north and northeast which wreaked havoc on alpine and treeline features. So, the fresh snow rests on heavily wind affected snow and stiff old wind slabs. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Due to the scouring and wind-loading, anywhere from 0-60 cm of snow sits on a crust on all aspects below 2000m and solar aspects into the alpine. Above 1800 m, recent cold temperatures have been working to facet and break down the buried crust. In sheltered terrain at and below treeline a layer of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets may be identified, but this interface has produced little recent avalanche activity. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A crust that formed in mid-January is now 50 to 80 cm below the surface. This crust is present right to mountain top on southerly aspects and on all aspects below 1700 m. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In most areas, the upper snowpack is composed of successive layers of aging, wind affected storm snow layers. The top layer of this snow has been faceting (becoming sugary) under the influence of recent cold temperatures at all elevations. Limited sheltered areas at lower elevations may still hold pockets of around 40 cm of lower density snow which will overlie a thick melt-freeze crust at and below treeline. This crust now presents on the surface in many wind-exposed areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region a few weak layers may still be preserved within the middle and lower half of the snowpack. These include layers of surface hoar at around 50 cm deep, 70 to 100 cm deep, and a layer of sugary faceted snow around 200 cm deep. These layers are a concern in thinner snowpack areas at higher elevations where thicker, bridging layers of old storm snow and crust may be absent.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the alpine and upper treeline, the upper snowpack is composed of successive layers of aging, wind-affected storm snow layers. The most recent wind slabs are likely to exist on on southwest aspects as a result of ongoing, predominantly northeast winds. The upper snowpack has also been faceting (becoming sugary) under the influence of recent cold temperatures at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sheltered areas at lower elevations still hold around 20-30 cm of low density snow from a couple of recent snowfall events. Below this more recent snow, another 20-40 cm of older, faceted (sugary) storm snow overlies a widespread melt-freeze crust. In the central and northern parts of the region, it may sit on feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered terrain at all elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack has been reported as well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around and north of Hazelton, 50 to 100 cm of snow may overlie two weak layers of surface hoar or sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A touchy weak layer responsible for a several close calls and surprise avalanches lies approximately 50 cm below the surface (30 cm in shallow areas, 60 cm or more in deeper spots). This weak layer was buried mid-January and comprises a mix of surface hoar and facets. On southerly aspects, it lies on top of a sun crust. This is a dangerous weak layer that is shallow enough to be easily triggered but deep enough to produce large avalanches. It is most prevalent at treeline and below treeline elevations, but there have been a few reports of its presence in sheltered areas in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong northerly and easterly winds have created complicated patterns of wind-loaded snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Average snow depths are approximately 270 cm. Lower layers in the snowpack are not a significant factor at this time.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">25 to 40 cm of storm snow has formed a slab that rests on a variety of old surfaces that include a sun crust on southerly aspects to mountain top, variable wind affected snow and weak feathery surface hoar crystals at and below treeline. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack now hosts two buried surface hoar layers. The February 1st surface hoar is down 40 to 60 cm and has been recently reactive to human triggers. The mid-January surface hoar is 60 to 100 cm below the surface. This deeper layer of surface hoar is most prevalent below treeline on shady aspects but it does not seem to be a widespread problem in the region. Below that, the snowpack is well settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10cm of new snow fell overnight, which is being re-distributed at upper elevations by light to moderate SW winds. Previously formed wind slabs are widespread on all aspects in the Alpine. These vary from being potentially reactive to skier traffic, to being completely &quot;welded&quot; in place. In other words, there is lots of variability out there. With the prolonged cold period the snowpack is facetting and loosing strength. However, in many areas, particularly deeper snowpack zones, the midpack is very dense and is providing lots of bridging strength over the weak basal facets. Though a full-depth avalanche is unlikely, if it does occur it will be catastrophic. Large triggers, such as a cornice failure, or triggering from a shallow snowpack area, are possible ways to wake up the deep persistent weak layer. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The South Coast mountains have picked up 25 to 40 cm of new snow over the past few days. Winds have likely formed fresh wind slabs in wind exposed features. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow rests on a variety of wind affected surfaces from scoured to wind-pressed to stiff old wind slabs that were formed during a previous extreme wind event. The new snow may be resting on isolated pockets of facets in sheltered locations. Below that, the snowpack is well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 25 cm of new snow fell in the southern portion of the region (south of Nakusp) Tuesday into Wednesday. 5-10 cm fell further north. This new snow is sitting on previously wind-affected surfaces, sugary facets or feathery surface hoar. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Beneath this lies two weak layers of surface hoar, which have produced large avalanches in the region. A layer that was buried at the end of January is around 30 cm deep and a layer buried mid-January is between 40 and 90 cm deep. The mid-January layer may also be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. However, there have been sporadic reports of very large avalanches that have released near the base of the snowpack. Most of the avalanches have been in the high alpine. There has been about one report a week for the past month.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In much of the region 5-15 cm of recent snow sits above wind-affected snow and/or sugary facets. In the far south of the region (south of Cranbrook) 30-40 cm of new snow that fell Tuesday also sits above wind-affected snow or sugary facets. Beneath this lies two weak layers of surface hoar that were buried at the end of January and mid-January. These layers are around 30 to 60 cm deep. The mid-January layer may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below treeline elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that overly a melt-freeze crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and very difficult to predict. It is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests, and rocky outcroppings are some examples of terrain features to be wary of. See the Forecaster Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for more info on this problem.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">More snowfall is expected Thursday night into Friday, with total amounts uncertain but could be upwards of 20 cm or more. This new snow will overly around 30 to 50 cm of recent snow, which sits on variable layers, including wind-affected snow at treeline and alpine elevations, feathery surface hoar crystals in shaded and sheltered areas below treeline, and a melt-freeze crust below 1600 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar or a crust is buried around 70 cm. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the east of the region, may find weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">More snowfall is expected Thursday night into Friday, with total amounts uncertain but could be upwards of 20 cm or more. The snow may have slab properties where it falls with wind and could be low-density and loose in sheltered areas. This new snow will overly around 20 to 40 cm of recent snowfall, which sits on a variety of surfaces, including wind-affected snow in exposed areas and a layer of weak and feathery surface hoar crystals in sheltered and shaded areas. Below 1700 m, recent snowfall overlies a melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar or a crust is buried around 50 to 80 cm. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m. The melt-freeze crust is found on south aspects at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Areas around Squamish could see up to 20 cm of new snow by Friday afternoon, while much less is expected further north. Recent wind has scoured and redistributed the snow from earlier this week into fresh wind slabs in lee terrain. Sheltered areas may still have 10 to 30 cm of low density snow. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Due to the scouring and wind-loading, anywhere from 0-100 cm of snow sits on a crust on all aspects below 2000 m and solar aspects into the alpine. Above 1800 m, recent cold temperatures have been working to facet and break down the crust. In sheltered terrain at and below treeline, a layer of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets may be identified, but this interface has produced little recent avalanche activity. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In southern parts of the region expect roughly 20 cm of new snow on Friday to form fresh slabs, particularly on wind loaded terrain features. Elsewhere in the region, less snow is expected, so the surface will be heavily wind-affected from recent strong winds (from the north-northeast-east-southeast).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Due to the scouring and wind-loading, anywhere from 0-60 cm of snow sits on a crust on all aspects below 2000 m and on solar aspects into the alpine. Above 1800 m, recent cold temperatures have been working to facet and break down the crust. In sheltered terrain at and below treeline, a layer of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets may be identified, but this interface has produced little recent avalanche activity. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A crust that formed in mid-January is now 50 to 80 cm below the surface. This crust is present right to mountain top on southerly aspects and on all aspects below 1700 m. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface has been heavily wind affected. You will likely find a variety of hard slabs, wind-pressed snow, sastrugi, and melt-freeze crust where the wind has scoured down to it. In sheltered areas below treeline, you may find pockets of soft snow that overlies a thick melt-freeze crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, you may find two or three weak layers of feathery surface hoar crystals buried between 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface has been heavily affected by strong wind. You will likely find a variety of hard slabs, wind-pressed snow, sastrugi, sugary faceted snow, and melt-freeze crust where the wind has scoured down to it. In sheltered areas below treeline, you may still find pockets of soft, faceted snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. In the north of the region, 50 to 100 cm of snow may overly two weak layers of feathery surface hoar crystals or faceted grains.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two prominent, touchy weak layers in the snowpack that have been responsible for a several dangerous avalanches in the past 2 weeks. The upper layer was buried at the end of January and lies approximately 40 cm below the surface. The lower one was buried mid-January and lies approximately 75 cm below the surface. Both comprise a mix of surface hoar and facets and may lie on top of a sun crust on southerly aspects. Both layers are potentially reactive and in any given location, one or both could potentially exist in the snowpack. Wide propagation has been noted, meaning avalanches have the potential to be large (up to size 3). These weak layers are most prevalent at treeline and below, but may also be found in sheltered areas in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Average snow depths are approximately 300 cm. Very sporadically, failures have occurred near the base of the snowpack in or close to this region. These releases have almost all been from high alpine areas, possibly triggered close to rocky features.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A touchy weak layer responsible for a several close calls and surprise avalanches lies approximately 50 cm below the surface (30 cm in shallow areas, 60 cm or more in deeper spots). This weak layer was buried mid-January and comprises a mix of surface hoar and facets. On southerly aspects, it lies on top of a sun crust. It is shallow enough to be easily triggered but deep enough to produce large avalanches. It is most prevalent at treeline and below, but there have been a few reports of its presence in sheltered areas in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Average snow depths are approximately 270 cm. Lower layers in the snowpack are not a significant factor at this time.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Storm slabs will continue to grow thicker and touchier with the incoming storm. 25 to 40 cm of snow from earlier this week has been blown around by strong wind and formed very touchy wind slabs. This snow sits on a variety of old surfaces that include a sun crust on southerly aspects, variable wind affected snow, and weak feathery surface hoar crystals at and below treeline. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack now hosts two buried surface hoar layers. The February 1st surface hoar is down 40 to 60 cm and has been recently reactive to human triggers. The mid-January surface hoar is 60 to 100 cm below the surface. This deeper layer of surface hoar is most prevalent below treeline on shady aspects, but it does not seem to be a widespread problem in the region. Below that, the snowpack is well settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A few cm's fell last night, helping the ski conditions a bit. The cold has continued to facet the upper layers at all elevations and allow surface hoar to grow in many areas. At the moment, the surface hoar is small and not a problem. The buried surface hoar on the other hand became very apparent low in the Blackprince area. Lots of big whumphs and cracks in valley bottom. Luckily after climbing for a few minutes, it disappeared.  Surprisingly, the mid pack is hanging in there and providing some support. The alpine areas have a small surface slab that was reactive yesterday. Notably at alpine and treeline is the buried  windslab. It would come and go and seemed well bonded, but still on our minds. Lots of probing today to help solve the puzzle.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Expect 15-30 cm of new snow to form fresh storm slabs by Friday afternoon. Snow from earlier in the week has rapidly settled, except in exposed terrain where it formed wind slabs. This snow rests on a variety of wind affected surfaces that formed during a previous extreme wind event. It may be resting on isolated pockets of facets in sheltered locations. Below that, the snowpack is well-settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Relatively light amounts of low density snow have been accumulating above old surfaces that include previously wind-affected slopes, sugary facets and/or feathery surface hoar. In the south of the region, amounts since Tuesday are approximately 35 cm, while in the north, amount are more like 15 cm. Strong northeast winds have blown this snow into wind slabs onto unusual south- to west-facing slopes. The wind slab is reported to be very touchy, since it lies directly over this upper weak layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Lower down in the snowpack there are two additional weak layers of surface hoar, which have produced large avalanches in the region. A layer buried at the end of January is around 40 cm deep and a layer buried mid-January is between 50 and 90 cm deep. The mid-January layer may also be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. However, there have been sporadic reports of very large avalanches that have released near the base of the snowpack. Most of the avalanches have been in the high alpine. There has been about one report a week for the past month.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm recent low density snow has been blown around by strong northeasterly winds, creating touchy wind slabs in exposed areas. This new snow sits above wind-affected snow and/or sugary facets. In the far south of the region (south of Cranbrook) recent storm amounts are more like 30-40 cm of new snow. Beneath this lies two weak layers of surface hoar that were buried at the end of January and mid-January. These layers are around 30 to 60 cm deep. The deeper (mid-January) layer may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below treeline elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that overly a melt-freeze crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and very difficult to predict. It is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests, and rocky outcroppings are some examples of terrain features to be wary of. See the Forecaster Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for more info on this problem.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">More snowfall is expected Friday night into Saturday, with total amounts uncertain but could be upwards of 20 cm or more. This new snow overlies around 30 to 50 cm of recent storm snow, which may have been redistributed by strong northeast wind at higher elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two weak layers may be found within the snowpack. A weak layer of surface hoar crystals that was buried early-February may be found about 50 cm deep in shaded and sheltered areas above 1600 m. The mid-January layer of surface hoar is buried around 70 cm and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the far east of the region, may find weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">More snowfall is expected Friday night into Saturday, with total amounts uncertain but could be upwards of 25 cm or more. The snow may have slab properties where it falls with wind and could be low-density and loose in sheltered areas. This new snow will overly around 30 to 50 cm of recent snowfall, which sits on wind-affected snow in exposed areas and a melt-freeze crust below 1700 m. All this recent snowfall is likely to be reactive to human traffic.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar is buried around 50 to 80 cm. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-40 cm of recent snow remains low density in many areas, but has settled into thin soft slabs on some higher elevation features. Harder wind slabs can be found in exposed terrain near ridges. You may find a crust beneath this snow below 2000 m and on steep south-facing slopes. In exposed areas, the new soft snow sits above hard wind affected snow. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">5-15 cm of low density snow sits above a mix of hard wind affected snow and possibly crusts on south-facing features. Several crusts can be found 40-80 cm below the surface. At higher elevations cold temperatures have been working to facet and break down these crusts. In sheltered terrain at and below treeline, a layer of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets may be identified around these crusts, but this interface has produced little recent avalanche activity. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface has been heavily wind affected. You will likely find a variety of hard slabs, wind-pressed snow, sastrugi, and melt-freeze crust where the wind has scoured down to it. In sheltered areas below treeline, you may find pockets of soft snow that overlies a thick melt-freeze crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, you may find two or three weak layers of feathery surface hoar crystals buried between 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface has been heavily affected by strong wind. You will likely find a variety of hard slabs, wind-pressed snow, sastrugi, sugary faceted snow, and melt-freeze crust where the wind has scoured down to it. In sheltered areas below treeline, you may still find pockets of soft, faceted snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. In the north of the region, 50 to 100 cm of snow may overly two weak layers of feathery surface hoar crystals or faceted grains.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15 cm of recent low density snow sitting on the surface has been blown around by strong northeasterly winds, creating </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/glossary#reverse-loading" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">reverse-</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">loading on some slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two prominent, touchy weak layers in the snowpack that have been responsible for a several dangerous avalanches in the past 2 weeks. The upper layer was buried at the end of January and lies approximately 40 cm below the surface. The lower one was buried mid-January and lies approximately 75 cm below the surface. Both comprise a mix of surface hoar and facets and may lie on top of a sun crust on southerly aspects. Both layers are potentially reactive and in any given location, one or both could potentially exist in the snowpack. Wide propagation has been noted, meaning avalanches have the potential to be large (up to size 3). These weak layers are most prevalent at treeline and below, but may also be found in sheltered areas in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Average snow depths are approximately 300 cm. Very sporadically, failures have occurred near the base of the snowpack in or close to this region. These releases have almost all been from high alpine areas, possibly triggered close to rocky features.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong northeasterly winds have blown loose snow into wind slabs in exposed areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A touchy weak layer responsible for a several close calls and surprise avalanches lies approximately 50 cm below the surface (30 cm in shallow areas, 60 cm or more in deeper spots). This weak layer was buried mid-January and comprises a mix of surface hoar and facets. On southerly aspects, it lies on top of a sun crust. It is shallow enough to be easily triggered but deep enough to produce large avalanches. It is most prevalent at treeline and below, but there have been a few reports of its presence in sheltered areas in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Average snow depths are approximately 270 cm. Lower layers in the snowpack are not a significant factor at this time.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A total of 30 to 50 cm of fresh snow has fallen over the past few days and has been very reactive to human triggering. A strong wind event on Thursday formed fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/bceaec22-9eed-48b6-a9e2-5b81ac15f91e" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">(see this MIN report)</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">, while low density snow may still be found in sheltered areas. The new sits on a variety of old surfaces that include a sun crust on southerly aspects, variable wind-affected snow, and weak feathery surface hoar crystals at and below treeline. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack hosts two buried surface hoar layers. The February 1st surface hoar is down 40 to 60 cm and has been recently reactive to human triggers. The mid-January surface hoar is 60 to 100 cm below the surface. This deeper layer of surface hoar is most prevalent below treeline on shady aspects, but it does not seem to be a widespread problem in the region. Below that, the snowpack is well settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Isolated windslabs that are skier triggerable should be expected along ridgelines in alpine areas.  These slabs are not widespread but there is a distinct drummy feel in some steeper areas that should keep you on your toes.  Also, windslabs were observed from recent down flow winds in alpine terrain.  Otherwise, the warming temps are slowing the facetting process but overall, the snowpack is composed of mainly facetted grains with some more dense snow forming the mid pack.  Thin areas are where a skier may be able to trigger the basal weaknesses but we have not seen any activity on this layer in some time. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-40 cm of snow from Friday has formed widespread touchy storm slabs. These slabs showed signs of bonding poorly to underlying crusts, particularly on west and south aspects. Furthermore, storm snow has been reactive above a 50 cm deep crust that was buried in early February. The snowpack is well-settled and strong below this crust.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Relatively light amounts of low density snow have been accumulating above old surfaces that include previously wind-affected slopes, sugary facets and/or feathery surface hoar. In the south of the region, amounts since Tuesday are approximately 40 cm, while in the north, amount are more like 15 cm. Strong northeast winds have blown this snow into wind slabs onto unusual south- to west-facing slopes. The wind slab is reported to be very touchy, since it lies directly over this upper weak layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Lower down in the snowpack there are two additional weak layers of surface hoar, which have produced large avalanches in the region. A layer buried at the end of January is around 40 cm deep and a layer buried mid-January is between 50 and 90 cm deep. The mid-January layer may also be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. However, there have been sporadic reports of very large avalanches that have released near the base of the snowpack. Most of the avalanches have been in the high alpine. There has been about one report a week for the past month.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 to 20 cm of recent snow has been blown around by strong, variable wind, creating touchy wind slabs in exposed areas. In the south and west of the region, recent storm amounts are closer to 30 to 40 cm. This new snow sits above wind-affected snow and/or sugary faceted grains. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Beneath this lies two weak layers of surface hoar that were buried at the end of January and mid-January. These layers are around 30 to 70 cm deep. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below treeline elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that overly a melt-freeze crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and very difficult to predict. It is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests, and rocky outcroppings are some examples of terrain features to be wary of. See the Forecaster Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for more information on this problem.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 cm of recent snow overlies a weak layer of surface hoar crystals found between 1600 m and 1800 m. Strong wind may have redistributed this recent snow and formed wind slabs in lee terrain features at higher elevations. The wind was first westerly and switched to northeast, so wind slabs may be found on all aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two weak layers may be found within the snowpack. Surface hoar that was buried early-February may be found about 40 to 50 cm deep in shaded and sheltered areas above 1600 m. The mid-January layer of surface hoar is buried around 70 cm and is most prominent between 1500 m and 1900 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the far east of the region, may have weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20 cm of snow fell Friday and Saturday, with a bit more expected on Sunday. The snow likely has slab properties where it fell with wind at higher elevations and could be loose in sheltered areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar is buried around 50 to 80 cm. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-40 cm of recent snow remains low density in many areas, but has settled into thin soft slabs on some higher elevation features. Harder wind slabs can be found in exposed terrain near ridges. You may find a crust beneath this snow below 2000 m and on steep south-facing slopes. In exposed areas, the new soft snow sits above hard wind affected snow. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">5-15 cm of low density snow sits above a mix of hard wind affected snow and possibly crusts on south-facing features. Several crusts can be found 40-80 cm below the surface. At higher elevations cold temperatures have broken down these crusts. In sheltered terrain at and below treeline, a layer of weak feathery surface hoar or sugary facets may be identified around these crusts, but this interface has produced little recent avalanche activity. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface has been heavily wind affected. You will likely find a variety of hard slabs, wind-pressed snow, sastrugi, and melt-freeze crust where the wind has scoured down to it. In sheltered areas below treeline, you may find pockets of soft snow that overlies a thick melt-freeze crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, you may find two or three weak layers of feathery surface hoar crystals buried between 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A dusting of new snow in the south of the region overlies a snow surface that has been heavily affected by strong wind. You will likely find a variety of hard slabs, wind-pressed snow, sastrugi, sugary faceted snow, and melt-freeze crust where the wind has scoured down to it. In sheltered areas below treeline, you may still find pockets of soft, faceted snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. In the north of the region, 50 to 100 cm of snow may overly two weak layers of feathery surface hoar crystals or faceted grains.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15 cm of recent low density snow sitting on the surface has been blown around by strong northeasterly winds, creating </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/glossary#reverse-loading" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">reverse-</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">loading on some slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two prominent, touchy weak layers in the snowpack that have been responsible for a several dangerous avalanches in the past 2 weeks. The upper layer was buried at the end of January and lies approximately 40 cm below the surface. The lower one was buried mid-January and lies approximately 75 cm below the surface. Both comprise a mix of surface hoar and facets and may lie on top of a sun crust on southerly aspects. Both layers are potentially reactive and in any given location, one or both could potentially exist in the snowpack. Wide propagation has been noted, meaning avalanches have the potential to be large (up to size 3). These weak layers are most prevalent at treeline and below, but may also be found in sheltered areas in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Average snow depths are approximately 300 cm. Very sporadically, failures have occurred near the base of the snowpack in or close to this region. These releases have almost all been from high alpine areas, possibly triggered close to rocky features.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong northeast wind has blown loose snow into wind slabs in exposed areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A touchy weak layer responsible for surprise avalanches and several close calls lies approximately 30 cm below the surface in shallow snowpack areas and 60 cm or more in deeper areas. This weak layer of surface hoar and faceted grains was buried mid-January. On southerly aspects, it lies on top of a melt-freeze crust. It is most prevalent at treeline and below treeline elevations, but there have been a few reports of its presence in sheltered areas in the alpine. This layer is shallow enough to be triggered but deep enough to produce large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Deeper layers in the snowpack are not a factor at this time.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A total of 30 to 50 cm of snow has fallen over the past few days. The snow remains low density in some sheltered areas, but was dramatically affected by a wind event on Thursday that left hard wind slabs in exposed terrain. The new sits on a variety of old surfaces that include a sun crust on southerly aspects, variable wind-affected snow, and weak feathery surface hoar crystals at and below treeline. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack hosts two buried surface hoar layers. The February 1st surface hoar is down 40 to 60 cm and has been recently reactive to human triggers. The mid-January surface hoar is 60 to 100 cm below the surface. This deeper layer of surface hoar is most prevalent below treeline on shady aspects, but it does not seem to be a widespread problem in the region. Below that, the snowpack is well settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The slow but steady flurries have gradually left us with 10-15cm of recent snow. Light winds have kept this snow light and slab free. There is a minor failure at the new/old snow interface, but the lack of a slab keeps it from being a problem. The midpack is also solid and consistent. The weak basal layers are still there, but the strong midpack and &quot;trickle&quot; loading pattern are keeping it unreactive. Having said that, during today's trip, we did encounter thin transitional areas where we felt a need to pay attention and respect the bottom layers. The Jan 17th surface hoar is becoming evident in open areas below treeline, Lots of large whumphs and shooting cracks. There is a chance it could be higher in some drainages. Keep an eye out.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50 cm of recent storm snow has not yet bonded to underlying crust layers. Because of the cold temperatures and weak snow around the crusts, storm slabs are expected to take a few more days to strengthen. The lower snowpack is settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Northerly winds are forming wind deposits in exposed areas, while sun crusts may be forming on south-facing slopes. 15 to 40 cm of low density snow has fallen since Tuesday, with greater amounts in the south of the region. This snow is gradually settling above a surface hoar and crust layer that was buried on February 7th and could eventually develop into a problem layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two additional weak layers of surface hoar have produced large avalanches in the region over the past month. A layer buried at the end of January is around 40 cm deep and a layer buried mid-January is between 50 and 90 cm deep. The mid-January layer may also be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. However, there have been sporadic reports of very large avalanches that have released near the base of the snowpack. Most of the avalanches have been in the high alpine. There has been about one report a week for the past month.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20 to 30 cm of recent snow has been blown around by strong, variable wind, creating touchy wind slabs in exposed areas. In the south and west of the region, recent storm amounts are closer to 40 to 50 cm. This new snow sits above wind-affected snow and/or sugary faceted snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Beneath this lies two weak layers of surface hoar that were buried at the end of January and mid-January. These layers are around 30 to 70 cm deep. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below treeline elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that overly a melt-freeze crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and very difficult to predict. It is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests, and rocky outcroppings are some examples of terrain features to be wary of. See the Forecaster Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for more information on this problem.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 15 cm of recent snow overlies a weak layer of surface hoar crystals found between 1600 m and 1800 m. Strong wind may have redistributed this recent snow and formed wind slabs in lee terrain features at higher elevations. The wind was first westerly and switched to northeast, so wind slabs may be found on all aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two weak layers may be found within the snowpack. Surface hoar that was buried early-February may be found about 40 to 50 cm deep in shaded and sheltered areas above 1600 m. The mid-January layer of surface hoar is buried around 80 cm and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the far east of the region, may have weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20 to 30 cm of snow fell within the past three days, with the highest amounts in the south of the region. The snow likely has slab properties where it fell with wind at higher elevations and could be loose in sheltered areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar is buried around 50 to 80 cm. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m. Snowpack test results suggest that this layer could produce large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains. There is potential for shallower avalanches to step down to these deeper weak layers.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
.s_9255B882 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-30 cm of low density snow sits above old hard surfaces including wind-affected snow and crusts. The low density snow may sluff easily above crusts on steep south-facing slopes, and has possibly formed some thin wind slabs in the alpine. The lower snowpack is strong and settled. </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/ed3c1bd7-7238-4f44-9965-e8e92fd71041" target="_blank"><span class="s_9255B882">See this MIN report for photos from Spearhead Glacier.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
.s_9255B882 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">5-15 cm of low density snow sits above a mix of hard wind affected snow and crusts on south-facing features. Moist snow and crusts may be found on the surface of south aspects </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/25f401c3-aca5-45e8-94e1-f89866dbe67a" target="_blank"><span class="s_9255B882">(see this MIN report)</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B">. Several crusts can be found 40 to 80 cm below the surface. Some softer surface hoar and faceted snow may be found around these crusts, but has produced little avalanche activity over the past month. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface has been heavily wind affected. You will likely find a variety of hard slabs, wind-pressed snow, sastrugi, and melt-freeze crust where the wind has scoured down to it. In sheltered areas below treeline, you may find pockets of soft snow that overlies a thick melt-freeze crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, you may find two or three weak layers of feathery surface hoar crystals buried between 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A dusting of new snow in the south of the region overlies a snow surface that has been heavily affected by strong wind. You will likely find a variety of hard slabs, wind-pressed snow, sastrugi, sugary faceted snow, and melt-freeze crust where the wind has scoured down to it. In sheltered areas below treeline, you may still find pockets of soft, faceted snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. In the north of the region, 50 to 100 cm of snow may overly two weak layers of feathery surface hoar crystals or faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15 cm of low density snow has been blown around by strong northerly winds, creating </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/glossary#reverse-loading" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">reverse-</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">loading on some slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two prominent weak layers have been responsible for a several dangerous avalanches in the past two weeks. The upper layer was buried at the end of January and lies approximately 40 cm below the surface. The deeper one was buried mid-January and lies approximately 75 cm below the surface. Both comprise a mix of surface hoar and facets and may lie on top of a sun crust on southerly aspects. Both layers are potentially reactive and in any given location, one or both could potentially exist in the snowpack. Wide propagation has been noted, meaning avalanches have the potential to be large (up to size 3). These weak layers are most prevalent at treeline and below, but may also be found in sheltered areas in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Average snow depths are approximately 300 cm. Very sporadically, failures have occurred near the base of the snowpack in or close to this region. These releases have almost all been from high alpine areas, possibly triggered close to rocky features.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong wind from variable directions but most recently from the north has blown around 5 to 10 cm of snow into wind slabs in exposed terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A touchy weak layer responsible for surprise avalanches and several close calls lies approximately 30 cm below the surface in shallow snowpack areas and 60 cm or more in deeper areas. This weak layer of surface hoar and faceted grains was buried mid-January. On southerly aspects, it lies on top of a melt-freeze crust. It is most prevalent at treeline and below treeline elevations, but there have been a few reports of its presence in sheltered areas in the alpine. This layer is shallow enough to be triggered but deep enough to produce large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Deeper layers in the snowpack are not a factor at this time.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface snow consists of a mix of low density snow and hard wind affected surfaces. 20 to 40 cm of snow from the past few days is gradually settling, and in some areas has shown signs of becoming reactive above above a surface hoar and crust layer that was buried on February 7th. This layer is suspect at all elevations, particularly on wind loaded slopes and on steep south-facing terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two other surface hoar layers are buried 50 to 80 cm deep the snowpack (referred to as the February 1st and mid-January layers). Although they have not been reactive recently, they are still being monitored by professionals. These layers are most prevalent below treeline on shady aspects. The lower snowpack is well settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A few more centimeters fell last night. At the moment we have 15-20cm of new snow from the last few days. This is sitting on more snow from previous storms. Amazingly, the low elevation winds have been light enough lately to keep this new snow light and relatively slab free. The alpine has seen some isolated wind affect, but this is limited to the bigger, more exposed peaks and open slopes. Windslabs are the main concern right now. We're seeing them around the bottoms of large cliffs and isolated pockets near ridge lines. The weak basal layers are still there, and as unconsolidated as ever. What is saving us from a nightmare of a snowpack is the mid pack bridging effect. The mid pack has enough strength and depth that triggering the bottom layers is becoming more difficult. The key to avoiding trouble is avoiding thin areas where the bridging is minimal.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50 cm of recent storm snow is gradually bonding to underlying crust layers. Because of the cold temperatures and weak snow around the crusts, storm slabs are expected to take longer than usual to strengthen. New sun crusts may be found on the surface of south-facing aspects, while wind slabs may be found in exposed terrain. The lower snowpack is settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent northerly winds have formed wind deposits in lee areas, while sun crusts may have formed on south-facing slopes. 15 to 40 cm of low density snow has fallen since Tuesday, with greater amounts in the south of the region. This snow is sitting on a surface hoar (feathery crystals) and crust layer that was buried on February 7th and could eventually develop into a problem layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two additional weak layers of surface hoar have produced large avalanches in the region over the past month. A layer buried at the end of January is around 40 cm deep and a layer buried mid-January is between 50 and 90 cm deep. The mid-January layer may also be associated with a crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is considered generally strong. However, there have been sporadic reports of very large avalanches that have released near the base of the snowpack. Most of these avalanches have been in the high alpine. There has been about one report a week for the past month.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20 to 30 cm of recent snow has been blown around by recent strong, variable wind, creating touchy wind slabs in exposed areas. In the south and west of the region, recent snowfall amounts are closer to 40 to 50 cm. This new snow sits above wind-affected snow and/or sugary faceted snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Beneath this lies two weak layers of surface hoar that were buried at the end of January and mid-January. These layers are around 30 to 70 cm deep. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below treeline elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that overly a melt-freeze crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and very difficult to predict. It is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests, and rocky outcroppings are some examples of terrain features to be wary of. See the Forecaster Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for more information on this problem.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20 cm of snow recently fell in the region, which has been redistributed by wind, forming wind slabs in lee terrain features at higher elevations. The wind was first westerly and switched to northeast, so wind slabs may be found on all aspects. In sheltered areas between 1600 and 1800 m, this recent snow may overly a weak layer of surface hoar crystals.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two more weak layers may be found within the snowpack. Surface hoar that was buried early-February may be found about 30 to 50 cm deep in shaded and sheltered areas above 1600 m. The mid-January layer of surface hoar is buried around 80 to 100 cm and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the far east of the region, may have weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20 to 30 cm of snow fell within the past three days, with the highest amounts in the south of the region. The snow likely has slab properties where it fell with wind at higher elevations and could be loose in sheltered areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January layer of surface hoar is buried around 50 to 80 cm. The surface hoar is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m. Snowpack test results suggest that this layer could be triggered by humans.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains. There is potential for shallower avalanches to step down to these deeper weak layers.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-30 cm of low density snow sits above old hard surfaces including wind-affected snow and crusts. The low density snow may sluff easily above crusts on steep south-facing slopes. Thin wind slabs may be found in the alpine. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Surface conditions are highly variable throughout the region. Most exposed terrain is wind affected, but some sheltered pockets may have 5-15 cm of low density snow. South-facing slopes may have a thin sun crust on the surface. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In the Manning Park area, there have been some reports of whumpfing and settlements on a 20 cm deep layer of facets. Throughout the region, several crusts can be found 20 to 60 cm below the surface. Some softer surface hoar and faceted snow may be found around these crusts, but have produced little avalanche activity over the past month. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow on Tuesday will fall onto a heavily wind-affected snow surface. The new snow may form touchy wind slabs quickly, as the storm will have associated strong northwest wind. Beneath the new snow lies a variety of hard slabs, wind-pressed snow, sastrugi, and melt-freeze crust. In sheltered areas at and below treeline, the new snow will fall onto pockets of feathery surface hoar crystals and soft faceted snow. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, you may find two or three weak layers of surface hoar buried between 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow on Tuesday will fall onto a variety of hard slabs, wind-pressed snow, sastrugi, sugary faceted snow, and melt-freeze crust. In sheltered areas at and below treeline, new snow may fall into pockets of feathery surface hoar crystals and soft, faceted snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. In the north of the region, 50 to 100 cm of snow may overly two weak layers of surface hoar or faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15 cm of low density snow has been blown around by recent strong northerly winds, creating </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/glossary#reverse-loading" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">reverse-</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">loading on some slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two prominent weak layers have been responsible for several dangerous avalanches in the past two weeks. The upper layer was buried at the end of January and lies approximately 40 cm below the surface. The deeper one was buried mid-January and lies approximately 75 cm below the surface. Both consists of a mix of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow) and may lie on top of a sun crust on southerly aspects. Both layers are potentially reactive and in any given location, one or both could exist in the snowpack. Wide propagation has been noted, meaning avalanches have the potential to be large (up to size 3). These weak layers are most prevalent at treeline and below, but may also be found in sheltered areas in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Average snow depths are approximately 300 cm. Very sporadically, failures have occurred near the base of the snowpack in this region, or in neighboring regions. These releases have almost all been from high alpine areas, possibly triggered close to rocky features.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds from variable directions, but most recently from the north, have blown around 5 to 10 cm of snow into wind slabs in exposed terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A touchy weak layer responsible for surprise avalanches and several close calls lies approximately 30 cm below the surface in shallow snowpack areas and 60 cm or more in deeper areas. This weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow) was buried in mid-January. On southerly aspects, the weak layer exists as a crust. This layer is most prevalent at treeline and below treeline elevations, but there have been a few reports of its presence in sheltered areas in the alpine. This layer is shallow enough to be triggered by humans, but deep enough to produce large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is considered generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface snow consists of a mix of low density snow and wind affected surfaces. 20 to 40 cm of snow from the past week is gradually settling, and in some areas has shown signs of becoming reactive above above a surface hoar and crust layer that was buried on February 7th. This layer is suspect at all elevations, particularly on wind loaded slopes and on steep south-facing terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two other surface hoar layers are buried 50 to 80 cm deep the snowpack (referred to as the February 1st and mid-January layers). Although they have not been reactive recently, they are still being monitored by professionals. These layers are most prevalent below treeline on shady aspects. The lower snowpack is well settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">On the surface, we have about 15cm of loose dry snow.  There is isolated wind affect, mostly in the alpine, just below  large cliffs and isolated pockets near ridge lines.  The sun had some punch today which triggered some loose dry avalanches on solar aspects.  The weak basal layers are still there, and as unconsolidated as ever. What is saving us from a nightmare of a snowpack is the mid pack bridging effect. The mid pack has enough strength and depth that triggering the bottom layers is becoming more difficult. The key to avoiding trouble is avoiding thin areas where the bridging is minimal.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50 cm of recent storm snow is slowly bonding to underlying crust layers. Because of the recent cold temperatures and weak snow around the crusts, storm slabs are expected to take longer than usual to strengthen. New sun crusts may be found near the surface of south-facing aspects, while wind slabs may be found in exposed terrain. The lower snowpack is settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 to 40 cm of low density snow has fallen over the past week, with greater amounts in the south of the region. Recent northerly winds have formed wind slabs in lee areas. This snow is sitting on a surface hoar (feathery crystals) and crust layer that was buried on February 7th and could eventually develop into a problem layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two additional weak layers of surface hoar have produced large avalanches in the region over the past month. A layer buried at the end of January is around 40 cm deep and a layer buried mid-January is between 50 and 90 cm deep. The mid-January layer may also be associated with a crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is considered generally strong. However, there have been sporadic reports of very large avalanches that have released near the base of the snowpack. Most of these avalanches have been in the high alpine. There has been about one report a week for the past month.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20 to 30 cm of recent snow has been blown around by recent strong, variable wind, creating touchy wind slabs in exposed areas. In the south and west of the region, recent snowfall amounts are closer to 40 to 50 cm. This new snow sits above wind-affected snow and/or sugary faceted snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Beneath this lies two weak layers of surface hoar that were buried at the end of January and mid-January. These layers are around 30 to 70 cm deep. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below treeline elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that overly a melt-freeze crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and very difficult to predict. It is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests, and rocky outcroppings are some examples of terrain features to be wary of. See the Forecaster Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for more information on this problem.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Storm snow from the last week has been redistributed by wind, forming wind slabs in lee terrain features at higher elevations. The wind was first westerly and switched to northeast, so wind slabs may be found on all aspects. In sheltered areas between 1600 and 1800 m, 20 cm of recent snow may sit on a weak layer of surface hoar crystals buried around Valentines Day.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Two more persistent weak layers may be found within the snowpack. Surface hoar that was buried early-February may be found about 30 to 50 cm deep in shaded and sheltered areas above 1600 m. The mid-January layer of surface hoar is buried around 70 to 100 cm and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Around 20 to 30 cm of snow fell within the past three days, with the highest amounts in the south of the region. The snow likely has slab properties where it has been wind affected at higher elevations and open areas. It could be more loose in sheltered areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The mid-January layer weak layer is buried around 50 to 80 cm. The weak layer is surface hoar on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m. In some areas the weak layer is made up of sugary faceted crystals over old wind slab or a crust. Snowpack test results suggest that this layer may still be triggered by humans.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains. There is potential for shallower avalanches to step down to these deeper weak layers.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Between 10 and 30 cm of low-density snow sits on old hard surfaces including wind-affected snow and melt-freeze crusts. The low-density snow may sluff easily on these hard surfaces. Thin wind slabs may be found in the alpine. Moist snow may be found on steep south aspects if the sun is prevalent.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The lower snowpack is strong and settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surface conditions are variable. At higher elevations, wind slabs exist in lee terrain features from recent snowfall and strong winds blowing in variable directions. In sheltered areas, around 10 to 20 cm of low-density snow may be found, possibly on a smooth melt-freeze crust. On southerly slopes, moist snow or a thin melt-freeze crust is to be expected.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Several crusts can be found 20 to 60 cm below the surface. Weak surface hoar and faceted snow may be found around these crusts, but have produced little avalanche activity over the past month. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Tuesday's storm brought around 20 cm of snow, which fell onto a heavily wind-affected snow surface. The new snow may have formed touchy wind slabs quickly, as the storm had associated strong southwest to northwest wind. Beneath the new snow lies a variety of hard slabs, wind-pressed snow, sastrugi, and melt-freeze crust. In sheltered areas at and below treeline, the new snow may have fallen onto pockets of feathery surface hoar crystals and soft faceted snow. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, you may find two weak layers of surface hoar buried between 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Tuesday's storm brought around 5 to 10 cm of snow to the region, with associated strong west wind. This snow accumulated onto a variety of hard slabs, wind-pressed snow, sastrugi, sugary faceted snow, and melt-freeze crust. In sheltered areas at and below treeline, the new snow may have fallen onto pockets of feathery surface hoar crystals and soft, faceted snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. In the north of the region, around 50 cm of snow may overly a weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15 cm of snow has been blown around by recent strong northerly winds, forming wind slabs in alpine and treeline terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two prominent weak layers have been responsible for several dangerous avalanches in the past two weeks. The upper layer was buried at the end of January and lies approximately 40 cm below the surface. The deeper one was buried mid-January and lies approximately 75 cm below the surface. Both consists of a mix of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow) and may lie on top of a sun crust on southerly aspects. Both layers are potentially reactive and in any given location, one or both could exist in the snowpack. These weak layers are most prevalent at treeline and below, but may also be found in sheltered areas in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Average snow depths are approximately 300 cm. Very sporadically, failures have occurred near the base of the snowpack in this region, or in neighboring regions. These releases have almost all been from high alpine areas, possibly triggered close to rocky features.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds from variable directions, but most recently from the north, have blown around 5 to 10 cm of snow into wind slabs mainly in alpine and treeline terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A touchy weak layer responsible for surprise avalanches and several close calls lies approximately 30 cm below the surface in shallow snowpack areas and 60 cm or more in deeper areas. This weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow) was buried in mid-January. On southerly aspects, the weak layer exists as a crust. This layer is most prevalent at treeline and below treeline elevations, but there have been a few reports of its presence in sheltered areas in the alpine. This layer is shallow enough to be triggered by humans, but deep enough to produce large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is considered generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface snow consists of a mix of low density snow and wind affected surfaces. 20 to 40 cm of snow from the past week is gradually settling, and in some areas has shown signs of becoming reactive above above a surface hoar and crust layer that was buried on February 7th. This layer is suspect at all elevations, particularly on wind loaded slopes and on steep south-facing terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two other surface hoar layers are buried 50 to 80 cm deep the snowpack (referred to as the February 1st and mid-January layers). Although they have not been reactive recently, they are still being monitored by professionals. These layers are most prevalent below treeline on shady aspects. The lower snowpack is well settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Alpine and Treeline areas suffered some wind damage in the past 24 hours, and there are now fresh wind slabs in some of this terrain. Typical lee and cross-loaded features will have wind slabs, but reverse wind-loading can also be expected due to recent N and NW winds. The late February sun is now powerful enough to create sun crusts on some steep solar aspects, but cold temperatures have been reducing this somewhat. The mid pack has enough strength and depth (in most places) that triggering the bottom layers is becoming more difficult. The key to avoiding trouble is avoiding thin areas where the bridging is minimal.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50 cm of recent storm snow lies above a crust. The new snow has bonded poorly to this crust and natural and human-triggered avalanche have been noted on this interface. The reactivity of this layer appears to be worse in the south of the region (i.e. the North Shore Mountains) that have seen more snow. Unusually for this region, we expect this layer to remain reactive for some time into the future. New sun crusts may be found near the surface of south-facing aspects, while wind slabs may be found in exposed terrain. The lower snowpack is settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 to 40 cm of low density snow has fallen over the past week, with greater amounts in the south of the region. Recent northerly winds have formed wind slabs in lee areas. This snow is sitting on a surface hoar (feathery crystals) and crust layer that was buried on February 7th which could eventually develop into a problem layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two additional weak layers of surface hoar have produced large avalanches in the region over the past month. A layer buried at the end of January is around 40 cm deep and a layer buried mid-January is between 50 and 90 cm deep. The mid-January layer may also be associated with a crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below. Human triggered avalanches continue to be reported on these weak layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is considered generally strong. However, there have been sporadic reports of very large avalanches that have released near the base of the snowpack. Most of these avalanches have been in the high alpine. There has been about one report a week for the past month.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Depending on location, the snow surface either consists of 15-40 cm of low density snow, wind slabs, or sun crusts on steep south facing terrain.&nbsp; Wind slabs may be found on all aspects due to recent variable wind direction. This new snow sits on old wind slabs and/or facets (sugary snow).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Lower down there are two layers of of surface hoar (feathery crystals) that were buried at the end of January and mid-January. These layers are around 30 to 70 cm deep and are most prominent at treeline and below treeline elevations. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and very difficult to predict. It is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests, and rocky outcroppings are some examples of terrain features to be wary of. See the Forecaster Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for more information on this problem.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Storm snow from last week has been redistributed by wind, forming wind slabs in open areas at higher elevations. The wind was first westerly and switched to northeast, so wind slabs may be found on all aspects. In sheltered areas between 1600 and 1800 m, 20 cm of recent snow may sit on a weak layer of surface hoar crystals buried around Valentines Day in some locations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Two more persistent weak layers may be found within the snowpack. Surface hoar that was buried early-February may be found about 30 to 50 cm deep in shaded and sheltered areas above 1600 m. The mid-January layer of surface hoar is buried around 70 to 100 cm and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Recent incremental snowfalls total 20-30 cm, with the highest amounts in the south of the region. The snow likely has slab properties where it has been wind affected at higher elevations and open areas. It could be more loose in sheltered areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The mid-January layer weak layer is buried around 50 to 80 cm. The weak layer is surface hoar on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m. In some areas the weak layer is made up of sugary faceted crystals over old wind slab or a crust. Snowpack test results suggest that this layer may still be triggered by humans.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains. There is potential for shallower avalanches to step down to these deeper weak layers.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 10 and 30 cm of low-density faceted snow sits on old hard surfaces including wind-affected snow and melt-freeze crusts. The low-density snow may sluff easily on these hard surfaces. Thin wind slabs may be found in the alpine. Moist snow may be found on steep south aspects when the sun is out.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is strong and settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surface conditions are variable. At higher elevations, wind slabs may exist in lee terrain features from recent snowfall and strong winds blowing in variable directions. These slabs may overly weak faceted grains. In sheltered areas, around 10 to 20 cm of low-density faceted snow may be found, possibly sitting on weak surface hoar and a smooth melt-freeze crust. On southerly slopes, moist snow or a thin melt-freeze crust is to be expected. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The next storm on Thursday and Friday will add to the recent 15 cm of snow. Upwards of 30 cm of snow is possible with the storm, and it will fall with strong southwest wind. All of this snow overlies a heavily wind affected layer in exposed terrain and pockets of feathery surface hoar crystals and faceted snow in sheltered terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, you may find two weak layers of surface hoar buried between 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Thursday and Friday's storm may deliver another 10 to 15 cm of snow, which will add to the 5 to 10 cm received on Tuesday. Strong southwest wind during both of these storms will form wind slabs in cross-loaded and lee terrain features in exposed areas. In sheltered areas at and below treeline, this new snow fell onto pockets of feathery surface hoar crystals and soft, faceted snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. In the north of the region, around 50 cm of snow may overly a weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of recent snow has been blown into wind slabs in many areas. Recent variable wind directions means that wind slabs may be found on all aspects, mainly in the alpine and at treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack. One was buried at the end of January and is approximately 40 cm below the surface. The deeper one was buried mid January and is approximately 75 cm below the surface. Both of these layers consist of a mix of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow), which may also sit on top of a sun crust on south facing slopes. Although avalanche activity on these layers has slowed down, test results indicate that humans could still trigger this layer in certain locations. These weak layers are most prominent at treeline and below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Average snow depths are approximately 300 cm. Very sporadically, failures have occurred near the base of the snowpack in this region, or in neighboring regions. These releases have almost all been from high alpine areas, possibly triggered close to rocky features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Depending on location, the snow surface varies from 10-30 cm of low density snow, to hard wind slab with softer wind slabs in the mix as well. Winds have been from a variety of directions, so wind slabs may be found on all aspects, mainly in the alpine and at treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer that was buried in mid January is now buried anywhere from 30-60 cm. This layer consists of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow). The layer also likely consists of a crust on south facing slopes.&nbsp; Avalanche activity on this layer has slowed, but test results still indicate that this layer may still be easy for humans to trigger in certain locations.&nbsp; It has been most reactive at treeline and below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is considered generally strong.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Depending on location, the snow surface consists of a mix of 20-30 cm of low density snow or wind slabs, and sun crust on south facing slopes.&nbsp; This snow sits on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and a crust that was buried on February 7th. This layer has been reactive, and has produced avalanches as large as size 3. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two other surface hoar layers are buried 50 to 80 cm deep the snowpack (referred to as the February 1st and mid-January layers). Although they have not been reactive recently, they are still being monitored by professionals. These layers are most prevalent below treeline on shady aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is considered generally strong.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A few cm's of snow fell through the day, but accumulations were minimal. New wind slabs can be found in Alpine and Treeline features on all aspects, but we are unsure of the extent of these due to a lack of field observations today. The mid pack has enough strength and depth (in most places) that triggering the bottom layers is unlikely. The key to avoiding trouble is avoiding thin areas where the bridging is minimal.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">40-80 cm of recent storm snow lies above a crust. The new snow has bonded poorly to this crust and natural and human-triggered avalanche have been noted on this interface. The reactivity of this layer appears to be worse in the south of the region (i.e. the North Shore Mountains) since this part of the region has seen more snow and it has consolidated into more of a slab. Unusually for this region, we expect this layer to remain reactive for some time into the future. New sun crusts may be found near the surface of south-facing aspects, while wind slabs may be found in exposed terrain. The lower snowpack is settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 10 cm of new snow is expected to fall on Friday with moderate southwest winds, which will likely form wind slabs in lee terrain. This new snow will fall on older wind slabs which may exist on all aspects due to previous variable wind directions. These older wind slabs will become more difficult to detect as they get buried.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow will bring recent snow amounts to 20-60 cm which overlies a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and crust that was buried in early February. As this layer receives more snow on top of it, it may develop into a problem layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two additional weak layers of surface hoar have produced large avalanches in the region over the past month. A layer buried at the end of January is around 40 cm deep and a layer buried mid-January is between 50 and 90 cm deep. The mid-January layer may also be associated with a crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is considered generally strong. However, there have been sporadic reports of very large avalanches that have released near the base of the snowpack. Most of these avalanches have been in the high alpine. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Depending on location, the snow surface either consists of 15-40 cm of low density snow, wind slabs, or sun crusts on steep south facing terrain. Wind slabs may be found on all aspects due to recent variable wind direction. This new snow sits on old wind slabs and/or facets (sugary snow).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Lower down there are two layers of of surface hoar (feathery crystals) that were buried at the end of January and mid-January. These layers are around 30 to 70 cm deep and are most prominent at treeline and below treeline elevations. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and very difficult to predict. It is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests, and rocky outcroppings are some examples of terrain features to be wary of. See the Forecaster Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for more information on this problem.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs exist in open, exposed areas at higher elevations. They may be found on all aspects due to variable wind directions. In sheltered areas between 1600 and 1800 m, 20 cm of recent snow may sit on a weak layer of surface hoar crystals buried around Valentines Day in some locations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two more weak layers of surface hoar may be found within the snowpack. Surface hoar that was buried early-February may be found about 30 to 50 cm deep in shaded and sheltered areas above 1600 m. The mid-January layer of surface hoar is buried around 70 to 100 cm and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs exist in open, exposed areas at higher elevations. They may be found on all aspects due to variable wind directions. In sheltered terrain, around 20 to 30 cm of recent soft snowfall may be found.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains is buried around 50 to 80 cm. It is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m. It may overly a melt-freeze crust on south aspects. Snowpack test results suggest that this layer may still be triggered by humans.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains. There is potential for shallower avalanches to step down to these deeper weak layers.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Expect 5-15 cm of new snow along with strong southwest wind on Friday to reshape the snow surface and form fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain. The new snow will bury a sun crust on south-facing slopes. In sheltered areas, 10 to 30 cm of low-density faceted snow is gradually settling onto old hard surfaces including crusts and wind-packed snow. Low-density snow may sluff easily on these hard surfaces. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper snowpack is highly variable and may consist of 10-20 cm of low density snow, hard wind slabs, and/or sun crusts (on south-facing slopes). On Friday, expect 5-20 cm of new snow along with strong southwest wind on Friday to reshape the snow surface and form fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain. A weak layer above a crust can be found roughly 20 cm deep at lower elevations and has produced some small slabs with low destructive potential on isolated features. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The next storm on Thursday night and Friday will add to the recent 15 cm of snow from Tuesday. Around 30 to 40 cm of snow is expected with this storm, and it is falling with strong southwest wind. All of this snow overlies weak faceted snow that may sit above hard surfaces, like wind-pressed snow or a crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, you may find two weak layers of surface hoar buried between 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Thursday night into Friday's storm is expected to deliver another 10 to 15 cm of snow, which will add to the 5 to 10 cm received on Tuesday. Strong southwest wind during both of these storms will form wind slabs in cross-loaded and lee terrain features in exposed areas. In sheltered areas at and below treeline, this new snow fell onto pockets of feathery surface hoar crystals and soft, faceted snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. In the north of the region, around 50 cm of snow may overly a weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 10 cm of new snow is expected to fall throughout the day on Friday with moderate southwest winds, which will likely form wind slabs in lee terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow will fall on 10-25 cm of older snow, which has also been blown into wind slabs in many areas. These older wind slabs may exists on all aspects due to variable wind directions, and they may become difficult to detect with the new snow on top of them.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack. One was buried at the end of January, and the other was buried mid January.  They are approximately 40 and 75 cm below the surface. Both layers consist of a mix of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow), which likely also sit on a sun crust on south facing slopes. These weak layers are most prominent at treeline and below treeline, though south facing slopes at any elevation are suspect as well.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Very sporadically, failures have occurred near the base of the snowpack in this region, or in neighboring regions. These releases have almost all been from high alpine areas, possibly triggered close to rocky features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 cm of snow is expected to fall overnight Thursday and throughout the day on Friday with moderate south winds. Fresh wind slabs are expected to form in lee terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Depending on location, the new snow will land on a wide variety of surfaces including 10-30 cm of older low density snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts on south facing slopes.&nbsp; Winds have been from a variety of directions, so wind slabs may be found on all aspects, mainly in the alpine and at treeline. The older wind slabs will become more difficult to detect as they get buried.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer that was buried in mid January is now buried anywhere from 30-60 cm. This layer consists of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow). The layer also likely consists of a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanche activity on this layer has slowed, but test results still indicate that this layer may still be easy for humans to trigger in certain locations. It has been most reactive at treeline and below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is considered generally strong.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Depending on location, the snow surface may consists of 20-30 cm of low density snow, wind slabs, and/or sun crusts (on south-facing slopes). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and a crust that was buried on February 7th is now 30-50 cm deep. This layer has been reactive, and has produced avalanches as large as size 3. Two other surface hoar layers are buried 50 to 80 cm deep the snowpack (referred to as the February 1st and mid-January layers). Although they have not been reactive recently, they are still being monitored by professionals. These layers are most prevalent below treeline on shady aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is considered generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">No major change in the region's snowpack overnight. We did receive a hint of snow, but in the grand scheme of things, 4cm is irrelevant. What is relevant though is the spike in alpine winds from a few days ago. The alpine has isolated, new windslabs on north to south aspects. The cold north wind caused some reverse loading. The slabs tend to be near ridges, and not too big. Treeline snow is generally facetted and weak with a hint of the windslabs from the last week. These slabs are less reactive as the bond gets better with the layers below. Valley bottom snow is very weak. Breaking a new trail is a lot of work!</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Friday, 20-30 cm of new snow will form reactive storm slabs above new sun crusts and weak faceted snow. 40-80 cm of recent storm snow lies above a crust. The snow has bonded poorly to this crust and natural and human-triggered avalanche have been noted on this interface. These videos clearly demonstrate how easy it is to trigger this weak layer (</span><a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/avalanche-ca/video/upload/v1550778644/SnowTest-ECT_lrlbxm.mov" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> and </span><a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/avalanche-ca/video/upload/v1550778847/IMG_0133_ox2hwp.mov" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">). The reactivity of this layer appears to be worse in the south of the region (i.e. the North Shore Mountains) since this part of the region has seen more snow and it has consolidated into more of a slab. Unusually for this region, we expect this layer to remain reactive for some time into the future. The lower snowpack is settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 15 cm of new fell on Thursday night and Friday with moderate southwest winds, which has likely formed new wind slabs in lee terrain. This new is sitting on older wind slabs which may exist on all aspects due to previous variable wind directions. These older wind slabs will become more difficult to detect with the new snow on top of them.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow brings total recent snowfall amounts to 20-60 cm which overlies a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and crust that was buried in early February. As this layer receives more snow on top of it, it may develop into a problem layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two additional weak layers of surface hoar have produced large avalanches in the region over the past month. A layer buried at the end of January is around 40 cm deep and a layer buried mid-January is between 50 and 90 cm deep. The mid-January layer may also be associated with a crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is considered generally strong. However, there have been sporadic reports of very large avalanches that have released near the base of the snowpack. Most of these avalanches have been in the high alpine. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Depending on location, the snow surface either consists of 15-40 cm of low density snow, wind slabs, or sun crusts on steep south facing terrain. Wind slabs may be found on all aspects due to recent variable wind direction. This new snow sits on old wind slabs and/or facets (sugary snow).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Lower down there are two layers of of surface hoar (feathery crystals) that were buried at the end of January and mid-January. These layers are around 30 to 70 cm deep and are most prominent at treeline and below treeline elevations. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and very difficult to predict. It is most likely to be triggered from areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. Rocky alpine bowls, ridge crests, and rocky outcroppings are some examples of terrain features to be wary of. See the Forecaster Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for more information on this problem.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light new snow amounts have buried mainly wind affected surfaces at alpine and treeline elevations, with snowfall forecast to continue through Friday night. In sheltered areas, the new snow is burying faceted surface snow and in some areas a new layer of surface hoar. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs exist in open, exposed areas at higher elevations. They may be found on all aspects due to variable wind directions. In sheltered areas between 1600 and 1800 m, 20 cm of recent snow may sit on a weak layer of surface hoar crystals buried around Valentines Day in some locations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two more weak layers of surface hoar may be found within the snowpack. Surface hoar that was buried early-February may be found about 30 to 50 cm deep in shaded and sheltered areas above 1600 m. The mid-January layer of surface hoar is buried around 70 to 100 cm and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs exist in open, exposed areas at higher elevations. They may be found on all aspects due to variable wind directions. In sheltered terrain, around 20 to 30 cm of recent soft snowfall may be found.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-January weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains is buried around 50 to 80 cm. It is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m. It may overly a melt-freeze crust on south aspects. Recent avalanche reports and snowpack test results suggest that this layer remains reactive to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle of the snowpack is generally consolidated. The bottom half of the snowpack is unconsolidated and composed of weak and sugary faceted grains. There is potential for shallower avalanches to step down to these deeper weak layers.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Roughly 20 cm of new low density snow sits above sun crusts on south-facing slopes and hard wind affected snow in the alpine. Deeper deposits may be forming in wind-affected alpine terrain. In sheltered areas, 20 to 40 cm of low-density faceted snow is gradually settling onto old hard surfaces including crusts and wind-packed snow. Low-density snow may sluff easily on these hard surfaces. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow amounts will be variable across the region on Saturday, with 15-30 cm possible in the south and 5-15 cm in the north. Deeper deposits may be found in wind-affected alpine terrain. Recent snow may sit above hard wind slabs or sun crusts. A weak layer above a crust can be found roughly 20-30 cm deep at treeline and below treeline elevations, and has produced some small slabs with low destructive potential on isolated features. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-50 cm of new snow fell over the region in the storm that began on Thursday, with the highest amounts favouring areas closer to the coast. The new snow has reportedly buried a new layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas as well as a new sun crust on solar aspects. It also adds to 15 cm of snow we received on Tuesday. In most areas, all of this snow collectively overlies hard, previously wind affected surfaces or crust. In limited sheltered areas, it may overlie an older layer of faceted (sugary) snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, you may find two weak layers of surface hoar buried between 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm that began on Thursday is expected to deliver 10 to 15 cm of new snow by the time it ends on Friday night. The new snow adds to 5 to 10 cm of snow we received on Tuesday. Forecast winds are expected to shift from west to east, meaning that new wind slabs will likely exist on varied aspects, as well as in cross-loaded terrain features on Saturday. In sheltered areas at and below treeline, the new snow has buried pockets of feathery surface hoar crystals and soft, faceted snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. In the north of the region, around 50 cm of snow may overly a weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> 5-10 cm of snow fell overnight Thursday and throughout the day on Friday. This was accompanied by moderate to strong southwest winds, which will have likely created wind slabs in lee terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow sits on 10-25 cm of older snow, which had also been blown into wind slabs in many areas. These older wind slabs may exists on all aspects due to variable wind directions, and they may become difficult to detect with the new snow on top of them.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack. One was buried at the end of January, and the other was buried mid January. They are approximately 40 and 75 cm below the surface. Both layers consist of a mix of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow), which likely also sit on a sun crust on south facing slopes. These weak layers are most prominent at treeline and below treeline, though south facing slopes at any elevation are suspect as well.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Very sporadically, failures have occurred near the base of the snowpack in this region, or in neighboring regions. These releases have almost all been from high alpine areas, possibly triggered close to rocky features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 5 cm of new snow fell on Friday with moderate to strong southwest winds. The new snow sits on top of approximately 10-30 cm of low density snow in some areas, and wind slabs in other areas. Due to previous variable wind directions, wind slabs may be found on all aspects, mainly in the alpine and at treeline. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer that was buried in mid January is now buried anywhere from 30-60 cm. This layer consists of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow). The layer also likely consists of a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanche activity on this layer has slowed, but test results, and recent observations of whumphing still indicate that this layer may still be easy for humans to trigger in certain locations. It has been most reactive at treeline and below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is considered generally strong.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak storm has brought 10-25 cm of low density snow that now covers variable wind slabs at higher elevations and sun crusts on south-facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and a crust that was buried on February 7th is now 30-50 cm deep. This layer has been reactive, and has produced avalanches as large as size 3. Two other surface hoar layers are buried 50 to 80 cm deep the snowpack (referred to as the February 1st and mid-January layers). Although they have not been reactive recently, they are still being monitored by professionals. These layers are most prevalent below treeline on shady aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is considered generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Interesting day today. To sum up the observations, its fair to say the snowpack is changing and the relatively solid snowpack is taking a turn for the worse. The winds picked up last night and instead of changing to a westerly flow, they held a northerly direction and lingered for the better part of today. This made for a rapid reverse loading pattern in the alpine. Lots of spindrift made reactive windslabs around cliffs. Treeline didn't escape the wind either. Slabs are there, but not as thick or dense as higher up. In an untracked, rocky, thin treeline area we had shooting cracks of up to 20m and large settlements. Remoting avalanches suddenly seemed like a real possibility. Open, below treeline areas also had large settlements on the Jan 17 surface hoar. The solar input is strong enough to soften the snow. The warming trend and wind loading is to blame for this rapid decrease in stability. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Roughly 20 cm of new snow sits above a mix of sun crusts and possibly some weak faceted snow and surface hoar. A widespread crust layer is buried 50-100 cm deep with weak snow above it that has produced large natural and human-triggered avalanche over the past week. These videos from Wednesday clearly demonstrate how easy it is to trigger this weak layer (</span><a href="https://vimeo.com/318963467" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> and </span><a href="https://vimeo.com/318963383" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">). The reactivity of this layer appears to be worse in the south of the region (i.e. the North Shore Mountains) since this part of the region has seen more snow and it has consolidated into more of a slab. Unusually for this region, we expect this layer to remain reactive for some time into the future. The lower snowpack is settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-15 cm of new snow falling Thursday and Friday has been redistributed by moderate southwest winds. This new snow is sitting on older wind slabs which may exist on all aspects. This brings total recent snowfall amounts to 20-60 cm which overlies a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and crust that was buried in early February.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two additional weak layers of surface hoar have produced large avalanches in the region over the past month. A layer buried at the end of January is around 40 cm deep and a layer buried mid-January is between 50 and 90 cm deep. The mid-January layer may also be associated with a crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally considered to be strong. However, there have been sporadic reports of very large avalanches that have released near the base of the snowpack. Most of these avalanches have been in the high alpine. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Depending on location, the snow surface either consists of 15-40 cm of low density snow, wind slabs, or sun crusts on steep south facing terrain. Wind slabs may be found on all aspects due to recent variable wind direction. Lower down there are two layers of of surface hoar (feathery crystals) that were buried at the end of January and mid-January. These layers are around 30 to 80 cm deep and are most prominent at treeline and below. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and very difficult to predict. See the Forecaster Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for more information on this problem.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 60 cm of low density new snow sits on wind affected surfaces in the alpine and treeline. In sheltered areas, the new snow is burying faceted surface snow and possibly a layer of surface hoar. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas between 1600 and 1800 m, another weak layer of surface hoar crystals buried around Valentines Day, is now 60-80 cm below the snow surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two more weak layers of surface hoar may be found within the snowpack. One buried early-February, is 80-100 cm deep in shaded and sheltered areas above 1600 m. The other buried mid-January, is 100-150 cm down and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs exist in open, exposed areas at higher elevations. They may be found on all aspects due to variable wind directions. A weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains buried mid-January is 50 to 80 cm below the surface. It is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m. It may overly a melt-freeze crust on south aspects. Recent avalanche reports and snowpack test results suggest that this layer remains reactive to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom half of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted snow crystals. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20 cm of low density snow sits above sun crusts on south-facing slopes and hard wind affected snow in the alpine. Deeper deposits may be forming in wind-affected alpine terrain. In sheltered areas, 20 to 40 cm of low-density faceted snow is gradually settling onto old hard surfaces including crusts and wind-packed snow. Low-density snow may sluff easily on these hard surfaces. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Friday's storm delivered 10-15 cm in northern parts of the region and 15-25 cm in southern parts of the region. Deeper deposits may be found in wind-affected alpine terrain. Recent snow may sit above hard wind slabs or sun crusts. A weak layer above a crust can be found roughly 20-30 cm deep at treeline and below treeline elevations, and has produced some small slabs with low destructive potential on isolated features. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Outflow winds are reshaping the surface and forming fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain. 20-50 cm of snow fell over the region on Thursday and Friday, with the highest amounts favouring areas closer to the coast. The new snow has reportedly buried a new layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas as well as a new sun crust on solar aspects. In most areas, the new snow collectively overlies hard, previously wind affected surfaces or crust. In limited sheltered areas, it may overlie an older layer of faceted (sugary) snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, you may find two weak layers of surface hoar buried between 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm that began on Thursday delivered 15 to 30 cm of fluffy low density snow by Saturday morning. Winds are expected to shift from west to east over the weekend, meaning that new wind slabs will likely exist on varied aspects, as well as in cross-loaded terrain features. In sheltered areas at and below treeline, the new snow has buried pockets of feathery surface hoar crystals and soft, faceted snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is well-settled. In the north of the region, around 50 cm of snow may overly a weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 cm of snow falling Thursday and Friday has been redistributed by moderate to strong southwest winds. This sits on 10-25 cm of low density snow or older wind slabs that formed on a variety of aspects in many areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack. One was buried at the end of January, and the other was buried mid January. They are approximately 40 and 75 cm below the surface. Both layers consist of a mix of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow), which likely also sit on a sun crust on south facing slopes. These weak layers are most prominent at treeline and below, though south facing slopes at any elevation are suspect as well.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Very sporadically, failures have occurred near the base of the snowpack in this region, or in neighboring regions. These releases have almost all been from high alpine areas, possibly triggered close to rocky features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 5 cm of recent new snow fell with moderate to strong southwest winds. The new snow sits on top of approximately 10-30 cm of low density snow in some areas, and wind slabs in other areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer that was buried in mid January is now buried anywhere from 30-60 cm. This layer consists of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow). The layer also likely consists of a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanche activity on this layer has slowed, but test results, and recent observations of whumphing still indicate that this layer may still be easy for humans to trigger in certain locations. It has been most reactive at treeline and below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The latest storm has brought 15-25 cm of low density snow that now covers variable wind slabs at higher elevations and sun crusts on south-facing slopes. Fresh wind slabs may be forming in exposed terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and a crust that was buried on February 7th is now 30-50 cm deep. This layer has been reactive, and has produced avalanches as large as size 3. Two other surface hoar layers are buried 50 to 80 cm deep the snowpack (referred to as the February 1st and mid-January layers). Although they have not been reactive recently, they are still being monitored by professionals. These layers are most prevalent below treeline on shady aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is considered generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Most alpine areas are showing the impact of yesterday's wind event. While not wind scoured, it looks freshly wind loaded near ridges. Treeline has a similar loading pattern with a reasonably dense (4-finger), 10-20cm thick windslab over facets. Even below treeline areas had a hint of this wind slab in down-flow wind(cold air sinking and/or swirling) areas. Its important to note that these winds were from the north and have left an unusual loading pattern.  Aside from these new, touchy windslabs there isn't a lot of change overall. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Roughly 30 cm of new snow sits above a mix of sun crusts and possibly some weak faceted snow and surface hoar. A widespread crust layer is buried 50-80 cm deep with weak snow above it that has produced large natural and human-triggered avalanche over the past week. These videos from Wednesday clearly demonstrate how easy it is to trigger this weak layer (</span><a href="https://vimeo.com/318963467" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> and </span><a href="https://vimeo.com/318963383" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">). The reactivity of this layer appears to be worse in the south of the region (i.e. the North Shore Mountains) since this part of the region has seen more snow and it has consolidated into more of a slab. Unusually for this region, we expect this layer to remain reactive for some time into the future. The lower snowpack is settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_A8FEC758 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">5-15 cm of recent snow has been redistributed by moderate southwest winds, which is sitting on older wind slabs on a variety aspects. This brings total recent snowfall amounts to 20-60 cm which overlies a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and crust that was buried in early February.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Two additional weak layers of surface hoar have produced large avalanches in the region over the past month. A layer buried at the end of January is around 40 cm deep and a layer buried mid-January is between 60 and 90 cm deep. The mid-January layer may also be associated with a crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">The remainder of the snowpack is generally considered to be strong in most areas. However, isolated failures have occurred near the base of the snowpack in this region, or in neighboring regions, resulting in large, destructive avalanches. These avalanches have primarily been in steep, rocky, high alpine areas with a shallow snowpack. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Depending on location, the snow surface either consists of 15-40 cm of low density snow, wind slabs, or sun crusts on steep south facing terrain. Wind slabs may be found on all aspects due to recent variable wind direction. Lower down there are two layers of of surface hoar (feathery crystals) that were buried at the end of January and mid-January. These layers are around 30 to 80 cm deep and are most prominent at treeline and below. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and very difficult to predict. See the Forecaster Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for more information on this problem.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 60 cm low density new snow is settling out and being redistributed by wind. The new snow sits on wind affected surfaces in the alpine and treeline. In sheltered areas, the new snow is burying faceted surface snow and possibly a layer of surface hoar. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas between 1600 and 1800 m, another weak layer of surface hoar crystals buried around Valentines Day, is now 60-80 cm below the snow surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two more weak layers of surface hoar may be found within the snowpack. One buried early-February, is 80-100 cm deep in shaded and sheltered areas above 1600 m. The other buried mid-January, is 100-150 cm down and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs exist in open, exposed areas at higher elevations. They may be found on all aspects due to variable wind directions. A weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains buried mid-January is 50 to 80 cm below the surface. It is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m. It may overly a melt-freeze crust on south aspects. Recent avalanche reports and snowpack test results suggest that this layer remains reactive to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom half of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted snow crystals. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent wind has formed isolated pockets of slabs in exposed terrain, while sheltered areas have cold low density snow. The top 20 to 40 cm of the snowpack consists of low density snow that is gradually settling onto old hard surfaces including crusts and wind-packed snow. Low-density snow may sluff easily on these hard surfaces. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Friday's storm delivered 10-15 cm in northern parts of the region and 15-25 cm in southern parts of the region. Recent wind has formed isolated pockets of slabs in exposed terrain, while sheltered areas have cold low density snow. The top 20 to 40 cm of the snowpack consists of low density snow that is gradually settling onto old hard surfaces including crusts and wind-packed snow. Low-density snow may sluff easily on these hard surfaces. In some isolated features, the snow has settled into thin slabs above these hard surface and produced small avalanches with minimal destructive potential. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-50 cm of snow fell over the region on Thursday and Friday forming reactive storm slabs. Strong outflow winds are reshaping the surface and forming fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain. The new snow has reportedly buried a new layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas as well as a new sun crust on solar aspects. In most areas, the new snow collectively overlies hard, previously wind affected surfaces or crust. In limited sheltered areas, it may overlie an older layer of faceted (sugary) snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, you may find two weak layers of surface hoar buried between 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm that began on Thursday delivered 15 to 30 cm of fluffy low density snow by Saturday morning. Over the weekend, winds shifted from west to east, expect to find new wind slabs on varied aspects, as well as in cross-loaded terrain features. In sheltered areas at and below treeline, the new snow has buried pockets of feathery surface hoar crystals and soft, faceted snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is well-settled. In the north of the region, around 50 cm of snow may overly a weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 cm of recent snow has been redistributed by moderate to strong southwest winds. This snow sits on 10-25 cm of low density snow or older wind slabs that formed on a variety of aspects in many areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack. One was buried at the end of January, and the other was buried mid January. They are approximately 40 and 75 cm below the surface. Both layers consist of a mixture of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow), which likely also sit on a sun crust on steep, south facing slopes. These weak layers are most prominent at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Very sporadically, failures have occurred near the base of the snowpack in this region, or in neighboring regions. These avalanches have primarily been in steep, rocky, high alpine areas with a shallow snowpack.  </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 5 cm of recent new snow fell with moderate to strong southwest winds. The new snow sits on top of approximately 10-30 cm of low density snow in some areas, and wind slabs in other areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer that was buried in mid January is down 30-60 cm. This layer consists of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow). The layer also likely consists of a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanche activity on this layer has slowed, but test results, and recent observations of whumphing still indicate that this layer may still be possible for humans to trigger in specific locations. It has been most reactive at treeline and below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The latest storm brought 15-25 cm of low density snow that now covers variable wind slabs at higher elevations and sun crusts on south-facing slopes. Fresh wind slabs may be forming in exposed terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and a crust that was buried on February 7th is now 30-50 cm deep. This layer has been reactive, and has produced avalanches as large as size 3. Two other surface hoar layers are buried 50 to 80 cm deep the snowpack (referred to as the February 1st and mid-January layers). Although they have not been reactive recently, they are still being monitored by professionals. The lower snowpack is considered generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">More cold weather...needless to say the snow pack as a whole is faceting as we speak and becoming weaker. This may not be all bad. The alpine still looks loaded with recent avalanches being up to a meter deep within the wind slabs. Treeline windslabs are starting to weaken which will decrease their &quot;touchiness&quot;. How fast that happens depends on the density of the slab. At the moment there are still pockets of harder slabs in wind prone areas. No wind transport today. Below treeline is occasionally supportive where there's been wind and traffic, but in low elevation trees expect to wallow or walk on the ground...or both.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Roughly 30 cm of new snow sits above a mix of sun crusts and possibly some weak faceted snow and surface hoar. A widespread crust layer is buried 50-100 cm deep with weak snow above it that has produced large natural and human-triggered avalanche over the past week. These videos from Wednesday demonstrate how easy it is to trigger this weak layer (</span><a href="https://vimeo.com/318963467" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> and </span><a href="https://vimeo.com/318963383" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">). The reactivity of this layer appears to be worse in the south of the region (i.e. the North Shore Mountains) since this part of the region has seen more snow and it has consolidated into more of a slab. Unusually for this region, we expect this layer to remain reactive for some time into the future. The lower snowpack is settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_A8FEC758 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">5-15 cm of recent snow has been redistributed by moderate southwest winds, which is sitting on older wind slabs on a variety aspects. </span><span class="s_1681A555">These buried wind slabs are sitting on facets (sugary snow) which may cause them to remain reactive to human triggers longer than what is typical for this region. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Two additional weak layers of surface hoar have produced large avalanches in the region over the past month. A layer buried at the end of January is around 40 cm deep and a layer buried mid-January is between 60 and 90 cm deep. The mid-January layer may also be associated with a crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">The remainder of the snowpack is generally considered to be strong in most areas. However, isolated failures have occurred near the base of the snowpack in this region, or in neighboring regions, resulting in large, destructive avalanches. These avalanches have primarily been in steep, rocky, high alpine areas with a shallow snowpack. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Depending on location, the snow surface either consists of 15-40 cm of low density snow, wind slabs, or sun crusts on steep south facing terrain. Wind slabs may be found on all aspects due to recent variable wind direction. </span><span class="s_1681A555">These buried wind slabs are sitting on facets (sugary snow) which may cause them to remain reactive to human triggers longer than what is typical for this region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Lower down there are two layers of of surface hoar (feathery crystals) that were buried at the end of January and mid-January. These layers are around 30 to 80 cm deep and are most prominent at treeline and below. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and very difficult to predict. See the Forecaster Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for more information on this problem.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm snow is setting out to around 40 cm and being redistributed by northeast winds, stripping exposed terrain in the alpine and upper treeline. Loose recent snow is still found in sheltered areas and lower elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent snow fell on wind affected surfaces in the alpine and treeline. In sheltered areas and lower elevations, the new snow is burying faceted surface snow and possibly a layer of surface hoar. In sheltered areas between 1600 and 1800 m, another weak layer of surface hoar crystals buried around Valentines Day, is now 60-80 cm below the snow surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two more weak layers of surface hoar may be found within the snowpack. One buried early-February, is 80-100 cm deep in shaded and sheltered areas above 1600 m. The other buried mid-January, is 100-150 cm down and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moderate winds are smoothing alpine start zones and reverse loading lee terrain. Wind slabs exist in open, exposed areas at higher elevations and may be found on all aspects due to variable wind directions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this stack of wind-affected surfaces, a weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains buried mid-January is down 50 to 80 cm. It is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m. It may overly a melt-freeze crust on south aspects. Recent avalanche reports and snowpack test results suggest that this layer remains reactive to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom half of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted snow crystals. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent wind has formed isolated pockets of slabs in exposed terrain, while sheltered areas have cold low density snow. The top 20 to 40 cm of the snowpack consists of low density snow that is gradually bonding to old hard surfaces including crusts and wind-packed snow. Low-density snow may sluff easily from these hard surfaces. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Friday's storm delivered 10-15 cm in northern parts of the region and 15-25 cm in southern parts of the region. Recent wind has formed isolated pockets of slabs in exposed terrain, while sheltered areas have cold low density snow. The top 20 to 40 cm of the snowpack consists of low density snow that is gradually bonding to old hard surfaces that include crusts and wind-packed snow. Low-density snow may sluff easily from these hard surfaces. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some isolated features, the snow has settled into thin slabs above these hard surfaces and produced small avalanches with minimal destructive potential. The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 40 cm snow over the weekend fell on a variety of surfaces from hard wind slab to cold and faceted snow. Strong outflow winds are reshaping the surface, harder wind slabs are found in exposed terrain at treeline and above with soft slab development in lee and cross-loaded features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In most areas, the new snow collectively overlies hard, previously wind affected surfaces or crust on solar aspects. In selective sheltered areas, it may overlie surface hoar or an older layer of faceted (sugary) snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, you may find two weak layers of surface hoar buried between 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 30 cm recent snow is being redistributed by wind, with the largest impact in alpine terrain and exposed terrain at treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the weekend, winds shifted from west to east, expect to find new wind slabs on various aspects and in cross-loaded terrain features. In sheltered areas at and below treeline, the new snow has buried spotty pockets of feathery surface hoar crystals and soft, faceted snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is well-settled. In the north of the region, around 50 cm of snow may overly a weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 cm of recent snow has been redistributed by moderate to strong southwest winds. This snow sits on 10-25 cm of low density snow or older wind slabs that formed on a variety of aspects in many areas. </span><span class="s_1681A555">These buried wind slabs are sitting on facets (sugary snow) which may cause them to remain reactive to human triggers longer than what is typical for this region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack. One was buried at the end of January, and the other was buried mid January. They are approximately 40 and 75 cm below the surface. Both layers consist of a mixture of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow), which likely also sit on a sun crust on steep, south facing slopes. These weak layers are most prominent at treeline and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Very sporadically, failures have occurred near the base of the snowpack in this region, or in neighboring regions. These avalanches have primarily been in steep, rocky, high alpine areas with a shallow snowpack. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 5 cm of recent new snow fell with moderate to strong southwest winds. The new snow sits on top of approximately 10-30 cm of low density snow in some areas, and wind slabs in other areas. These buried wind slabs are sitting on facets (sugary snow) which may cause them to remain reactive to human triggers longer than what is typical for this region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer that was buried in mid January is down 30-60 cm. This layer consists of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and facets. The layer also likely consists of a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanche activity on this layer has slowed, but test results, and recent observations of whumphing still indicate that this layer may still be possible for humans to trigger in specific locations. It has been most reactive at treeline and below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The latest storm brought 15-25 cm of low density snow that now covers variable wind slabs at higher elevations and sun crusts on south-facing slopes. Fresh wind slabs have formed in exposed terrain under the influence of increasing northerly winds.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and a crust that was buried on February 7th is now 30-50 cm deep. This layer has been reactive, and has produced avalanches as large as size 3. Two other surface hoar layers are buried 50 to 80 cm deep the snowpack (referred to as the February 1st and mid-January layers). Although they have not been reactive recently, they are still being monitored by professionals. The lower snowpack is considered generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Alpine areas are primarily wind effected with a mix of hard and soft wind slabs on all aspects. These tend to disappear as you descend into Treeline elevations. Overall the snowpack continues to facet, especially in shallow snowpack areas and at lower elevations. In valley bottoms the ski penetration is to ground unless you are traveling on an existing packed trail.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Roughly 30 cm of snow from the weekend storm sits above a mix of sun crusts and possibly some weak faceted snow and surface hoar. Below this gradually strengthening interface, a widespread crust layer is now buried 50-100 cm deep with weak snow above it. This deeper weak layer has produced large natural and human-triggered avalanches over the past week. A couple of videos from last Wednesday demonstrate how easy it is to trigger this layer. (see </span><a href="https://vimeo.com/318963467" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> and </span><a href="https://vimeo.com/318963383" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">)</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The reactivity of this layer appears to be worse in the south of the region (i.e. the North Shore Mountains), since this part of the region saw more snow from recent storms and this storm snow consolidated into a stiffer slab. This problem is not typical for the region and we expect this layer to remain reactive for some time into the future. The lower snowpack is settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
.s_A8FEC758 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Strong northeasterly ridge-top winds on Monday created fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Additionally, there are buried wind slabs on a variety of aspects that are sitting on facets (sugary snow) which may cause them to remain reactive to human triggers longer than what is typical for a wind slab problem in this region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Two additional weak layers of surface hoar have produced large avalanches in the region over the past month. A layer buried at the end of January is around 40 cm deep and a layer buried mid-January is between 60 and 90 cm deep. The mid-January layer may also be associated with a crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below treeline elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">The remainder of the snowpack is generally considered to be strong in most areas. However, isolated failures have occurred near the base of the snowpack in this region, or in neighboring regions, resulting in large, destructive avalanches. These avalanches have primarily been in steep, rocky, high alpine areas with a shallow snowpack. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
.s_69909980 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Strong northeasterly ridge-top winds on Monday created fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Additionally, there are buried wind slabs on a variety of aspects that are sitting on facets (sugary snow) which may cause them to remain reactive to human triggers longer than what is typical for a wind slab problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Lower down there are two layers of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) that were buried at the end of January and mid-January. These layers are around 30 to 80 cm deep and are most prominent at treeline and below. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes in specific locations which is a dangerous combination.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and very difficult to predict. See the Forecaster Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">here</span></a><span class="s_1681A555"> for more information on this problem.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Winds are redistributing recent snowfall forming scouring ridgetops and producing wind slabs in open areas at treeline and above. The recent snow covered wind-affected surfaces in the alpine and treeline. In sheltered areas and lower elevations, the new snow is burying faceted surface snow and a patchy layer of surface hoar. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 1600-1800 m, another weak layer of surface hoar crystals buried around Valentines Day, is now 50-80 cm below the snow surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two more weak layers of surface hoar may be found within the snowpack. One buried early-February, is 40-80 cm deep in shaded and sheltered areas above 1600 m. The other buried mid-January, is 100-120 cm down and is most prominent between 1600-1900 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moderate winds are smoothing alpine start zones and reverse loading lee terrain. Wind slabs exist in open, exposed areas at higher elevations and may be found on all aspects due to variable wind directions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this stack of wind-affected surfaces, a weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains buried mid-January is down 50 to 80 cm. It is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m. It may overly a melt-freeze crust on south aspects. Recent avalanche reports and snowpack test results suggest that this layer remains reactive to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom half of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted snow crystals. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent switching wind has formed isolated pockets of slabs in exposed terrain on most aspects, while the southerly aspects are currently most reactive. New surface hoar formation up to 10 mm can be found on most aspects in sheltered locations from the wind, while the steeper southerly aspects likely have a thin crust from the recent solar input. The top 20 to 40 cm of the snowpack consists of low density snow that is gradually bonding to old hard surfaces including crusts and wind-packed snow. Low-density snow may sluff easily from these hard surfaces. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent switching wind has formed pockets of wind slab in exposed terrain on most aspects, these are currently more reactive on southerly aspects. New surface hoar and needle crystals are forming up to 5 mm on most aspects and elevations. The top 20 to 40 cm of the snowpack consists of low density snow that is gradually bonding to old hard surfaces that include crusts and wind-packed snow. Low-density snow may sluff easily from these hard surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some isolated features, the snow has settled into thin slabs above these hard surfaces. However, the remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong outflow winds redistributed last weekend's snow, reshaping alpine and exposed treeline snow surfaces, and building variable wind slabs. Recent cold temperatures have encouraged surface hoar growth and surface faceting in sheltered terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In most areas, the 20-50 cm recent snow collectively overlies hard, previously wind affected surfaces or crust on solar aspects. In selective sheltered areas, low density snow overlies facets and/or spotty surface hoar. As strong winds reach less exposed areas, more cohesive slabs have formed over this weak layer at lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, you may find two weak layers of surface hoar buried between 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable winds have redistributed recent snow producing firm wind slabs at ridgetops and a variety of wind-affected surfaces throughout the alpine. In most areas, the 20-50 cm recent snow collectively overlies hard, previously wind affected surfaces or crust on solar aspects. In selective sheltered areas, low density snow overlies facets and/or spotty surface hoar. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is well-settled. In the north of the region, around 50 cm of snow may overly a weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Strong northeasterly ridge-top winds on Monday created fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Additionally, there are buried wind slabs on a variety of aspects that are sitting on facets (sugary snow) which may cause them to remain reactive to human triggers longer than what is typical for a wind slab problem in this region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack. One was buried at the end of January, and the other was buried mid January. They are approximately 40 and 75 cm below the surface. Both layers consist of a mixture of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow), which likely also sit on a sun crust on steep, south facing slopes. These weak layers are most prominent at treeline and below treeline elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Very sporadically, failures have occurred near the base of the snowpack in this region, or in neighboring regions. These avalanches have primarily been in steep, rocky, high alpine areas with a shallow snowpack. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
.s_E1FB2360 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 15.3333333333333px;color: #595959; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Moderate to strong northerly ridge-top winds on Monday created fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Additionally, there are buried wind slabs on a variety of aspects that are sitting on facets (sugary snow) which may cause them to remain reactive to human triggers longer than what is typical for a wind slab problem in this region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_E1FB2360">A weak layer that was buried in mid January is down 30-60 cm. This layer consists of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and facets. The layer also likely consists of a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanche activity on this layer has slowed, but test results, and recent observations of whumphing still indicate that this layer may still be possible for humans to trigger in specific locations. It has been most reactive at treeline and below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_E1FB2360">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Fresh and reactive wind slabs have formed in exposed terrain in response to yesterday's wind event. This </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/map/forecasts/kootenay-boundary?panel=mountain-information-network-submissions/e31fee09-55ed-4d11-ac3a-83627fcd940d" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">MIN report </span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">reflects the Kootenay Pass area well. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm last weekend brought 15-25 cm of low density snow that now covers variable wind slabs at higher elevations and sun crusts on south-facing slopes. A weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and a crust that was buried on February 7th is now 30-50 cm deep. This layer has been reactive, and has produced avalanches as large as size 3. Two other surface hoar layers are buried 50 to 80 cm deep the snowpack (referred to as the February 1st and mid-January layers). Although they have not been reactive recently, they are still being monitored by professionals. The lower snowpack is considered generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Widespread wind effect and wind slabs in the Alpine on all aspects (as long as the slope hasn't been blown down to rock). These slabs disappear quite quickly as you descend into Treeline. The prolonged and significant cold period continues to facet the snowpack at all elevations, which is particularly problematic in shallow snowpack areas and/or at lower elevations where foot/ski penetration to ground is a real possibility.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Roughly 30 cm of snow from the weekend storm sits above a mix of sun crusts and possibly some weak faceted snow and surface hoar. Below this gradually strengthening interface, a widespread crust layer is now buried 50-100 cm deep with weak snow above it. This deeper weak layer has produced large natural and human-triggered avalanches over the past week. A couple of videos from last Wednesday demonstrate how easy it is to trigger this layer. (see </span><a href="https://vimeo.com/318963467" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> and </span><a href="https://vimeo.com/318963383" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">)</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The reactivity of this layer appears to be worse in the south of the region (i.e. the North Shore Mountains), since this part of the region saw more snow from recent storms and this storm snow consolidated into a stiffer slab. This problem is not typical for the region and we expect this layer to remain reactive for some time into the future. The lower snowpack is settled and strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
.s_A8FEC758 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Strong northeasterly ridge-top winds have created fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Additionally, there are buried wind slabs on a variety of aspects that are sitting on facets (sugary snow) which may cause them to remain reactive to human triggers longer than what is typical for a wind slab problem in this region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Two additional weak layers of surface hoar have produced large avalanches in the region over the past month. A layer buried at the end of January is around 40 cm deep and a layer buried mid-January is between 60 and 90 cm deep. The mid-January layer may also be associated with a crust on southerly aspects. These layers are most prominent at treeline and below treeline elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">The remainder of the snowpack is generally considered to be strong in most areas. However, isolated failures have occurred near the base of the snowpack in this region, or in neighboring regions, resulting in large, destructive avalanches. These avalanches have primarily been in steep, rocky, high alpine areas with a shallow snowpack. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
.s_69909980 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Strong northeasterly ridge-top winds have created fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Additionally, there are buried wind slabs on a variety of aspects that are sitting on facets (sugary snow) which may cause them to remain reactive to human triggers longer than what is typical for a wind slab problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Lower down there are two layers of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) that were buried at the end of January and mid-January. These layers are around 30 to 80 cm deep and are most prominent at treeline and below. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes in specific locations which is a dangerous combination.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and very difficult to predict. See the Forecaster Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">here</span></a><span class="s_1681A555"> for more information on this problem.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Winds are redistributing recent snowfall forming scouring ridgetops and producing wind slabs in open areas at treeline and above. The recent snow covered wind-affected surfaces in the alpine and treeline. In sheltered areas and lower elevations, the new snow is settling over facets and a patchy layer of surface hoar and a crust on solar aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 1600 and 1800 m, another weak layer of surface hoar crystals is now 30-50 cm below the snow surface. Two more weak layers of surface hoar may be found within the snowpack. One buried early-February, is 40-80 cm deep in shaded and sheltered areas above 1600 m. The other buried mid-January, is 80-110 cm down and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Widespread wind affect has smoothed alpine terrain and loaded lee features. Harder wind slabs are found in more exposed terrain and higher elevations, softer wind slabs have formed in more sheltered areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this stack of wind-affected snow, a weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains buried mid-January is down 40 to 80 cm. It is found on shaded and sheltered slopes and is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m but has been found up to 2200 m. It may overly a melt-freeze crust on south aspects. Recent avalanche reports and snowpack test results suggest that this layer remains reactive to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom half of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted snow crystals. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent switching wind has formed pockets of wind slab in exposed terrain on most aspects but currently more reactive to human triggers on southerly aspects. New surface hoar formation can be found on most aspects in sheltered locations from the wind, while the steeper southerly aspects likely have a thin crust from solar input. The top 20 to 40 cm of the snowpack consists of low density snow that is gradually bonding to old hard surfaces including crusts and wind-packed snow. The low-density snow may sluff easily from steeper terrain features. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent switching wind has formed pockets of wind slab in exposed terrain on most aspects but currently more reactive to human triggers on southerly aspects. New surface hoar and needle crystals are forming in sheltered locations on most aspects and elevations. Where there is no wind affected snow the top 20 to 40 cm of the snowpack consists of low density snow that is gradually bonding to old hard surfaces that include crusts and wind-packed snow. Low-density snow may sluff easily from these hard surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some isolated features, the snow has settled into thin slabs above these hard surfaces. However, the remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong outflow winds have reshaped alpine and exposed treeline areas, ridgetops are wind-pressed with variable wind slabs in lee terrain. In sheltered terrain, loose snow is faceting with possible surface hoar growth. A thin sun crust has developed on solar aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In most areas, the 20-50 cm wind-affected snow collectively overlies hard, previously wind affected surfaces or crust on solar aspects. In selective sheltered areas, lower density snow overlies facets and/or spotty surface hoar. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the remainder of the snowpack is well-settled. Around Bear Pass and in the north of the region, you may find two weak layers of surface hoar buried between 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of weak and sugary faceted snow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable winds have scoured ridges and developed wind slabs and a variety of wind-affected surfaces throughout the alpine and into treeline. Lower density snow can still be found in sheltered and lee terrain, and in most areas, the 20-50 cm snow collectively overlies hard, previously wind affected surfaces or crust on solar aspects. In selective sheltered areas, low density snow overlies facets and/or spotty surface hoar. A thin sun crust has formed on steep solar aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is well-settled. In the north of the region, around 50 cm of snow may overly a weak layer of surface hoar or faceted grains.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Strong northeasterly ridge-top winds have created fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Additionally, there are buried wind slabs on a variety of aspects that are sitting on facets (sugary snow) which may cause them to remain reactive to human triggers longer than what is typical for a wind slab problem in this region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack. One was buried at the end of January, and the other was buried mid January. They are approximately 40 and 75 cm below the surface. Both layers consist of a mixture of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow), which likely also sit on a sun crust on steep, south facing slopes. These weak layers are most prominent at treeline and below treeline elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Very sporadically, failures have occurred near the base of the snowpack in this region, or in neighboring regions. These avalanches have primarily been in steep, rocky, high alpine areas with a shallow snowpack. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_E6FD2046 { font-family: 'Verdana';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_E6FD2046">Moderate to strong northerly ridge-top winds have created fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Additionally, there are buried wind slabs on a variety of aspects that are sitting on facets (sugary snow) which may cause them to remain reactive to human triggers longer than what is typical for a wind slab problem in this region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_E6FD2046">A weak layer that was buried in mid January is down 50-60 cm. This layer consists of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and facets. The layer also likely consists of a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanche activity on this layer has slowed, but test results, and recent observations of whumphing still indicate that this layer may still be possible for humans to trigger in specific locations. It has been most reactive at treeline and below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_E6FD2046">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_42FC617C { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Reactive wind slabs have formed on southerly slopes in response to the recent wind event. </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/map/forecasts/kootenay-boundary?panel=mountain-information-network-submissions/e31fee09-55ed-4d11-ac3a-83627fcd940d" target="_blank"><span class="s_42FC617C">This MIN report </span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">reflects the Kootenay Pass area well. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm last weekend brought 15-25 cm of low density snow that now covers variable old wind slabs at higher elevations and sun crusts on south-facing slopes. A weak layer of surface hoar crystals and a crust that was buried on February 7th is now 30-50 cm deep. This layer has been reactive, and has produced avalanches as large as size 3. Two other surface hoar layers are buried 50 to 80 cm deep the snowpack (referred to as the February 1st and mid-January layers) and continues to be reactive to human triggers. The mid-pack is complex and requires diligence and patience. The lower snowpack is considered generally strong.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
.s_A8FEC758 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Strong northeasterly ridge-top winds have created fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Additionally, there are buried wind slabs on a variety of aspects that are sitting on facets (sugary snow) which may cause them to remain reactive to human triggers longer than what is typical for a wind slab problem in this region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">There are two prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack. One was buried at the end of January, and the other mid-January. They are approximately 40- 60 cm and 60-90 cm below the surface. Both layers consist of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and may be associated with a crust on steep, south facing slopes. These weak layers have been most recently reactive at lower elevations below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
.s_69909980 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Strong northeasterly ridge-top winds have created fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Additionally, there are buried wind slabs on a variety of aspects that are sitting on facets (sugary snow) which may cause them to remain reactive to human triggers longer than what is typical for a wind slab problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Lower down there are two layers of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) that were buried at the end of January and mid-January. These layers are around 30 to 80 cm deep and are most prominent at treeline and below. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes in specific locations which is a dangerous combination.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and very difficult to predict. See the Forecaster Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">here</span></a><span class="s_1681A555"> for more information on this problem.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of new snow sits on previous wind slabs at upper elevations.  In sheltered areas and below treeline, the new snow sits on facets (sugary snow) surface hoar (feathery crystals) and a crust on south facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are potentially three weak layers of surface hoar in the top 100 cm of the snowpack.  One is down 30-50 cm, another is down 40-80 cm and the last one is down 80-110 cm.  These layers are most prominent between 1600-1900 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower portion of the snowpack is considered generally strong.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 15 cm of new snow and previous variable wind directions will mean that wind slabs can be found on all aspects at upper elevations.  Older wind slabs will be buried under the new snow and may be difficult to detect.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer of facets (sugary snow) and surface hoar (feathery crystals) that was buried in mid January is down approximately 40-80 cm.  This layer is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m, but it has been found up to 2200 m in some areas. This weak layer may exist in combination with a crust on south facing slopes.  Recent snowpack tests and avalanche reports suggest that this layer remains reactive to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom half of the snowpack is composed of weak, sugary facets. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent switching wind has formed pockets of wind slab in exposed terrain on most aspects but currently more reactive to human triggers on southerly aspects. New surface hoar formation can be found on most aspects in sheltered locations from the wind, while the steeper southerly aspects likely have a thin crust from solar input. New low-density snow may sluff easily from steeper terrain features. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong northeast wind has formed pockets of wind slab in exposed terrain and reactive to human triggers on southerly aspects. Wind slabs have also been failing on a weak faceted layer down 20-50 cm but we're uncertain of how widespread this layer is. New surface hoar and needle crystals are forming in sheltered locations on most aspects and elevations. Low-density snow may sluff easily from steeper terrain features. The lower snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region has seen recent strong winds from the northeast and the southeast. This will mean that wind slabs are likely to be found on most aspects, especially in the alpine and at treeline. South facing slopes likely have a crust on the surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In most areas, 20-50cm of wind affected snow sits on old wind slabs, and crust on south facing slopes. In sheltered areas, low density snow sits on facets (sugary snow) and/or surface hoar (feathery crystals).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is considered generally strong. Around Bear Pass and further north, two weak layers of surface hoar may be found down about 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of facets in the northern parts of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds have formed wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline. Due to variable wind directions, wind slabs may be found on all aspects. The snow surface is likely a crust on south facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Soft snow can still be found in sheltered terrain, and in most areas, 20-50 cm of snow sits on old wind slabs and a crust on south facing slopes. In some sheltered areas, this snow sits on facets (sugary snow) and surface hoar (feathery crystals).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is considered generally strong.  In the north of the region, there may be a layer of surface hoar and facets buried approximately 50 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_1681A555 { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_3428770D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 15.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Strong northeasterly ridge-top winds have created fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Additionally, there are buried wind slabs on a variety of aspects that are sitting on facets (sugary snow) which may cause them to remain reactive to human triggers longer than what is typical for a wind slab problem in this region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack. One was buried at the end of January, and the other mid-January. They are approximately 40- 60 cm and 60-80 cm below the surface. Both layers consist of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and may be associated with a crust on steep, south facing slopes. These weak layers have been most reactive at lower elevations below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3428770D">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_E6FD2046 { font-family: 'Verdana';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_E6FD2046">Moderate to strong northerly ridge-top winds have created fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Additionally, there are buried wind slabs on a variety of aspects that are sitting on facets (sugary snow) which may cause them to remain reactive to human triggers longer than what is typical for a wind slab problem in this region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_E6FD2046">A weak layer that was buried in mid January is down 50-60 cm. This layer consists of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and facets. The layer also likely consists of a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanche activity on this layer has slowed, but test results still indicate that this layer may still be possible to human trigger in specific locations. It has been most reactive at lower elevations below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_E6FD2046">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">We continue to loose strength in our entire snowpack. All elevations and aspects have felt the effects of the cold. In alpine and treeline areas this has helped to a certain degree. Slabs have been weakened and are becoming less &quot;triggerable&quot;. Yet, at the same time, the same faceting process is making those thick/thin transitional areas more sensitive. It's an interesting balance, one that is shifting daily. We've seen some large, full depth avalanches lately that are giving us hints towards the slow, but steady change in the alpine. Treeline and below are more straight forward. The snowpack has basically lost it's entire structure. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong northeasterly ridge-top winds have created wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Below this wind affected layer, older buried wind slabs exist on a variety of aspects. These remain a concern for overlying facets (weak, sugary snow), causing them to remain reactive for longer than is typical for a wind slab problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack. One was buried at the end of January, and the other mid-January. They are approximately 40- 60 cm and 60-90 cm below the surface. Both layers consist of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and may be associated with a crust on steep, south facing slopes. These weak layers have been most prominent and most reactive below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 30 cm of new snow combined with winds will be forming fresh storm slabs. The new snow sits on older wind slabs at upper elevations, which will be difficult to detect now that they are buried. In sheltered areas and below treeline, the new snow sits on facets (sugary snow) surface hoar (feathery crystals) and a crust on south facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are potentially three weak layers of surface hoar in the top 100 cm of the snowpack. One is down 30-50 cm, another is down 40-80 cm and the last one is down 80-110 cm. These layers are most prominent between 1600-1900 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower portion of the snowpack is considered generally strong.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of new snow with moderate winds will be forming fresh storm slabs. Older wind slabs will be buried under the new snow and may be difficult to detect.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer of facets (sugary snow) and surface hoar (feathery crystals) that was buried in mid January is down approximately 40-80 cm. This layer is most prominent between 1600 m and 1900 m, but it has been found up to 2200 m in some areas. This weak layer may exist in combination with a crust on south facing slopes. Recent snowpack tests and avalanche reports suggest that this layer remains reactive to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom half of the snowpack is composed of weak, sugary facets. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 10 cm of new snow sits above a plethora of old snow surfaces including firm wind slabs, sun crust on steep solar aspects, surface hoar and faceted crystal in sheltered areas. The recent low-density snow will likely have a poor bond to the previous snow surfaces and sluff easily from steeper terrain features. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">Switching winds have formed wind slabs on all aspects. However, the south-southwesterly aspects have been most reactive to human triggers. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of new snow now sits above a plethora of old surfaces including firm wind affected surfaces, sun crusts on steep solar aspects, surface hoar and faceted crystals in sheltered areas. This recent low-density snow may sluff easily from steeper terrain features. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong northeast wind from earlier this week formed pockets of wind slab in exposed terrain which remain reactive to human triggers especially on southerly aspects. Wind slabs have been failing on a weak faceted layer down 20-50 cm but we're uncertain of how widespread this layer is. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region has seen recent strong winds from various directions. This will mean that wind slabs are likely to be found on most aspects, especially in the alpine and at treeline. South facing slopes likely have a crust on the surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In most areas, 20-50 cm of wind affected snow sits on old wind slabs, and crust on south facing slopes. In sheltered areas, softer snow sits on facets (sugary snow) and/or surface hoar (feathery crystals).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is considered generally strong. Around Bear Pass and further north, two weak layers of surface hoar may be found down about 50 and 100 cm. The base of the snowpack may also be composed of facets in the northern parts of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds have formed wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline. Due to variable wind directions, wind slabs may be found on all aspects. The snow surface is likely a crust on south facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Soft snow can still be found in sheltered terrain, and in most areas, 20-50 cm of snow sits on old wind slabs and a crust on south facing slopes. In some sheltered areas, this snow sits on facets (sugary snow) and surface hoar (feathery crystals).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is considered generally strong. In the north of the region, there may be a layer of surface hoar and facets buried approximately 50 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong northeasterly ridge-top winds have created wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Below this wind affected layer, older buried wind slabs exist on a variety of aspects. These remain a concern for overlying facets (weak, sugary snow), causing them to remain reactive for longer than is typical for a wind slab problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack. One was buried at the end of January, and the other mid-January. They are approximately 40- 60 cm and 60-80 cm below the surface, respectively. Both layers consist of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and may be associated with a crust on steep, south facing slopes. These weak layers have been most reactive at lower elevations, and especially below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent moderate to strong northerly ridgetop winds have created wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Below this wind affected layer, older buried wind slabs exist on a variety of aspects. These remain a concern for overlying facets (weak, sugary snow), causing them to remain reactive for longer than is typical for a wind slab problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer that was buried in mid January is down 50-60 cm and is especially prominent below treeline. This layer consists of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and facets, and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanche activity on this layer has been on the decline, but snowpack test results continue to indicate this layer may still be possible to human trigger in specific locations. It has been most reactive in sheltered openings at lower treeline elevations and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An additional 15 cm accompanied by light southwest winds fell in Kootenay Pass and the Nelson area overnight. This adds an additional 20-30 cm of low density snow to the upper snowpack. This new snow may have a poor bond to the previous firm and faceted (sugary) snow surfaces. Old wind slabs from the strong northeast winds earlier this week continue to reactive to human triggers especially on southerly slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A buried surface hoar and crust interface that was buried on February 7th is now 30-50 cm deep. Two other surface hoar layers are buried 50 to 80 cm deep the snowpack (referred to as the February 1st and mid-January layers) these buried persistent weak layers remain reactive to human triggers. The snowpack is complex and requires diligence and patience. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">This MIN report reflects the Kootenay Pass area well. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">This MIN report reflects the Bonnigton Range.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 10cm of snow has fallen over the past 24hrs under the influence of light NE winds. As a result, forecasters on Friday were observing pockets of skier triggerable windslabs in alpine terrain up to 20cm thick along ridgelines and in crossloaded features on all aspects. These slabs did not appear to extend far downslope but if winds continue, they may grow in size and become more reactive. Otherwise the cold temperatures have robbed the snowpack of any strength. In lower elevations weak facets to ground should be expected and the upper snowpack sluffs very easily in steep terrain. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Spotty convective flurries brought up to 30 cm of low density new snow to a few areas of the region at the end of the week. This new snow likely overlies sun crust on sun-exposed aspects. Below any new snow, recent strong northeasterly ridge-top winds have created wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Under this wind affected layer, older buried wind slabs exist on a variety of aspects. These remain a concern for overlying facets (weak, sugary snow), causing them to remain reactive for longer than is typical for a wind slab problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack. One was buried at the end of January, and the other mid-January. They are approximately 40- 60 cm and 60-90 cm below the surface. Both layers consist of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and may be associated with a crust on steep, south facing slopes. These weak layers have been most prominent and most reactive below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-40 cm of low density snow is gradually settling and potentially blowing around to form fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain. The snow sits on older wind slabs at upper elevations, which will be difficult to detect now that they are buried. In sheltered areas and below treeline, the new snow sits on facets (sugary snow) and surface hoar (feathery crystals), and on a crust on south-facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are potentially three weak layers of surface hoar in the top 100 cm of the snowpack. One is down 30-50 cm, another is down 40-80 cm, and the last one is down 80-110 cm. These layers are most prominent between 1600-1900 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower portion of the snowpack is considered generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of recent snow with moderate winds has likely formed wind slabs in exposed terrain. Older wind slabs will be buried under the new snow and may be difficult to detect.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer of facets (sugary snow) and surface hoar (feathery crystals) that was buried in mid-January is down approximately 40-80 cm. This layer is most prominent in the Elk Valley between 1600 m and 1900 m, but it has been found up to 2200 m in some areas. This weak layer may exist in combination with a crust on south-facing slopes. Snowpack tests and avalanche reports suggest that this layer remains reactive to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bottom half of the snowpack is composed of weak, sugary facets.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 10 cm of new snow sits above a variety of old snow surfaces including firm wind slabs, sun crust on steep solar aspects, surface hoar and faceted crystal in sheltered areas. The recent low-density snow will likely have a poor bond to the previous snow surfaces and sluff easily from steeper terrain features. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong and settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of low density snow now sits over a variety of old surfaces including firm wind affected snow, sun crusts on steep solar aspects and surface hoar and faceted crystals in sheltered areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong northeast wind from earlier this week formed pockets of wind slab in exposed terrain. In some instances wind slabs have been reported to be failing on a sugary faceted layer down 20-50 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region has seen recent strong winds from various directions. This will mean that wind slabs are likely to be found on most aspects, especially in the alpine and at treeline. South facing slopes likely have a crust on the surface. Roughly 30-50 cm of snow sits above a layer of cold, soft faceted snow and surface hoar. This layer has been reactive in snowpack tests and could enhance the propagation of wind slabs, especially on north and west alpine features. The lower snowpack is generally considered strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds have formed wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline. Due to variable wind directions, wind slabs may be found on all aspects. The snow surface is likely a crust on south facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Soft snow can still be found in sheltered terrain, and in most areas, 20-50 cm of snow sits on old wind slabs and a crust on south facing slopes. In some sheltered areas, this snow sits on facets (sugary snow) and surface hoar (feathery crystals).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is considered generally strong. In the north of the region, there may be a layer of surface hoar and facets buried approximately 50 cm.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong northeasterly ridge-top winds have created wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Below this wind affected layer, older buried wind slabs exist on a variety of aspects. These remain a concern for overlying facets (weak, sugary snow), causing them to remain reactive for longer than is typical for a wind slab problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack. One was buried at the end of January, and the other mid-January. They are approximately 40-60 cm and 60-80 cm below the surface, respectively. Both layers consist of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and may be associated with a crust on steep, south facing slopes. These weak layers have been most reactive at lower elevations, and especially below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent moderate to strong northerly ridgetop winds have created wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. Below this wind affected layer, older buried wind slabs exist on a variety of aspects. These remain a concern for overlying facets (weak, sugary snow), causing them to remain reactive for longer than is typical for a wind slab problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer that was buried in mid January is down 50-60 cm and is especially prominent below treeline. This layer consists of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and facets, and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanche activity on this layer has been on the decline, but snowpack test results continue to indicate this layer may still be possible to human trigger in specific locations. It has been most reactive in sheltered openings at lower treeline elevations and below.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The surface consists of 15-30 cm of low density new snow. This new snow may have a poor bond to the previous firm wind slabs and faceted (sugary) snow surfaces. A layer of feathery surface hoar sitting on a crust that was buried on February 7th is now 30-50 cm deep. Two other surface hoar layers are buried 50 to 80 cm down (referred to as the February 1st and mid-January layers) remain reactive in snowpack tests. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Continued cold temps (-40C Saturday morning) are rotting out the snowpack at lower elevations.  Below 2000m in many areas its not supportive at all.  At treeline and above isolated pockets of windslabs should be expected along ridgelines and in crossloaded features.  These slabs are 10-20cm thick and reactive to skier triggering.  The do not extend far downslope at this time but if winds increase we can expect these slabs to become more specific to widespread.&nbsp; The bit of heat we are seeing is triggering loose dry slides on solar aspects later in teh day. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Spotty convective flurries brought up to 30 cm of low density new snow to a few areas in the south of the region at the end of the week. This new snow likely overlies sun crust on sun-exposed aspects. Below any new snow, strong ridge-top winds (most recently from the northeast) have created wind slabs on all aspects at upper elevations. These wind slabs have shown prolonged reactivity because of the faceted (weak, sugary snow) they overlie. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack that were buried in mid and late January. They can be found between 40-90 cm below the surface. These layers consist of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and may be associated with crusts on steeper, south facing slopes. These weak layers have been most prominent and most reactive at lower elevations - especially below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-40 cm of low density snow is gradually settling and has potentially blown into wind slabs in exposed terrain. The snow sits on older wind slabs at upper elevations, which will be difficult to detect now that they are buried. In sheltered areas and below treeline, the new snow sits on facets (sugary snow) and surface hoar (feathery crystals), and a crust on south-facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are potentially three layers of surface hoar in the top 100 cm of the snowpack. One is down 30-50 cm, another is down 40-80 cm, and the last one is down 80-110 cm. These layers have been most prominent and reactive between 1600-1900 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower portion of the snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of recent snow with moderate winds has likely formed wind slabs in exposed terrain. Older wind slabs will be buried under the new snow and may be difficult to detect. Cold temperatures have been transforming most of the snowpack into soft faceted snow. In thicker snowpack areas, you may find a slab sitting above a weak layer of facets and surface hoar that was buried in mid-January and is now 30-60 cm deep. This layer is most prominent in the Elk Valley between 1600 m and 1900 m. Snowpack tests and avalanche reports on this layer suggest that human triggering is still a lingering concern.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 10 cm of recent snow sits above a variety of old snow surfaces including firm wind slabs, sun crust on steep solar aspects, surface hoar and faceted crystal in sheltered areas. The recent low-density snow may still have a poor bond to the previous snow surfaces. The lower snowpack is generally strong and settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of recent snow covers a variety of old surfaces including sugary faceted snow, sun crusts on steep solar aspects, firm wind affected snow (either scoured or old hard windslab), and possibly even surface hoar in sheltered areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong easterly winds are likely to form windslabs. The key point is the winds have come from a variety of directions and they're often failing on the sugary facets these slabs. Therefore the problem is potentially widespread.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region has seen recent strong winds from various directions, leaving wind slabs on most aspects in exposed terrain. South facing slopes likely have a crust on the surface. Roughly 30-50 cm of snow sits above a layer of cold, soft faceted snow and surface hoar. This layer has been reactive in some snowpack tests and could enhance the propagation of wind slabs, especially on north and west alpine features. The lower snowpack is generally considered strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent wind has formed wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline. Due to variable wind directions, wind slabs may be found on all aspects. The snow surface is likely a crust on south facing slopes. Soft snow can still be found in sheltered terrain, and in most areas, 20-50 cm of snow sits on old wind slabs and a crust on south facing slopes. In some sheltered areas, recent snow sits on facets (sugary snow) and surface hoar (feathery crystals), but no recent activity has been reported on these layers. In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is considered generally strong. In the north of the region, there may be a layer of surface hoar and facets buried approximately 50 cm.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weeks of mainly dry, windy, and cold weather have transformed the snowpack at upper elevations into a mix of wind-affected surfaces and wind slabs of varying ages on all aspects. These wind slabs have shown prolonged reactivity because of the faceted (weak, sugary snow) they overlie. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are a couple of prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack that were buried in mid and late January. These can be found approximately 40-80 cm deep. Both layers consist of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and may be associated with a crust on steep, south facing slopes. These weak layers have been most reactive at lower elevations, and especially below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weeks of mainly dry, windy, and cold weather have transformed the snowpack at upper elevations into a mix of wind-affected surfaces and wind slabs of varying ages on all aspects. These wind slabs have shown prolonged reactivity because of the faceted (weak, sugary snow) they overlie. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In more sheltered areas at lower elevations, a weak layer buried in mid January can be found approximately 50-60 cm deep. This layer consists of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and facets, and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanche activity on this layer has been on the decline, but snowpack test results continue to indicate this layer may still be possible to human trigger in specific locations. It has been most reactive in sheltered openings at lower elevations and especially below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The surface consists of 15-30 cm of low density recent new snow. This new snow is sitting on old wind slabs and faceted (sugary) snow. A layer of feathery surface hoar sitting on a crust that was buried on February 7th is now 30-50 cm deep. Two other surface hoar layers are buried 50 to 80 cm down (referred to as the February 1st and mid-January layers) remain reactive in snowpack tests. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cold, dry and often loose snow is the flavor of the month so far. We are still seeing windslabs near ridges and cross loaded areas, but these seem to loose there typical &quot;cakey&quot; character very quickly. Despite not having a traditional windslab feel to them, they could still react simply because the underlying layers are weak, aerated facets.  As you get further down slope there is eventually no slab, or any true structure to the snow. In un-traveled areas, expect a weak, occasionally bottomless snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In exposed areas the upper snowpack has been wind affected and stiff wind slabs exist. In sheltered areas you can still find pockets of low density snow. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A crust and in some places surface hoar can be found down 50 cm below the surface. Approximately 60-110 cm below the surface is a layer of sugary facets sitting on a crust that continues to be reactive in snowpack tests, especially on north aspects. This layer seems to be more reactive in the North Shore Mountains. The problem is not typical for the region and we expect this persistent layer to linger into the future. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of recent snow exists in a few areas in the south of the region from convective snowfall at the end of last week. This snow likely overlies sun crust on sun-exposed aspects. Below any new snow, strong ridge-top winds (most recently from the northeast) have created wind slabs on all aspects at upper elevations. These wind slabs have shown prolonged reactivity because of the faceted (weak, sugary snow) they overlie. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack that were buried in mid and late January. They can be found between 40-90 cm below the surface. These layers consist of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and may be associated with crusts on steeper, south facing slopes. These weak layers have been most prominent and most reactive at lower elevations - especially below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sheltered areas have 20-40 cm of low density snow on the surface while exposed terrain has been wind affected. Sun crusts can be found on the surface on south-facing slopes. There are potentially three layers of surface hoar in the upper snowpack. One is down 30-50 cm, another is down 40-80 cm, and the last one is down 80-120 cm. These layers have been most prominent and reactive between 1600 and 1900 m over the past month. The lower portion of the snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of recent snow with moderate winds has likely formed wind slabs in exposed terrain. Older wind slabs are buried under the new snow and may be difficult to detect. Cold temperatures have been transforming most of the snowpack into soft faceted snow. In thicker snowpack areas, you may find a slab sitting above a layer of facets and surface hoar that was buried in mid-January and is now 30-60 cm deep. The layer is most prominent in the Elk Valley between 1600 m and 1900 m, but no recent avalanche activity has been reported on this layer.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_A95EAA36 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A95EAA36">Up to 10 cm of low density snow sits above a variety of old snow surfaces including firm wind slabs, sun crust on steep solar aspects, and faceted crystal in sheltered areas. The lower snowpack is generally strong and settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_A95EAA36 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A95EAA36">10-20 cm of low density snow covers a variety of old surfaces. These include firm wind affected snow (either scoured or hard wind slab) in alpine and treeline terrain as well as sugary faceted snow, sun crusts on steep solar aspects, surface hoar in sheltered areas. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region has seen strong wind from various directions, leaving hard wind slabs on most aspects in exposed terrain. South facing slopes likely have crusts on the surface. Roughly 30-50 cm of snow sits above a layer of cold, soft faceted snow and surface hoar. This layer has been reactive in some snowpack tests and could enhance the propagation of wind slabs, especially on north and west alpine features. The lower snowpack is generally considered strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent wind has formed wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline. Due to variable wind directions, wind slabs may be found on all aspects. Sun crust are likely found on south-facing slopes. In some sheltered areas, 20-50 cm of recent snow sits on facets (sugary snow) and surface hoar (feathery crystals), but no recent activity has been reported on these layers. In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weeks of mainly dry, windy, and cold weather have transformed the snowpack at upper elevations into a mix of wind-affected surfaces and wind slabs of varying ages on all aspects. These wind slabs have shown prolonged reactivity because of the faceted (weak, sugary snow) they overlie. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are a couple of prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack that were buried in mid and late January. These can be found approximately 40-80 cm deep. Both layers consist of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and may be associated with a crust on steep, south facing slopes. These weak layers have been most reactive at lower elevations, and especially below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weeks of mainly dry, windy, and cold weather have transformed the snowpack at upper elevations into a mix of wind-affected surfaces and wind slabs of varying ages on all aspects. These wind slabs have shown prolonged reactivity because of the faceted (weak, sugary snow) they overlie. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In more sheltered areas at lower elevations, a weak layer buried in mid January can be found approximately 50-60 cm deep. This layer consists of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) and facets, and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanche activity on this layer has been on the decline, but snowpack test results continue to indicate this layer may still be possible to human trigger in specific locations. It has been most reactive in sheltered openings at lower elevations and especially below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong east wind has scoured the snow surface in exposed terrain and produced wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain features. In sheltered areas, soft snow may still be found. On sunny slopes, you may find moist snow during the day or otherwise a frozen melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two layers of weak and feathery surface hoar crystals are buried in the snowpack between 30 and 60 cm deep, which were buried mid-February and early-February. The layers may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. These layers remain reactive in snowpack tests and have produced sporadic avalanches in the region.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cold, dry and often loose snow is the flavor of the month so far. We are still seeing windslabs near ridges and cross loaded areas, but these seem to loose there typical &quot;cakey&quot; character very quickly. Despite not having a traditional windslab feel to them, they could still react simply because the underlying layers are weak, aerated facets. As you get further down slope there is eventually no slab, or any true structure to the snow. In un-traveled areas, expect a weak, occasionally bottomless snowpack.&nbsp; A big change in temperature and solar effect is expected for Tuesday.&nbsp; It would not be surprising to see avalanche activity on solar aspects.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Soft snow overlies stiff wind slabs in exposed areas and consolidated snow in sheltered areas. On slopes exposed to the sun, the snow surface will be composed of a melt-freeze crust at night, which may melt into moist snow during the day. The snow surface has remained dry on shady slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 60 to 110 cm deep. The layer is likely most prominent in the North Shore Mountains and on north aspects. This layer continues to be reactive in snowpack tests. The problem is not typical for the region and we expect this persistent weak layer to continue to linger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of recent snow exists in a few areas in the south of the region from some light snowfall at the end of last week. This snow likely sits on a sun crust on sun-exposed aspects. Below any new snow, strong ridge-top winds (most recently from the northeast) have created wind slabs on all aspects at upper elevations. These wind slabs have shown prolonged reactivity because they are sitting on facets (sugary snow).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack that were buried in mid and late January. They can be found between 40-90 cm below the surface. These layers consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and may be associated with crusts on steeper, south facing slopes. These weak layers have been most prominent and most reactive at lower elevations - especially below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In most areas, the surface is primarily wind slabs, and a crust on sun exposed slopes. The wind slabs continue to be reactive, likely due to the fact that they are sitting on facets (sugary snow).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 25 cm of snow fell at the end of last week in the southwest of the region. This snow likely sits on wind slabs, and a crust on sun-exposed aspects. The snow surface is likely a crust on sun exposed slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Lower down there are up to three layers of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) that were buried in mid and late January, and early February. These layers are around 30 to 80 cm deep and are most prominent at lower elevations - especially below treeline. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and difficult to predict. See the Forecasters' Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for more information on this problem. Continued cold temperatures have been weakening the lower snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A mix of hard and soft wind slabs can be found in open alpine terrain, while pockets of soft snow can be found in sheltered and shaded areas. Sun crusts can also be found on south-facing slopes. There are potentially three layers of surface hoar in the upper snowpack. One is down 30-50 cm, another is down 40-80 cm, and the last one is down 80-120 cm. These layers have been most prominent and reactive between 1600 and 1900 m over the past month. The lower portion of the snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cold temperatures have been transforming most of the snowpack into soft faceted snow, with the exception alpine terrain where hard wind slabs can be found. In deep snowpack areas, you may find a slab sitting above a layer of facets and surface hoar that was buried in mid-January and is now 30-60 cm deep. The layer is most prominent in the Elk Valley between 1600 m and 1900 m, but no recent avalanche activity has been reported on this layer.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface consists of wind-affected snow in exposed terrain at higher elevations, soft snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on steep southerly slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface consists of wind-affected snow in exposed terrain at higher elevations, soft snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower snowpack is generally well-settled.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Five days of strong outflow winds have scoured the surface in exposed terrain and formed hard wind slabs on all aspects. South facing slopes likely have crusts on the surface. Roughly 30-50 cm of snow sits above a layer of cold, soft faceted snow and surface hoar. This layer has been reactive in some snowpack tests and could enhance the propagation of wind slabs if triggered. The lower snowpack is generally considered strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Open areas at upper elevations are likely wind affected, while pockets of soft snow can be found in sheltered and shaded areas. Sun crust are likely found on south-facing slopes. In some sheltered areas, 20-50 cm of recent snow may sit on facets (sugary snow) or surface hoar (feathery crystals), but no recent activity has been reported on these layers. In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weeks of mainly dry, windy, and cold weather have transformed the snowpack at upper elevations into a mix of wind-affected surfaces and wind slabs on all aspects. These wind slabs have shown prolonged reactivity because they are sitting on facets (sugary snow).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are a couple of prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack that were buried in mid and late January. These can be found approximately 40-80 cm deep. Both layers consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and may be associated with a crust on steep, south facing slopes. These weak layers have been most reactive at lower elevations, and especially below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper snowpack at higher elevations is a mix of wind-affected snow and wind slabs on all aspects, as well as a crust on sun exposed slopes. The wind slabs are sitting on facets (sugary snow), and may continue to be reactive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In more sheltered areas at lower elevations, a weak layer buried in mid January can be found approximately 50-60 cm deep. This layer consists of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets, and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below treeline. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong east wind has scoured the snow surface in exposed terrain and produced wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain features. In sheltered areas, soft snow may still be found. A melt-freeze crust likely prevails on southerly slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two layers of weak and feathery surface hoar crystals are buried in the snowpack between 40 and 80 cm deep, which were buried mid-February and early-February. The layers may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. These layers remain reactive in snowpack tests and have produced sporadic avalanches in the region over the past week.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Wind slabs can be found in Alpine areas in the the typical places; lee and cross-loaded terrain, gullies, and immediately below ridge-crests. As you descend to Treeline these slabs seem to quickly disappear, likely due to the persistent facetting. Overall the snowpack is very weak and it is possible that loose snow facet avalanches could occur at any elevation, triggered by solar input, cornice failures, loose rocks or a skier/rider. These slides have the potential to run far and could be problematic in gullies and similar terrain traps. At low elevations expect ski penetration to ground if you leave an established track.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface consists of soft snow in shaded and sheltered areas, wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 60 to 110 cm deep. The layer is likely most prominent in the North Shore Mountains and on north aspects. This layer continues to be reactive in snowpack tests. The problem is not typical for the region and we expect this persistent weak layer to continue to linger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-15 cm of snow is expected to fall over Wednesday night and Thursday with mainly light southerly winds. Some convective snow showers on Thursday could mean that some areas receive up to 25 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow will likely sit on wind slabs, surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow), and a crust on sun exposed slopes. The wind slabs may continue to be reactive since they are sitting on facets.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are three prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack that were buried in mid and late January, and early February. They can be found between 30-90 cm below the surface. These layers consist primarily of surface hoar, though they may be associated with crusts on steeper, south facing slopes. These weak layers have been most prominent and most reactive at lower elevations - especially below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 5 cm of snow is expected to fall on Thursday. Some convective snow showers could mean that some areas receive closer to 10 cm. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow will sit on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow) in most areas, and a crust on sun exposed slopes. The wind slabs may continue to be reactive as they are also sitting on facets. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are up to three layers of surface hoar (feathery crystals) that were buried in mid and late January, and early February. These layers are around 30 to 80 cm deep and are most prominent at lower elevations - especially below treeline. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and difficult to predict. See the Forecasters' Blog here for more information on this problem. Continued cold temperatures have been weakening the lower snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A mix of hard and soft wind slabs can be found in open alpine terrain, while pockets of soft snow can be found in sheltered and shaded areas.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">Sun crusts are found on south-facing slopes.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">There are potentially three layers of surface hoar in the upper snowpack. One is down 30-50 cm, another is down 40-80 cm, and the last one is down 80-120 cm. These layers have been most prominent and reactive between 1600 and 1900 m over the past month. Mid pack is faceting and these layers don't seem much of a concern (at least with cont'd cold dry wx regime).</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is maintaining strength in deep HS areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New windslabs will form in Alpine and possibly Treeline areas with forecast weather overnight Wednesday and Thursday. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cold temperatures have transformed most of the snowpack into weaker faceted snow with few if any distinct layers, with the exception alpine terrain where hard wind slabs and wind pressed snow are found.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">In deep snowpack areas, you may find a slab sitting above a layer of facets and surface hoar that was buried in mid-January and is now 30-60 cm deep. The layer is most prominent in the Elk Valley between 1600 m and 1900 m, but no recent avalanche activity has been reported on this layer.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 5 to 10 cm of snow will fall onto a variety of surfaces, including wind-affected snow in exposed terrain at higher elevations, soft and faceted snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on steep southerly slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower snowpack is well-settled.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 to 20 cm of snow on Wednesday night into Thursday will accumulate onto a variety of surfaces. The snow will fall on wind-affected snow in exposed terrain at higher elevations, soft and faceted snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Many days of outflow winds have scoured the surface in exposed terrain and formed hard wind slabs on all aspects. South facing slopes likely have crusts on the surface.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">Roughly 30-50 cm of snow sits above a layer of cold, soft faceted snow and surface hoar. This layer has been reactive in some snowpack tests and could enhance the propagation of wind slabs if triggered.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Open areas at upper elevations are likely wind affected, while pockets of soft snow can be found in sheltered and shaded areas.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">Sun crust are likely found on south-facing slopes. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">In some sheltered areas, 20-50 cm of recent snow may sit on facets (sugary snow) or surface hoar (feathery crystals), but no recent activity has been reported on these layers.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 cm of new snow is expected to fall over Wednesday night and into Thursday. Some convective snow showers could mean that some areas see up to 20 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow will sit on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun exposed slopes. The wind slabs are also sitting on facets and they may continue to be reactive. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are a two prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack that were buried in mid and late January. These can be found approximately 40-80 cm deep. Both layers consist of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and may be associated with a crust on steep, south facing slopes. These weak layers have been most reactive at lower elevations, and especially below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 cm of snow is expected to fall overnight Wednesday and through Thursday. Some convective snow showers could mean that some areas see up to 20 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow will sit mainly on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun exposed slopes. The wind slabs are also sitting on facets and they may continue to be reactive. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At lower elevations, a weak layer buried in mid January can be found approximately 50-60 cm deep. This layer consists of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets, and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below treeline. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 to 20 cm of new snow is expected to fall Wednesday night into Thursday. This snow will fall on a wind-affected snow surface in exposed terrain, soft and faceted snow in sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two layers of weak and feathery surface hoar crystals are buried in the snowpack between 40 and 80 cm deep, which were buried mid-February and early-February. The layers may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. These layers remain reactive in snowpack tests and have produced sporadic avalanches in the region over the past week.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Wind slabs are in abundance in the Alpine.  As you descend to tree line, these slabs seem to quickly disappear, likely due to the persistent facetting.  The bridging strength of the midpack  that we have been observing all winter at tree line and below has disappeared. Overall the snowpack is very weak and it is possible that loose snow facet avalanches could occur at any elevation, triggered by solar input, cornice failures, loose rocks or a skier/rider. These slides have the potential to run far and could be problematic in gullies and similar terrain traps. At low elevations expect ski penetration to ground if you leave an established track.&nbsp; The solar radiation is starting to have an effect on slopes that are facing the sun.&nbsp; </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 5 to 10 cm of snow will fall onto a variety of surfaces, including wind-affected snow in exposed terrain at higher elevations, soft and faceted snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on steep southerly slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 60 to 110 cm deep. The layer is likely most prominent in the North Shore Mountains and on north aspects. This layer continues to be reactive in snowpack tests. The problem is not typical for the region and we expect this persistent weak layer to continue to linger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of new snow is sitting on wind slabs, surface hoar (feathery crystals) and facets (sugary snow), and a crust on sun exposed slopes. The buried wind slabs are also sitting on facets and may continue to be reactive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are three prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack that were buried in mid and late January, and early February. They can be found between 30-90 cm below the surface. These layers consist primarily of surface hoar, though they may be associated with crusts on steeper, south facing slopes. These weak layers are most prominent at lower elevations - especially below treeline. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 5 cm of new snow is sitting on wind slabs, facets (sugary snow) and surface hoar (feathery crystals) in most areas, and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are up to three layers of surface hoar that were buried in mid and late January, and early February. These layers are around 30 to 80 cm deep and are most prominent at lower elevations - especially below treeline. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and difficult to predict. See the Forecasters' Blog here for more information on this problem. Continued cold temperatures have been weakening the lower snowpack</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light new snow amounts have buried a mix of hard and soft wind slabs in open alpine terrain as well as pockets of soft snow in sheltered and shaded areas. The new snow has also buried widespread sun crusts of varying thickness on south-facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">There are three layers of surface hoar that have the potential to remain preserved in the upper snowpack. One is down 30-50 cm, another is down 40-80 cm, and the last one is down 80-120 cm. These layers are most likely to be found between 1600 and 1900 m. The recent prolonged period of cold temperatures has been transforming the upper and mid snowpack into sugary, faceted grains, progressively eliminating the properties of a stiff overlying slab above these weak layers and diminishing concern for their potential to produce avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is maintaining strength in deeper snowpack areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New wind slabs will form in Alpine and possibly treeline areas with light new snow amounts and strong winds in the forecast for Thursday night.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cold temperatures have transformed most of the snowpack into weaker faceted snow with few if any distinct layers, with the exception of alpine terrain where hard wind slabs and wind pressed snow are found.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In deep snowpack areas, you may find a slab sitting above a layer of facets and surface hoar that was buried in mid-January and is now 30-60 cm deep. The layer is most prominent in the Elk Valley between 1600 m and 1900 m, but no recent avalanche activity has been reported on this layer.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 5 to 10 cm of recent snow overlies a variety of surfaces, including wind-affected snow in exposed terrain at higher elevations, soft and faceted snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on steep southerly slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower snowpack is well-settled.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 to 15 cm of recent snow sits on a variety of surfaces, including wind-affected snow in exposed terrain at higher elevations, soft and faceted snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower snowpack is generally well-settled.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Open areas at upper elevations are likely wind affected, while pockets of soft snow can be found in sheltered and shaded areas. Sun crusts exist on south-facing slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">In some sheltered areas, 20-50 cm of recent snow may sit on facets (sugary snow) or surface hoar (feathery crystals), but no recent activity has been reported on these layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-25 cm of new snow sits on wind slabs, surface hoar (feathery crystals), and facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun exposed slopes. The buried wind slabs are also sitting on facets and they may continue to be reactive. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are a two prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack that were buried in mid and late January. These can be found approximately 40-80 cm deep. Both layers consist of surface hoar and may be associated with a crust on steep, south facing slopes. These weak layers have been most reactive at lower elevations, and especially below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 cm of new snow sits on wind slabs, facets (sugary snow), and surface hoar (feathery crystals) and a crust on sun exposed slopes. The buried wind slabs are also sitting on facets and they may continue to be reactive. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At lower elevations, a weak layer buried in mid January can be found approximately 50-60 cm deep. This layer consists of surface hoar and facets, and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below treeline. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 cm of recent snow overlies wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, soft and faceted snow in sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two layers of weak and feathery surface hoar crystals are buried in the snowpack between 40 and 80 cm deep, which were buried mid-February and early-February. The layers may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. These layers remain reactive in snowpack tests and have produced sporadic avalanches in the region over the past week.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Wind slabs are in abundance in the Alpine. As you descend to tree line, these slabs seem to quickly disappear, likely due to the persistent facetting. The bridging strength of the midpack that we have been observing all winter at tree line and below has disappeared thus making ski travel challenging, especially if you are making a new track. The wind today has started to move the snow around, so beware of new slabs on the surface.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 5 and 15 cm of recent snow sits on a variety of surfaces, including wind-affected snow in exposed terrain at higher elevations, soft and faceted snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on steep southerly slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 60 to 110 cm deep. The layer is likely most prominent in the North Shore Mountains and on north aspects. This layer continues to be reactive in snowpack tests. The problem is not typical for the region and we expect this persistent weak layer to continue to linger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-35 cm of recent storm snow is sitting mainly on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two weak layers of surface hoar in the upper snowpack that were buried in late January and early February. They can be found between 40-90 cm below the surface. These layers consist primarily of surface hoar, though they may be associated with crusts on steeper, south facing slopes. These weak layers are most prominent at lower elevations, especially below treeline. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 cm of recent storm snow is sitting mainly on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are up to three layers of surface hoar that were buried in mid and late January, and early February. These layers are around 30 to 80 cm deep and are most prominent at lower elevations. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes. The most recent reported avalanches on these layers have been on the early February layer. These reports have been mainly from the western portion of the region, near the boundary with the South Columbia region. Avalanches on these layers are infrequent, however it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche on these layers in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks are large open glades.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and difficult to predict. See the Forecasters' Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here </span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">for more information on this problem. Continued cold temperatures have been weakening the lower snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light new snow amounts have buried a mix of hard and soft wind slabs in open alpine terrain as well as pockets of soft snow in sheltered and shaded areas. The new snow has also buried widespread sun crusts of varying thickness on south-facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are three layers of surface hoar that have the potential to remain preserved in the upper snowpack. One is down 30-50 cm, another is down 40-80 cm, and the last one is down 80-120 cm. These layers are most likely to be found between 1600 and 1900 m. The recent prolonged period of cold temperatures has been transforming the upper and mid snowpack into sugary, faceted grains, progressively eliminating the properties of a stiff overlying slab above these weak layers and diminishing concern for their potential to produce avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is maintaining strength in deeper snowpack areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs will remain in the Alpine and possibly treeline areas but are likely to become hard to trigger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cold temperatures have transformed most of the snowpack into weaker faceted snow with few if any distinct layers, with the exception of alpine terrain where hard wind slabs and wind pressed snow are found.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In deep snowpack areas, you may find a slab sitting above a layer of facets and surface hoar that was buried in mid-January and is now 30-60 cm deep. The layer is most prominent in the Elk Valley between 1600 m and 1900 m, but no recent avalanche activity has been reported on this layer.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 to 20 cm of recent snow overlies a variety of surfaces, including wind-affected snow in exposed terrain at higher elevations, soft and faceted snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on steep southerly slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 to 15 cm of recent snow sits on a variety of surfaces, including wind-affected snow in exposed terrain at higher elevations, soft and faceted snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The middle and lower snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Scoured surfaces and aging hard wind slabs can be found on all aspects in exposed terrain after a prolonged period of outflow winds. South facing slopes have sun crusts on the surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Roughly 30-50 cm of snow sits above a layer of cold, soft faceted snow and surface hoar. This layer has been reactive in some snowpack tests and there have been some small slab avalanches noted on this layer. There is potential for this layer to become a larger problem with additional new snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Open areas at upper elevations are likely wind affected, while pockets of soft snow can be found in sheltered and shaded areas. Sun crusts exist on south-facing slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some sheltered areas, 20-50 cm of recent snow may sit on facets (sugary snow) or surface hoar (feathery crystals), but no recent activity has been reported on these layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-30 cm of recent storm snow is sitting mainly on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are a two weak layers in the upper snowpack that were buried in mid and late January. These can be found approximately 40-80 cm deep. Both layers consist of surface hoar and may be associated with a crust on steep, south facing slopes. These weak layers have been most reactive at lower elevations. Avalanche occurrences on these layers have tapered significantly, however it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche on these layers in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks and large open glades.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 cm of new snow sits mainly on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At lower elevations, a weak layer buried in mid January can be found approximately 50-60 cm deep. This layer consists of surface hoar and facets, and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below treeline. Avalanche activity on this layer has dropped off significantly, however it may still be possible to trigger avalanches on this layer in areas such as steep cutblocks, and large open glades in the trees.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 15 to 25 cm of recent snow overlies wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, soft and faceted snow in sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two layers of weak and feathery surface hoar crystals are buried in the snowpack between 40 and 80 cm deep, which were buried mid-February and early-February. The layers may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. These layers remain reactive in snowpack tests and have produced sporadic avalanches in the region over the past week.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The last 24 hours has been windy in the alpine and treeline areas. The westerly winds have built new windslabs near ridges, and loaded many alpine bowls. Treeline also has new slabs, but not as widespread; they tend to disappear quickly below ridge lines. It's important to remember how bad the facetted mid/lower pack is. In all honesty, after a record breaking cold snap like that one, this forecaster has NO trust in the midpack. How it will behave with a new load and warming trend is a question few, if any of us can answer with any certainty. In times like this, let mellow terrain guide you. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 to 30 cm of recent snow fell with light wind. This snow overlies a variety of layers, including wind-affected snow in exposed terrain at higher elevations, soft and faceted snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on steep southerly slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 60 to 110 cm deep. The layer is likely most prominent in the North Shore Mountains and on north aspects. This layer continues to be reactive in snowpack tests. The problem is not typical for the region and we expect this persistent weak layer to continue to linger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-35 cm of recent storm snow is sitting mainly on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two weak layers of surface hoar in the upper snowpack that were buried in late January and early February. They can be found between 40-90 cm below the surface. These layers consist primarily of surface hoar, though they may be associated with crusts on steeper, south facing slopes. These weak layers are most prominent on south facing slopes and all aspects below treeline. Avalanche activity on these layers has declined in recent days, however it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks, large open glades, and steep south facing terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
.s_B5813F7D { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #0000FF;text-decoration: underline; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 cm of recent storm snow is sitting mainly on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are up to three layers of surface hoar that were buried in mid and late January, and early February. These layers are around 30 to 80 cm deep and are most prominent at lower elevations. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes. The most recent reported avalanches on these layers have been on the early February layer. These reports have been mainly from the western portion of the region, near the boundary with the South Columbia region. Avalanches on these layers are infrequent, however it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche on these layers in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks, large open glades and south facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust. This weak layer has produced large and destructive avalanches that are sporadic in nature and difficult to predict. See the Forecasters' Blog </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/purcells-weakness" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">here </span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">for more information on this problem. Continued cold temperatures have been weakening the lower snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light new snow amounts have buried a mix of hard and soft wind slabs in open alpine terrain as well as pockets of soft snow in sheltered and shaded areas. The new snow has also buried widespread sun crusts of varying thickness on south-facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper- and mid-pack is slowly weakening with cold temperatures and faceting. That means it's transforming into a &quot;single layer&quot; of more sugary faceted grains with various hardness. It's also progressively reducing the properties of an overlying slab above these weak layers and diminishing concern for their potential to produce avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There were three layers of surface hoar within the top 100cm of the snowpack; however, they're disappearing and becoming less of a concern. Where they still exist, these layers are most likely to be found between 1600 and 1900 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is maintaining strength in deeper snowpack areas but I doubt that's the case in shallow areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs will remain in the Alpine and possibly treeline areas but are likely to become hard to trigger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cold temperatures have transformed most of the snowpack into weaker faceted snow with few if any distinct layers, with the exception of alpine terrain where hard wind slabs and wind pressed snow are found.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In deep snowpack areas, you may find a slab sitting above a layer of facets and surface hoar that was buried in mid-January and is now 30-60 cm deep. The layer is most prominent in the Elk Valley between 1600 m and 1900 m, but no recent avalanche activity has been reported on this layer.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 to 20 cm of recent snow overlies a variety of surfaces, including wind-affected snow in exposed terrain at higher elevations, soft and faceted snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on steep southerly slopes. The middle and lower snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 to 15 cm of recent snow sits on a variety of surfaces, including wind-affected snow in exposed terrain at higher elevations, soft and faceted snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly slopes. The middle and lower snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Scoured surfaces and aging hard wind slabs can be found on all aspects in exposed terrain after a prolonged period of outflow winds. South facing slopes have sun crusts on the surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper- and mid-pack is weakening with continued cold temperatures so there are widespread areas with soft faceted snow, and possibly surface hoar. This sugar soft snow has been reactive in some snowpack tests and there have been some small slab avalanches noted on this layer. There is potential for this layer to become a larger problem with additional new snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Open areas at upper elevations are likely wind affected, while pockets of soft snow can be found in sheltered and shaded areas. Sun crusts exist on south-facing slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In general, all the cold weather is weakening the upper- and mid-snowpack. In some sheltered areas, 20-50 cm of previous snow is either faceting or sits on facets (sugary snow), and even possibly surface hoar (feathery crystals).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-30 cm of recent storm snow is sitting mainly on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are a two weak layers in the upper snowpack that were buried in mid and late January. These can be found approximately 40-80 cm deep. Both layers consist of surface hoar and may be associated with a crust on steep, south facing slopes. These weak layers have been most reactive at lower elevations. Avalanche occurrences on these layers have tapered significantly, however it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche on these layers in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks and large open glades.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 cm of new snow sits mainly on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At lower elevations, a weak layer buried in mid January can be found approximately 50-60 cm deep. This layer consists of surface hoar and facets, and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below treeline. Avalanche activity on this layer has dropped off significantly, however it may still be possible to trigger avalanches on this layer in areas such as steep cutblocks, and large open glades in the trees.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 15 to 25 cm of recent snow overlies wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, soft and faceted snow in sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two layers of weak surface hoar crystals are buried in the snowpack between 40 and 80 cm deep, which were buried mid-February and early-February. The layers may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Avalanche activity on these layers have tapered, but it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche on these layers in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks and large open glades.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent westerly winds have created new surface wind slabs near ridge crests and in alpine bowls on lee and cross-loaded features. These slabs also exist at treeline, but they are not as widespread. The formerly strong midpack has been decimated by a month of cold weather and is now highly variable in its density, with many areas exhibiting no structure at all. Much of the region's snowpack consists of recent wind slabs sitting on up to 80cm of depth hoar and facets. It will be interesting to see how the snowpack adjusts to the recent load and the forecasted warm temperatures. It is likely that full-depth avalanches will become more commonplace in the next few days.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Mild temperatures have settled 10 to 30 cm of snow that fell a few days ago. This snow overlies a variety of layers, including wind-affected snow at higher elevations, soft and faceted snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on steep southerly slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 50 to 120 cm deep. The layer is likely most prominent in the North Shore Mountains and on north aspects. This layer continues to be reactive in snowpack tests. The problem is not typical for the region and we expect this persistent weak layer to continue to linger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-35 cm of recent storm snow is sitting mainly on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two weak layers of surface hoar in the upper snowpack that were buried in late January and early February. They can be found between 40-90 cm below the surface. These layers consist primarily of surface hoar, though they may be associated with crusts on steeper, south facing slopes. These weak layers are most prominent on south facing slopes and all aspects below treeline. Avalanche activity on these layers has declined in recent days, however it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks, large open glades, and steep south facing terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 cm of recent storm snow is sitting mainly on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are up to three layers of surface hoar that were buried in mid and late January, and early February. These layers are around 30 to 80 cm deep and are most prominent at lower elevations. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes. The most recent reported avalanches on these layers have been on the early February layer. These reports have been mainly from the western portion of the region, near the boundary with the South Columbia region. Avalanches on these layers are infrequent, however it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche on these layers in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks, large open glades and south facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light new snow amounts have buried a mix of hard and soft wind slabs in open alpine terrain as well as pockets of soft snow in sheltered and shaded areas. The new snow has also buried widespread sun crusts of varying thickness on south-facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper- and mid-pack is slowly weakening with cold temperatures and faceting. That means it's transforming into a &quot;single layer&quot; of more sugary faceted grains with various hardness. It's also progressively reducing the properties of an overlying slab above these weak layers and diminishing concern for their potential to produce avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are up to three layers of surface hoar within the top 100cm of the snowpack; however, they're disappearing and becoming less of a concern. Where they still exist, these layers are most likely to be found between 1600 and 1900 m with the top one the most prominent, about 50 cm below the surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is maintaining strength in deeper snowpack areas but I doubt that's the case in shallow areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs remain in the Alpine and exposed treeline areas but are stubborn to trigger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cold temperatures have transformed most of the snowpack into weaker faceted snow with few if any distinct layers, with the exception of alpine terrain where hard wind slabs and wind pressed snow are found near the surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In deep snowpack areas, you may find a slab sitting above a layer of facets and surface hoar that was buried in mid-January and is now 30-60 cm deep. The layer is most prominent in the Elk Valley between 1600 m and 1900 m, but no recent avalanche activity has been reported on this layer.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow is accumulating above 10 to 15 cm of recent snow. Strong southwest wind will likely form drifts and wind slabs in exposed areas. Beneath the recent snow you may find hard wind-affected snow at higher elevations, soft faceted snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and crusts on steep southerly slopes. The middle and lower snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow will accumulate above 10 to 15 cm of recent snow. Strong southwest wind will likely form drifts and wind slabs in exposed areas. Beneath this recent snow you may find hard wind-affected snow at higher elevations, soft and faceted snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and melt-freeze crusts on southerly slopes. The middle and lower snowpack is generally well-settled.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">With a windy and reasonably intense storm arriving today (Sunday) expect reactive and widespread storm slabs and wind slabs. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The incoming snow will cover previously scoured surfaces and aging hard wind slabs on all aspects in exposed terrain and sun crusts on more solar aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper- and mid-pack is weakening with continued cold temperatures so there are widespread areas with soft faceted snow, and possibly surface hoar. This sugary soft snow has been reactive in some snowpack tests and there have been some small slab avalanches noted on this layer. There is potential for these widespread facets to become a larger problem with additional new snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">With a windy and reasonably intense storm arriving Sunday reactive and widespread storm and wind slabs will develop where more than 15 or 20 centimetres accumulates. Incoming snow will cover previously scoured surfaces and old hard windslabs, as well as sun crusts on more solar aspects, and sugary facets pretty much everywhere.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">February's cold weather weakened the upper- and mid-snowpack. In some sheltered areas, 20-50 cm of previous snow is either faceting or sits on facets (sugary snow), and even possibly surface hoar (feathery crystals).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-30 cm of recent storm snow is sitting mainly on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are a two weak layers in the upper snowpack that were buried in mid and late January. These can be found approximately 40-80 cm deep. Both layers consist of surface hoar and may be associated with a crust on steep, south facing slopes. These weak layers have been most reactive at lower elevations. Avalanche occurrences on these layers have tapered significantly, however it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche on these layers in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks and large open glades.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of recent snow sits mainly on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At lower elevations, a weak layer buried in mid January can be found approximately 50-60 cm deep. This layer consists of surface hoar and facets, and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below. Avalanche activity on this layer has dropped off significantly, however it may still be possible to trigger avalanches on this layer in areas such as steep cutblocks, and large open glades in the trees.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 to 30 cm of recent snow overlies wind-affected snow in exposed terrain, soft and faceted snow in sheltered areas, and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Two layers of weak surface hoar crystals are buried in the snowpack between 40 and 80 cm deep, which were buried in mid-February and early-February. The layers may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Avalanche activity on these layers has tapered, but it may still be possible to trigger one of these layers in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks and large open glades.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Surface wind slabs near ridge crests and in alpine bowls on lee and cross-loaded features. These slabs also exist at treeline, but they are not as widespread. The formerly strong midpack has been decimated by a month of cold weather and is now highly variable in its density, with many areas exhibiting no structure at all. Much of the region's snowpack consists of recent wind slabs sitting on up to 80cm of depth hoar and facets. It will be interesting to see how the snowpack adjusts to the recent load and the forecasted warm temperatures. It is likely that full-depth avalanches will become more commonplace in the next few days.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Fresh snow will start to accumulate on Monday. Strong southwest wind will likely form drifts and slabs in exposed terrain. The new snow is falling on a sun crust on steep southerly slopes, and possibly on weak surface hoar crystals on sheltered and shaded slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 50 to 120 cm deep. The layer is likely most prominent in the North Shore Mountains and on north aspects. This layer continues to be reactive in snowpack tests. The problem is not typical for the region and we expect this persistent weak layer to continue to linger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-45 cm of recent storm snow is sitting mainly on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two weak layers of surface hoar in the upper snowpack that were buried in late January and early February. They can be found between 40-90 cm below the surface. These layers consist primarily of surface hoar, though they may be associated with crusts on steeper, south facing slopes. These weak layers are most prominent on south facing slopes and all aspects below treeline. Avalanche activity on these layers has declined in recent days, however it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks, large open glades, and steep south facing terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of recent storm snow is sitting mainly on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are up to three layers of surface hoar that were buried in January and February. These layers are around 30 to 80 cm deep and are most prominent at lower elevations. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanches on these layers are infrequent, however it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks, large open glades and south facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast snow is likely to form new wind and storm slabs.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow buried a mix of hard and soft wind slabs in open alpine terrain as well as pockets of soft snow in sheltered and shaded areas. The new snow has also buried widespread sun crusts of varying thickness on south-facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper- and mid-pack is slowly weakening with cold temperatures and faceting. That means it's transforming into a &quot;single layer&quot; of more sugary faceted grains with various hardness. It's also progressively reducing the properties of an overlying slab above these weak layers and diminishing concern for their potential to produce avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are up to three layers of surface hoar within the top 100cm of the snowpack; however, they're disappearing and becoming less of a concern. Where they still exist, these layers are most likely to be found between 1600 and 1900 m with the top one the most prominent, about 50 cm below the surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is maintaining strength in deeper snowpack areas but I doubt that's the case in shallow areas.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">With snow and wind in the forecast, storm and wind slabs are likely to develop.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cold temperatures have transformed most of the snowpack into weaker faceted snow with few if any distinct layers, with the exception of alpine terrain where hard wind slabs and wind pressed snow are found near the surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In deep snowpack areas, you may find a slab sitting above a layer of facets and surface hoar that was buried in mid-January and is now 30-60 cm deep. The layer is most prominent in the Elk Valley between 1600 m and 1900 m, but no recent avalanche activity has been reported on this layer.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast snowfall amounts are variable throughout the region, so expect anywhere from 15-35 cm of fresh snow on Tuesday. Strong southwest wind will likely form drifts and deeper deposits at higher elevations. Beneath the recent snow you may find hard wind-affected snow at higher elevations, soft faceted snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and crusts on steep southerly slopes. The middle and lower snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast snowfall amounts are variable throughout the region, so expect anywhere from 15-35 cm of fresh snow on Tuesday. Strong southwest wind will likely form drifts and deeper deposits at higher elevations. Beneath this recent snow you may find hard wind-affected snow at higher elevations, soft and faceted snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and melt-freeze crusts on southerly slopes. The middle and lower snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Widespread and reactive storm slabs and wind slabs. The 40 to 60 cm of storm snow covers a wide variety of surfaces but the key idea is they're all crappy. Avalanche forecasting rule of thumb:&nbsp; the longer snow is exposed on the surface the less likely it is to bond when covered. We've just covered surface hoar, sun crusts, and a widespread weak faceted (sugary) upper snowpack. Early reports suggest the old surfaces, as old as the Feb 19 surface hoar facets is the critical weak interface so avalanches are running deeper / bigger than might be expected. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper- and mid-pack weakened with the extended cold drought so there are widespread areas with soft faceted snow, and possibly surface hoar. This sugary soft snow has been reactive in some snowpack tests and there have been some small slab avalanches noted on this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 to 30 cm of storm snow accumulations in past 24 hours. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Incoming snow will cover previously scoured surfaces and old hard windslabs, as well as sun crusts on solar aspects, and sugary facets pretty much everywhere.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">February's cold weather weakened the upper- and mid-snowpack. In some sheltered areas, 20-50 cm of previous snow is either faceting or sits on facets (sugary snow), and even possibly surface hoar (feathery crystals).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-50 cm of storm snow from the last week is sitting mainly on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are a two weak layers in the upper snowpack that were buried in mid and late January. These can be found approximately 40-80 cm deep. Both layers consist of surface hoar and may be associated with a crust on steep, south facing slopes. These weak layers have been most reactive at lower elevations. Avalanche occurrences on these layers have tapered significantly, however it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche on these layers in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks and large open glades.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A couple of snowfalls over the past week have deposited 20-40 cm. This sits mainly on wind slabs and facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At lower elevations, a weak layer buried in mid January can be found approximately 50-60 cm deep. This layer consists of surface hoar and facets, and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below. Avalanche activity has dropped off significantly, however it may still be possible to trigger avalanches on this layer in areas such as steep cutblocks, and large open glades in the trees.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Expect 15-25 cm of new snow on Tuesday accompanied with strong southwest wind. Several crust layers have formed on south aspects in the past few weeks, while other aspects have a mix of hard wind-affected snow or soft faceted snow. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two layers of weak surface hoar crystals are buried in the snowpack between 40 and 80 cm deep, which were buried in mid-February and early-February. The layers may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Avalanche activity on these layers has tapered, but it may still be possible to trigger one of these layers in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks and large open glades.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Widespread wind slab in the alpine and treeline from the strong SW winds over the last 24hours. Time for heads up for lee and cross loaded features that have experienced substantial wind loading  The formerly strong midpack has been decimated by a month of cold weather and is now highly variable in its density, with many areas exhibiting no structure at all. Much of the region's snowpack consists of recent wind slabs sitting on up to 80cm of depth hoar and facets. It will be interesting to see how the snowpack adjusts to the recent load and the forecasted warm temperatures. It is likely that full-depth avalanches will become more commonplace in the next few days.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-45 cm of new snow will be accompanied with strong southwest wind. The new snow is falling on a sun crust on steep southerly slopes, and possibly on weak surface hoar crystals on sheltered and shaded slopes. The combination will form very touchy storm slabs on Tuesday.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 50 to 120 cm deep. The layer is likely most prominent in the North Shore Mountains and on north aspects. This layer continues to be reactive in snowpack tests. The problem is not typical for the region and we expect this persistent weak layer to continue to linger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">25-50 cm of recent storm snow is sitting mainly on facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two weak layers of surface hoar in the upper snowpack that were buried in late January and early February. They can be found between 60-120 cm below the surface. These layers consist primarily of surface hoar, though they may be associated with crusts on steeper, south facing slopes. These weak layers are most prominent on south facing slopes and all aspects below treeline. Avalanche activity on these layers has declined in recent days, however it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks, large open glades, and steep south facing terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-25 cm of recent storm snow is sitting mainly on facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are up to three layers of surface hoar that were buried in January and February. These layers are around 30 to 80 cm deep and are most prominent at lower elevations. The surface hoar may sit on a crust on south facing slopes. Avalanches on these layers are infrequent, however it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks, large open glades and south facing slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak and sugary faceted grains that sit on a crust. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_A95EAA36 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A95EAA36">15-20 cm of storm snow has buried hard wind slabs in the alpine and open areas at treeline on various aspects due to variable past winds. This new snow also sits on sun crusts on south facing slopes and on isolated surface hoar crystal on north-facing slopes. The mid-snowpack consists of sugary faceted grains (facets) of different hardness. Two older layers of surface hoar are now down 55-80 and down 95-150 around 1600-1900m. The lower snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_A95EAA36 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 14px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A95EAA36">With up to 20 cm snow and wind in the forecast, storm and wind slabs are likely to develop. This new snow will bury hard wind slabs and wind pressed snow in alpine terrain. Last months cold temperatures have transformed most of the snowpack into weaker faceted snow with few if any distinct layers. In deep snowpack areas, it is possible to find a slab sitting above a layer of facets and surface hoar that was buried in mid-January and is 30-60 cm deep. The layer is most prominent in the Elk Valley between 1600 m and 1900 m, but no recent avalanche activity has been reported on this layer.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Another 15-20 cm new snow added to previous amounts to give storm totals in the range of 30-50 cm. Towards the end of the storm, winds shifted to the north, potentially creating some unusual wind slabs on south-facing slopes. Beneath the recent snow you may find hard wind-affected snow at higher elevations, soft faceted snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and crusts on steep southerly slopes. The middle and lower snowpack is well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">8-15 cm new snow fell on Monday night, with highest amounts recorded along the Duffey. Winds shifted to the north during the storm, potentially creating some unusual wind slabs on south-facing slopes. Beneath this recent snow you may find hard wind-affected snow at higher elevations, soft and faceted snow in shaded and sheltered areas, and melt-freeze crusts on southerly slopes. The middle and lower snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Monday's widespread and reactive storm slabs and wind slabs should be settling down by Wednesday with the exception of colder, more northerly areas which have significantly more &quot;wintery&quot; temperatures. Expect instabilities to last longer in places like Bear Pass or Ningunsaw.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The 40 to 60 cm of storm snow buried a wide variety of surfaces with the key idea being they're pretty much all crappy. Rule of thumb: the longer snow is exposed on the surface the less likely it'll bond when buried. Recently covered were surface hoar, sun crusts, and a widespread weak faceted (sugary) upper snowpack. It seems the old surfaces (aka Feb 19 surface hoar / facets) were as much the critical weak interface as the bottom of the storm snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region received 15 to 30 cm of storm snow accumulations on Monday. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">It covered previously scoured surfaces and old hard wind hammered snow, sun crusts on solar aspects, and sugary facets pretty much everywhere.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">February's cold weather weakened the upper- and mid-snowpack. In some sheltered areas, 20-50 cm of the snowpack was faceting, or sits on facets (sugary snow),</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, the lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-50 cm of storm snow from the last week is sitting mainly on facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are a two weak layers in the upper snowpack that were buried in mid and late January. These can be found approximately 60-120 cm deep. Both layers consist of surface hoar and may be associated with a crust on steep, south facing slopes. These weak layers have been most reactive at lower elevations. Avalanche occurrences on these layers have tapered significantly, however it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche on these layers in isolated areas such as steep cutblocks and large open glades.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where the cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-50 cm of recent storm snow sits mainly on facets (sugary snow), as well as surface hoar (feathery crystals) in sheltered areas and a crust on sun exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At lower elevations, a weak layer buried in mid January can be found approximately 50-80 cm deep. This layer consists of surface hoar and facets, and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. This layer has been most reactive at treeline and below. Avalanche activity has dropped off significantly, however it may still be possible to trigger avalanches on this layer in areas such as steep cutblocks, and large open glades in the trees.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas where cold temperatures continue to facet (weaken) the snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>