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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</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>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Additional snow amounts of around 15 cm Monday night has brought storm snow totals to approximately 40 cm in this region. This storm snow is resting on a variety of surfaces, including crusts on southern aspects, hard wind-affected snow in exposed locations and soft faceted snow in sheltered areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two layers of weak surface hoar crystals are buried in the snowpack between 45 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>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">There are wind slabs everywhere at all elevation on all aspects, except the most protected of terrain below treeline. Thin sun crusts have formed on solar aspects. The prolonged period of frigid temperatures has heavily faceted the snowpack, and there is no little strength to the midpack in most areas. Ski quality is poor in most areas. 10 to 15cm of new snow Tuesday evening will hopefully improve the snowpack, but probably won't be enough to lead to any significant changes from an avalanche perspective.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Relatively light amounts of moist snow have fallen on a variety of snow surfaces including a crust on steep southerly slopes and possibly weak surface hoar crystals on sheltered and shaded slopes. The new snow may take a little time to bond, especially on northerly aspects at higher elevations.</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>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60 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>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-30 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 50 to 90 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>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A95EAA36">25-30 cm of storm snow now sits over various surfaces such as old and firm wind slabs in the alpine and open areas at treeline on all aspects. A widespread sun / temperature crust is also found hidden under this new snow on south facing slopes. Isolated pockets of surface hoar crystals have also been observed at the surface on north-facing slopes around 2000m right before this storm rolled in. The mid-snowpack consists of sugary faceted grains (facets) of different hardness. Two older layers of surface hoar still exist down 55-80 and down 95-150 around 1600-1900m .The lower snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A95EAA36">10-15 cm of new snow had fallen within the last storm and now sits over hard wind slabs and wind pressed snow in alpine terrain. A widespread sun/ temperature crust is also found hidden under this new snow on south facing slopes up to mountain tops. 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 50-80 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>
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</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>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light amounts of new snow have been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds, potentially creating some unusual wind slabs, including 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>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moderate amounts of new snow are expected Wednesday night and Thursday, which will add to the 40-60 cm of recent storm snow. This is likely bonding poorly to a wide variety of old snow surfaces: crusts on solar aspects, facets up high and surface hoar in sheltered locations. Not much further below this interface is a second weak layer that was buried on February 19 and comprises weak facets and surface hoar crystals. Recent avalanche activity appears to have been equally split between these two layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region is expected to receive 10-15 Wednesday night through Thursday, which will add to the previous 15 to 30 cm of storm snow accumulations since Monday. This new snow rests on previously wind hammered snow, sun crusts (on solar aspects), and sugary facets. 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>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60 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>
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</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 50-90 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>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A95EAA36">Additional snow amounts of 5 cm Tuesday has brought storm snow totals to approximately 40 cm in this region. This storm snow is resting on a variety of surfaces, including crusts on southern aspects, hard wind-affected snow in exposed locations and soft faceted snow in sheltered areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A95EAA36">Two layers of weak surface hoar crystals are buried in the snowpack between 45 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>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">An upslope storm deposited only 10 to 15cm along the Continental divide, with as much as 25cm in the Front Ranges closer to Canmore. This new snow overlies a variety of previous surfaces including sun crust, wind slab, breakable wind crust, sastrugi and facets. A couple of reports today of very poor quality skiing in the Spray. No change to the mid-pack and basal layers - they are still primarily weak and facetted and only have some residual strength in the deeper snowpack areas. Expect occasional ski penetration to ground, especially at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Relatively light amounts of moist snow have fallen on a variety of snow surfaces including a crust on steep southerly slopes and possibly weak surface hoar crystals on sheltered and shaded slopes. The new snow may take a little time to bond, especially on northerly aspects at higher elevations.</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>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60 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>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-30 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 50 to 90 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>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A95EAA36">Moist snow on the surface of sunny slopes. Up to 40 cm of recent storm snow overlies various surfaces such as old and firm wind slabs in the alpine and open areas at treeline on all aspects. A widespread sun/ temperature crust is also found hidden under this new snow on south facing slopes. Isolated pockets of surface hoar crystals were observed at the surface on north-facing slopes around 2000m right before this storm rolled in. The mid-snowpack consists of sugary faceted grains (facets) of different hardness. Two older layers of surface hoar still exist down 55-80 and down 95-150 around 1600-1900m. The lower snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A95EAA36">Recent 15-20 cm of low density snow now overlies old and firm wind slabs in alpine terrain. The middle snowpack consist of weaker faceted snow with few if any distinct layers. In wind affected treeline and alpine areas there is a slab above these facets. In isolated wind protected locations a thin surface hoar layer from mid-January is 50-80 cm deep. The surface hoar is most prominent in the Elk Valley between 1600 m and 1900 m. Regardless of whether it's facets or surface hoar they're difficult to trigger, yet hitting a thin spot or trenching with a sled, especially when the weather warms, might just do it on steep unsupported slopes.</span></p>
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</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>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light amounts of new snow have been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds, potentially creating some unusual wind slabs, including 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>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Continued snowfall is adding to the 40-60 cm of previous storm snow. The recent snow is settling but is covering a wide variety of old snow surfaces: crusts on solar aspects, facets up high, and surface hoar in sheltered locations. Not much further below this storm snow interface is a second weak layer buried on February 19 made up of weak facets and surface hoar crystals. Recent avalanche activity was more or less equally split between these two layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20 to 45 cm of slightly upside down storm snow has accumulated since Monday. This new snow rests on previously wind hammered snow, sun crusts (on solar aspects) and sugary facets. February's cold weather weakened the upper and mid-snowpack. In some sheltered areas, 20 to 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>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60 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>
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</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 50-90 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>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A95EAA36">Last 7 days snowfalls (25-40 cm) now sit on various surfaces such as sun crusts on southerly slopes, hard wind-affected snow in exposed locations and soft faceted snow in sheltered areas. Recent winds have switched around from north to west to south affecting the fresh snow on a variety of aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A95EAA36">Two layers of weak surface hoar crystals are buried in the snowpack between 55 and 90 cm deep, which were buried in mid-February and early-February. The layers may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A cooler day than expected kept the snow dry for the most part. Solar aspects, especially around rocks or trees will probably have a hint of a suncrust by late this afternoon. Speaking of crusts, remember that there is also a buried crust on solar aspects. While not widespread, or thick it can be found on steep terrain. Beyond the predictable crust formation, we still have those pesky windslabs from the last couple of wind events. These range in hardness, but unfortunately seem to be everywhere in the alpine. And of course, we have the lower 2/3's of the snowpack that is still a delicate combo of facets and depth hoar. This is a CRITICAL layer as the spring temps slowly creep up. The buzz around the forecaster's office is the expectation of these waking up easily and suddenly. These avalanches will flow far and fast when they occur.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Relatively light amounts of moist snow have fallen on a variety of snow surfaces including a crust on steep southerly slopes and possibly weak surface hoar crystals on sheltered and shaded slopes. The new snow may take a little time to bond, especially on northerly aspects at higher elevations. The new snow has been formed into a hard and thick crust on south facing slopes, at least in the North Shore mountains.</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>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">10-15 cm of new snow brings the recent storm snow to 30-60 cm. This snow is sitting on a pile of facets (sugary snow), as well as a crust on sun exposed slopes. The recent storm snow has settled into a cohesive slab and is ripe for human triggering. This persistent slab is currently our primary concern.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At lower elevations, a weak layer of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) buried in mid-January can be found approximately 60-120 cm deep. This layer has recently been unreactive, however, the forecast warming event may awaken this layer in low elevation areas such as steep cutblocks and large open glades.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">15-30 cm of recent storm snow is sitting on a pile of facets (sugary snow), as well as a crust on sun exposed slopes. The recent storm snow has settled into a cohesive slab and is ripe for human triggering. This persistent slab is currently our primary concern.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At lower elevations, a weak layer of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) buried in mid-January can be found approximately 50-90 cm deep. This layer has recently been unreactive, however, the forecast warming event may awaken this layer in low elevation areas such as steep cutblocks and large open glades.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The base of the snowpack is composed of facets (weak, sugary snow) that sit on a crust. Large avalanches failing on these facets may become more likely after a long period of warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A95EAA36">The snow surface is getting moist on south and west slopes at lower elevations. Up to 40 cm of storm snow in the last week overlies various surfaces such as old and firm wind slabs in the alpine and open areas at treeline on all aspects. A widespread sun/ temperature crust is also found hidden under this new snow on south facing slopes. Isolated pockets of surface hoar crystals were observed at the surface on north-facing slopes around 2000m right before the last storm rolled in. The mid-snowpack consists of sugary faceted grains (facets) of different hardness. Two older layers of surface hoar still exist down 55-80 and down 95-150 around 1600-1900m. The lower snowpack is generally well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A95EAA36">Moderate to strong southwest winds have affected the low density storm snow at and above treeline, building winds slabs near ridgetop and behind lee features. These fresh slabs overly old slab slabs in alpine terrain. The sun has transformed the recent 15-20 cm of storm snow which became moist on southerly aspects at lower elevations. The middle snowpack consists of weaker faceted snow with few if any distinct layers. In isolated wind protected locations a thin surface hoar layer from mid-January is 50-80 cm deep. The surface hoar is most prominent in the Elk Valley between 1600 m and 1900 m. Regardless of whether they are facets or surface hoar crystals, when the weather warms they may produce avalanches on steep unsupported slopes.</span></p>
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</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>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light amounts of new snow have been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds, potentially creating some unusual wind slabs, including 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>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Continued snowfall is adding to the 40-60 cm of previous storm snow. The recent snow is settling but is covering a wide variety of old snow surfaces: crusts on solar aspects, facets up high, and surface hoar in sheltered locations. Not much further below this storm snow interface is a second weak layer buried on February 19 made up of weak facets and surface hoar crystals. Recent avalanche activity was more or less equally split between these two layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">25 to 50 cm of slightly upside down (higher density on top) storm snow has accumulated since Monday. This recent snow rests on previously wind affected surfaces, sun crusts (on solar aspects) and weak, sugary facets. The prolonged period of cold temperatures in February has had an overall effect of weakening the upper and mid-snowpack, as well as the basal snowpack in thinner areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region the lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">10-15 cm of new snow brings the recent storm snow to 40-60 cm. This snow is sitting on a pile of facets (sugary snow), as well as a crust on sun exposed slopes. The recent storm snow has settled into a cohesive slab and is ripe for human triggering. This persistent slab is currently our primary concern.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At lower elevations, a weak layer of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) buried in mid-January can be found approximately 70-120 cm deep. This layer has recently been unreactive, however, the forecast warming event may awaken this layer in low elevation areas such as steep cutblocks and large open glades.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15 cm of new snow brings the recent storm snow to 30-55 cm. This snow is sitting 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 50-90 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 lower elevations below treeline. Avalanche activity has dropped off significantly, however, the forecast warming event may awaken this layer in areas such as steep cutblocks.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas in the alpine. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A95EAA36">In the last week 25-40 cm of storm snow has fallen which is becoming moist on aspects that have seen the strong March sun. Recent winds have switched from north to west to south leaving wind affected snow on a variety of aspects, especially on features near ridgetops and open areas at treeline. Various surfaces are hidden under the recent storm snow such as sun crusts on southerly slopes, hard wind-affected snow in exposed locations and soft faceted snow in sheltered areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A95EAA36">Two weak layers that mainly consist of surface hoar are buried in the snowpack between 55 and 90 cm deep, these were buried in mid-February and early-February. The layers may be associated with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. Although no recent avalanche activity has been reported on these layers, they may become a concern as the warming progresses.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-15cm of snow fell (drainage dependant) through convective flurries over the past 24hrs.  This snow tapers to only a few cms at lower elevations.  The previous warm temps have created widespread temperature crusts on solar aspects up to 3000m.  Windslabs from the moderate SW winds on Friday are evident in alpine terrain up to 20cm thick.  These slabs are overlying the previous facetted surface and if they initiate, they are quick to entrain the weak lower snowpack and run far.  Watch for these wind slabs overlying this weak facetted base and also be aware of awakening the lower down basal facets from a thin weak area.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Relatively light amounts of moist snow have fallen on a variety of snow surfaces including a crust on steep south slopes and possibly weak surface hoar crystals on sheltered and shaded slopes. The new snow may take a little time to bond, especially on north aspects at higher elevations. </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 linger for some time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">There is 30-60 cm. of recent storm snow is sitting on a pile of facets (sugary snow), as well as a crust on sun exposed slopes. The recent storm snow has settled into a cohesive slab and is ripe for human triggering. This persistent slab is currently our primary concern.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At lower elevations below treeline, a weak layer of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) buried in mid-January can be found approximately 60-120 cm. deep and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. This layer has recently been unreactive, however, the forecast warming event may awaken this layer, resulting in large, destructive avalanches. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">15-30 cm of recent storm snow is sitting on a pile of facets (sugary snow), as well as a crust on sun exposed slopes. The recent storm snow has settled into a cohesive slab and is ripe for human triggering. This persistent slab is currently our primary concern.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At lower elevations a weak layer of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) buried in mid-January can be found approximately 50-90 cm deep and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. This layer has recently been unreactive, however, the forecast warming event may awaken this layer in low elevation areas such as steep cutblocks and large open glades.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The base of the snowpack is composed of facets (weak, sugary snow) that sit on a crust. Very large avalanches failing on this persistent weak layer may become more likely with the forecast sunshine and rising freezing levels.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A95EAA36">The snow surface is getting moist on south and west slopes. Up to 40 cm of storm snow in the last week overlies various surfaces such as old and firm wind slabs in the alpine and open areas at treeline on all aspects. A widespread sun/ temperature crust is also found hidden under this new snow on south facing slopes. Isolated pockets of surface hoar crystals were observed at the surface on north-facing slopes around 2000m right before the last storm rolled in. The mid-snowpack consists of sugary faceted grains (facets) of different hardness. Two older layers of surface hoar still exist down 55-80 and down 95-150 around 1600-1900m. See Avalanche Activity section below for why this is relevant!</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_DDF6C5E8"> Moderate to strong southwest winds have affected the low density storm snow at and above treeline, building winds slabs near ridgetop and behind lee features. These fresh slabs overly old slab slabs in alpine terrain. The sun has transformed the recent 15-20 cm of storm snow which became moist on southerly aspects at lower elevations. The middle snowpack consists of weaker faceted snow with few if any distinct layers. In isolated wind protected locations a thin surface hoar layer from mid-January is 50-80 cm deep. The surface hoar is most prominent in the Elk Valley between 1600 m and 1900 m. Regardless of whether they are facets or surface hoar crystals, when the weather warms they may produce avalanches.</span><span class="s_A95EAA36" /></p>
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</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><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For Sunday, we're most concerned about the upper 30 to 50 cm of snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bigger questions are deeper in the snowpack. After Saturday night, we're not expecting an overnight re-freeze for at least a few nights. That's going to allow the snowpack to warm and start freeing up a lot of water which acts like lubrication. When it doesn't freeze overnight, this process gets turbo-charged. Could multiple hot days and warm nights wake up deeply buried weak layers that we haven't thought about for awhile? We're not sure, but now is probably a time to let the mountains do their thing from afar and check back in when the freezing level returns to seasonal norms which could happen by next weekend.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light amounts of new snow have been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds, potentially creating some unusual wind slabs, including 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><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For Sunday, we're most concerned about the upper 10 to 40 cm of snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bigger questions are deeper in the snowpack. After Saturday night, we're not expecting an overnight re-freeze for at least a few nights. That's going to allow the snowpack to warm and start freeing up a lot of water which acts like lubrication. When it doesn't freeze overnight, this process gets turbo-charged. Could multiple hot days and warm nights wake up deeply buried weak layers that we haven't thought about for awhile? We're not sure, but now is probably a time to let the mountains do their thing from afar and check back in when the freezing level returns to seasonal norms which could happen by next weekend.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Continued snowfall means there's 50 to 100 cm of &quot;settled&quot; snow since the drought ended March 10. The recent snow is settling into a slab with the warm temperatures: however, it's covering a wide variety of old snow surfaces: crusts on solar aspects, facets up high, and surface hoar in sheltered locations. Not much further below this storm snow interface is a second weak layer buried on February 19 made up of weak facets and surface hoar crystals. Recent avalanche activity was more or less equally split between these two layers. The lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The Avalanche Activity section below highlights remotely triggered avalanches:  the recent storm snow is settling into a cohesive slab, the old cold weak layers remain. For slightly complex reasons (snowpack creep, strain rates, viscous coupling, and similar geeky snow science stuff) warm temperatures are keeping the balance near a tipping point. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 60 cm of upside down (higher density on top) storm snow has accumulated since Monday. This recent snow rests on previously wind affected surfaces, sun crusts (on solar aspects) and weak, sugary facets. The prolonged period of cold temperatures in February has had an overall effect of weakening the upper and mid-snowpack, as well as the basal snowpack in thinner areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region the lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">There is 40-60 cm. of recent storm snow is sitting on a pile of facets (sugary snow), as well as a crust on sun exposed slopes. The recent storm snow has settled into a cohesive slab and is ripe for human triggering. This persistent slab is currently our primary concern.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At lower elevations below treeline, a weak layer buried in mid-January can be found approximately 70-120 cm. deep. This layer consists of surface hoar and facets, and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. This layer has recently been unreactive, however, the forecast warming event may awaken this layer, resulting in large, destructive avalanches. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">30-55 cm. of recent storm snow is sitting on a pile of facets (sugary snow), as well as a crust on sun exposed slopes. The recent storm snow has settled into a cohesive slab and is ripe for human triggering. This persistent slab is currently our primary concern.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At lower elevations below treeline, a weak layer buried in mid-January can be found approximately 50-90 cm. deep. This layer consists of surface hoar and facets, and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. This layer has recently been unreactive, however, the forecast warming event may awaken this layer, resulting in large, destructive avalanches. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong, except for shallow, rocky areas in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">As of Saturday, solar aspects (south and west) were sporting a new crust on the surface while 10 to 15 cm of unconsolidated and relatively cold snow can still be found on more shaded aspects (north and east). Wind slabs are likely done at this point, zapped of their strength by time and warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For Sunday, we're most concerned about the upper 20 to 30 cm of snow that sits on mix of facets and crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bigger questions are deeper in the snowpack. We have at least three prominent weak layers in the upper meter, and after Saturday night, we're not expecting an overnight re-freeze for at least a few nights. That's going to allow the snowpack to warm and start freeing up a lot of water which acts like lubrication. When it doesn't freeze overnight, this process gets turbo-charged. How many hot days and warm nights will it take to wake up the more deeply buried weak layers? We're not sure, but now is probably a time to let the mountains do their thing from afar and check back in when the freezing level returns to seasonal norms which could happen by next weekend.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Freezing levels on Saturday climbed up to 2200m with isolated moist snow in areas below this elevation.  The previous warm temps have created widespread temperature crusts on solar aspects up to 3000m. Windslabs from the moderate SW winds on Friday are evident in alpine terrain up to 20cm thick. These slabs are overlying the previous facetted surface and if they initiate, they are quick to entrain the weak lower snowpack and run far. Watch for these wind slabs overlying this weak facetted base and also be aware of awakening the lower down basal facets from a thin weak area. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs are likely done at this point, zapped of their strength by time and warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For Sunday, we're most concerned about the upper 20 to 30 cm of snow that sits on crust on steep south slopes and possibly weak surface hoar crystals on sheltered and shaded slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bigger questions are deeper in the snowpack. 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. After Saturday night, we're not expecting an overnight re-freeze for at least a few nights. That's going to allow the snowpack to warm and start freeing up a lot of water which acts like lubrication. When it doesn't freeze overnight, this process gets turbo-charged. How many hot days and warm nights will it take to wake up the more deeply buried weak layers? We're not sure, but now is probably a time to let the mountains do their thing from afar and check back in when the freezing level returns to seasonal norms which could happen by next weekend.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">There is 30-60 cm. of recent storm snow is sitting on a pile of facets (sugary snow), as well as a crust on sun exposed slopes. The recent storm snow has settled into a cohesive slab and is ripe for human triggering. This persistent slab is currently our primary concern.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At lower elevations below treeline, a weak layer of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) buried in mid-January can be found approximately 60-120 cm. deep and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. This layer has recently been unreactive, however, the forecast warming event may awaken this layer, resulting in large, destructive avalanches. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong in most areas; except for rocky areas in the alpine with a shallow snowpack where multiple days of intense sunshine and warming could trigger sporadic very large avalanches running to valley bottoms.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">15-30 cm of recent storm snow is sitting on a pile of facets (sugary snow), as well as a crust on sun exposed slopes. The recent storm snow has settled into a cohesive slab and is ripe for human triggering. This persistent slab is currently our primary concern.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At lower elevations a weak layer of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) buried in mid-January can be found approximately 50-90 cm deep and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. This layer has recently been unreactive, however, the forecast warming event may awaken this layer in low elevation areas such as steep cutblocks and large open glades.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The base of the snowpack is composed of facets (weak, sugary snow) that sit on a crust. Very large avalanches failing on this persistent weak layer will become more likely with the forecast sunshine and rising freezing levels.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Upper snowpack: Getting warm and moist during the day, maybe forming ephemeral crusts overnight. On sunny aspects there may be buried crusts serving as sliding layers. On lee slopes there may be buried hard layers of wind effected snow (buried wind slabs). There might even be some good old soft snow (powder hiding out on high elevation shadier places). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Mid pack: The mid-snowpack consists of sugary faceted grains (facets) of different hardness. Two older layers of surface hoar still exist down 55-80 and down 95-150 around 1600-1900m. See Avalanche Activity section below for why this is relevant!</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Lower pack: Was reportedly strong in deep snowpack regions, but I have doubts in shallower areas where the long February cold weakened even the deep layers. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Now add a bunch of heat and sun ... the snowpack won't be feelin' the love. Forecasting how many sunny days and warm nights it's going to take to wake up deeper layers is tough; however, I can say with confidence it's a good time to stand aside, watch from afar, let the mountains shed their coat, and come back to the game when things return to normal after the temperatures cool.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Upper snowpack: Getting warm and moist during the day, maybe forming ephemeral crusts overnight. On sunny aspects there may be buried crusts serving as sliding layers. On lee slopes there may be buried hard layers of wind effected snow (buried wind slabs). There might even be some good old soft snow (powder) hiding out on high elevation shady slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Mid pack: The mid-snowpack consists of sugary faceted grains (facets) and layers of harder wind effected snow. In isolated wind protected locations a thin surface hoar layer from mid-January is 50-80 cm deep. The surface hoar is most prominent in the Elk Valley between 1600 - 1900 m. See Avalanche Activity section below for why this is relevant!</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Lower pack: I have doubts about it's strength in shallower areas where the February cold weakened even the deep layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Now add a bunch of heat and sun ... the snowpack won't be feelin' the love. Forecasting how many sunny days and warm nights it's going to take to wake up deeper layers is tough; however, I can say with confidence it's a good time to stand aside, watch from afar, let the mountains shed their coat, and come back to the game when things return to normal after the temperatures cool.</span><span class="s_DDF6C5E8" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">About 30 cm of snow has fallen in the last week. Towards the end of the last storm winds shifted to the north forming some unusual wind slabs on south-facing slopes. Beneath this more 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><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For Monday, we're most concerned about the upper 30 to 50 cm of snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There may be bigger questions deeper in the snowpack. We're not expecting an overnight re-freeze for the forseeable future. That's going to allow the snowpack to warm which starts freeing up a lot of water which lubricates the upper snowpack. It also allows the upper snowpack to start creeping downhill at an accelerated rate. When it doesn't freeze overnight, this process gets turbo-charged. Could multiple hot days and warm nights wake up deeply buried weak layers that we haven't thought about for awhile? We're not sure, but now is probably a time to let the mountains do their thing from afar and check back in when the freezing level returns to seasonal norms which could happen by next weekend.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light amounts of new snow have been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds, potentially creating some unusual wind slabs, including 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><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For Monday, we're most concerned about the upper 10 to 40 cm of snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There may be bigger questions deeper in the snowpack. We're not expecting an overnight re-freeze for the forseeable future. That's going to allow the snowpack to warm which starts freeing up a lot of water which lubricates the upper snowpack. It also allows the upper snowpack to start creeping downhill at an accelerated rate. When it doesn't freeze overnight, this process gets turbo-charged. Could multiple hot days and warm nights wake up deeply buried weak layers that we haven't thought about for awhile? We're not sure, but now is probably a time to let the mountains do their thing from afar and check back in when the freezing level returns to seasonal norms which could happen by next weekend.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 50 and 100 cm of &quot;settled&quot; snow since the drought ended March 10. At lower elevations the most recent precipitation came as rain. The recent snow is settling into a slab with the warm temperatures: however, it's covering a wide variety of old snow surfaces: crusts on solar aspects, facets up high, and surface hoar in sheltered locations. Not much further below this storm snow interface is a second weak layer buried on February 19 made up of weak facets and surface hoar crystals. Recent avalanche activity was more or less equally split between these two layers. The lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The Avalanche Activity section below highlights remotely triggered avalanches: the recent storm snow is settling into a cohesive slab, the old cold weak layers remain. For slightly complex reasons (snowpack creep, strain rates, viscous coupling, and similar geeky snow science stuff) warm temperatures are keeping the snow stability balance near a tipping point. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 50 cm arrived in the past week. This recent snow rests on previously wind affected surfaces, sun crusts (on solar aspects) and weak, sugary facets. The prolonged period of cold temperatures in February has had an overall effect of weakening the upper and mid-snowpack, as well as the basal snowpack in thinner areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sunshine and warm temperatures will weaken the upper snowpack; the difficult question is how quickly this will affect deeper layers. One answer is the thinner the snowpack depth, the quicker it will happen.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">There is 40-60 cm. of recent storm snow is sitting on a pile of facets (sugary snow), as well as a crust on sun exposed slopes. The recent storm snow has settled into a cohesive slab and is ripe for human triggering. This persistent slab is currently our primary concern.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At lower elevations below treeline, a weak layer buried in mid-January can be found approximately 70-120 cm. deep. This layer consists of surface hoar and facets, and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. This layer has recently been unreactive, however, the forecast warming event may awaken this layer, resulting in large, destructive avalanches. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong in most areas; except for rocky areas in the alpine with a shallow snowpack where multiple days of intense sunshine and warming could trigger sporadic very large avalanches running to valley bottoms.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">30-60 cm. of recent storm snow is sitting on a pile of facets (sugary snow), as well as a crust on sun exposed slopes. The recent storm snow has settled into a cohesive slab and is ripe for human triggering. This persistent slab is currently our primary concern.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At lower elevations below treeline, a weak layer buried in mid-January can be found approximately 50-90 cm. deep. This layer consists of surface hoar and facets, and may be combined with a crust on south facing slopes. This layer has recently been unreactive, however, the forecast warming event may awaken this layer, resulting in large, destructive avalanches. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong in most areas; except for rocky areas in the alpine with a shallow snowpack where multiple days of intense sunshine and warming could trigger sporadic very large avalanches running to valley bottoms.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Solar aspects (south and west) were sporting a new crust Saturday. Sunday's blast of heat has likely eliminated any trace of cold snow, but you may still find some on high elevation north features. Wind slabs are likely done at this point, zapped of their strength by time and warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">We're not expecting any overnight re-freeze Sunday night, and we're very concerned about the upper 20 to 30 cm of snow that sits on a mix of facets and crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bigger questions are deeper in the snowpack. We have at least three prominent weak layers in the upper meter and we're not expecting an overnight re-freeze for the foreseeable future. That's going to allow the snowpack to warm which starts freeing up a lot of water which lubricates the upper snowpack. It also allows the upper snowpack to start creeping downhill at an accelerated rate. When it doesn't freeze overnight, this process gets turbo-charged. How many hot days and warm nights will it take to wake up the more deeply buried weak layers? We're not sure, but now is probably a time to let the mountains do their thing from afar and check back in when the freezing level returns to seasonal norms which could happen by next weekend.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">As we quickly enter spring, the alpine snowpack is changing...FAST! The sudden spike in temperatures and solar exposure are making crusts more of a widespread layer. Expect them on any slope that sees the sun. On the shaded aspects, we have those lingering windslabs to worry about. All evidence points to these windslabs being very sensitive to temperature changes. The lack of support within the snowpack is preventing any sort of anchoring. Treeline has a similar issue, only the windslabs are thinner and not as widespread. The treeline slabs may be even touchier because of their thin nature and shorter recover (re-freeze) time at night.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">To share an opinion, this year's snowpack has a character that we haven't seen before. We have a long history with facets and depth hoar, but this year's crop is off&nbsp; the charts. As such, we feel it's necessary to acknowledge the uncertainty by avoiding large terrain right now. The snowpack has no trustworthy qualities right now.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The heat wave has likely eliminated any trace of cold snow, but you may still find some on high elevation north features. Wind slabs are likely done at this point, zapped of their strength by time and warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">We're very concerned about the upper 20 to 30 cm of snow that sits on crust on steep south slopes and possibly weak surface hoar crystals on sheltered and shaded slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The even bigger questions are deeper in the snowpack. A layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 50 to 120 cm deep. This layer is most prominent in the North Shore Mountains on north aspects. We're not expecting an overnight re-freeze for the foreseeable future. That's going to allow the snowpack to warm which starts freeing up a lot of water which lubricates the upper snowpack. It also allows the upper snowpack to start creeping downhill at an accelerated rate. How many hot days and warm nights will it take to wake up the more deeply buried weak layers? We're not sure, but now is probably a time to let the mountains do their thing from afar and check back in when the freezing level returns to seasonal norms which could happen by next weekend.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">30-60 cm. of well settled snow has created a cohesive slab sitting on a pile of facets (sugary snow), as well as a crust on sun exposed slopes. Natural avalanches on this layer are expected to continue.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At lower elevations below treeline, a weak layer of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) buried in mid-January can be found approximately 60-120 cm. deep and may be combined with a crust on south aspects. The current warming event may awaken this layer, resulting in large, destructive avalanches. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer. Smaller loose wet avalanches may &quot;step-down&quot; to this deeper layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong in most areas; except for rocky areas in the alpine with a shallow snowpack where multiple days of intense sunshine and warming could trigger sporadic very large avalanches running to valley bottoms.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">15-30 cm. of well settled snow has created a cohesive slab sitting on a pile of facets (sugary snow), as well as a crust on sun exposed slopes. Natural avalanches on this layer are expected to continue.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At lower elevations below treeline, a weak layer of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) buried in mid-January can be found approximately 50-90 cm. deep and may be combined with a crust on south aspects. The current warming event may awaken this layer, resulting in large, destructive avalanches. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer. Smaller loose wet avalanches may &quot;step-down&quot; to this deeper layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The base of the snowpack is composed of facets (weak, sugary snow) that sit on a crust. Very large avalanches failing on this persistent weak layer will become more likely with the intense sunshine and rising freezing levels.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Upper snowpack: Getting warm and moist during the day, maybe forming ephemeral crusts overnight. On sunny aspects there may be buried crusts serving as sliding layers. On lee slopes there may be buried hard layers of wind effected snow (buried wind slabs). There might even be some good old soft snow (powder hiding out on high elevation shadier places). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Mid pack: The mid-snowpack consists of sugary faceted grains (facets) of different hardness. Two older layers of surface hoar still exist down 55-80 and down 95-150 around 1600-1900m. See Avalanche Activity section below for why this is relevant!</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Lower pack: Was reportedly strong in deep snowpack regions, but I have doubts in shallower areas where the long February cold weakened even the deep layers. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Now add a bunch of heat and sun ... the snowpack won't be feelin' the love. Forecasting how many sunny days and warm nights it's going to take to wake up deeper layers is tough; however, I can say with confidence it's a good time to stand aside, watch from afar, let the mountains shed their coat, and come back to the game when things return to normal after the temperatures cool.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Upper snowpack: Getting warm and moist during the day, maybe forming weak crusts overnight that deteriorate during the day. On sunny aspects there may be buried crusts serving as sliding layers. On lee slopes there may be buried hard layers of wind effected snow (buried wind slabs).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Mid pack: The mid-snowpack consists of sugary faceted grains (facets) and layers of harder wind effected snow. In isolated wind protected locations a thin surface hoar layer from mid-January is 50-80 cm deep. The surface hoar is most prominent in the Elk Valley between 1600 - 1900 m. See Avalanche Activity section below for why this is relevant.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Lower pack: The strength of the lower snowpack is is very much in question in shallower areas where the February cold was able to penetrate and weaken basal layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecasting how many sunny days and warm nights it's going to take to wake up deeper layers is tough, but we can say with confidence that it's a good time to stand aside and let the mountains shed their coat. Stability will improve greatly when temperatures cool off.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">About 30 cm of snow has fallen in the last week. Towards the end of the last storm winds shifted to the north forming some unusual wind slabs on south-facing slopes. Beneath this more 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. Currently, we're most concerned about the upper 30 to 50 cm of snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bigger questions are deeper in the snowpack. With little overnight re-freeze the warm temperatures will penetrate deeper allowing melt and a lot of water which will lubricate the upper snowpack. It also allows the upper snowpack to start creeping downhill at an accelerated rate. It’s hard to say how many hot days and warm nights it will it take to wake up the more deeply buried weak layers. We're not sure, but now is probably a time to let the mountains do their thing from afar and check back in when the freezing levels return to seasonal norms which could happen by next weekend.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light amounts of new snow have been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds, potentially creating some unusual wind slabs, including 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. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Currently, the snowpack is complex and with the continued warming and little overnight re-freeze we're very concerned about the upper 10 to 40 cm of snow that sits on a mix of facets and crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bigger questions are deeper in the snowpack. With little overnight re-freeze the warm temperatures will penetrate deeper allowing melt and a lot of water which will lubricate the upper snowpack. It also allows the upper snowpack to start creeping downhill at an accelerated rate. Its hard to say how many hot days and warm nights it will it take to wake up the more deeply buried weak layers that we haven't thought about in a long time. We're not sure, but now is probably a time to let the mountains do their thing from afar and check back in when the freezing levels return to seasonal norms which could happen by next weekend.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 50 and 100 cm of settled snow forms the upper snowpack, the product of storms since the drought ended on March 10. At lower elevations this precipitation came as rain. With the help of warming temperatures, the recent snow has settled into a slab that covers a variety of old snow surfaces. These include crusts on solar aspects, facets on shaded aspects at higher elevations, and surface hoar in shaded and sheltered locations. Not much further below this storm snow interface is a second weak layer buried on February 19, primarily made up of weak facets and surface hoar crystals. Recent avalanche activity was more or less equally split between these two layers. The lower snowpack is generally strong.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The Avalanche Activity section below shows heightened recent avalanche activity. Our recent storm snow has settled into an unstable slab over a range of lingering old weak layers formed during the cold spell. For the near term, expect warm temperatures to keep the snow stability balance near or beyond its tipping point. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 50 cm of snow arrived in the past week. This recent snow rests on previously wind affected surfaces, sun crusts (on solar aspects) and weak, sugary facets. The prolonged period of cold temperatures in February has had an overall effect of weakening the upper and mid-snowpack, as well as the basal snowpack in thinner areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sunshine and warm temperatures will weaken the upper snowpack; the difficult question is how quickly this will affect deeper layers. One answer is the thinner the snowpack depth, the quicker it will happen.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">40-60 cm. of well settled snow has created a cohesive slab sitting on a pile of facets (sugary snow), as well as a crust on sun exposed slopes. Natural avalanches on this layer are expected to continue.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At lower elevations below treeline, a weak layer of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) buried in mid-January can be found approximately 70-120 cm. deep and may be combined with a crust on south aspects. The current warming event may awaken this layer, resulting in large, destructive avalanches. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer. Smaller loose wet avalanches may &quot;step-down&quot; to this deeper layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong in most areas; except for rocky areas in the alpine with a shallow snowpack where multiple days of intense sunshine and warming could trigger sporadic very large avalanches running to valley bottoms.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">30-60 cm. of well settled snow has created a cohesive slab sitting on a pile of facets (sugary snow), as well as a crust on sun exposed slopes. Natural avalanches on this layer are expected to continue.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At lower elevations below treeline, a weak layer of surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) buried in mid-January can be found approximately 50-90 cm. deep and may be combined with a crust on south aspects. The current warming event may awaken this layer, resulting in large, destructive avalanches. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer. Smaller loose wet avalanches may &quot;step-down&quot; to this deeper layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong in most areas; except for rocky areas in the alpine with a shallow snowpack where multiple days of intense sunshine and warming could trigger sporadic very large avalanches running to valley bottoms.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Currently, solar aspects (south and west) are showing signs of melt by day and a freeze by night. In some locations, sheltered northerly aspects have new surface hoar forming and variable wind effect remains on exposed slopes at treeline and in the alpine. The current snowpack is complex and with the continued warming and little overnight re-freeze we're very concerned about the upper 20 to 30 cm of snow that sits on a mix of facets and crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bigger questions are deeper in the snowpack. We have at least three prominent weak layers in the upper meter of the snowpack. With little overnight re-freeze the warm temperatures will penetrate deeper allowing melt and a lot of water which will lubricate the upper snowpack. It also allows the upper snowpack to start creeping downhill at an accelerated rate. Its hard to say how many hot days and warm nights it will it take to wake up the more deeply buried weak layers. We're not sure, but now is probably a time to let the mountains do their thing from afar and check back in when the freezing levels return to seasonal norms which could happen by next weekend.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">As we quickly enter spring, the alpine snowpack is changing...FAST! The sudden spike in temperatures and solar exposure are making crusts more of a widespread layer. Expect them on any slope that sees the sun. On the shaded aspects, we have those lingering wind slabs to worry about. All evidence points to these wind slabs being very sensitive to temperature changes. The lack of support within the snowpack is preventing any sort of anchoring. Treeline has a similar issue, only the wind slabs are thinner and not as widespread. The treeline slabs may be even touchier because of their thin nature and shorter recover (re-freeze) time at night.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">To share an opinion, this year's snowpack has a character that we haven't seen before. We have a long history with facets and depth hoar, but this year's crop is off the charts. As such, we feel it's necessary to acknowledge the uncertainty by avoiding large terrain right now. The snowpack has no trustworthy qualities right now.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The heat wave has likely eliminated any trace of cold snow, but you may still find some on high elevation north features. Wind slabs are likely done at this point, zapped of their strength by time and warming. We're very concerned about the upper 20 to 30 cm of snow that sits on crust on steep south slopes and possibly weak surface hoar crystals on sheltered and shaded slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The even bigger questions are deeper in the snowpack. A layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 50 to 120 cm deep. This layer is most prominent in the North Shore Mountains on north aspects. With little overnight re-freeze the warm temperatures will penetrate deeper allowing melt and a lot of water which will lubricate the upper snowpack. It also allows the upper snowpack to start creeping downhill at an accelerated rate. Its hard to say how many hot days and warm nights it will it take to wake up the more deeply buried weak layers. We're not sure, but now is probably a time to let the mountains do their thing from afar and check back in when the freezing levels return to seasonal norms which could happen by next weekend.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A cohesive slab of snow around 30 to 60 cm thick overlies weak and sugary faceted snow or a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes. Natural avalanches are expected to continue at this interface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline, a weak layer of faceted grains and/or feathery surface hoar crystals buried in mid-January can be found around 60 to 120 cm deep, which may be combined with a melt-freeze crust on south aspects. The current warm conditions may awaken this layer, resulting in large, destructive avalanches. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer. Smaller loose wet avalanches may trigger this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. The exception is around thin, rocky areas in the alpine, where the snowpack is composed of faceted snow. The warm air and sunny skies could trigger very large avalanches that could run to the valley bottom.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A cohesive slab of snow around 20 to 30 cm thick overlies weak and sugary faceted snow or a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes. Natural avalanches are expected to continue at this interface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline, a weak layer of faceted grains and/or feathery surface hoar crystals buried in mid-January can be found around 50 to 90 cm deep, which may be combined with a melt-freeze crust on south aspects. The current warm conditions may awaken this layer, resulting in large, destructive avalanches. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer. Smaller loose wet avalanches may trigger this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted snow, which may be associated with a melt-freeze crust. The warm air and sunny skies could increase the likelihood of triggering very large avalanches on this layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Upper snowpack: Getting warm and moist during the day, maybe forming weak crusts overnight that deteriorate during the day. On sunny aspects there may be buried crusts serving as sliding layers. On lee slopes there may be buried hard layers of wind effected snow (buried wind slabs).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Mid pack: The mid-snowpack consists of sugary faceted grains (facets) of different hardness. Two older layers of surface hoar still exist down 55-80 and down 95-150 around 1600-1900m. As warmth penetrates into the snowpack each day, it progressively increases strain on these layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack has recently been reported to be strong in deep snowpack regions, but its strength is in doubt in shallower areas where the long February cold was able to penetrate and weaken even basal snowpack layers. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecasting how many sunny days and warm nights it's going to take to wake up deeper layers is tough, but we can say with confidence that it's a good time to stand aside and let the mountains shed their coat. Stability will improve greatly when temperatures cool off.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Upper snowpack: Getting warm and moist during the day, likely forming weak crusts overnight that deteriorate during the day. On sunny aspects there may be buried crusts serving as sliding layers. On lee slopes there may be buried hard layers of wind effected snow (buried wind slabs).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Mid pack: The mid-snowpack consists of sugary faceted grains (facets) and layers of harder wind effected snow. In isolated sheltered locations a thin surface hoar layer from mid-January is 50-80 cm deep. The surface hoar is most prominent in the Elk Valley between 1600 - 1900 m. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Lower pack: The strength of the lower snowpack is increasingly in question in shallower areas where the February cold was able to penetrate and weaken basal layers. Warm temperatures are increasing the strain on basal weaknesses each day.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecasting how many sunny days and warm nights it's going to take to wake up deeper layers is tough, but we can say with confidence that it's a good time to stand aside and let the mountains shed their coat. Stability will improve greatly when temperatures cool off.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces are highly variable. On higher elevation northerly aspects (above 1900 m) you may find some dry, faceted snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds, potentially creating some unusual wind slabs. On solar aspects (East, South, West) moist snow exists creating melt-freeze conditions at higher elevations and mostly just melt conditions below treeline. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bigger questions are deeper in the snowpack. With little overnight re-freeze the warm temperatures will penetrate deeper and continue to destabilize the snowpack. Its hard to say how many hot days and warm nights it will it take to wake up the more deeply buried weak layers that we haven't thought about in a long time. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Currently, the snowpack is complex and with the continued warming and little overnight re-freeze natural avalanche activity remains possible. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces are highly variable. On higher elevation northerly aspects (above 1900 m) you may find some dry, faceted snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds, potentially creating some unusual wind slabs. On solar aspects (East, South, West) moist snow exists creating melt-freeze conditions at higher elevations and mostly just melt conditions below treeline. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bigger questions are deeper in the snowpack. With little overnight re-freeze the warm temperatures will penetrate deeper and continue to destabilize the snowpack. It’s hard to say how many hot days and warm nights it will it take to wake up the more deeply buried weak layers that we haven't thought about in a long time. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Currently, the snowpack is complex and with the continued warming and little overnight re-freeze natural avalanche activity remains possible. </span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 50 and 100 cm of settled snow forms the upper snowpack, the product of storms since the drought ended on March 10. At lower elevations this precipitation came as rain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">With the help of warming temperatures, this recent snow has settled into a slab that covers a variety of old snow surfaces left in the wake of the drought. These include crusts on solar aspects, facets on shaded aspects at higher elevations, and surface hoar in shaded and sheltered locations. In many areas the upper snowpack described above has become isothermal (slushy and cohesionless) as a result of warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Not much further below this storm snow interface is a second weak layer buried on February 19, primarily made up of weak facets and surface hoar crystals. Both of these layers have produced recent avalanches and will remain a concern under the current warming pattern. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 50 cm of settled snow from storms last week sits on the surface. This snow rests on previously wind affected surfaces, sun crusts (on solar aspects) and weak, sugary facets. The prolonged period of cold temperatures in February has had an overall effect of weakening the upper and mid-snowpack, as well as the basal snowpack in thinner areas. These weaknesses are increasingly being tested under the pattern of strong warming currently affecting the region. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A cohesive slab of snow around 40 to 60 cm thick overlies weak and sugary faceted snow or a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes. Natural avalanches are expected to continue at this interface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline, a weak layer of faceted grains and/or feathery surface hoar crystals buried in mid-January can be found around 70 to 120 cm deep, which may be combined with a melt-freeze crust on south aspects. The current warm conditions may awaken this layer, resulting in large, destructive avalanches. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer. Smaller loose wet avalanches may trigger this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. The exception is around thin, rocky areas in the alpine, where the snowpack is composed of faceted snow. The warm air and sunny skies could trigger very large avalanches that could run to the valley bottom.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A cohesive slab of snow around 30 to 60 cm thick overlies weak and sugary faceted snow or a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes. Natural avalanches are expected to continue at this interface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline, a weak layer of faceted grains and/or feathery surface hoar crystals buried in mid-January can be found around 60 to 100 cm deep, which may be combined with a melt-freeze crust on south aspects. The current warm conditions may awaken this layer, resulting in large, destructive avalanches. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer. Smaller loose wet avalanches may trigger this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. The exception is around thin, rocky areas in the alpine, where the snowpack is composed of faceted snow. The warm air and sunny skies could trigger very large avalanches that could run to the valley bottom.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Currently, solar aspects are showing signs of melt by day and a freeze by night. In some locations, sheltered northerly aspects have new surface hoar forming and variable wind effect remains on exposed slopes at treeline and in the alpine. The current snowpack is complex and with the continued warming and little overnight re-freeze the snowpack will continue to break down. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bigger questions are deeper in the snowpack. Two crusts exist in the upper snowpack and the bond of the overlying snow is most concerning with deteriorating. The first crust is down 20 to 30 cm and loose wet avalanches have slid on this interface. The deeper one down 60-95 cm has also been producing easy shears in test profiles and potentially just waiting for enough heat to penetrate and deteriorate before avalanches start failing on it, if they do? Its hard to say how many hot days and warm nights it will it take to wake up the more deeply buried weak layers. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">As we quickly enter spring, the alpine snowpack is changing...FAST! The sudden spike in temperatures and solar exposure are making crusts more of a widespread layer. Expect them on any slope that sees the sun. On the shaded aspects, we have those lingering wind slabs to worry about. All evidence points to these wind slabs being very sensitive to temperature changes. The lack of support within the snowpack is preventing any sort of anchoring. Treeline has a similar issue, only the wind slabs are thinner and not as widespread. The treeline slabs may be even touchier because of their thin nature and shorter recover (re-freeze) time at night.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">To share an opinion, this year's snowpack has a character that we haven't seen before. We have a long history with facets and depth hoar, but this year's crop is off the charts. As such, we feel it's necessary to acknowledge the uncertainty by avoiding large terrain right now. The snowpack has no trustworthy qualities right now.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces are variable and the heat has likely eliminated any trace of cold snow except on high elevation north features. Melt-freeze conditions (more melt then freeze at lower elevations) exist on all other aspects and elevations and signs of snowballing, surface sluffing and loose wet avalanches are current.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Deeper in the snowpack a layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 50 to 120 cm deep. This layer is most prominent in the North Shore Mountains on north aspects. With little overnight re-freeze the warm temperatures will penetrate deeper and continue to destabilize the snowpack and possible imitating larger persistent slab avalanches. It’s hard to say how many hot days and warm nights it will it take to wake up the more deeply buried weak layers that we haven't thought about in a long time. </span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The warm air and sunny skies have produced moist snow to ridge top on all aspects. The upper 30 to 60 cm of snow may slide easily during the day, either as loose wet snow or as a cohesive slab, as it sits over weak faceted grains or a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes. The moist snow may freeze into a melt-freeze crust overnight.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline, a weak layer of faceted grains and/or feathery surface hoar crystals buried in mid-January can be found around 60 to 120 cm deep. Although this layer has been dormant for a few weeks, the current warm conditions may awaken this layer. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. The exception is around thin, rocky areas in the alpine, where the snowpack is composed of faceted snow. The warm air and sunny skies could trigger very large avalanches that could run to the valley bottom.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The warm air and sunny skies have produced moist snow to ridge top on all aspects. The upper 20 to 30 cm of snow may slide easily during the day, either as loose wet snow or as a cohesive slab, as it sits over weak faceted grains or a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes. The moist snow may freeze into a melt-freeze crust overnight.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer of faceted grains and/or feathery surface hoar crystals buried in mid-January may be found around 50 to 90 cm deep. Although this layer has been dormant for a few weeks, the current warm conditions may awaken this layer. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted snow, which may be associated with a melt-freeze crust. The warm air and sunny skies could increase the likelihood of triggering very large avalanches on this layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Upper snowpack: Getting warm and moist during the day, maybe forming weak crusts overnight that deteriorate during the day. On sunny aspects the upper snowpack has become increasingly isothermal (slushy and cohesionless) with successive days of warming. On lee slopes there may be buried hard layers of wind effected snow (buried wind slabs).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Mid pack: The mid-snowpack consists of sugary faceted grains (facets) of different hardness. Recent loose wet avalanches have been gouging into this faceted snow and entraining additional mass. Occasional slab fractures have also initiated above these facets.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack has recently been reported to be strong in deep snowpack regions, but its strength is in doubt in shallower areas where the long February cold was able to penetrate and weaken even basal snowpack layers. Some of the largest recent slab avalanches have initiated in thin snowpack areas in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">It's a good time to stand aside and let the mountains shed their coat. Stability will improve greatly when temperatures cool off.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Upper snowpack: Getting warm and moist during the day, likely forming weak crusts overnight that deteriorate during the day. On sunny aspects the upper snowpack has become increasingly isothermal (slushy and cohesionless) with successive days of warming. On lee slopes there may be buried hard layers of wind effected snow (buried wind slabs).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Mid pack: The mid-snowpack consists of sugary faceted grains (facets) and layers of harder wind effected snow. Recent loose wet avalanches have been entraining additional mass by gouging into this faceted snow. These facets have also acted as a failure plane in recent slab releases.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Lower pack: The strength of the lower snowpack is increasingly in question in shallower areas where the February cold was able to penetrate and weaken basal layers. Warm temperatures are increasing the strain on basal weaknesses each day. Basal snowpack and ground are evident in the start zones and tracks of many recent avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">It's a good time to stand aside and let the mountains shed their coat. Stability will improve greatly when temperatures cool off.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces are highly variable. On higher elevation north aspects (above 1700 m) you may find some dry, faceted snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds, potentially creating some unusual wind slabs. On solar aspects (East, South, West) moist snow surfaces exist creating melt-freeze conditions at higher elevations and mostly just melt conditions below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bigger questions are deeper in the snowpack. With little overnight re-freeze the warm temperatures will penetrate deeper and continue to destabilize the snowpack. Its hard to say how many hot days and warm nights it will it take to wake up the more deeply buried weak layers that we haven't thought about in a long time. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces are highly variable. On higher elevation north aspects (above 1900 m) you may find dry, faceted snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds, potentially creating some unusual wind slabs. On solar aspects (East, South, West) moist snow exists creating melt-freeze conditions at higher elevations and mostly just melt conditions below treeline. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bigger questions are deeper in the snowpack. Down 40-60 cm below the melt-freeze crust on solar aspects and the wintery snow on the polar aspects sits the February facet interface. The warm temperatures will continue to penetrate deeper and destabilize the snowpack. Its hard to say how many hot days and warm nights it will it take to wake up the more deeply buried weak layers that we haven't thought about in a long time. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 50 and 100 cm of settled snow forms the upper snowpack at higher elevations, the product of storms since the drought ended on March 10. At lower elevations this precipitation came as rain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">With the help of warm temperatures, this recent snow has either settled into a slab on shaded aspects or become increasingly isothermal (slushy) on sun-exposed aspects. Where it exists as a slab, it covers a variety of old snow surfaces left in the wake of the drought.  These include crusts on solar aspects, facets on shaded aspects at higher elevations, and surface hoar in shaded and sheltered locations. This variable layer has been the primary failure plane in recent slab avalanche observations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Not much further below this storm snow interface is a second weak layer buried on February 19, primarily made up of weak facets and surface hoar crystals. Recent loose wet and slab avalanches have been observed gouging into the faceted snow in this layer, thereby entraining additional mass.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally strong. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 50 cm of settled snow from storms last week sits on the surface. With the help of warm temperatures, this snow has either settled into a slab on shaded aspects or becomes increasingly isothermal (slushy) each day on sun-exposed aspects. Where it exists as a slab, it overlies previously wind affected surfaces, sun crusts (on solar aspects) and weak, sugary facets. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The prolonged period of cold temperatures in February had an overall effect of weakening the upper and mid-snowpack, as well as the basal snowpack in thinner areas. These weaknesses are increasingly being tested under the pattern of strong warming currently affecting the region. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The warm air and sunny skies have produced moist snow to ridge top on all aspects. The upper 40 to 60 cm of snow may slide easily during the day, either as loose wet snow or as a cohesive slab, as it sits over weak faceted grains or a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes. The moist snow may freeze into a melt-freeze crust overnight.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline, a weak layer of faceted grains and/or feathery surface hoar crystals buried in mid-January may be found around 70 to 120 cm deep. Although this layer has been dormant for a few weeks, the current warm conditions may awaken this layer. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. The exception is around thin, rocky areas in the alpine, where the snowpack is composed of faceted snow. The warm air and sunny skies could trigger very large avalanches that could run to the valley bottom.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The warm air and sunny skies have produced moist snow to ridge top on all aspects. The upper 30 to 60 cm of snow may slide easily during the day, either as loose wet snow or as a cohesive slab, as it sits over weak faceted grains or a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes. The moist snow may freeze into a melt-freeze crust overnight.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline, a weak layer of faceted grains and/or feathery surface hoar crystals buried in mid-January may be found around 60 to 100 cm deep. Although this layer has been dormant for a few weeks, the current warm conditions may awaken this layer. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. The exception is around thin, rocky areas in the alpine, where the snowpack is composed of faceted snow. The warm air and sunny skies could trigger very large avalanches that could run to the valley bottom.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Currently, solar aspects are showing signs of melt by day and a freeze by night. In some locations, sheltered northerly aspects have new surface hoar forming and variable wind effect remains on exposed slopes at treeline and in the alpine. The current snowpack is complex and with the continued warming and little overnight re-freeze the snowpack will continue to break down. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bigger questions are deeper in the snowpack. Two crusts exist in the upper snowpack and the bond of the overlying snow is most concerning with deteriorating. The first crust is down 20 to 30 cm and loose wet avalanches have slid on this interface. The deeper one down 60-95 cm has also been producing easy shears in test profiles and potentially just waiting for enough heat to penetrate and deteriorate before avalanches start failing on it, if they do? Its hard to say how many hot days and warm nights it will it take to wake up the more deeply buried weak layers. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Widespread crusts in the morning which are quickly breaking down in the early afternoon. Thats the current pattern. What's important to note is the snowpack is still a winter one. Meaning it still has layers buried beneath which could fail. Northern aspects in particular will preserve these layers and keep them active for some time yet. The good news is that the warm weather pattern is predictable. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces are variable and the heat has likely eliminated any trace of cold snow except on high elevation north features. Melt-freeze conditions (more melt then freeze at lower elevations) exist on all other aspects and elevations and signs of snowballing, surface sluffing and loose wet avalanches are current.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Deeper in the snowpack a layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 50 to 120 cm deep. This layer is most prominent in the North Shore Mountains on north aspects. With little overnight re-freeze the warm temperatures will penetrate deeper and continue to destabilize the snowpack and possibly initiating larger persistent slab avalanches. Its hard to say how many hot days and warm nights it will it take to wake up the more deeply buried weak layers that we haven't thought about in a long time. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The warm air and sunny skies have produced wet snow to ridge top on southerly aspects and up to around 1800 m on northerly aspects. The upper 30 to 60 cm of snow may slide easily during the day on sun-exposed slopes, either as loose wet snow or as a cohesive slab, as this snow sits over weak faceted grains or a melt-freeze crust. The wet snow may freeze into a melt-freeze crust overnight.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline, a weak layer of faceted grains and/or feathery surface hoar crystals may be found around 60 to 120 cm deep. Although this layer has been dormant for a few weeks, the current warm conditions may awaken this layer. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. The exception is around thin, rocky areas in the alpine, where the snowpack is composed of faceted snow. The warm air and sunny skies could trigger very large avalanches that could run to the valley bottom.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The warm air and sunny skies have produced wet snow to ridge top on southerly aspects and up to around 2100 m on northerly aspects. The upper 20 to 30 cm of snow may slide easily during the day, either as loose wet snow or as a cohesive slab, as it sits over weak faceted grains or a melt-freeze crust. The wet snow may freeze into a melt-freeze crust overnight.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weak layer of faceted grains and/or feathery surface hoar crystals buried in mid-January may be found around 50 to 90 cm deep. Although this layer has been dormant for a few weeks, the current warm conditions may awaken this layer. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted snow, which may be associated with a melt-freeze crust. The warm air and sunny skies has increased the likelihood of triggering very large avalanches on this layer.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Upper snowpack: Getting warm and moist during the day, maybe forming weak crusts overnight that deteriorate during the day. On sunny aspects the upper snowpack has become increasingly isothermal (slushy and cohesionless) with successive days of warming. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Mid-pack: The mid-snowpack consists of weak facets (sugary snow). Recent loose wet avalanches have been gouging into this faceted snow and entraining additional mass. Occasional slab fractures have also initiated above these facets.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The lower snowpack has recently been reported to be strong in deep snowpack regions, but its strength is in doubt in shallow areas where the long, cold drought in February weakened the basal (bottom of the snowpack) layers. Some of the largest recent slab avalanches have initiated in shallow snowpack areas in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Upper snowpack: Getting warm and moist during the day, likely forming weak crusts overnight that deteriorate during the day. On sunny aspects the upper snowpack has become increasingly isothermal (slushy and cohesionless) with successive days of warming. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Mid pack: The mid-snowpack consists of facets (weak, sugary snow) and layers of harder wind effected snow. Recent loose wet avalanches have been entraining additional mass by gouging into this faceted snow. These facets have also acted as a failure plane in recent slab releases.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Lower pack: The strength of the lower snowpack is increasingly in question in shallower areas where the February cold was able to weaken basal (bottom of the snowpack) layers and warm temperatures are increasing the strain on these weaknesses each day.  Many of the recent slab avalanches failed on these facets sitting just above the ground. It's a good time to stand aside and let the mountains shed their coat. Stability will improve greatly when temperatures cool off.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces are highly variable. On higher North aspects (above 1700 m) you may find some dry, faceted snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds, potentially creating some unusual wind slabs. On solar aspects (East, South, West) the upper 10-30 cm is moist but re-freezes overnight into a solid crust. Most solar slopes at lower elevations are becoming </span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encylopedia/#isothermal" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal. </span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack has gone through a lot of change with the hot and sunny weather. With forecast freezing levels and air temperatures dropping, the mushy snowpack will start to solidify and lock-up allowing for hard conditions and less avalanche activity, especially on the solar slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces are highly variable. On higher North aspects (above 1700 m) you may find some dry, faceted snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds, potentially creating some unusual wind slabs. On solar aspects (East, South, West) the upper 10-20 cm is moist but re-freezes overnight into a solid crust which breaks down by noon. Most solar slopes at lower elevations are becoming </span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encylopedia/#isothermal" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal.</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bigger questions are deeper in the snowpack. Down 40-60 cm below the melt-freeze crust on solar aspects and the wintery snow on the polar aspects sits the February facet interface. The warm temperatures will continue to penetrate deeper and destabilize the snowpack. Its hard to say how many hot days and warm nights it will it take to wake up the more deeply buried weak layers, if they even wake up at all? </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">50-100 cm of settled snow forms the upper snowpack at higher elevations, the product of storms since the drought ended on March 10. At lower elevations this precipitation came as rain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">With the help of warm temperatures, this recent snow has either settled into a slab on shaded aspects or become increasingly isothermal (slushy) on sun-exposed aspects. Where it exists as a slab, it covers a variety of old snow surfaces left in the wake of the drought. These include crusts on solar aspects, facets (sugary snow) on shaded aspects at higher elevations, and surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) in shaded/sheltered locations. This variable layer has been the primary failure plane in recent slab avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Not much further below this storm snow interface is a second weak layer buried on February 19, primarily made up of weak facets or surface hoar. Recent loose wet and slab avalanches have been observed gouging into this faceted snow and entraining additional mass.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong in most areas, except for rocky areas in the alpine with a shallow or highly variable snowpack depth. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 50 cm of settled snow from storms last week sits on the surface. With the help of warm temperatures, the 50 cm of snow from last week's storm has either settled into a slab on shaded aspects or becomes increasingly isothermal (slushy) on sun-exposed aspects. Where it exists as a slab, it overlies weak facets (sugary snow). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The prolonged period of cold temperatures in February had an overall effect of weakening the upper and mid-snowpack, as well as the basal (lower) snowpack in shallow areas. These weaknesses are increasingly being tested under the pattern of strong warming currently affecting the region. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The warm air and sunny skies have produced wet snow to ridge top on southerly aspects and up to around 1800 m on northerly aspects. The upper 40 to 60 cm of snow may slide easily during the day on sun-exposed slopes, either as loose wet snow or as a cohesive slab, as this snow sits over weak faceted grains or a melt-freeze crust. The wet snow may freeze into a melt-freeze crust overnight.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline, a weak layer of faceted grains and/or feathery surface hoar crystals may be found around 70 to 120 cm deep. Although this layer has been dormant for a few weeks, the current warm conditions may awaken this layer. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. The exception is around thin, rocky areas in the alpine, where the snowpack is composed of faceted snow. The warm air and sunny skies could trigger very large avalanches that could run to the valley bottom.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The warm air and sunny skies have produced wet snow to ridge top on southerly aspects and up to around 1800 m on northerly aspects. The upper 30 to 60 cm of snow may slide easily during the day on sun-exposed slopes, either as loose wet snow or as a cohesive slab, as this snow sits over weak faceted grains or a melt-freeze crust. The wet snow may freeze into a melt-freeze crust overnight.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline, a weak layer of faceted grains and/or feathery surface hoar crystals may be found around 60 to 100 cm deep. Although this layer has been dormant for a few weeks, the current warm conditions may awaken this layer. Steep cutblocks and large open glades at lower elevations are the most likely places to trigger this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. The exception is around thin, rocky areas in the alpine, where the lower snowpack is composed of faceted snow. The warm air and sunny skies may increase the likelihood of triggering large avalanches that could run to the valley bottom.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Currently, solar aspects are showing signs of melt by day and a freeze by night. Only the upper 10-20 cm is re-freezing into a solid crust which breaks down by noon. Most solar slopes at lower elevations are becoming </span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encylopedia/#isothermal" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal.</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> You can still find dry, wintery snow on North facing slopes in the alpine and variable wind effect remains. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The bigger questions are deeper in the snowpack. Two crusts exist in the upper snowpack and the bond of the overlying snow is most concerning. The first crust is down 20 to 30 cm and loose wet avalanches have slid on this interface. The deeper one down 60-95 cm has also produced easy shears in test profiles and is potentially just waiting for enough heat to penetrate, creating a cohesive slab that may avalanche, if it does? </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces are variable and the heat has likely eliminated any trace of cold snow except on high elevation north features. Melt-freeze conditions (more melt then freeze at lower elevations) exist on all other aspects and elevations and signs of snowballing, surface sluffing and loose wet avalanches are current.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Deeper in the snowpack a layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 50 to 120 cm deep. This layer is most prominent in the North Shore Mountains on north aspects. With little overnight re-freeze the warm temperatures will penetrate deeper and continue to destabilize the snowpack and possibly initiating larger persistent slab avalanches. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below around 1600 m, the snow surface should remain wet on all aspects due to rain this weekend. Above around 1600 m, the weekend’s precipitation should fall as snow.  The snow will overly a melt-freeze crust on all aspects up to 2000 m and to ridgetop on sun-exposed slopes. The new snow will fall onto previously dry snow and potentially surface hoar crystals on northerly aspects above 2000 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. The exception is on northerly aspects above around 2000 m, where a weak layer of faceted grains may still exist in combination with old and hard wind-affected snow. This layer is buried around 40 to 60 cm.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below around 1800 m, the snow surface should remain wet on all aspects due to rain this weekend. Above around 1800 m, the weekend's precipitation should fall as snow.  The snow will overly a melt-freeze crust on all aspects up to 2000 m and to ridgetop on sun-exposed slopes. The new snow will fall onto previously dry snow and potentially surface hoar crystals on northerly aspects above 2000 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few weak layers may still exist in the snowpack. A layer of faceted grains may be found 20 to 30 cm deep. It could be most problematic when in combination with hard wind-affected snow, which has been found on northerly aspects above 2000 m. Another layer of faceted grains and/or surface hoar may be found around 50 to 90 cm deep, also with a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. These layers haven't produced avalanches recently, but professionals are tracking them, as they have been reactive in some snowpack tests.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted snow, which may be associated with a melt-freeze crust. Although this layer has been dormant for a while now, there were recent reports of a few sporadic avalanches on this layer, suggesting that it could still be triggered.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Upper snowpack: Getting warm and moist during the day, maybe forming weak crusts overnight that deteriorate during the day. On sunny aspects the upper snowpack has become increasingly isothermal (slushy and cohesionless) with successive days of warming. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Mid-pack: The mid-snowpack consists of weak facets (sugary snow). Recent loose wet avalanches have been gouging into this faceted snow and entraining additional mass. Occasional slab fractures have also initiated above these facets.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The lower snowpack has recently been reported to be strong in deep snowpack regions, but its strength is in doubt in shallow areas where the long, cold drought in February weakened the basal (bottom of the snowpack) layers. Some of the largest recent slab avalanches have initiated in shallow snowpack areas in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Upper snowpack: Getting warm and moist during the day, likely forming weak crusts overnight that deteriorate during the day. On sunny aspects the upper snowpack has become increasingly isothermal (slushy and cohesionless) with successive days of warming. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Mid pack: The mid-snowpack consists of weak facets (sugary snow) and layers of harder wind effected snow. Recent loose wet avalanches have been entraining additional mass by gouging into this faceted snow. These facets have also acted as a failure plane in recent slab releases.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Lower pack: The strength of the lower snowpack is increasingly in question in shallower areas where the February cold was able to weaken basal (bottom of the snowpack) layers and warm temperatures are increasing the strain on these weaknesses each day. Many of the recent slab avalanches failed on these facets sitting just above the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces are variable. On higher North aspects (above 1700 m) you may find some dry, faceted snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds, potentially creating some isolated wind slabs. On solar aspects (East, South, West) at treeline and in the alpine the upper 10-30 cm will likely sport a firm crust with cooling temperatures. Below treeline the snow could remain moist or wet if it doesn't re-freeze. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack has gone through a lot of change with the hot and sunny weather. The mushy snowpack will start to solidify and lock-up allowing for hard conditions and less avalanche activity, especially on the solar slopes.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces are variable. On higher North aspects (above 1700 m) you may find some dry, faceted snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds, potentially creating some isolated wind slabs. On solar aspects (East, South, West) at treeline and in the alpine the upper 10-30 cm will likely sport a firm crust with cooling temperatures. Below treeline the snow could remain moist or wet if it doesn't re-freeze. Below the melt-freeze crust on solar aspects and the wintery snow on the polar aspects down 40-60 cm sits the February facet interface. This interface may be reactive on higher North aspects where a firm surface crust doesn't exist. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack has gone through a lot of change with the hot and sunny weather. The mushy snowpack will start to solidify and lock-up allowing for hard conditions and less avalanche activity, especially on the solar slopes.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">50-100 cm of settled snow forms the upper snowpack at higher elevations, the product of storms since the drought ended on March 10. At lower elevations this precipitation came as rain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">With the help of warm temperatures, this recent snow has either settled into a slab on shaded aspects or become increasingly isothermal (slushy) on sun-exposed aspects. Where it exists as a slab, it covers a variety of old snow surfaces left in the wake of the drought. These include crusts on solar aspects, facets (sugary snow) on shaded aspects at higher elevations, and surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) in shaded/sheltered locations. This variable layer has been the primary failure plane in recent slab avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Not much further below the March 10th interface is a second weak layer of facets buried on February 19th. Recent loose wet and slab avalanches have been observed gouging into this faceted snow and entraining additional mass.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is generally considered to be strong in most areas, except for rocky areas in the alpine with a shallow or highly variable snowpack depth. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">30-50 cm of well settled snow overlies weak facets (sugary snow) that were around March. 10th. which is currently the primary layer of concern for human triggering persistent slab avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets. Large avalanches initiating on these facets are most likely in rocky, alpine terrain where there is a shallow or highly variable snowpack depth. They would likely require a large trigger such as a cornice fall, snowmobile, or a group of people standing in the same spot.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below around 1600 m, the snow surface should remain wet on all aspects due to rain this weekend. Above around 1600 m, the weekend’s precipitation should fall as snow.  The snow will overly a melt-freeze crust on all aspects up to 2000 m and to ridgetop on sun-exposed slopes. The new snow will fall onto previously dry snow and potentially surface hoar crystals on northerly aspects above 2000 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. The exception is on northerly aspects above around 2000 m, where a weak layer of faceted grains may still exist in combination with old and hard wind-affected snow. This layer is buried around 40 to 60 cm.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below around 1500 m, the snow surface should remain wet on all aspects due to rain this weekend. Above around 1500 m, the weekend’s precipitation should fall as snow.  The snow will overly a melt-freeze crust on all aspects up to 2000 m and to ridgetop on sun-exposed slopes. The new snow will fall onto previously dry snow and potentially surface hoar crystals on northerly aspects above 2000 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. The exception is on northerly aspects above 2000 m, where a weak layer of faceted grains may still exist in combination with old and hard wind-affected snow. This layer is buried around 30 to 60 cm.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Currently, solar aspects are showing signs of melt by day and a freeze by night. Only the upper 10-20 cm is re-freezing into a solid crust which typically breaks down by noon. Most solar slopes at lower elevations are becoming </span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encylopedia/#isothermal" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal.</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> You can still find dry, wintery snow on North facing slopes above 2000m and variable wind effect remains. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two crusts exist in the upper snowpack and the bond of the overlying snow is most concerning. The first crust is down 20 to 30 cm and loose wet avalanches have slid on this interface. The deeper one down 60-95 cm has also produced easy shears in test profiles and is potentially just waiting for enough heat to penetrate, creating a cohesive slab that may avalanche, if it does? This will likely become less of a concern over time when temperatures drop to more seasonal norms.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Moist snow was found up to the summits of regional peaks on all but true north aspects in alpine areas by 10:30 am on Friday.  Treeline and below unskied areas were also becoming isothermal and unsupportive by mid day.  Loose wet slides are failing and pulling out slabs in some areas that are overlying the weak basal facets that have been an issue all season.  Where they are not pulling out slides they are gouging out the facets and running far.  This weeks heat has been a shock to the snowpack and in the long term conditions will improve with cooler temperatures but until then, there is a wet upper snow pack overlying weak basal facets. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces are variable and the heat has likely eliminated any trace of cold snow except on high elevation north features. Melt-freeze conditions (more melt then freeze at lower elevations) exist on all other aspects and elevations and signs of snowballing, surface sluffing and loose wet avalanches are current.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Deeper in the snowpack a layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 50 to 120 cm deep. This layer is most prominent in the North Shore Mountains on north aspects. There have been no recent reports of avalanches or the reactivity of this layer in snowpack tests. However the layer can still be found. As the warm temperatures penetrate deeper and continue to destabilize the snowpack this layer may wake up initiating a larger persistent slab avalanche. </span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A melt-freeze crust is found on the snow surface everywhere except for northerly aspects above 2000 m, where dry snow still prevails. The crust may weaken into moist or wet snow at low elevations or on southerly aspects, depending on daytime warming and cloud cover.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. The exception may be on northerly aspects above 2000 m, where a weak layer of faceted grains buried 40 to 60 cm may still exist in combination with old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A melt-freeze crust is found on the snow surface everywhere except for northerly aspects above 2000 m, where dry snow still prevails. The crust may weaken into moist or wet snow at low elevations or on southerly aspects, depending on daytime warming and cloud cover.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Deeper in the snowpack, a weak layer of faceted grains buried 40 to 60 cm may still exist on northerly aspects above 2000 m. The base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted snow, which may be associated with a melt-freeze crust. Although these layers have been dormant for a while now, there were recent reports of a few sporadic avalanches, suggesting that they could still be triggered.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The prolonged warm spell has transitioned sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below towards becoming isothermal (0 C throughout the snowpack). In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank" /><span class="s_1681A555">In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, like northerly aspects in the alpine, there may still be a dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow). Human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible; especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The prolonged warm spell has transitioned sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below towards becoming isothermal (0 C throughout the snowpack). In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, like northerly aspects in the alpine, there may still be a dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow). Human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets. Large deep persistent slab avalanches initiating on these facets is currently the primary concern for this region. They are most likely in rocky, alpine terrain where there is a shallow or highly variable snowpack depth. They would likely require a large trigger such as a cornice fall, snowmobile, or a group of people standing in the same spot.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces are variable. On higher north aspects above 2000 m you may find some dry, faceted snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds which may have formed isolated wind slabs. On solar aspects (south and west) at and above treeline the snow surface is expected to have a supportive crust by Sunday Morning. There are still a handful of melt freeze crusts, surface hoar and facets in the upper snowpack, but all of these layers appear to have gone dormant for the time being. We're expecting a good overnight refreeze on Saturday night and increasing cloud cover Sunday which should allow the upper snowpack to solidify.`</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces are variable. On higher North aspects (above 1700 m) you may find some dry, faceted snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds, potentially creating some isolated wind slabs. On solar aspects (South and West) at treeline and in the alpine the upper 10-30 cm will likely sport a firm crust with cooling temperatures. Below treeline the snow could remain moist or wet if it doesn't re-freeze. Below the melt-freeze crust on solar aspects and the wintery snow on the polar aspects down 40-60 cm sits the February facet interface. This interface may be reactive on higher North aspects where a firm surface crust doesn't exist. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack has gone through a lot of change with the hot and sunny weather. We're expecting a good overnight refreeze on Saturday night and increasing cloud cover Sunday which should allow the upper snowpack to solidify.`</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At upper elevations, 50-100 cm of well settled snow overlies weak facets (sugary snow) that were buried around March. 10th. which is currently the primary layer of concern for human triggering persistent slab avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Not much further below the March 10th interface is a second weak layer of facets buried on February 19th. Recent loose wet and slab avalanches have been observed gouging into this faceted snow and entraining additional mass.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The prolonged warm spell has transitioned sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below towards becoming isothermal (0 C throughout the snowpack). In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At upper elevations, 30-50 cm of well settled snow overlies weak facets (sugary snow) that were around March. 10th. which is currently the primary layer of concern for human triggering persistent slab avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets. Large avalanches initiating on these facets are most likely in rocky, alpine terrain where there is a shallow or highly variable snowpack depth. They would likely require a large trigger such as a cornice fall, snowmobile, or a group of people standing in the same spot.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The prolonged warm spell has transitioned sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below towards becoming isothermal (0 C throughout the snowpack). In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A melt-freeze crust is found on the snow surface everywhere except for northerly aspects above 2000 m, where dry snow still prevails. The crust may weaken into moist or wet snow at low elevations or on southerly aspects, depending on daytime warming and cloud cover.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. The exception may be on northerly aspects above 2000 m, where a weak layer of faceted grains buried 40 to 60 cm may still exist in combination with old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A melt-freeze crust is found on the snow surface everywhere except for northerly aspects above 2000 m, where dry snow still prevails. The crust may weaken into moist or wet snow at low elevations or on southerly aspects, depending on daytime warming and cloud cover.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. The exception is on northerly aspects above 2000 m, where a weak layer of faceted grains buried 30 to 60 cm may still exist in combination with old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Solar aspects are melting during the day and freezing at night. Only the upper 10 to 20 cm is re-freezing into a solid crust which typically breaks down by noon. Most solar slopes at lower elevations are becoming </span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encylopedia/#isothermal" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal.</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> You can still find dry, wintery snow on North facing slopes above 2000 m and variable wind effect remains. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two crusts exist in the upper snowpack and the bond of the overlying snow is our biggest concern. The first crust is down 20 to 30 cm and loose wet avalanches have recently slid on this interface. The deeper one down 60 to 95 cm has produced easy shears in test profiles. Avalanches on this interface are unlikely, but possible. This interface should become less of a concern with cooler temperatures early next week. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Valley bottom snow tends to be refrozen, isothermic snow up to 2300m, all aspects. Above that, the true north aspects have dry snow and crusts on the remaining aspects. Windslabs are still present in north facing alpine terrain. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces are variable and the heat has likely eliminated any trace of cold snow except on high elevation north features. Melt-freeze conditions (more melt than freeze at lower elevations) exist on all other aspects and elevations. The current surface continues to produce snowballing, surface sluffing and loose wet avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Deeper in the snowpack a layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 50 to 120 cm deep. There have been no recent reports of avalanches nor activity of this layer in snowpack tests. The recent warm temperatures have probably helped this layer to heal significantly, the one place where it may still be a concern is high elevation north facing terrain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast light new snow amounts will accumulate above a surface of melt-freeze crust in most areas above 1500 metres, with the exception of north aspects above 2000 metres, where it will bury settled and preserved dry snow. Below about 1500 metres, precipitation as rain will land on variably isothermal (slushy) and crusty surfaces. This moisture will promote isothermal conditions where they don't already exist. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. Exceptions may exist on northerly aspects above 2000 m, where a gradually strengthening layer of faceted grains buried 40 to 60 cm deep may still be preserved below an overlying slab of old and hard wind-affected snow.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast trace snowfall will accumulate above a surface of melt-freeze crust in most areas above 1500 metres, with the exception of north aspects above 2000 metres, where it will land on settled and preserved dry snow. Below about 1500 metres, light precipitation as rain will land on variably isothermal (slushy) and crusty surfaces. Any added moisture will promote isothermal conditions where they don't already exist. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is generally consolidated and strong, but exceptions may exist on north aspects above 2000 m, where a gradually strengthening layer of faceted grains buried 40 to 60 cm deep may still be preserved below an overlying slab of old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted snow which may coexist with a melt-freeze crust. One very large persistent slab was observed to have failed at this layer during the recent warming event.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The prolonged warm spell has transitioned sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below towards becoming isothermal (0 C throughout the snowpack). In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, like northerly aspects in the alpine, there may still be a dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow). Human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible; especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The prolonged warm spell has transitioned sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below towards becoming isothermal (0 C throughout the snowpack). In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, like northerly aspects in the alpine, there may still be a dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow). Human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets. Large deep persistent slab avalanches initiating on these facets is currently the primary concern for this region. They are most likely in rocky, alpine terrain where there is a shallow or highly variable snowpack depth. They would likely require a large trigger such as a cornice fall, snowmobile, or a group of people standing in the same spot.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The current snow surface is quite variable. On higher north aspects above 2000 m you may find some dry, faceted snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds which may have formed isolated old wind slabs. We're looking at a good overnight refreeze on Sunday night, so most surfaces should have a supportive surface crust Monday morning. There are still a handful of melt/freeze crusts, surface hoar and facets in the upper snowpack, but all of these layers appear to have gone dormant for the time being. The snowpack at mid and upper elevations is expected to continue to gain strength as we enter a period of consecutive nights with below freezing temperatures. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The current snow surface is quite variable. On higher north aspects above 2000 m you may find some dry, faceted snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds which may have formed isolated old wind slabs. We're looking at a good overnight refreeze on Sunday night, so most surfaces should have a supportive surface crust Monday morning. There are still a handful of melt/freeze crusts, surface hoar and facets in the upper snowpack including the February facet interface which is down 20 to 60 cm below the surface, but all of these layers appear to have gone dormant for the time being. The snowpack at mid and upper elevations is expected to continue to gain strength as we enter a period of consecutive nights with below freezing temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At upper elevations, 50-100 cm of well settled snow overlies weak facets (sugary snow) that were buried around March. 10th. which is currently the primary layer of concern for human triggering persistent slab avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Not much further below the March 10th interface is a second weak layer of facets buried on February 19th. Recent loose wet and slab avalanches have been observed gouging into this faceted snow and entraining additional mass.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The prolonged warm spell has transitioned sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below towards becoming isothermal (0 C throughout the snowpack). In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At upper elevations, 30-50 cm of well settled snow overlies weak facets (sugary snow) that were around March. 10th. which is currently the primary layer of concern for human triggering persistent slab avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets. Large avalanches initiating on these facets are most likely in rocky, alpine terrain where there is a shallow or highly variable snowpack depth. They would likely require a large trigger such as a cornice fall, snowmobile, or a group of people standing in the same spot.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The prolonged warm spell has transitioned sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below towards becoming isothermal (0 C throughout the snowpack). In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast light new snow amounts will accumulate above a surface of melt-freeze crust in most areas above 1500 metres, with the exception of north aspects above 2000 metres, where it will bury settled and preserved dry snow. Below about 1500 metres, precipitation as rain will land on variably isothermal (slushy) and crusty surfaces. This moisture will promote isothermal conditions where they don't already exist. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. Exceptions may exist on northerly aspects above 2000 m, where a gradually strengthening layer of faceted grains buried 40 to 60 cm deep may still be preserved below an overlying slab of old and hard wind-affected snow.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast light new snow amounts will accumulate above a surface of melt-freeze crust in most areas above 1500 metres, with the exception of north aspects above 2000 metres, where it will bury settled and preserved dry snow.  Below about 1500 metres, precipitation as rain will land on variably isothermal (slushy) and crusty surfaces. This moisture will promote isothermal conditions where they don't already exist.  </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. Exceptions may exist on northerly aspects above 2000 m, where a gradually strengthening layer of faceted grains buried 30 to 60 cm deep may still be preserved below an overlying slab of old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The current snow surface is quite variable. On higher north aspects above 2000 m you may find some dry, faceted snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds which may have formed isolated old wind slabs. We're looking at a good overnight refreeze on Sunday night, so most surfaces should have a supportive surface crust Monday morning. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The two crusts in the upper snowpack are our biggest concern. The first crust is down 20 to 30 cm and loose wet avalanches have recently slid on this interface. The deeper one down 60 to 95 cm has produced easy shears in test profiles. Avalanches on this interface are unlikely, but possible. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack at mid and upper elevations is expected to continue to gain strength as we enter a period of consecutive nights with below freezing temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Valley bottom snow tends to be mostly refrozen snow up to 2300m, all aspects. Above that, the true north aspects have dry snow and crusts on the remaining aspects. Windslabs are still present in north facing alpine terrain. Expect conditions to change rapidly when the sun comes out. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces are variable and the heat has likely eliminated any trace of cold snow except on high elevation north features. Melt-freeze conditions (more melt than freeze at lower elevations) exist on all other aspects and elevations. The current surface continues to produce snowballing, surface sluffing and loose wet avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Deeper in the snowpack a layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 50 to 120 cm deep. There have been no recent reports of avalanches nor activity on this layer in snowpack tests. The recent warm temperatures have probably helped this layer to heal significantly, the one place where it may still be a concern is high elevation north facing terrain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light new snow amounts have been accumulating above a surface of melt-freeze crust in most areas above 1500 metres, with the exception of limited north aspects above 2000 metres, where it may bury settled dry snow. Below about 1500 metres, new snow will land on variably isothermal (slushy) and crusty surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. Exceptions may exist on north aspects above 2000 m, where a gradually strengthening layer of faceted grains buried 40 to 60 cm deep may still be preserved below an overlying slab of old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Trace amounts of new snow have begun to accumulate above a surface of melt-freeze crust in most areas above 1500 metres, with the exception of limited north aspects above 2000 metres, where it may land on settled dry snow. Below about 1500 metres, it will land on variably isothermal (slushy) and crusty surfaces. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is generally consolidated and strong, but exceptions may exist on north aspects above 2000 m, where a gradually strengthening layer of faceted grains buried 40 to 60 cm deep may still be preserved below an overlying slab of old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted snow which may coexist with a melt-freeze crust. One very large persistent slab was observed to have failed at this layer during the recent warming event.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The prolonged warm spell has transitioned sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below towards becoming isothermal (0 C throughout the snowpack). In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, like northerly aspects in the alpine, there may still be a dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow). Human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible; especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The prolonged warm spell has transitioned sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below towards becoming isothermal (0 C throughout the snowpack). In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, like northerly aspects in the alpine, there may still be a dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow). Human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets. Large, deep persistent slab avalanches are most likely in rocky, alpine terrain where there is a shallow or highly variable snowpack depth. They would likely require a large trigger such as a cornice fall, snowmobile, or a group of people standing in the same spot.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow might form wind slabs in the alpine and is overlying a variety of snow layers. On higher north aspects above 2000 m you may find some dry, faceted snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds which may have formed isolated old wind slabs. There are still a handful of melt/freeze crusts, surface hoar and facets in the upper snowpack, but all of these layers appear to have gone dormant for the time being. The snowpack at mid and upper elevations is expected to continue to gain strength as we enter a period of consecutive nights with below freezing temperatures.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 15 cm of new snow at upper elevations Tuesday night sits on a variety of surfaces. On higher north aspects above 2000 m it may sit on some dry, faceted snow and/or isolated old wind slabs. Most other places the new snow is sitting on either moist snow or a crust. There are still a handful of melt/freeze crusts, surface hoar and facets in the upper snowpack including the February facet interface which is down 20 to 60 cm below the surface, but all of these layers appear to have gone dormant for the time being. The snowpack at mid and upper elevations is expected to continue to gain strength as we enter a period of consecutive nights with below freezing temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At upper elevations, 50-100 cm of well settled snow overlies weak facets (sugary snow) that were buried around March. 10th. which is currently the primary layer of concern for human triggering persistent slab avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Not much further below the March 10th interface is a second weak layer of facets buried on February 19th. Recent loose wet and slab avalanches have been observed gouging into this faceted snow and entraining additional mass.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The prolonged warm spell has transitioned sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below towards becoming isothermal (0 C throughout the snowpack). In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At upper elevations, 30-50 cm of well settled snow overlies weak facets (sugary snow) that were around March. 10th. which is currently the primary layer of concern for human triggering persistent slab avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets. Large avalanches initiating on these facets are most likely in rocky, alpine terrain where there is a shallow or highly variable snowpack depth. They would likely require a large trigger such as a cornice fall, snowmobile, or a group of people standing in the same spot.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The prolonged warm spell has transitioned sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below towards becoming isothermal (0 C throughout the snowpack). In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light new snow amounts have begun to accumulate above a surface of melt-freeze crust in most areas above 1500 metres, with the exception of north aspects above 2000 metres, where it may bury settled dry snow. Below about 1500 metres, new snow will land on variably isothermal (slushy) and crusty surfaces. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. Exceptions may exist on northerly aspects above 2000 m, where a gradually strengthening layer of faceted grains buried 40 to 60 cm deep may still be preserved below an overlying slab of old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light new snow amounts are accumulating above a surface of melt-freeze crust in most areas above 1500 metres, with the exception of limited north aspects above 2000 metres, where it may bury settled dry snow. Below about 1500 metres it will land on variably isothermal (slushy) and crusty surfaces. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. Exceptions may exist on northerly aspects above 2000 m, where a gradually strengthening layer of faceted grains buried 30 to 60 cm deep may still be preserved below an overlying slab of old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The current snow surface is quite variable. On higher north aspects above 2000 m you may find some dry, faceted snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds which may have formed isolated old wind slabs. Expect to see a supportive crust on or near the surface if there is a good overnight freeze. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The two crusts in the upper snowpack are our biggest concern. The first crust is down 20 to 30 cm and loose wet avalanches have recently slid on this interface. The deeper one down 60 to 95 cm has produced easy shears in test profiles. Avalanches on this interface are unlikely, but possible. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack at mid and upper elevations is expected to continue to gain strength as we enter a period of consecutive nights with below freezing temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The melt freeze crust on the surface was mostly non-supportive up to trreeline. Wind slabs in the high alpine on north aspects are still a concern for triggering. The melt/freeze crust is not expected to refreeze very well with Monday night's cloudy skies.  Avalanche danger is directly related to daytime heating and re-freezing of the melt/freeze crust. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Expect to see 15-25 cm of new snow at upper elevations sitting on either moist snow or a melt freeze crust. Below 1300 m approximately, precipitation forecast for Monday night may fall as a mix of snow and rain or just rain. Melt-freeze conditions (more melt than freeze at lower elevations) exist on all other aspects and elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Deeper in the snowpack a layer of weak and sugary faceted grains sits on a melt-freeze crust about 50 to 120 cm deep. There have been no recent reports of avalanches nor activity on this layer in snowpack tests. The recent warm temperatures have probably helped this layer to heal significantly, the one place where it may still be a concern is high elevation north facing terrain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable new snow amounts of 10-20 cm have accumulated above a surface of melt-freeze crust in most areas above 1500 metres, with the exception of limited north aspects above 2000 metres, where it may have landed on the last dry snow that remained after last week's warm up. Below about 1500 metres, new snow has buried variably isothermal (slushy) and crusty surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Precipitation as rain has continued to saturate the snowpack that is for the most part isothermal and disappearing rapidly below about 1100 metres.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. Exceptions may exist on north aspects above 2000 m, where a gradually strengthening layer of faceted grains buried 40 to 60 cm deep may still be preserved below an overlying slab of old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable new snow amounts of a trace to 20 cm have accumulated above a surface of melt-freeze crust in most areas above 1500 metres, with the exception of limited north aspects above 2000 metres, where it may have landed on the last dry snow that remained after last week's warm up. Below about 1500 metres, it has buried variably isothermal (slushy) and crusty surfaces. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Precipitation as rain has continued to saturate the snowpack that is for the most part isothermal and disappearing rapidly below about 1100 metres.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is generally consolidated and strong, but exceptions may exist on north aspects above 2000 m, where a gradually strengthening layer of faceted grains buried 40 to 60 cm deep may still be preserved below an overlying slab of old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted snow which may coexist with a melt-freeze crust. One very large persistent slab was reported to have failed at this layer during last week's warming event.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The prolonged warm spell has transitioned sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below towards being moist or wet throughout. In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, like northerly aspects in the alpine, there may still be a dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow). Human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible; especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The prolonged warm spell has transitioned sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below toward becoming moist or wet throughout. In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, like northerly aspects in the alpine, there may still be a dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recently formed wind slabs in the alpine are overlying a variety of snow layers. On higher north aspects above 2000 m you may find some dry, faceted snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly and northerly winds which may have formed isolated old wind slabs. There are still a handful of melt/freeze crusts, surface hoar and facets in the upper snowpack, but all of these layers appear to have gone dormant for the time being. The snowpack at mid and upper is gaining strength in consecutive nights with below freezing temperatures.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 10 cm of new snow at upper elevations from Monday night sits on a variety of surfaces. On higher north aspects above 2000 m it may sit on some dry, faceted snow and/or isolated old wind slabs. At most other places the new snow is sitting on either moist snow or a crust. There are still a handful of melt/freeze crusts, surface hoar and facets in the upper snowpack, but all of these layers appear to have gone dormant for the time being. The snowpack at mid and upper elevations is gaining strength in consecutive nights with below freezing temperatures.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable new snow amounts of 10-20 cm have accumulated above a surface of melt-freeze crust in most areas above 1500 metres, with the exception of north aspects above 2000 metres, where it may have landed on the last dry snow that remained after last week's warm up. Below about 1500 metres, new snow has buried variably isothermal (slushy) and crusty surfaces. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Precipitation as rain has continued to saturate the snowpack that is for the most part isothermal and disappearing rapidly below about 1100 metres.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. Exceptions may exist on north aspects above 2000 m, where a gradually strengthening layer of faceted grains buried 40 to 60 cm deep may still be preserved below an overlying slab of old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of new snow is expected to have accumulated above a surface of melt-freeze crust in most areas above 1500 metres, with the exception of limited north aspects above 2000 metres, where it may have landed on the last dry snow that remained after last week's warm up. Below about 1500 metres new snow has buried variably isothermal (slushy) and crusty surfaces. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Precipitation as rain has continued to saturate the snowpack that is for the most part isothermal and disappearing rapidly below about 1100 metres.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. Exceptions may exist on northerly aspects above 2000 m, where a gradually strengthening layer of faceted grains buried 30 to 60 cm deep may still be preserved below an overlying slab of old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The current snow surface is quite variable. On higher north aspects above 2000 m you may find some dry snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly winds which may have formed isolated thin wind slabs. Expect to see a supportive crust on or near the surface if there is a good overnight freeze.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two crusts of note in the upper snowpack. The first crust is down 20 to 30 cm and loose wet avalanches have recently slid on this interface. The deeper one down 60 to 95 cm has produced easy shears in test profiles. Avalanches on this interface are unlikely, but possible. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 35 cm of new snow fell Monday night into Tuesday at upper elevations. That is sitting on either moist snow or a melt freeze crust. Below 1300 m approximately, precipitation Monday night fell as a mix of snow and rain or just rain, so expect the snow surface to be moist or wet. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10 to 20 cm of new snow from Tuesday's storm has buried a surface of melt-freeze crust in most areas above 1500 metres. Below this elevation the new snow buried variably moist or crusty surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Precipitation as rain continued to saturate the snowpack that is increasingly isothermal (slushy and cohesionless) and disappearing rapidly below about 1100 metres.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. Exceptions may exist on north aspects above 2000 m, where a gradually strengthening layer of faceted grains buried 50 to 70 cm deep may still be preserved below an overlying slab of old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable new snow amounts of a trace to 25 cm have accumulated above a surface of melt-freeze crust in most areas above 1500 metres. Below this elevation it buried variably moist or crusty surfaces. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Precipitation as rain has continued to saturate the snowpack that is increasingly isothermal (slushy and cohesionless) and disappearing rapidly below about 1100 metres.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is generally consolidated and strong, but exceptions may exist on north aspects above 2000 m, where a gradually strengthening layer of faceted grains buried 40 to 60 cm deep may still be preserved below an overlying slab of old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted snow which may coexist with a melt-freeze crust. Only one very large persistent slab was reported to have failed at this layer during last week's warming event.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is likely a crust everywhere but high elevation, north facing terrain. This crust will likely break down (melt) during the day as temperatures rise and the sun comes out. The recent prolonged warm spell has transitioned the snowpack on sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below towards being moist or wet throughout, during the heat of the day. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, like northerly aspects in the alpine, there may still be a dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow). Human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible; especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">A dusting of new snow now sits on a melt-freeze crust in most areas, thought it may sit on moist snow at lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The recent prolonged warm spell has transitioned the snowpack on sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below toward becoming moist or wet throughout, during the heat of the day. In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, like northerly aspects in the alpine, there may still be a dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recently formed wind slabs in the alpine are bonding well to the underlying layers. On higher north aspects above 2000 m it may sit on some dry, faceted snow and/or isolated old wind slabs. At most other places the new snow is sitting on either moist snow or a crust. There are still a handful of melt/freeze crusts, surface hoar and facets in the upper snowpack, but all of these layers appear to have gone dormant for the time being. The snowpack at mid and upper elevations is gaining strength in consecutive nights with below freezing temperatures.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 10 cm of recent snow at upper elevations is bonding well with a variety of snow layers underneath. On higher north aspects above 2000 m it may sit on some dry, faceted snow and/or isolated old wind slabs. At most other places the new snow is sitting on either moist snow or a crust. There are still a handful of melt/freeze crusts, surface hoar and facets in the upper snowpack, but all of these layers appear to have gone dormant for the time being. The snowpack at mid and upper elevations is gaining strength in consecutive nights with below freezing temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10 to 20 cm of new snow from Tuesday's storm has buried a surface of melt-freeze crust in most areas above 1500 metres. Below this elevation the new snow buried variably moist or crusty surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Precipitation as rain continued to saturate the snowpack that is increasingly isothermal (slushy and cohesionless) and disappearing rapidly below about 1100 metres.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. Exceptions may exist on north aspects above 2000 m, where a gradually strengthening layer of faceted grains buried 50 to 70 cm deep may still be preserved below an overlying slab of old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of new snow from Tuesday's storm accumulated above a surface of melt-freeze crust that exists in most areas above 1500 metres. Below this elevation the new snow buried variably moist or crusty surfaces. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Precipitation as rain continued to saturate the snowpack that is increasingly isothermal (slushy and cohesionless) and disappearing rapidly below about 1100 metres.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. Exceptions may exist on north aspects above 2000 m, where a gradually strengthening layer of faceted grains buried 40 to 70 cm deep may still be preserved below an overlying slab of old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At upper elevations, up to 10 cm of new snow sits on a melt-freeze crust or moist snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly winds which may have formed isolated thin wind slabs. At lower elevations, expect to see a supportive crust on or near the surface if there is a good overnight freeze. This crust sits above a largely moist or wet snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are two crusts of note in the upper snowpack. The first crust is down 20 to 30 cm and loose wet avalanches have recently slid on this interface. The deeper one down 60 to 95 cm has produced easy shears in test profiles. Avalanches on this interface are unlikely, but possible. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 15cm of snow has fallen over the past 48hrs with light occasional gusting into moderate SW winds. This new snow has fallen on top of a previous melt freeze crust that developed during last weeks heat wave. The main concerns at this time are isolated thin wildslabs in alpine terrain that are overlying the previous melt freeze crust as well as concerns associated with the deep persistent weak base. The freezing level on Wednesday climbed to 2200m with some moist snow being found below this elevation. Untracked areas at treeline and below are weak isothermal. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 35 cm of new snow fell Monday night into Tuesday at upper elevations. Moderate to strong southwest wind has created wind slabs in high elevation terrain which might still be triggered by skiers. This recent new snow is sitting on either moist snow or a melt freeze crust. Below 1300 m approximately, precipitation Monday night fell as a mix of snow and rain or just rain, so expect the snow surface to be moist or wet.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New sun crusts and temperature crusts are likely to exist on sun exposed aspects at all elevations as well as shaded aspects below about 1700 metres. Below this surface, 10 to 30 cm of recent snow (variable over the region and increasing with elevation) buried a previous surface of melt-freeze crust in most areas above 1500 metres earlier this week.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack below about 1500 metres has been disappearing rapidly under the influence of sustained above freezing temperatures, strong sunshine, and rain. The chance of loose wet avalanches increases each day as these factors break down surface crusts and bring snow to its melting point.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. Exceptions may exist on north aspects above 2000 m, where a gradually strengthening layer of faceted grains buried 50 to 70 cm deep may still be preserved below an overlying slab of old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable new snow amounts of about 5 to 25 cm from a storm earlier in the week buried a surface of melt-freeze crust in most areas above 1500 metres. Below this elevation it buried variably moist or crusty surfaces. Precipitation fell as rain below about 1100 metres.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack below about 1500 metres has been disappearing rapidly under the influence of sustained above freezing temperatures, strong sunshine, and rain. The chance of loose wet avalanches increases each day as these factors break down surface crusts and bring snow to its melting point.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is generally consolidated and strong, but exceptions may exist on north aspects above 2000 m, where a gradually strengthening layer of faceted grains buried 40 to 60 cm deep may still be preserved below an overlying slab of old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted snow which may coexist with a melt-freeze crust. Only one very large persistent slab was reported to have failed at this layer during last week's warming event.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is likely a crust everywhere but high elevation, north facing terrain, where the snow remains dry. The crust will likely break down (melt) during the day as temperatures rise and the sun comes out. The snowpack on sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below is becoming moist or wet during the heat of the day. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, like northerly aspects in the alpine, there may still be a dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow). Human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible; especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Around 5 cm of recent new snow sits on a crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The recent prolonged warm spell has transitioned the snowpack on sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below toward becoming moist or wet, during the heat of the day. In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, like northerly aspects in the alpine, there is still a dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recently formed wind slabs in the alpine are bonding well to the underlying layers, but there might still be isolated pockets which can be triggered by humans. On higher north aspects above 2000 m the recent new snow is sitting on dry, faceted snow. At most other places the new snow is sitting on either moist snow or a crust. Below 1800 m the entire snowpack is isothermal [wet and slushy] underneath the melt/freeze crust.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 15 cm of recent snow at upper elevations is bonding well with a variety of snow layers underneath, but there might still be isolated wind slab which can be triggered by humans. On higher north aspects above 2000 m it may sit on some dry, faceted snow. At most other places the new snow is sitting on either moist snow or a crust.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New sun crusts and temperature crusts are likely to exist on sun exposed aspects at all elevations as well as shaded aspects below about 1700 metres. Below this surface, 10 to 30 cm of recent snow (variable over the region and increasing with elevation) buried a previous surface of melt-freeze crust in most areas above 1500 metres earlier this week.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack below about 1500 metres has been disappearing rapidly under the influence of sustained above freezing temperatures, strong sunshine, and rain. The chance of loose wet avalanches increases each day as these factors break down surface crusts and bring snow to its melting point.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. Exceptions may exist on north aspects above 2000 m, where a gradually strengthening layer of faceted grains buried 50 to 70 cm deep may still be preserved below an overlying slab of old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New sun crusts and temperature crusts are likely to exist on sun exposed aspects at all elevations as well as shaded aspects below about 1800 metres. Below this surface, 10 to 30 cm of recent snow (variable over the region and increasing with elevation) buried a previous surface of melt-freeze crust in most areas above 1500 metres earlier this week. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack below about 1500 metres has been disappearing rapidly under the influence of sustained above freezing temperatures, strong sunshine, and rain. The chance of loose wet avalanches increases each day as these factors break down surface crusts and bring snow to its melting point.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally consolidated and strong. Exceptions may exist on north aspects above 2000 m, where a gradually strengthening layer of faceted grains buried 40 to 70 cm deep may still be preserved below an overlying slab of old and hard wind-affected snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At upper elevations, up to 15 cm of recent new snow sits on a melt-freeze crust or moist snow. Some of this has been redistributed by southwesterly winds which may have formed isolated thin wind slabs. At lower elevations, expect to see a supportive crust on or near the surface if there is a good overnight freeze. This crust sits above a largely moist or wet snowpack.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">This recent storm has dropped around 10-20cm of snow, more toward the East. Expect to find some soft slabs in the alpine. Expect this new snow to slide and entrain all of the storm snow, especially on solar aspects. . This new snow has fallen on top of a previous melt freeze crust that developed during last weeks heat wave. The main concerns at this time is the new snow sliding on solar aspects that are overlying the previous melt freeze crust as well as concerns associated with the deep persistent weak base. The freezing level on Thursday climbed to 2300m with some moist snow being found below this elevation. Untracked areas at treeline and below are weak isothermal. In these Spring conditions, the avalanche danger rating can deteriorate rapidly, especially with solar input.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent snow from the beginning of the week is wet and sitting on either moist snow or a melt freeze crust. With warm air temperatures and sunshine you can expect the snow surface to be moist or wet.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New crusts are likely found on all surfaces except for shaded slopes above 1700 m. On Tuesday, 10 to 30 cm of snow (variable over the region and increasing with elevation) buried a crust in most areas above 1500 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack below about 1500 m has been disappearing rapidly under the recent warm temperatures, sunshine, and rain. The chance of loose wet avalanches increases each day as these factors break down surface crusts and bring snow to its melting point.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally strong. Exceptions may exist on north aspects above 2000 m, where a layer of faceted grains may still be preserved beneath 50 to 70 cm of hard wind-affected snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable new snow amounts of about 5 to 25 cm from a storm earlier in the week buried a crust in most areas above 1500 m. Below this elevation it buried variably moist or crusty surfaces. Precipitation fell as rain below about 1100 m. The snowpack below about 1500 m has been disappearing rapidly under the influence of warm temperatures, strong sunshine, and rain. The chance of loose wet avalanches increases each day as these factors break down surface crusts and bring snow to its melting point.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is generally consolidated and strong, but exceptions may exist on north aspects above 2000 m, where a layer of faceted grains may still be preserved beneath 40 to 60 cm of hard wind-affected snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of weak faceted snow which may coexist with a melt-freeze crust. Only one very large persistent slab was reported to have failed at this layer during last week's warming event.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is likely a crust everywhere but high elevation, north facing terrain, where the snow remains dry. The crust will likely break down (melt) during the day as temperatures rise and the sun comes out. The snowpack on sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below is becoming moist or wet during the heat of the day. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, like northerly aspects in the alpine, there may still be a dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow). Human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible; especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The snowpack on sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below is becoming moist or wet, during the heat of the day. In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, like northerly aspects in the alpine, there is still a dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recently formed wind slabs in the alpine are bonding well to the underlying layers, but there might still be isolated pockets which can be triggered by humans especially along ridge crests (</span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/c09379e8-6362-40ad-a6ef-386536576cb7" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">see the MIN report of our field team here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">). On higher north aspects above 2000 m the recent new snow is gradually bonding with the dry, faceted [weak and sugary] snow underneath. In most other places the new snow is sitting on either moist snow or a crust. Below 1800 m the entire snowpack is isothermal [wet and slushy] underneath the melt/freeze crust.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 15 cm of recent snow at upper elevations is bonding well with a variety of snow layers underneath, but there might still be isolated wind slab which can be triggered by humans especially along ridge crests (</span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/c09379e8-6362-40ad-a6ef-386536576cb7" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">see the MIN report of our field team here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">). On higher north aspects above 2000 m it may sit on some dry, faceted [weak and sugary] snow. In most other places the new snow is sitting on either moist snow or a crust.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New crusts are likely found on all surfaces except for shaded slopes above 1700 m. On Tuesday, 10 to 30 cm of snow (variable over the region and increasing with elevation) buried a crust in most areas above 1500 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack below about 1500 m has been disappearing rapidly under the recent warm temperatures, sunshine, and rain. The chance of loose wet avalanches increases each day as these factors break down surface crusts and bring snow to its melting point.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally strong. Exceptions may exist on north aspects above 2000 m, where a layer of faceted grains may still be preserved beneath 50 to 70 cm of hard wind-affected snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New crusts are likely found on all surfaces except for shaded slopes above 1800 m. On Tuesday, 10 to 30 cm of snow buried a crust above 1500 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack below about 1500 m has been disappearing rapidly under the recent warm temperatures, sunshine, and rain. The chance of loose wet avalanches increases each day as these factors break down surface crusts and bring snow to its melting point.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The remainder of the snowpack is generally strong. Exceptions may exist on north aspects above 2000 m, where a layer of faceted grains may still be preserved beneath 40 to 70 cm of hard wind-affected snow.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At upper elevations, the recent 15 cm snow from the beginning of the week is bonding well with the melt-freeze crust or moist snow below. Some of the recent snow was redistributed by southerly winds which formed isolated thin wind slabs. These wind slabs may still be triggered by humans. At lower elevations, expect to see a supportive crust on or near the surface if there is a good overnight freeze. This crust sits above a largely moist or wet snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-20cm of recent snow is settling under the influence of the warmer temps.  Isolated windslabs are being found in alpine areas along ridgelines with some cracking noted.  Moist snow was found up to 3000m on Friday with dry snow still on north aspects down to treeline.  Stability is changing throughout the day due to temps, quality of freeze and aspect.  As conditions warm up, stability will decrease.  Pay close attention to cloud cover and aspect you are travelling on or under throughout your trip.  Quality of freeze is also a big factor so be sure to access the online weather stations to aid in your trip planning. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent snow from the beginning of the week is wet and sitting on either moist snow or a melt freeze crust. With warm air temperatures and sunshine you can expect the snow surface to become moist or wet.</span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most slopes have entered a </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions-scenario2" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">daily melt-freeze cycle</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">, with the exception of north-facing terrain above 1800 m. On these colder slopes, you may find 10-20 cm of powder or isolated wind slabs. These same slopes may also have a layer of faceted grains buried 50 to 70 cm below the surface, but this layer has shown signs of strengthening. Elsewhere, the surface has been melting each day and then freezing into a hard crust overnight. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower 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; } 
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most slopes have entered a </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions-scenario2" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">daily melt-freeze cycle</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">, with the exception of north-facing slopes above 2000 m. On these colder slopes, you may find 10-20 cm of dry powder or isolated wind slabs. These same slopes may also have a layer of faceted grains buried 30 to 50 cm below the surface, but this layer that has shown signs of strengthening. Elsewhere, the surface has been melting each day and then freezing into a hard crust overnight. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is generally strong, but the base of the snowpack is composed of faceted snow that is capable of producing very large avalanches during times of intense warming (such as last week).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is likely a crust everywhere but high elevation, north facing terrain, where the snow remains dry. The crust will likely break down (melt) during the day as temperatures rise and the sun comes out. The snowpack on sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below may become moist or wet during the heat of the day, especially if the sun comes out.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, like northerly aspects in the alpine, there may still be a dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow). Human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible; especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is likely a crust everywhere but high elevation, north facing terrain, where the snow remains dry. The crust will likely break down (melt) during the day as temperatures rise and if the sun comes out.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The snowpack on sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below may become moist or wet during the heat of the day, especially if the sun comes out. In these areas that have entered spring conditions, the avalanche hazard may fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. Check out this guide to managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, like northerly aspects in the alpine, there is still a dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recently formed wind slabs in the alpine are bonding well to the underlying layers, but there might still be isolated pockets along ridge crests which can be triggered by humans (</span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/c09379e8-6362-40ad-a6ef-386536576cb7" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">see the MIN report of our field team here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">). On higher north aspects above 2000 m new snow from early last week is gradually bonding with the dry, faceted [weak and sugary] snow underneath. In most other places surface snow is moist. Below 1800 m the entire snowpack is either moist or wet underneath a supportive melt/freeze crust.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow that fell early last week at upper elevations is bonding well with a variety of snow layers underneath, but there might still be isolated wind slab which can be triggered by humans especially along ridge crests (</span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/c09379e8-6362-40ad-a6ef-386536576cb7" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">see the MIN report of our field team here</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">). On higher north aspects above 2000 m it may sit on some dry, faceted [weak and sugary] snow. In most other places snowpack is moist or wet throughout with possibly a crust on or near 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; } 
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most slopes have entered a </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions-scenario2" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">daily melt-freeze cycle</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">, with the exception of north-facing slopes above roughly 1800 m. On these colder slopes, you may find 10-30 cm of dry powder or isolated wind slabs. These same slopes may also have a layer of faceted grains buried 50 to 70 cm below the surface that has been responsible for several slab avalanches over the past few days. Elsewhere, the surface has been melting each day and then freezing into a hard crust overnight. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower 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; } 
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most slopes have entered a </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions-scenario2" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">daily melt-freeze cycle</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">, with the exception of north-facing slopes above 1800 m. On these colder slopes, you may find 10-30 cm of powder or isolated wind slabs. These same slopes may also have a layer of faceted grains buried 30 to 60 cm below the surface, but this layer that has shown signs of strengthening over the past week. Elsewhere, the surface has been melting each day and then freezing into a hard crust overnight. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower 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">At upper elevations on north aspects, recent new snow from early last week is bonding well with the melt-freeze crust or moist snow below. At lower elevations, expect to see a supportive crust on or near the surface if there is a good overnight freeze. This crust sits above a largely moist or wet 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 upper snowpack is likely moist or wet. Freezing temperatures overnight are possibly creating a crust on the surface at upper elevations. With warm air temperatures and sunshine you can expect the crust to break down and become moist or wet snow again as the day progresses.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most slopes have entered a </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions-scenario2" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">daily melt-freeze cycle</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">, with the exception of north-facing terrain above roughly 2000 m. On these colder slopes, you may find 10-20 cm of powder or isolated wind slabs. Elsewhere, the surface has been melting each day and then freezing into a hard crust overnight. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower 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; } 
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most slopes have entered a </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions-scenario2" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">daily melt-freeze cycle</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">, with the exception of north-facing terrain above 2000 m. On these colder slopes, you may find dry powder or isolated wind slabs. These same slopes may also have a layer of faceted grains buried 20 to 40 cm below the surface, but this layer has not produced recent avalanche activity. Elsewhere, the surface has been melting each day and then freezing into a hard crust overnight. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of faceted snow that is capable of producing large avalanches during times of intense warming (such as two weeks ago).</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { 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 likely sits on a crust everywhere but high elevation, north facing terrain, where the underlying snow remains dry.&nbsp; </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack on sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below may become moist or wet during the heat of the day, especially if the sun comes out.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, like northerly aspects in the alpine, there may still be a dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow). Human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible; especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth 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; } 
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">5-10 cm of new snow likely sits on a crust everywhere but high elevation, north facing terrain, where the underlying snow remains dry. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The snowpack on sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below may become moist or wet during the heat of the day, especially if the sun comes out.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets (sugary snow). In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible; especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth 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">Recently formed wind slabs in the alpine are bonding well to the underlying layers, but there might still be isolated pockets along ridge crests. Dry snow can still be found on higher north aspects above 2000 m. In most other places surface snow is moist. Below 1800 m the entire snowpack is either moist or wet underneath a supportive melt/freeze 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">There still might still be lingering reactive wind slabs in the north part of the region that formed last week along ridge crests. Higher north aspects above 2000 m still hold dry snow. In most other places snowpack is moist or wet throughout with possibly a crust on or near 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; } 
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Sun exposed slopes in the alpine and on all aspects at treeline and below are becoming moist to wet during the heat of the day. In these areas spring conditions are in effect; the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Dry snow may remain on shady slopes in the alpine. In these locations, 50-100 cm of snow sits on a layer of facets (sugary snow) that was buried around March 10th. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below are becoming moist to wet during the heat of the day. In these areas, spring conditions are in effect; the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Dry snow may still be found on shady slopes in the alpine. At these locations, 30-50 cm of well settled snow overlies a layer of facets (sugary snow) that was buried around March 10th. </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; } 
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most slopes have entered a </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions-scenario2" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">daily melt-freeze cycle</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">, with the exception of north-facing terrain above roughly 2000 m. On these colder slopes, you may find 10-30 cm of dry powder or isolated wind slabs. These same slopes may also have a layer of faceted grains buried 50 to 70 cm below the surface. This layer has been responsible for a few large isolated avalanches over the past few days. Elsewhere, the surface has been melting each day and then freezing into a hard crust overnight. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower 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; } 
.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">Most slopes have entered a </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions-scenario2" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">daily melt-freeze cycle</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">, with the exception of north-facing terrain above 1800 m. On these colder slopes, you may find 10-30 cm of dry powder or isolated wind slabs. Elsewhere, the surface has been melting each day and then freezing into a hard crust overnight. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower 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">At upper elevations on north aspects, recent new snow from early last week is bonding well with the melt-freeze crust or moist snow below. At lower elevations, expect to see a supportive crust on or near the surface if there is a good overnight freeze. This crust sits above a largely moist or wet snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snow from last week has settled to between 5 and 10cm of dry snow on high elevation Northerly aspects. Otherwise most areas now sport a surface crust that melts during the day and re-freezes overnight. Isolated pockets of wind slabs can be found in Alpine areas near ridgelines. The basal layer of facets/depth hoar is alive and well, and has been reactive in isolated areas when the snowpack heats up and looses its strength. Travel conditions below treeline involve ski penetration to ground unless you stick to a previously well-established up-track.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper snowpack is likely moist or wet. Freezing temperatures overnight are possibly creating a crust on the surface at upper elevations. With warm air temperatures and sunshine you can expect the crust to break down and become moist or wet snow again as the day progresses.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most slopes have entered a </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions-scenario2" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">daily melt-freeze cycle</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">, with the exception of north-facing terrain above roughly 2000 m. On these colder slopes, you may find 10-20 cm of powder or isolated wind slabs. Elsewhere, the surface has been melting each day and then freezing into a hard crust overnight. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most slopes have entered a </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions-scenario2" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">daily melt-freeze cycle</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">, with the exception of north-facing terrain above 2000 m. On these colder slopes, you may find dry powder or isolated wind slabs. These same slopes may also have a layer of faceted grains buried 20 to 40 cm below the surface, but this layer has not produced recent avalanche activity. Elsewhere, the surface has been melting each day and then freezing into a hard crust overnight. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of faceted snow that is capable of producing large avalanches during times of intense warming (such as two weeks ago).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack on sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below may become moist or wet during the heat of the day, especially if the sun comes out. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On steep, north facing alpine terrain, 5 cm recent snow overlies a cold, dry snowpack with a well settled slab sitting on weak facets (sugary snow). Human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible; especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Around 15 cm new snow overlies a thick crust on most aspects and elevations and is rapidly settling with warm temperatures. On north facing terrain in the alpine, the underlying snow remains dry. The snowpack on sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below may become moist or wet during the heat of the day, especially if the sun comes out.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets (sugary snow). In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible; especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recently formed wind slabs in the alpine are bonding well to the underlying layers, but there might still be isolated pockets along ridge crests. Dry snow can still be found on higher north aspects above 2000 m. In most other places surface snow is moist. Below 1800 m the entire snowpack is either moist or wet underneath a supportive melt/freeze crust.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There may still be lingering reactive wind slabs in the north part of the region that formed last week along ridge crests. Higher north aspects above 2000 m still hold dry snow. In most other places snowpack is moist or wet throughout with possibly a crust on or near the surface.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Sun exposed slopes in the alpine and on all aspects at treeline and below are becoming moist to wet during the heat of the day. In these areas spring conditions are in effect; the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Dry snow may remain on shady slopes in the alpine. In these locations, 50-100 cm of snow sits on a layer of facets (sugary snow) that was buried around March 10th. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below are becoming moist to wet during the heat of the day. In these areas, spring conditions are in effect; the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Dry snow may still be found on shady slopes in the alpine. At these locations, 30-50 cm of well settled snow overlies a layer of facets (sugary snow) that was buried around March 10th. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most slopes have entered a </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions-scenario2" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">daily melt-freeze cycle</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">, with the exception of north-facing terrain above roughly 2000 m. On these colder slopes, you may find 10-30 cm of dry powder or isolated wind slabs. These same slopes may also have a layer of faceted grains buried 50 to 70 cm below the surface. This layer has been responsible for a few large isolated avalanches last week. Elsewhere, the surface has been melting each day and then freezing into a hard crust overnight. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most slopes have entered a </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions-scenario2" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">daily melt-freeze cycle</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">, with the exception of north-facing terrain above 1800 m. On these colder slopes, you may find 10-30 cm of dry powder or isolated wind slabs. Elsewhere, the surface has been melting each day and then freezing into a hard crust overnight. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Dry snow may still be found on north aspects above 2000 m. At lower elevations, expect to see a supportive crust on or near the surface if there is a good overnight freeze. This crust sits above a largely moist or wet snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper snowpack is likely moist or wet. Freezing temperatures overnight are possibly creating a crust on the surface at upper elevations. With warm air temperatures and sunshine you can expect the crust to break down and become moist or wet snow again as the day progresses.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow is expected on Wednesday at higher elevations, which will fall with southwest wind. The precipitation will fall onto a hard melt-freeze crust on all aspects and elevations except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it will fall onto dry snow. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A bit of new snow is expected in the alpine on Wednesday, which will otherwise fall as rain at lower elevations. This will fall onto a hard melt-freeze crust on all aspects and elevations except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it will fall onto dry snow and isolated wind slabs. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of sugary faceted snow. The likelihood of triggering an avalanche on this layer is lower during colder periods and elevated during intense warming.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack on sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below may become moist or wet during the heat of the day, especially if the sun comes out. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Steep, north facing alpine terrain, still holds a cold, dry snowpack where well settled slab sits over weak facets (sugary snow). Human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible; especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">About 5 cm recent snow overlies a thick crust on most aspects and elevations. On north-facing, alpine terrain, up to 20 cm recent snow is bonding well to a cold, dry snowpack. Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets (sugary snow). In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat (like north-alpine), human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible; especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The snowpack on sun-exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below may become moist or wet during the heat of the day, especially if the sun comes out. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-15 cm of new snow falling Tuesday night and Wednesday is expected to be redistributed at upper elevations by southwesterly winds. This sits on a melt-freeze crust or wet snow depending on elevation, except for north aspects above 2000 m where it may be sitting on dry snow and/or weak feathery surface hoar. Below 1800 m the entire lower snowpack is either moist or wet.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of new snow falling Tuesday night and Wednesday is expected to be redistributed at upper elevations by southwesterly winds. This sits on a melt-freeze crust or wet snow depending on elevation, except for north aspects above 2000 m where it may be sitting on dry snow and/or weak feathery surface hoar. Below 1800 m the entire lower snowpack is either moist or wet.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Sun exposed slopes in the alpine and on all aspects at treeline and below are becoming moist to wet during the heat of the day. In these areas spring conditions are in effect; the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Dry snow may remain on shady slopes in the alpine. In these locations, 50-100 cm of snow sits on a layer of facets (sugary snow) that was buried around March 10th.</span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below are becoming moist to wet during the heat of the day. In these areas, spring conditions are in effect; the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Dry snow may still be found on shady slopes in the alpine. At these locations, 30-50 cm of well settled snow overlies a layer of facets (sugary snow) that was buried around March 10th.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 5 cm of new snow is expected at treeline and alpine elevations on Wednesday, which will otherwise fall as rain at lower elevations. This will fall onto a hard melt-freeze crust on all aspects and elevations except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it will fall onto 10 to 30 cm of dry snow and isolated wind slabs. North slopes above 2000 m may also have a layer of sugary faceted snow buried 50 to 70 cm. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { 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 bit of new snow is expected in the alpine on Wednesday, which will otherwise fall as rain at lower elevations. This will fall onto a hard melt-freeze crust on all aspects and elevations except for north slopes above 1800 m, where it will fall onto 10 to 30 cm of dry snow and isolated wind slabs. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Dry snow may still be found on north aspects above 2000 m. At lower elevations, expect to see a supportive crust on or near the surface if there is a good overnight freeze. This crust sits above a largely moist or wet snowpack.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Spring is here it would seem!  The snowpack varies in its stability depending on a number of different factors.  Day time high, quality of freeze overnight, aspect and influx of new load from snow or rain.  In general, as temperatures warm up, stability will decrease.  These decreases will be most apparent on solar aspects where the radiation is strong.  The timing on this decrease will vary but can be affected by overnight freeze and aspect.  Poor freezes mean, avalanche danger will increase quickly with warming.  Northern aspects are still holding some dry snow at upper elevations but expect a battle up and down from there. The deep persistent weak facets will be with us until the snow is gone.  Be sure to asses this layer as you travel.  Some good corn is out there if you can get the timing right!!&nbsp; Start Early and be home early and avoid the heat of the day</span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At uppermost elevations, 10-20 cm of new snow is likely sitting on a crust or wet snow. Below that, the upper snowpack is mostly moist or wet. At lower elevations precipitation is falling as rain onto an already moist or wet 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">5-10 cm of new snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below approximately 1800 m, the recent precipitation likely fell as rain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower 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">A few centimeters of new snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and isolated wind slabs. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below approximately 1700 m, the recent precipitation likely fell as rain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of sugary faceted snow. The likelihood of triggering an avalanche on this layer is lower during colder periods and elevated during intense warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</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 snowpack on sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and is moist or wet during the heat of the day, especially under direct sun. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Steep, north facing alpine terrain, still holds a cold, dry snowpack where well settled slab sits over weak facets (sugary snow). Human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The snowpack on sun-exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below is moist or wet during the heat of the day, especially under direct sun. Isolated dry snow persists on north-facing alpine terrain, with up to 20 cm loose snow over a cold, dry snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets (sugary snow). In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat (like north-alpine), human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible; especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-15 cm of new snow falling Wednesday has been redistributed at upper elevations by southwesterly winds. This sits on a melt-freeze crust or wet snow depending on elevation, except for north aspects above 2000 m where it may be sitting on dry snow and/or weak feathery surface hoar. Below 1800 m the entire lower snowpack is either moist or wet.</span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { 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 may be up to 5 cm of new snow at upper elevations redistributed by southwesterly winds. This sits on a melt-freeze crust or wet snow depending on elevation, except for north aspects above 2000 m where it may be sitting on dry snow and/or weak feathery surface hoar. Below 1800 m the entire lower snowpack is either moist or wet.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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.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">Sun exposed slopes in the alpine and on all aspects at treeline and below have become moist to wet during the heat of the day. In these areas spring conditions are in effect; the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Dry snow may remain on north-facing slopes in the alpine. In these locations, 50-100 cm of snow sits on a layer of facets (sugary snow) that was buried around March 10th.</span></p>
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.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">Sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below have become moist to wet during the heat of the day. In these areas, spring conditions are in effect; the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Dry snow may still be found on north-facing slopes in the alpine. At these locations, 30-50 cm of well settled snow overlies a layer of facets (sugary snow) that was buried around March 10th.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { 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 new snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on 10 to 30 cm of dry snow, surface hoar (feathery crystals) and isolated wind slabs. Below approximately 1800 m, the recent precipitation likely fell as rain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">North facing slopes above 2000 m may also have a layer of sugary faceted snow buried 50 to 70 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { 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 in the alpine sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 1800 m, where it sits on 10 to 30 cm of dry snow and isolated wind slabs. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { 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 may be 5-10 cm of new snow at upper elevations that has been redistributed by southwesterly winds. This sits on dry snow on north aspects above 2000 m and a crust or moist snow on all other aspects. At lower elevations, expect to see a supportive crust on or near the surface if there is a good overnight freeze. This crust sits above a largely moist or wet snowpack.</span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { 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 uppermost elevations, 20-40 cm of new snow is likely sitting on a crust or wet snow. Below that, the upper snowpack is mostly moist or wet. At lower elevations precipitation is falling as rain onto an already moist or wet snowpack. </span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { 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 10 cm of new snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals). </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below approximately 1800 m, the recent precipitation likely fell as rain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower 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">A few centimeters of new snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and isolated wind slabs. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below approximately 1700 m, the recent precipitation likely fell as rain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of sugary faceted snow. The likelihood of triggering an avalanche on this layer is lower during colder periods and elevated during intense warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</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">Wet flurries and rain have sprinkled a spring snowpack. During the heat of the day and especially under direct sun, the snowpack has become moist or wet except for sheltered north-facing alpine areas. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Steep, north facing alpine terrain, may still hold a cold, dry snowpack where well settled slab sits over weak facets (sugary snow). Human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p>
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.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">Wet flurries and rain have sprinkled a spring snowpack. During the heat of the day and especially under direct sun, the snowpack has become moist or wet, on all but north-facing alpine areas where isolated dry snow persists on a cold, wind-affected snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets (sugary snow). In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat (like north-alpine), human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible; especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each 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">Above around 1800 m, 10 to 20 cm of recent snow overlies a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north, where the snow may overly weak faceted snow or surface hoar. The snow has been redistributed by strong southerly wind. Another 5 to 10 cm is expected to accumulate during Friday. Below 1800 m, the snowpack is wet. Snow is melting rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { 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 around 1900 m, 10 to 15 cm of recent snow overlies a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north, where the snow may overly weak faceted snow or surface hoar. The snow has been redistributed by strong southerly wind. Another 5 cm is expected to accumulate during Friday. Below 1900 m, the snowpack is wet. Snow is melting rapidly at lower elevations.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below have become moist to wet during the heat of the day. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Dry snow may remain on north-facing slopes in the alpine. In these locations, 50-100 cm of snow sits on a layer of facets (sugary snow) that was buried around March 10th.</span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below have become moist to wet during the heat of the day. In these areas, spring conditions are in effect; the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Dry snow may still be found on north-facing slopes in the alpine. At these locations, 30-50 cm of well settled snow overlies a layer of facets (sugary snow) that was buried around March 10th.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { 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 sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on 10 to 30 cm of dry snow, surface hoar (feathery crystals) and isolated wind slabs. Below approximately 1800 m, the recent precipitation likely fell as rain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">North facing slopes above 2000 m may also have a layer of sugary faceted snow buried 50 to 70 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower 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">Up to 10 cm of new snow in the alpine sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 1800 m, where it sits on 10 to 30 cm of dry snow and isolated wind slabs. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower 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">Above around 1800 m, 5 to 15 cm of recent snow overlies a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north, where the snow may overly weak faceted snow or surface hoar. The snow has been redistributed by strong southerly wind. Another 5 cm is expected to accumulate during Friday. Below 1800 m, the snowpack is wet. Snow is melting rapidly at lower elevations.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Above around 1400 m, expect to find 40 to 50 cm of recent snow that overlies a melt-freeze crust or wet snow. This new snow may have been blown around with strong south wind, producing deeper deposits in lee terrain features. Below 1400 m, the snowpack is wet from rain and above-freezing temperature. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { 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 storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals). Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower 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">10-20 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and isolated wind slabs. Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of sugary faceted snow. The likelihood of triggering an avalanche on this layer is lower during colder periods and elevated during intense warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</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">Wet flurries and rain have sprinkled a spring snowpack, and it looks like that trend will continue into the weekend. During the heat of the day and especially under direct sun, the snowpack has become moist or wet except for sheltered north-facing alpine areas. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Steep, north facing alpine terrain may still hold a cold, dry snowpack where a well settled slab sits over weak facets (sugary snow). Human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth 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">Wet flurries and rain have sprinkled a spring snowpack and it looks like that trend will continue into the weekend. During the heat of the day and especially under direct sun, the snowpack has become moist or wet, on all but north-facing alpine areas where isolated dry snow persists on a cold, wind-affected snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Lower down in the snowpack, the base is composed of weak facets (sugary snow). In areas that remained more sheltered from the heat (like north-alpine), human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible; especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each 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">Somewhere around 10 and 30 cm of snow is expected in the region Friday night into Saturday. This snow will overly recent storm snow on high-elevation northerly aspects and a melt-freeze crust elsewhere. Below around 1800 m, the snow will fall onto a wet and well-settled snowpack. Snow is melting rapidly at lower elevations.</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 is expected in the region Friday night into Saturday. The snow will fall with strong to extreme southwest wind. This snow will overly recent storm snow on high-elevation northerly aspects and a melt-freeze crust elsewhere. Below around 1900 m, the snow will fall onto a wet and well-settled snowpack. Snow is melting rapidly at lower 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">Storm snow falling through the weekend is unlikely to bond well to the mix of old surfaces that include both crust and surface hoar. This will likely only be a problem at and above treeline. Below treeline the snowpack is isothermal throughout much of the forecast region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Previously, sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below were becoming moist to wet during the heat of the day. Dry snow may remain on north-facing slopes in the alpine. In these locations, 50-100 cm of snow sits on a layer of facets (sugary snow) that was buried around March 10th.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { 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 falling through the weekend is unlikely to bond well to the mix of old surfaces that include both crust and surface hoar. This will likely only be a problem at and above treeline. Below treeline the snowpack is isothermal throughout much of the forecast region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Previously, sun exposed slopes in the alpine and all aspects at treeline and below were becoming moist to wet during the heat of the day. Dry snow may still be found on north-facing slopes in the alpine. At these locations, 30-50 cm of well settled snow overlies a layer of facets (sugary snow) that was buried around March 10th.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { 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 sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on 10 to 30 cm of dry snow, surface hoar (feathery crystals) and isolated wind slabs. Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">North facing slopes above 2000 m may also have a layer of sugary faceted snow buried 50 to 70 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower 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">15-25 cm of new snow in the alpine and at treeline sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 1800 m, where it sits on 10 to 30 cm of dry snow and isolated wind slabs. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 to 20 cm of snow is forecast for Saturday above 1500 m, which will overly a melt-freeze crust or wet snow. The snow will fall with strong south wind, producing wind slabs in lee terrain features. Below 1500 m, the snowpack is wet and rapidly melting.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Anywhere from 20 to 80 cm of snow is expected to fall Friday night into Saturday. The freezing level will hover between 1100 m and 1400 m. Above the snow-rain line, snow may accumulate quickly and it will be blown around by strong to extreme south to southwest wind. Below the snow-rain line, the snowpack will remain wet and continue to melt rapidly during the storm.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-30 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals). Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow. Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of sugary faceted snow. The likelihood of triggering an avalanche on this layer is lower during colder periods and elevated during intense warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wet flurries and rain have sprinkled a spring snowpack and it looks like that trend will continue into the weekend, </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/map?panel=mountain-information-network-submissions/a53d279c-0d56-4c68-a3e9-8e15d0c8e8ba" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">but there is still some reasonably good riding to be found</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. During the heat of the day, especially under direct sun, the snow surface becomes moist or wet almost everywhere. The exception being high elevation north facing features. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight re-freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Steep, north facing, alpine terrain may still hold a cold, dry, snowpack where a well settled slab rests on weak facets (sugary snow). Although unlikely, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is becoming isothermal.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wet flurries and rain have sprinkled a spring snowpack and it looks like that trend will continue into the weekend, </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/map?panel=mountain-information-network-submissions/a53d279c-0d56-4c68-a3e9-8e15d0c8e8ba" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">but there is still some reasonably good riding to be found</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. During the heat of the day, especially under direct sun, the snow surface becomes moist or wet almost everywhere. The exception being high elevation north facing features. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight re-freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Steep, north facing, alpine terrain may still hold a cold, dry and wind affected snowpack where a well settled slab rests on weak facets (sugary snow). Although unlikely, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is becoming isothermal.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20 to 30 cm of recent snow has been blown around by strong to extreme southerly wind. This snow overlies recent storm snow on high-elevation northerly aspects and a melt-freeze crust elsewhere. Snow is melting rapidly at lower elevations.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20 cm of recent snow fell with strong southerly wind. The snow overlies recent storm snow on high-elevation northerly aspects and a melt-freeze crust elsewhere. Snow is melting rapidly at lower elevations.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10 to 40 cm of storm snow now rests on a weak layer buried April 4th which consists of crust, surface hoar and facets. The crust is widespread and up to 4 cm thick. Spotty surface hoar and facets have been reported on top of the crust on high elevation north facing slopes. Strong wind generally out of the south Friday night likely formed fresh slabs that may be sensitive to human triggering this weekend.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">North facing alpine terrain also has a layer of facets down 40 to 100 cm below the surface, but this layer has not been recently active and is likely trending towards dormancy.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is isothermal throughout much of the forecast region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5 to 20 cm of storm snow now rests on a weak layer buried April 4th which consists of crust, surface hoar and facets. The crust is widespread and up to 4 cm thick. Spotty surface hoar and facets have been reported on top of the crust on high elevation north facing slopes. Light to moderate wind generally out of the south Friday night may have formed shallow storm slabs that may be sensitive to human triggering this weekend.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">North facing alpine terrain also has a layer of facets down 30 to 50 cm below the surface, but this layer has not been recently active and is likely trending towards dormancy.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is isothermal throughout much of the forecast region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-30 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals) in some areas. Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">North facing slopes above 2000 m may also have a layer of sugary faceted snow buried 50 to 70 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-25 cm of new snow in the alpine and at treeline sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 1800 m, where it sits on dry snow. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20 cm of recent snow fell above 1500 m. Another 10 cm of snow is expected on Sunday above 1700 m, with associated strong to extreme southwest wind. This will likely form new wind slabs. All this recent snow overlies a melt-freeze crust or wet snow. Below 1500 m, the snowpack is wet and rapidly melting.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Precipitation amounts have totaled 80 to 100 mm in the past three days. This has likely all fallen as snow above around 1700 m and all as rain below 1200 m. Between 1200 m and 1700 m, expect a rapid change from 0 cm to 80 cm of recent snowfall. The snow has likely been blown around by strong south wind. Below 1200 m, the snowpack is rapidly melting.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-30 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals). Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow. Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of sugary faceted snow. The likelihood of triggering an avalanche on this layer is lower during colder periods and elevated during intense warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wet flurries and rain have sprinkled a spring snowpack and it looks like that trend will continue Monday, </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/map?panel=mountain-information-network-submissions/a53d279c-0d56-4c68-a3e9-8e15d0c8e8ba" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">but there is still some reasonably good riding to be found</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. During the heat of the day, especially under direct sun, the snow surface becomes moist or wet almost everywhere. The exception being high elevation north facing features. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight re-freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Steep, north facing, alpine terrain may still hold a cold, dry, snowpack where a well settled slab rests on weak facets (sugary snow). Although unlikely, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is becoming isothermal.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wet flurries and rain have sprinkled a spring snowpack and it looks like that trend will continue into Monday, </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/map?panel=mountain-information-network-submissions/a53d279c-0d56-4c68-a3e9-8e15d0c8e8ba" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">but there is still some reasonably good riding to be found</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. During the heat of the day, especially under direct sun, the snow surface becomes moist or wet almost everywhere. The exception being high elevation north facing features. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight re-freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Steep, north facing, alpine terrain may still hold a cold, dry and wind affected snowpack where a well settled slab rests on weak facets (sugary snow). Although unlikely, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is becoming isothermal.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20 to 30 cm of recent snow has been blown around by strong to extreme southerly wind. This snow overlies dry, cold snow on high-elevation northerly aspects and a melt-freeze crust elsewhere. Snow is melting rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall over the weekend has been redistributed by wind at treeline elevations and above forming wind slabs at ridgetop and in lee terrain. The snow overlies recent storm snow on high-elevation northerly aspects and a melt-freeze crust elsewhere. Snow is melting rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10 to 40 cm of storm snow now rests on a weak layer buried April 4th which consists of crust, surface hoar and facets. The crust is widespread and up to 4 cm thick. Spotty surface hoar and facets have been reported on top of the crust on high elevation north facing slopes. Moderate to strong wind generally out of the south over the weekend likely formed fresh slabs which may remain sensitive to human triggering Monday. North facing alpine terrain also has a layer of facets down 40 to 100 cm below the surface, but this layer has not been recently active and is likely trending towards dormancy.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At and below treeline the snowpack is isothermal throughout much of the forecast region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5 to 20 cm of storm snow now rests on a weak layer buried April 4th which consists of crust, surface hoar and facets. The crust is widespread and up to 4 cm thick. Spotty surface hoar and facets have been reported on top of the crust on high elevation north facing slopes. Light to moderate wind generally out of the south over the weekend may have formed shallow storm slabs that may remain sensitive to human triggering.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">North facing alpine terrain also has a layer of facets down 30 to 50 cm below the surface, but this layer has not been recently active and is likely trending towards dormancy.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is isothermal throughout much of the forecast region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-30 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals) in some areas. Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">North facing slopes above 2000 m may also have a layer of sugary faceted snow buried 50 to 70 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-25 cm of recent storm snow in the alpine and at treeline sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 1800 m, where it sits on dry snow. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20 cm snowfall over the weekend and continuing flurries are being redistributed by southwesterly winds. Slabs have formed in lee features at upper treeline and alpine elevations. The recent snow overlies a melt-freeze crust or wet snow; below 1500 m the snowpack is wet and rapidly melting. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Spring is here it would seem! The snowpack varies in its stability depending on a number of different factors. Day time high, quality of freeze overnight, aspect and influx of new load from snow or rain. In general, as temperatures warm up, stability will decrease. These decreases will be most apparent on solar aspects where the radiation is strong. The timing on this decrease will vary but can be affected by overnight freeze and aspect. Poor freezes mean avalanche danger will increase quickly with warming. Northern aspects are still holding some dry snow at upper elevations but expect a battle up and down from there. The deep persistent weak facets will be with us until the snow is gone. Be sure to asses this layer as you travel. Some good corn is out there if you can get the timing right!! Start early and be home early and avoid the heat of the day.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Precipitation amounts totaled 80 to 100 mm over the weekend. This has likely fallen as snow above around 1700 m and as rain below 1200 m, where the snowpack is rapidly melting. Between 1200 m and 1700 m, expect a rapid change from 0 cm to 80 cm of recent snowfall. The snow has likely been blown around by strong south wind.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-35 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals). Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow. Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of sugary faceted snow. The likelihood of triggering an avalanche on this layer is lower during colder periods and elevated during intense warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sunday night the region picked up 10 cm of moist snow. This snow rests on a supportive crust above about 1400 m. Below 1400 m the snowpack is becoming isothermal. During the heat of the day, especially under direct sun, the snow surface becomes moist or wet almost everywhere. The exception being high elevation north facing features. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight re-freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Steep, north facing, alpine terrain may still hold a cold, dry, snowpack where a well settled slab rests on weak facets (sugary snow). Although unlikely, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sunday night the region picked up 5 to 10 cm of moist snow. This snow rests on a supportive crust above about 1400 m. Below 1400 m the snowpack is becoming isothermal. During the heat of the day, especially under direct sun, the snow surface becomes moist or wet almost everywhere. The exception being high elevation north facing features. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight re-freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Steep, north facing, alpine terrain may still hold a cold, dry, snowpack where a well settled slab rests on weak facets (sugary snow). Although unlikely, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall accumulated over the weekend and continuing flurries have been moved by south and westerly winds forming slabs in the alpine and upper treeline. This covers a melt-freeze crust on most slopes, and dry, faceted snow and isolated surface hoar and on high north-facing terrain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Expect a snowpack that changes with elevation and through the day, between 1200-1800 m sun and warm temperatures are producing a moist snowpack. Below 1200 m the snow is melting rapidly.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Southwesterly winds have redistributed recent snowfall, forming slabs at ridgetop and in immediate lee terrain. This covers a melt-freeze crust on most slopes, and dry, faceted snow and isolated surface hoar and on high north-facing terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm temperatures during the day are moistening the snowpack up to 2000 m; snow is rapidly melting at lower elevations. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10 to 40 cm of rather wet storm snow now rests on a weak layer buried April 4th which consists of crust, surface hoar and facets. The crust is widespread and up to 4 cm thick. Spotty surface hoar and facets have been reported on top of the crust on high elevation north facing slopes. Moderate to strong wind generally out of the south over the weekend likely formed fresh slabs which may remain sensitive to human triggering. North facing alpine terrain also has a layer of facets down 40 to 100 cm below the surface, but this layer has not been recently active and is likely trending towards dormancy.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is isothermal throughout much of the forecast region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5 to 20 cm of storm snow now rests on a weak layer buried April 4th which consists of crust, surface hoar and facets. The crust is widespread and up to 4 cm thick. Spotty surface hoar and facets have been reported on top of the crust on high elevation north facing slopes. Light to moderate wind generally out of the south over the weekend may have formed shallow storm slabs that may remain sensitive to human triggering.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">North facing alpine terrain also has a layer of facets down 30 to 50 cm below the surface, but this layer has not been recently active and is likely trending towards dormancy.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is isothermal throughout much of the forecast region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-35 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals) in some areas. Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">North facing slopes above 2000 m may also have a layer of sugary faceted snow buried 50 to 70 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-25 cm of recent storm snow in the alpine and at treeline sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 1800 m, where it sits on dry snow. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-35 cm of recent storm snow that fell over the weekend sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals). Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Spring is here it would seem! The snowpack varies in its stability depending on a number of different factors. Day time high, quality of freeze overnight, aspect and influx of new load from snow or rain. In general, as temperatures warm up, stability will decrease. These decreases will be most apparent on solar aspects where the radiation is strong. Cornices could become weak and prone to failure. The timing on this decrease will vary but can be affected by overnight freeze and aspect. Poor freezes mean avalanche danger will increase quickly with warming. Northern aspects are still holding some dry snow at upper elevations but expect a battle up and down from there. The deep persistent weak facets will be with us until the snow is gone. Be sure to asses this layer as you travel. Some good corn is out there if you can get the timing right!! Start early and be home early and avoid the heat of the day.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Rain and snow over the weekend have amalgamated with the snowpack and warm temperatures through the day are producing a moist snowpack. Below, 1200 m the snow is melting rapidly.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-35 cm of recent storm snow that fell over the weekend sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals). On northern aspects the new snow is not bonding as well and humans can trigger storm slab avalanches. On sun exposed slopes the new snow might release as loose wet avalanches. Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, snow remains dry. Southwest winds developed wind slabs around ridges and exposed treeline features and into the alpine. Below 1200 m, snow is disappearing rapidly.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of sugary faceted snow. The likelihood of triggering an avalanche on this layer is lower during colder periods and elevated during intense warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sunday night the region picked up 10 cm of moist snow which has turned to shmoo from daily warming. This snow rests on a supportive crust above about 1400 m. Below 1400 m the snowpack is becoming isothermal. During the heat of the day, especially under direct sun, the snow surface becomes moist or wet almost everywhere. The exception being high elevation north facing features. Steep, north facing, alpine terrain may still hold a cold, dry, snowpack where a well settled slab rests on weak facets (sugary snow). Although unlikely, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sunday night the region picked up 5 to 10 cm of moist snow which turned to shmoo from the warmer temperatures during the day. This snow rests on a supportive crust above about 1400 m. Below 1400 m the snowpack is becoming isothermal. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">During the heat of the day, especially under direct sun, the snow surface becomes moist or wet almost everywhere. The exception being high elevation north facing features. Steep, north facing, alpine terrain may still hold a cold, dry, snowpack where a well settled slab rests on weak sugary snow. Although unlikely, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 cm wind and temperature affected snow covers a melt-freeze crust on most slopes and dry, settled snow on north-facing and sheltered alpine terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Expect a snowpack that changes with elevation and through the day, between 1800 and 1200 m sun and warm temperatures through the day are producing a moist snowpack. Below, 1200 m the snow is melting rapidly.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm wind and temperature affected snow covers a melt-freeze crust on most slopes, and dry, faceted snow and isolated surface hoar on north-facing alpine terrain. Wind slabs have formed around ridgetops and lee alpine features. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm temperatures during the day are moistening the snowpack up to 2000 m; snow is rapidly melting at lower elevations. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New storm snow expected overnight on Tuesday will add to the 10 to 40 cm of storm snow from last weekend that now rests on a weak layer buried April 4th which consists of crust, surface hoar and facets. The crust is widespread and up to 4 cm thick. Spotty surface hoar and facets have been reported on top of the crust on high elevation north facing slopes. Moderate to strong wind generally out of the south over the weekend likely formed fresh slabs which may remain sensitive to human triggering. North facing alpine terrain also has a layer of facets down 40 to 100 cm below the surface, but this layer has not been recently active and is likely trending towards dormancy.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is isothermal throughout much of the forecast region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of storm snow now rests on a weak layer buried April 4th which consists of crust, surface hoar and facets. The crust is widespread and up to 4 cm thick. Spotty surface hoar and facets have been reported on top of the crust on high elevation north facing slopes. Light to moderate wind generally out of the south over the weekend may have formed shallow storm slabs that may remain sensitive to human triggering especially where it sits above the April 4</span><sup><span class="s_3FE45715">th</span></sup><span class="s_3FE45715"> interface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">North facing alpine terrain also has a layer of facets down 30 to 50 cm below the surface, but this layer has not been recently active and is likely trending towards dormancy.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is isothermal throughout much of the forecast region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 to 40 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals) in some areas. These slopes may also have a layer of sugary faceted snow buried 60 to 80 cm. On northern aspects the new snow is not bonding as well and humans can trigger storm slab avalanches. Strong southwest winds on Monday created isolated wind slabs in lee features at treeline and in the alpine. On sun exposed slopes the new snow might release as loose wet avalanches. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 to 25 cm of recent storm snow in the alpine and at treeline sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 1800 m, where it sits on dry snow. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-35 cm of recent storm snow that fell over the weekend sits on a melt-freeze crust on most aspects and is bonding well with the underlying layer. On north facing slopes above 2000 m, where the recent new snow sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals) it is not bonding as well and might be sensitive to triggering. Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Flurries have fallen over high alpine terrain, wetter precipitation at lower elevations is keeping the snowpack moist and encouraging rapid melt below 1200 m.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-35 cm of recent storm snow that fell over the weekend sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals). On northern aspects the new snow is slowly bonding and humans might still trigger wind slab avalanches.  </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2100 m, snow remains dry. Southwest winds developed wind slabs around ridges and exposed treeline features and into the alpine. Below 1200 m, snow is disappearing rapidly.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The base of the snowpack is composed of sugary faceted snow. The likelihood of triggering an avalanche on this layer is lower during colder periods and elevated during intense warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15 cm of accumulated snow from the past few days is moist and has turned to shmoo from daily warming at treeline and below. A supportive crust sits below the recent snow above 1400 m. Below 1400 m the snowpack is becoming </span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encylopedia/#isothermal" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal.</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> During the heat of the day, especially under direct sun, the snow surface becomes moist or wet almost everywhere. The exception being high elevation north facing features. Steep, north facing, alpine terrain may still hold a cold, dry, snowpack where isolated reactive wind slabs may exist and a well settled slab rests on weak facets (sugary snow). Although unlikely, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15 cm of accumulated snow from the past few days is moist and has turned to shmoo from daily warming at treeline and below. A supportive crust sits below the recent snow above 1400 m. Below 1400 m the snowpack is becoming</span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encylopedia/#isothermal" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D"> isothermal.</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> During the heat of the day, especially under direct sun, the snow surface becomes moist or wet almost everywhere. The exception being high elevation north facing features. Steep, north facing, alpine terrain may still hold a cold, dry, snowpack where a well settled slab rests on weak facets (sugary snow). Although unlikely, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 15 cm wind and temperature affected snow overlies a crust on most aspects and a dry, settled snowpack on north-facing alpine terrain. In the alpine and upper treeline, wind loaded pockets up to 40 cm deep have developed around ridge crests and northerly terrain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Expect a snowpack that changes with elevation and through the day, between 1800 and 1200 m sun and warm temperatures through the day are producing a moist snowpack. Below, 1200 m the snow is melting rapidly. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm wind and temperature affected snow covers a melt-freeze crust on most slopes, and dry, faceted snow and isolated surface hoar on north-facing alpine terrain. Wind slabs have formed around upper treeline and alpine ridge crests and lee terrain features. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm temperatures during the day are moistening the snowpack up to 2000 m; snow is rapidly melting at lower elevations. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 cm of snow fell at upper elevations on Tuesday night. This brings 20-80 cm of recent snow which sits above a weak layer buried April 4th. This layer consists of a crust, surface hoar and facets. The crust is widespread and up to 4 cm thick. Spotty surface hoar and facets have been reported on top of the crust on high elevation north facing slopes. Fresh wind slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering especially on the higher elevation northerly aspects and the new storm snow will likely be reactive once the sun shines though.&nbsp; </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Digging deeper, north facing alpine terrain also has a layer of facets down approximately 100 cm below the surface, but this layer has not been recently active and is likely trending towards dormancy.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is isothermal and in some places below threshold throughout much of the forecast region. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of storm snow from last weekend now rests on a weak layer buried April 4th which consists of a 4 cm crust, surface hoar and facets. The recent snow has transitioned into a hard surface on most aspects and elevations with the exception of high alpine North aspects. Spotty surface hoar and facets have been reported on top of the crust on high elevation north facing slopes. Light to moderate wind generally out of the south over the weekend may have formed shallow wind slabs that may be sensitive to human triggering especially where it sits above the April 4</span><sup><span class="s_3FE45715">th</span></sup><span class="s_3FE45715"> interface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">North facing alpine terrain also has a layer of facets down 30 to 50 cm below the surface, but this layer has not been recently active and is likely trending towards dormancy.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is i</span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encylopedia/#isothermal" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">sothermal </span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">throughout much of the forecast region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 to 40 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals) in some areas. On northern aspects the new snow is slowly bonding and humans might still trigger storm slab avalanches. Strong southwest winds on Monday created isolated wind slabs in lee features at treeline and in the alpine. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Last week's unsettled weather produced 15-30 cm of snow in the alpine which tapers rapidly with elevation. This snow is sitting on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for northerly slopes above 1800 m, where it sits on dry snow and possibly small surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) in isolated locations. I suspect high elevation, north facing terrain where wind slabs may be sitting on small surface hoar would currently be the most likely place to trigger a slab avalanche.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-35 cm of recent storm snow that fell over the weekend sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects, but on north facing slopes above 2000 m, where the recent new snow sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals). The recent snow is bonding well with the underlying layers. Wind slabs can still be found in immediate lee features along ridge crests. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 15 cm snow and rain fell through Wednesday at upper elevations. Warm temperatures and wet precipitation are producing a moist, spring snowpack. Below 1200 m, the snowpack is rapidly disappearing. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Last week’s unsettled weather produced 20-50 cm of snow that sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals). On northern aspects the new snow is slowly bonding and humans might still trigger wind slab avalanches. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-25 cm of recent storm snow sits on a melt-freeze in most locations, except for northerly aspects above 2100 m. where the old snow surface remained dry and the recent snow sits on small surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) in isolated locations. Southwest winds formed wind slabs in lee features below ridgetops. The depth of the snowpack deteriorates rapidly below 1200 m.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak facets (sugary grains) remain at the bottom of the snowpack in the alpine creating a low likelihood, high consequence scenario that would likely require a large trigger to initiate an avalanche. Steep, rocky areas with a shallow or highly variable snowpack are the most likely places to trigger a very large avalanche on this layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 cm overnight brings 20-35 cm of recent accumulated snow since last weekend which sits above a supportive crust at treeline and in the alpine. During the heat of the day, especially under direct sun, the snow surface becomes moist or wet almost everywhere. The exception being high elevation north facing features. Steep, north facing, alpine terrain may still hold a cold, dry, snowpack where isolated reactive wind slabs may exist and a well settled slab rests on weak facets (sugary snow). Although unlikely, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is becoming </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://An unstable airmass is mostly responsible for the continued spring-like unsettled weather conditions. Convective flurries and periods of cloud and sunshine will persist through the forecast period." target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal.</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 cm overnight brings 20-35 cm of recent accumulated snow since the last weekend which sits above a supportive crust at treeline and in the alpine. During the heat of the day, especially under direct sun, the snow surface becomes moist or wet almost everywhere. The exception being high elevation north facing features. Steep, north facing, alpine terrain may still hold a cold, dry, snowpack where isolated reactive wind slabs may exist and a well settled slab rests on weak facets (sugary snow). Although unlikely, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is becoming </span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encylopedia/#isothermal" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal.</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm. of recent storm snow is sitting on a melt/freeze crust, except for north facing terrain above 2000 m. where the old snow surface remained dry. This recent snow has been affected by the sun and re-distributed by southerly winds, forming wind slabs on lee features below ridgetops.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack structure changes with elevation and aspect. Below roughly 1900 m. the snowpack is moist and is melting rapidly at lower elevations. Check out this useful link for managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm wind and temperature affected snow covers a melt-freeze crust on most slopes, and dry, faceted snow and isolated surface hoar on north-facing alpine terrain. Wind slabs have formed around upper treeline and alpine ridge crests and lee terrain features. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm temperatures during the day are moistening the snowpack up to 2000 m; snow is rapidly melting at lower elevations. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Anywhere from 20-80 cm of recent storm snow sits above a weak layer buried April 4th. This layer consists of a 4 cm thick crust on all aspects and surface hoar/facets above the crust on northerly aspects. This layer has been reactive with the recent storm snow and fresh wind slabs will likely remain sensitive to human triggering through the weekend, especially on the higher elevation northerly aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Digging deeper, north facing alpine terrain also has a layer of facets down approximately 100 cm below the surface, but this layer has not been recently active and is likely trending towards dormancy.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is isothermal and in some places below threshold throughout much of the forecast region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of storm snow from last weekend now rests on a weak layer buried April 4th which consists of a 4 cm crust, surface hoar and facets. The recent snow has transitioned into a hard surface on most aspects and elevations with the exception of high alpine North aspects. Light to moderate wind generally out of the south over the weekend may have formed&nbsp; wind slabs that may be sensitive to human triggering especially where it sits above the April 4</span><sup><span class="s_3FE45715">th</span></sup><span class="s_3FE45715"> interface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is </span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encylopedia/#isothermal" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal </span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">throughout much of the forecast region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Last weeks unsettled weather produced 30-50 cm of snow that sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north slopes above 2000 m, where it sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals) in some areas. On northern aspects the new snow is slowly bonding and humans might still trigger wind slab avalanches. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Last week's unsettled weather produced 20-35 cm of snow in the alpine which tapers rapidly with elevation. This snow is sitting on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for northerly slopes above 1800 m, where it sits on dry snow and possibly small surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) in isolated locations. High elevation, north facing terrain where wind slabs may be sitting on small surface hoar might currently be the most likely place to trigger a slab avalanche.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Last week's unsettled weather produced 10-35 cm of snow that sits on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects, but on north facing slopes above 2000 m, where the recent new snow sits on dry snow and surface hoar (feathery crystals). The recent snow is bonding well with the underlying layers. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack varies in its stability depending on the day time high, quality of freeze overnight, aspect and influx of new load from snow or rain. In general, as temperatures warm up, stability will decrease. These decreases will be most apparent on solar aspects where the radiation is strong. Cornices could become weak and prone to failure. The timing on this decrease will vary but can be affected by overnight freeze and aspect. Poor freezes mean avalanche danger will increase quickly with warming. Northern aspects are still holding some dry snow at upper elevations but expect a battle up and down from there. The deep persistent weak facets will be with us until the snow is gone. Be sure to asses this layer as you travel. Some good corn is out there if you can get the timing right!! Start early and be home early and avoid the heat of the day.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15 mm. of precipitation on Wednesday fell as moist snow at treeline and rain below which sits on a melt freeze crust. Warm temperatures and wet precipitation are producing a moist, spring snowpack. Below 1200 m, the snowpack is rapidly disappearing. With spring conditions, the avalanche hazard will fluctuate greatly depending on the strength of the overnight freeze and how quickly the snowpack is warmed up each day.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The new snow likely falls on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where the snow stayed dry. Last weeks unsettled weather produced 20-50 cm of snow which is slowly bonding on northern aspects where it might sit on surface hoar (feathery crystals) in some areas.  Older wind slabs sitting on surface hoar might still be sensitive to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Currently, the snowpack structure changes dramatically with elevation and aspect. 5-25 cm. of recent storm snow (amounts tapering with elevation) is sitting on a melt/freeze crust, except for north facing terrain above 2100 m. where the old snow surface remained dry and small surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) may be present in isolated locations. This recent snow has been affected by the sun and re-distributed by southwesterly winds, forming wind slabs on lee features below ridgetops.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Weak facets (sugary grains) remain at the bottom of the snowpack in the alpine creating a low likelihood, high consequence scenario that would likely require a large trigger to initiate an avalanche. Steep, rocky areas with a shallow or highly variable snowpack are the most likely places to trigger a very large avalanche on this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Below roughly 1900 m, the snowpack is moist and is melting rapidly at lower elevations. Check out this useful link for managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 cm Thursday night brings 20-35 cm of recent accumulated snow since last weekend which sits above a supportive crust at treeline and in the alpine. During the heat of the day, especially under direct sun, the snow surface becomes moist or wet almost everywhere. The exception being high elevation north facing features. Steep, north facing, alpine terrain may still hold a cold, dry, snowpack where isolated reactive wind slabs may exist and a well settled slab rests on weak facets (sugary snow). Although unlikely, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is becoming </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://An unstable airmass is mostly responsible for the continued spring-like unsettled weather conditions. Convective flurries and periods of cloud and sunshine will persist through the forecast period." target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal.</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-35 cm of recent snow has accumulated in the last week above a supportive crust at treeline and in the alpine. During the heat of the day, especially under direct sun, the snow surface becomes moist or wet almost everywhere. The exception being high elevation north facing features. Steep, north facing, alpine terrain may still hold a cold, dry, snowpack where isolated reactive wind slabs may exist and a well settled slab rests on weak facets (sugary snow). Although unlikely, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is becoming </span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encylopedia/#isothermal" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal.</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Currently, the snowpack structure changes dramatically with elevation and aspect. 15-30 cm. of recent storm snow (amounts tapering with elevation) is sitting on a melt/freeze crust, except for north facing terrain above 2000 m. where the old snow surface remained dry and small surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) may be present in isolated locations. This recent snow has been affected by the sun and re-distributed by southerly winds, forming wind slabs on lee features below ridgetops.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below roughly 1900 m, the snowpack is moist and is melting rapidly at lower elevations. Check out this useful link for managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Currently, the snowpack structure changes dramatically with elevation and aspect. 10-20 cm. of recent storm snow (amounts tapering with elevation) is sitting on a melt/freeze crust, except for north facing terrain above 2000 m. where the old snow surface remained dry and small surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) may be present in isolated locations. This recent snow has been affected by the sun and re-distributed by southerly winds, forming wind slabs on lee features below ridgetops.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Below roughly 1900 m, the snowpack is moist and is melting rapidly at lower elevations. Check out this useful link for managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Anywhere from 20-80 cm of recent storm snow sits above a weak layer buried April 4th. This layer consists of a 4 cm thick crust on all aspects and surface hoar/facets above the crust on northerly aspects. This layer has been reactive with the recent storm snow and fresh wind slabs will likely remain sensitive to human triggering through the weekend, especially on the higher elevation northerly aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Digging deeper, north facing alpine terrain also has a layer of facets down approximately 100 cm below the surface, but this layer has not been recently active and is likely trending towards dormancy.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is isothermal and in some places below threshold throughout much of the forecast region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of storm snow from last weekend now rests on a weak layer buried April 4th which consists of a 4 cm crust, surface hoar and facets. The recent snow has transitioned into a hard surface on most aspects and elevations with the exception of high alpine North aspects. Light to moderate wind generally out of the south over the last week may have formed wind slabs that may be sensitive to human triggering especially where it sits above the April 4</span><sup><span class="s_3FE45715">th</span></sup><span class="s_3FE45715"> interface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is </span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encylopedia/#isothermal" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal </span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">throughout much of the forecast region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The new snow likely falls on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where the snow has remained dry. Last weeks unsettled weather produced 30-50 cm of snow which is slowly bonding on northern aspects where it might sit on surface hoar (feathery crystals) in some areas. Older wind slabs sitting on surface hoar might still be sensitive to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The new snow likely falls on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where the snow stayed dry. Last weeks unsettled weather produced 20-40 cm of snow which is slowly bonding on northern aspects where it might sit on surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) in isolated locations. Older wind slabs sitting on surface hoar might still be sensitive to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline. Snow is disappearing rapidly at lower elevations. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The new snow likely falls on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where the snow surface consists of dry snow. Last week's unsettled weather produced 10-35 cm of snow and is bonding well with the underlying layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snowfall amounts taper quickly below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15 mm. of precipitation on Wednesday fell as moist snow at treeline and rain below which sits on a melt freeze crust. Warm temperatures and wet precipitation are producing a moist, spring snowpack. The snowpack depth decreases rapidly below 1200 m. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 20 cm new snow covers a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where the snow stayed dry. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">On north-facing aspects in the alpine, the recent 20-50 cm snow was redistributed by wind and, in isolated locations, buried surface hoar. Older wind slabs sitting on surface hoar might still be sensitive to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below treeline snow is disappearing rapidly. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Currently, the snowpack structure changes dramatically with elevation and aspect. 5-25 cm. of recent storm snow (amounts tapering with elevation) is sitting on a melt/freeze crust, except for north facing terrain above 2100 m. where the old snow surface remained dry and small surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) may be present in isolated locations. This recent snow has been affected by the sun and re-distributed by southwesterly winds, forming wind slabs on lee features below ridgetops.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Weak facets (sugary grains) remain at the bottom of the snowpack in the alpine creating a low likelihood, high consequence scenario that would likely require a large trigger to initiate an avalanche. Steep, rocky areas with a shallow or highly variable snowpack are the most likely places to trigger a very large avalanche on this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Below roughly 1900 m, the snowpack is moist and is melting rapidly at lower elevations. Check out this useful link for managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 cm Thursday night brings 20-35 cm of recent accumulated snow since last weekend which sits above a supportive crust at treeline and in the alpine. During the heat of the day, especially under direct sun, the snow surface becomes moist or wet almost everywhere. The exception being high elevation north facing features. Steep, north facing, alpine terrain may still hold a cold, dry, snowpack where isolated reactive wind slabs may exist and a well settled slab rests on weak facets (sugary snow). Although unlikely, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is becoming </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://An unstable airmass is mostly responsible for the continued spring-like unsettled weather conditions. Convective flurries and periods of cloud and sunshine will persist through the forecast period." target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal.</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-35 cm of recent snow has accumulated in the last week above a supportive crust at treeline and in the alpine. During the heat of the day, especially under direct sun, the snow surface becomes moist or wet almost everywhere. The exception being high elevation north facing features. Steep, north facing, alpine terrain may still hold a cold, dry, snowpack where isolated reactive wind slabs may exist and a well settled slab rests on weak facets (sugary snow). Although unlikely, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack is becoming </span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encylopedia/#isothermal" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal.</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Currently, the snowpack structure changes dramatically with elevation and aspect. Light amounts of new snow and extreme southeasterly winds on Saturday scoured windward surfaces and may have created fresh wind slabs much further down slopes than expected. These winds also created cornice growth. Expect these new cornices to be fragile.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below roughly 1900 m, the snowpack is moist and is melting rapidly at lower elevations. Check out this useful link for managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Currently, the snowpack structure changes dramatically with elevation and aspect. 10-20 cm. of recent storm snow (amounts tapering with elevation) is sitting on a melt/freeze crust, except for north facing terrain above 2000 m. where the old snow surface remained dry and small surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) may be present in isolated locations. This recent snow has been affected by the sun and re-distributed by southerly winds, forming wind slabs on lee features below ridgetops.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Below roughly 1900 m, the snowpack is moist and is melting rapidly at lower elevations. Check out this useful link for managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region is receiving a bit of new snow, but as of Saturday afternoon amounts are less than 10 cm. As we enter into mid-April we're dealing with a classic warm snowpack. At and below treeline the snowpack is becoming </span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encyclopedia/isothermal/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. We're entering a cooler period for the next few days, so a surface crust is expected to remain supportive. This supportive crust is what the new snow will come to rest on in most locations. The exception is high elevation north facing features where 20 to 80 cm of cold dry snow sits above the April 4th crust which may have some surface hoar or facets above it. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Digging deeper, north facing alpine terrain also has a layer of facets down approximately 100 cm below the surface which are thought to be dormant at this time.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region is receiving a bit of new snow, but as of Saturday afternoon amounts are less than 5 cm. As we enter into mid-April we're dealing with a classic warm snowpack. At and below treeline the snowpack is becoming </span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encyclopedia/isothermal/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. We're entering a cooler period for the next few days, so a surface crust is expected to remain supportive. This supportive crust is what the new snow will come to rest on in most locations. The exception is high elevation north facing features where up to 20 cm of cold dry snow sits above the April 4th crust which may have some surface hoar or facets above it. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 20 cm new snow covers a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where the snow stayed dry. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">On north-facing aspects in the alpine, the recent 30-50 cm snow was redistributed by wind and, in isolated locations buried surface hoar. Older wind slabs sitting on surface hoar may still be sensitive to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below treeline snow is disappearing rapidly.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 10 cm fresh snow covers a melt-freeze crust on all aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where the snow stayed dry. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Prior to Saturdays flurries, the recent 20-40 cm snow accumulated at upper elevations and was redistributed by wind and formed wind slabs. In isolated north-facing alpine terrain, recent snow fell on surface hoar. Older wind slabs sitting on surface hoar might still be sensitive to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below treeline snow is disappearing rapidly. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 15 cm new snow covers a melt-freeze crust on most aspects except for north facing slopes above 2000 m, where new snow overlies dry, settled snow. At these sheltered upper elevations, the recent 10-35 cm snow over the past week is bonding well to the underlying layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below treeline snow is disappearing rapidly.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-20 mm. of precipitation on Saturday fell as moist snow at treeline and rain below which sits on a melt freeze crust. Warm temperatures and wet precipitation are producing a moist, spring snowpack. The snowpack depth decreases rapidly below 1200 m. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">5-20 cm snow accumulated above 1600 m on Sunday along with westerly winds. On most aspects this covers a melt-freeze crust; on north facing slopes in the alpine, new snow fell over the recent 20-50 cm wind-affected snow and, in isolated locations buried surface hoar. Older wind slabs sitting on surface hoar might still be sensitive to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below treeline snow is disappearing rapidly. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Currently, the snowpack structure changes dramatically with elevation and aspect. 5-10 cm of snow Saturday night and moderate southwesterly winds have created small wind slabs in lee features below ridgetops. The new snow is sitting on a melt/freeze crust, except for north facing terrain above 2100 m. where the old snow surface remained dry and small surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) may be present in isolated locations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Weak facets (sugary grains) remain at the bottom of the snowpack in the alpine creating a low likelihood, high consequence scenario that would likely require a large trigger to initiate an avalanche. Steep, rocky areas with a shallow or highly variable snowpack are the most likely places to trigger a very large avalanche on this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Below roughly 1900 m, the snowpack is moist and is melting rapidly at lower elevations. Check out this useful link for managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The Fernie Factor really kicked in late Saturday into early Sunday. The region picked up about 30 cm of snow (and 53 mm of water). This snow sits above a widespread supportive crust. Steep, north facing, alpine terrain may still hold a cold, dry, snowpack where fresh storm slabs are thought to be widespread. Steep north facing terrain is also harboring a deeply buried layer of facets. Although unlikely, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">It looks like it is going to warm up this week and all the new snow will likely produce a widespread and powerful loose wet cycle. During the heat of the day, especially under direct sun, the snow surface will become moist or wet almost everywhere (except for high elevation north) and loose wet avalanches could run far.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack has melted or is </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://An unstable airmass is mostly responsible for the continued spring-like unsettled weather conditions. Convective flurries and periods of cloud and sunshine will persist through the forecast period." target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal.</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The Saturday Night storm delivered 10 to 20 cm of snow which makes for 20 to 40 cm of new snow in the last week. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B">This snow sits above a widespread supportive crust. Steep, north facing, alpine terrain may still hold a cold, dry, snowpack where fresh storm slabs are thought to be widespread. </span><span class="s_3FE45715">Steep north facing terrain is also harboring a deeply buried layer of facets. Although unlikely, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">It looks like it is going to warm up this week and all the new snow will likely produce a widespread and powerful loose wet cycle. During the heat of the day, especially under direct sun, the snow surface will become moist or wet almost everywhere (except for high elevation north) and loose wet avalanches could run far.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack has melted or is </span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encylopedia/#isothermal" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal.</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Currently, the snowpack structure changes dramatically with elevation and aspect. Light amounts of new snow and extreme southeasterly winds on Saturday scoured windward surfaces and may have created fresh wind slabs much further down slopes than expected. These winds also created cornice growth. Expect these new cornices to be fragile.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below roughly 1900 m, the snowpack is moist and is melting rapidly at lower elevations. Check out this useful link for managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Currently, the snowpack structure changes dramatically with elevation and aspect. 10-20 cm. of recent storm snow (amounts tapering with elevation) is sitting on a melt/freeze crust, except for north facing terrain above 2000 m. where the old snow surface remained dry and small surface hoar (weak, feathery crystals) may be present in isolated locations. This recent snow has been affected by the sun and re-distributed by southerly winds, forming wind slabs on lee features below ridgetops.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Below roughly 1900 m, the snowpack is moist and is melting rapidly at lower elevations. Check out this useful link for managing avalanche hazard during spring conditions </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions" target="_blank"><span class="s_69909980">HERE.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region received 5 to 20 cm of snow Saturday into Saturday night. There is now about 20 cm of dry snow on high elevation north facing slopes and a 5 to 10 cm melt freeze crust on all other aspects. As we enter into mid-April we're dealing with a classic warm snowpack. At and below treeline the snowpack is becoming </span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encyclopedia/isothermal/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. We're tracking the April 4th crust which is down 20 to 80 cm below the surface on high elevation north facing slopes. Surface hoar and facets have been observed on this crust and it continues to produce sudden planar results in snowpack tests. We have not heard of any activity on this interface recently, but this week's cycle of storms have potential to activate it. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Digging deeper, north facing alpine terrain also has a layer of facets down approximately 100 cm below the surface which are thought to be dormant at this time.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region received 5 to 10 cm of snow Saturday into Saturday night. There is now about 10 cm of dry snow on high elevation north facing slopes and a thick melt freeze crust on all other aspects. As we enter into mid-April we're dealing with a classic warm snowpack. At and below treeline the snowpack is becoming </span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encyclopedia/isothermal/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. We're tracking the April 4th crust which is down 15 to 30 cm below the surface on high elevation north facing slopes. Surface hoar and facets have been observed on this crust and it continues to produce sudden planar results in snowpack tests. We have not heard of any activity on this interface recently, but this week's cycle of storms have potential to activate it. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 20 cm snow accumulated above 1600 m Sunday, westerly winds are redistributing fresh snow. On most aspects this covered a melt-freeze crust; on north facing slopes in the alpine, new snow fell over the recent 25-60 cm wind-affected snow and, in isolated locations buried surface hoar. Older wind slabs sitting on surface hoar might still be sensitive to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below treeline snow is disappearing rapidly. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 15 cm snow accumulated above 1200 m Sunday along with westerly winds. On most aspects this covered a melt-freeze crust; on north facing slopes in the alpine, new snow fell over the recent 20-50 cm wind-affected snow and surface hoar in isolated locations. Older wind slabs sitting on surface hoar might still be sensitive to human triggers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below treeline snow is disappearing rapidly.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Around 15 cm new snow accumulated into Sunday, westerly wind are redistributing snow at upper treeline and higher. The new snow adds to last weeks snowfall totalling 15-30 cm over a crust on most aspects. On high alpine polar aspects, the underlying snowpack is settled and dry.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below treeline snow is disappearing rapidly.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-20 mm. of precipitation on Saturday fell as moist snow at treeline and rain below which sits on a melt freeze crust. Warm temperatures and wet precipitation are producing a moist, spring snowpack. The snowpack depth decreases rapidly below 1200 m. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">20-30 cm fell around the region since Saturday, south and westerly winds have produced isolated pockets of windslab around ridge crest and lee features. The new snow accumulated over a melt freeze crust on most aspects. On north-facing terrain above 2000 m, the new snow accumulated over another 20-30 cm wind-affected snow from early April, in isolated areas surface hoar may now be buried 50-65 cm. Older wind slabs sitting on surface hoar might still be sensitive to human triggers. Below treeline snow is disappearing rapidly. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Sun and rising freezing levels are warming the snowpack and settling new snow, the likelihood of loose wet avalanches will increase as heat penetrates into the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 10 cm of recent snow has remained dry in northerly alpine terrain and may overly isolated pockets of weak surface hoar crystals. All other aspects and elevation bands will have either wet surface snow or a melt-freeze crust due to an increasing freezing level and heat from the sun. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak and sugary faceted grains remain at the bottom of the snowpack in the alpine. This layer creates a low likelihood but high consequence scenario. Steep, rocky areas with a shallow snowpack are the most likely places to trigger this layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The Saturday Night storm delivered 10 to 20 cm of snow which makes for 20 to 40 cm of new snow in the last week. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B">This snow sits above a widespread supportive crust. Steep, north facing, alpine terrain may still hold a cold, dry, snowpack where fresh storm slabs are thought to be widespread. </span><span class="s_3FE45715">Steep north facing terrain is also harboring a deeply buried layer of facets. Although unlikely, human triggering of persistent slabs on this layer may still be possible, especially in rocky alpine terrain with a shallow or highly variable depth snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">It looks like it is going to warm up this week and all the new snow will likely produce a widespread and powerful loose wet cycle. During the heat of the day, especially under direct sun, the snow surface will become moist or wet almost everywhere (except for high elevation north) and loose wet avalanches could run far.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline the snowpack has melted or is </span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encylopedia/#isothermal" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal.</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 30 cm of recent snowfall was blown around by strong southerly wind, forming wind slabs in lee terrain features. This recent snow should remain dry on northerly aspects in the alpine but will otherwise moisten with an increasing freezing level and periods of sun. The snowpack is rapidly melting below 1800 m.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 15 cm of recent snow fell with strong westerly wind, forming wind slabs in lee terrain features at alpine elevations. This snow may overly weak and feathery surface hoar in isolated areas. Heat from the sun and an increasing freezing level will likely moisten alpine snow on southerly aspects. Below around 1800 m, the snowpack is consolidated and rapidly melting.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region received 5 to 20 cm of snow Saturday into Saturday night. There is now about 20 cm of dry snow on high elevation north facing slopes and a 5 to 10 cm melt freeze crust on all other aspects. As we enter into mid-April we're dealing with a classic warm snowpack. At and below treeline the snowpack is becoming </span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encyclopedia/isothermal/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. We're tracking the April 4th crust which is down 20 to 80 cm below the surface on high elevation north facing slopes. Surface hoar and facets have been observed on this crust and it continues to produce sudden planar results in snowpack tests. We have not heard of any activity on this interface recently, but this week's cycle of storms have potential to activate it. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Digging deeper, north facing alpine terrain also has a layer of facets down approximately 100 cm below the surface which are thought to be dormant at this time.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region received 5 to 10 cm of snow Saturday into Saturday night. There is now about 10 cm of dry snow on high elevation north facing slopes and a thick melt freeze crust on all other aspects. As we enter into mid-April we're dealing with a classic warm snowpack. At and below treeline the snowpack is becoming </span><a href="https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encyclopedia/isothermal/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">isothermal</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">. We're tracking the April 4th crust which is down 15 to 30 cm below the surface on high elevation north facing slopes. Surface hoar and facets have been observed on this crust and it continues to produce sudden planar results in snowpack tests. We have not heard of any activity on this interface recently, but this week's cycle of storms have potential to activate it. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">15-40 cm fell around the region since Saturday, in the alpine new snow has been redistributed by wind in exposed areas. The new snow accumulated over a melt freeze crust on most aspects. On north-facing terrain above 2000 m, the new snow accumulated over another 20-30 cm wind-affected snow from early April, in isolated areas surface hoar may now be buried 30-65 cm. Older wind slabs sitting on surface hoar might still be sensitive to human triggers. Below treeline snow is disappearing rapidly. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Sun and rising freezing levels are warming the snowpack and settling new snow, the likelihood of loose wet avalanches will increase as heat penetrates into the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">20-40 cm fell around the region since Saturday, in the alpine new snow has been redistributed by wind in exposed areas. The new snow accumulated over a melt freeze crust on most aspects. On north-facing terrain above 2000 m, the new snow accumulated over another 20-30 cm wind-affected snow from early April, in isolated areas surface hoar may now be buried 30-65 cm. Older wind slabs sitting on surface hoar might still be sensitive to human triggers. Below treeline snow is disappearing rapidly. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Sun and rising freezing levels are warming the snowpack and settling new snow, the likelihood of loose wet avalanches will increase as heat penetrates into the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">15-40 cm fell around the region since Saturday with flurries continuing through Monday. The new snow accumulated over a melt freeze crust on most aspects. On north-facing terrain above 2000 m, the new snow accumulated over another 15-30 cm wind-affected snow from early April. The snowpack is well settled below and snow is disappearing rapidly below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Sun and rising freezing levels are warming the snowpack and settling new snow, the likelihood of loose wet avalanches will increase as heat penetrates into the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 30 cm of recent snowfall has likely been blown around by southerly wind, which overlies a melt-freeze crust. This recent snow should remain dry above 1500 m on northerly aspects but will otherwise moisten with an increasing freezing level and sunny periods. The snowpack is rapidly melting below 1200 m.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Bow Peak Hwy93 N @2400m HS 95. CTHRP results on Nov6 CR prominent 20cm off of ground.  5cm HN24 in most locations being redistributed mainly from SW winds forming thin wind slabs on lee aspects at ridgetop. Facetting of snowpack winning in many areas</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_91E506DB"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Hard test results were found at treeline on facets sandwiched between the two crusts in the icefields area. The crusts are deteriorating in this area.  Windslabs continue as the main concern. Winds had shifted to more Southerly flows by late afternoon.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 20 cm of wet, dense snow is forming a storm slab sitting on a suncrust of steep solar slopes and surface hoar elsewhere. The surface hoar layer was largest at treeline, and were mixed with large stellar crystals. The Nov 6 crust is facetting and in recent tests it takes a hard force but gives sudden planar or sudden collapse results.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">&lt; 5cm of new snow over the course of the day accompanied with light wind have generated soft wind-slabs at high elevations. Likely, these wind-slabs are not more than 20cm thick. Furthermore, the Nov 6 crust remains a concern, down 80cm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_91E506DB"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Hard test results were found at treeline on facets sandwiched between the two crusts in the icefields area. The crusts are deteriorating in this area.  Windslabs near ridgetops continue as the main concern. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A new storm slab is forming; 40cm of storm snow fell in the last 3 days. Moderate-strong S'ly winds will have formed windslabs and fat pockets on lee slopes. This overlies the Nov28 layer which will be most reactive where surface hoar was buried; sheltered areas at treeline. The Nov 6 crust is facetting and may become reactive with increasing load.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">30-40 cm of accumulated storm snow over the last 5 days in addition to moderate SW winds have created soft slabs in many lee alpine locations. These slabs are reactive to skier triggering. The November 6 raincrust is down 80 cm and remains a concern.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_91E506DB"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Hard test results were found in the alpine underneath a windslab and both above and below the midpack crust in the Bald hills area near Maligne lake. Treeline has experienced some moderate wind transport although previous windslabs have bonded well.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A 60cm storm slab is becoming increasingly cohesive. This overlies the Nov28 layer which will be most reactive where it overlies a suncrust on S slopes or where surface hoar was buried; sheltered areas at treeline. Moderate-strong S'ly winds have formed soft slabs and loaded lee slopes. The Nov 6 crust may become reactive with increasing load.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_91E506DB"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Moderate Southwest winds this afternoon are redistributing recent storm snow to lee aspects. This may provide the load to cause natural avalanches on the midpack facet layers around the November 01 crust.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A 70cm storm slab from a layer buried Nov. 28 is becoming increasingly cohesive due to moderate to strong winds. The Nov 6 crust may become reactive with increasing load.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Little to no snow below 1500m. At 1800m there is approx 60 cm which does not allow travel off of summer trails. A rain crust buried Nov 30 persists to 1950m. At 2000m we have found over 150cm in sheltered areas with crusts found only at the bottom.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Over the past 8 days we've received up to 66 cm (Sunshine region), less East of the divide.&nbsp; We've been hammered by very strong SSW winds leaving widespread soft and hard surface slabs in it's wake, particularly on the E. side of the divide. The Nov crust in the bottom third of the snowpack remains concern, especially after the recent load of snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_91E506DB"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Twenty cms of new snow overnight. Moderate Southwest winds at ridgetop this afternoon are redistributing recent storm snow to lee aspects. This may provide the load to cause natural avalanches on the midpack facet layers around the November 01 crust.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A 60cm storm slab is becoming increasingly cohesive.Nov28 layer which will be most reactive where it overlies a crust on S slopes or where surface hoar was buried; sheltered areas at treeline. The Nov 6 crust may become reactive with increasing load.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Strong SW winds from Tues/Wed. produced wind slabs in exposed alp. and treeline locations. Sunshine backcountry has received approx. 60cm since Dec.1 with lesser amounts in the Lake Louise area. The Nov.6 crust is approximately 20cm above the ground up to approx. 2600m.  Forecasters on Ferris Glacier (Crowfoot Peak) found 130-180cm on the ice.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_91E506DB"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Light to moderate variable winds at ridgetop are redistributing recent storm snow onto a variety of lee aspects. Watch for pockets of specific terrain features that may have developed into a slab condition.&nbsp; </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A 60cm storm slab is becoming increasingly cohesive due to recent strong winds. Nov28 layer which will be most reactive where it overlies a crust on S slopes or where surface hoar was buried in sheltered areas at treeline. The Nov 6 crust may become reactive with increasing load or may be triggered by another avalanche, creating a larger avalanche. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Little to no snow below 1500m. At 1800m there is approx 80 cm with several buried crusts. This does not allow easy travel off of summer trails.  At 2000m there is over 150 cm with crusts found only at the bottom of the snowpack. There is a high degree of variability in snowpack depth due to recent strong W and SW winds.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Some wind slabs in open areas at and above treeline. Lower snowpack is well settled with some shears that are producing moderate resistant planar results. Major concerns are stubborn to touchy windslabs on north and east aspects with avalanche potential to size 2 and deep persistent slabs stubborn, isolated to size three failing on November crust.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_91E506DB"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Light and variable winds have had little influence on recent storm snow. The skiing is good but snow depths on lee features is now well above minimum thresholds values and several large slides have been observed in the past week. These avalanches have occurred on serious terrain but serve as a reminder to consider consequences before jumping in. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A 60cm storm slab is gaining strength.  Buried WSL exists in some areas. Nov28 layer which will be most reactive where it overlies a crust on steep SW-W slopes in the alpine or where surface hoar was buried. The Nov 6 crust may become reactive with increasing load in areas where it is breaking down with mixed forms and facets present around crusts.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Generally a well settled snowpack with some resistant planar shears related to the recent storm snow in the upper 40 cm. The Nov. Rain crust is approximately 30- 40 cm off the ground and is showing variable results. Good coverage and strength for early December.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_91E506DB"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Light and variable winds continue to have little influence on recent 10-20cm storm snow.  Snowpit at Parkers Slabs was 190cm thick, a well settled midpack, and no basal facets. Surface snow remains available for wind transport. That wind may arrive starting Sunday during the day causing the danger rating to increase as a result on Sunday or Monday.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cooler temperatures over the last 3 days have deposited a layer of light powder. Nov28 layer down 70 cm will be most reactive where it overlies a crust on steep S-SW slopes in the alpine or where surface hoar was buried; sheltered areas at treeline. The Nov 6 crust down ~150 cm is breaking down with mixed forms and facets present around Crs.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack is surprisingly well settled for early December. Expect to find approx 15cm of low density snow sitting on top of of a well settled mid-pack, all of which is sitting on top of the Nov 6 crust 20-40cm above the ground. Snowpack tests today showed irregular results in the hard range on the Nov 6 crust in our Bow Summit study plot.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_91E506DB"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Moderate gusting strong swirling alpine winds are transporting the available 20cm or more of surface snow. Expect variable loading patterns with local terrain influences. Saturday's snow pit above Parkers Slabs was 190cm thick on a well settled mid pack. Whatever was on the surface is likely getting redeposited. Still overall variable snow depths.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Settling HST over a well settled mid pack at treeline. Nov 6 Cr is down 130 to 170cm. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Wind slabs of varying thickness have been developing on NE through SE aspects due to the moderate to strong wind. These wind slabs sit over top of a well settled mid pack and the Nov 6 rain crust. The Nov 6th crusts lies approximately 30cm from the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_91E506DB"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A wind event on Sunday brought moderate to strong NW winds. These winds moved a significant amount of snow and created a stiff surface slab condition. Expect variable wind loading patterns as directions vary with local terrain influences. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Lower density snow in the upper 30 to 45cm. This overlies a well settled mid pack. The Nov 6 Cr is down approx. 150cm. Mixed forms sz 1.0 were observed above the crust. Profile below Asulkan Hut, 1990m, W asp, 43deg, HS 185cm CTM (PC) down 25cm on df 2.0, DTH (B) down 150cm on mx 1.5 (nov 6 cr)</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">5cm snow overnight sits on wind slabs formed from strong NW winds Sunday.  Below this a well settled snowpack with no significant shears was found today near Summit Lake.  Snowpack depth at 2000m averages 150cm but there is significant variability in depth due to previously wind transported snow. Snowpack depth tapers off significantly below 1900m.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Wind slabs of varying thickness have been developing due to moderate / strong winds. With the moderate temperatures, these wind slabs are settling over top of a well settled mid pack and the Nov 6 rain crust.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Moderate to strong winds have continued, shifting from the NW to the SW.  Wind slab can be found on most lee slopes extending from the Alpine well into tree line elevations.  Expect variable wind loading patterns as directions vary with local terrain influences.  Cornices are well developed. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">20cm of new moderate density snow over yesterdays very light upper 30cm. This sits on 60cm of settling snow from the past week. The Nov 6 Cr varies in depth from 140 to 200cm. Profile yesterday on Mt Fidelity, 1900m, 35deg, N asp, HS 220cm, CTE (SC) down 16 on PP 3.0, CTE (RP) and RB4 (WB) down 27 on PP 2-3, CTM-H (SP) down 68 on DF 1.0. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Variable surface wind slabs have been found in immediate lee ridge features, as well as open terrain above 2800m. In sheltered locations, very good skiing can be found from 2500m to as low as 1750m. Lower than that and things get a bit thin. A well-settled mid-pack sits atop the Nov 6 rain crust. The crust was observed to be breaking down in Yoho.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Wind slab can be found on most lee slopes extending from the Alpine well into tree line elevations.  Expect variable wind loading patterns as directions vary with local terrain influences.  Cornices are well developed. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent storm snow has developed into a wind slab in the alpine, and rests on a well settled mid-pack.  The Nov. 28 crust-surface hoar layer, and the Nov. 6 crust can both be found in profiles, but are not very reactive in tests. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Variable surface wind slabs have been found in immediate lee ridge features, as well as open terrain above 2800m. In sheltered locations, very good skiing can be found from 2500m to as low as 1750m. Lower than that and things get a bit thin . A well-settled mid-pack sits atop the Nov 6 rain crust, which is starting to break down in some locations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">There is great variation in depth and location of the wind slabs that continues to build and harden from continued moderate to strong SW winds.  Theses slabs have bonded well.  In windswept areas in the alpine and at tree line, the November rain crust has been exposed along with dirt and rocks.  Cornices are well developed. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent storm snow has developed into a wind slab in the alpine, and rests on a well settled mid-pack.  The Nov. 28 and Nov. 16 crust-surface hoar layers, and the Nov. 6 crust can all be found in profiles, but are not very reactive in tests.  There is substantial variation in snow depth depending on elevation and aspect.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Thin and spotty surface slabs forming with moderate SW winds now cover the widespread slabs developed with the strong west winds over the last week. Four crusts are found in the shallow snowpack below 1900m (1m-)  however above this, the snowpack seems quite uniform and depth increases quickly (150cm+) with only a moist basal melt freeze layer. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Variable surface wind slabs have been found in immediate lee ridge features, as well as open terrain above 2800m. In sheltered locations, very good skiing can be found from 2500m to as low as 1750m. Lower than that and things get a bit thin . A well-settled mid-pack sits atop the Nov 6 rain crust, which is starting to break down in some locations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">There is great variation in depth and location of the wind slabs. They continue to build and harden from gusting moderate to strong SW winds. These slabs appear to have bonded well.  In windswept areas in the alpine and at tree line, the November rain crust has been exposed along with dirt and rocks.  Cornices are well developed. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent storm snow has fallen on a buried wind slab in the alpine, which rests on a well settled mid-pack.? The Nov. 28 and Nov. 16 crust-surface hoar layers, and the Nov. 6 crust can all be found in profiles, but are not very reactive in tests.? There is substantial variation in snow depth depending on elevation and aspect.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cold temps facetting the snowpack, especially in thinner areas. In thicker snowpack areas there is generally a well settled midpack with the Nov. 6 crust lying 20-30cm above the ground up to 2700m. This has been observed to be breaking down as time goes on, facetting in thinner snowpack areas. Thin windslabs from previous NW winds in exposed areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">There is great variation in depth and location of the wind slabs. They continue to build and harden from gusting moderate to strong SW winds.?These slabs appear to have bonded well.? In windswept areas in the alpine and at tree line, the November rain crust has been exposed along with dirt and rocks.? Cornices are well developed. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snowpack tests were conducted yesterday on N and SW aspects in the alpine. ~50cm of loose storm snow overlies a well settled snowpack. Tests found that the interface beneath the storm snow failed in with &quot;easy to moderate&quot; force but was resistant to move (RP). A surface hoar layer down 80cm and a crust down 1.5m would be hard to trigger.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Mod-Strong winds over the last 24 hrs have produced some thin fragile hard slabs on immediate lee terrain at and above treeline. Elsewhere the snowpack is weakening with facetting predominating, but there is still good midpack support. The Nov. Crust is giving inconsistent results as it is faceting.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">There is great variation in depth and location of the wind slabs. These slabs appear to have bonded well to the old snow surface, with no new avalanches observed in the last week. Cornices are well developed. The raincrust laminate down in the lower 1/3 of snowpack is deteriorating into a facetted layer and did not respond to field tests.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In the alpine and at treeline 40-50cm of loose storm snow overlies a well settled snowpack. Tests show that the interface beneath the storm snow may be triggerable by a skier but is resistant to move (RP). The Nov28 surface hoar down 80cm is hard to find and where it exists is breaking down. The early Nov crust down 1.5m would be hard to trigger. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">5 to 10 cm new snow.  At and above treeline, Moderate West winds creating 20-30 cm soft slabs that sit on more widespread hardslabs. S and W slopes are predominantly scoured with crossloaded features. Below 1900m the snowpack is dominated by 4 crust layers. Above 2000m only the basal Nov 6 crust exists as a moist layer of melt freeze crystals.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A couple cm's of fluff overlies a well settled snowpack. In the ALP, old windslabs exist and are visible as 'rippled' snow on the surface. These may be reactive to human triggering. The Nov. 6th crust is facetting out, and is now more of a facet layer than a crust in many places. This layer is giving hard to no results in compression tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> There is a variety of hard slabs and soft slabs on exposed ridge features and cross loaded gullies in the alpine and tree line.  A breakable 10cm wind slab does not propagate and is bonding well to the old snow surface. Below tree line, there is 10cm + of fresh snow over a supportive mid pack above 1900 meters in sheltered glades. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">At treeline and above, thin soft windslabs have formed on wind exposed features. Elsewhere, 40cm of loose storm snow overlies a well settled snowpack. The Nov28 surface hoar down 80cm and is found in some locations.  The early Nov crust is widespread and down 1.5m. Tests on these layers indicate they would be hard to trigger. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A few cm's of new snow overlies a slowly facetting snowpack. In the alpine, old windslabs exist and are visible as 'rippled' snow on the surface. These may be reactive to human triggering. The Nov. 6th crust is facetting out, and is now more of a facet layer than a crust in many places. This layer is giving hard to no results in compression tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack in the alpine and treeline is supportive, but new snow is needed soon to maintain this strength. Other snow observations in the alpine around the Columbia icefields  indicates hard slabs and soft slabs of various thickness, but no propagation apparent with skier traffic.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">At treeline and above, soft windslabs have formed due to 50k winds at ridgelines. Elsewhere, 40cm of loose storm snow overlies a well settled snowpack. The Nov28 surface hoar down 80cm and is found in some locations.? The early Nov crust is widespread and down 1.5m. Tests on these layers indicate they would be hard to trigger. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">5-15 cms of new snow overlies a well settled midpack. At ridgetop elevations, moderate S/SW winds are forming thin soft slabs in the immediate lee on N through E. The Nov. 6th crust is facetting out, and is now more of a facet layer than a crust in many places. This layer is giving hard to no results in compression tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Windslabs in the alpine are the primary avalanche concern. These are more likely to be encountered in the Columbia Icefields area where the strongest winds have been observed. In the Marmot Pass area on December 18th, surface slabs  failed with a moderate shear near treeline elevations. The mid snowpack remains supportive for the time being. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">At treeline and above, soft windslabs have formed due to 30-50k winds at ridgelines. Elsewhere, 40cm of loose storm snow overlies a well settled snowpack. The Nov28 surface hoar is down about 80cm but only in some locations. The early Nov crust is widespread and down about 1.5m. Tests on these layers indicate they would be hard to trigger. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-20 cms of new snow overlies a well settled midpack. At ridgetop elevations, moderate to strong S/SW winds are forming 15-30 cm soft slabs in the immediate lee on N through E aspects. The Nov. 6th crust is facetting out, and is now more of a facet layer than a crust in many places. This layer is giving hard to no results in compression tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Windslabs in the alpine are the primary avalanche concern. These are more likely to be encountered in the Columbia Icefields area where the strongest winds have been observed. In the Marmot Pass area on December 18th, surface slabs  failed with a moderate shear near treeline elevations. The mid snowpack remains supportive for the time being. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">At treeline and above, soft windslabs have formed due to 30-50k winds at ridgelines. Elsewhere, 40cm of loose storm snow overlies a well settled snowpack. The Nov28 surface hoar is down about 80cm but only in some locations. The early Nov crust is widespread and down about 1.5m. Tests on these layers indicate they would be hard to trigger. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Windslabs at ridge crests and in the alpine with recent SW winds.  25-30cm of storm snow bonding well to previous surfaces.  The Nov 29/Dec 3 crust down 60 to 70cm is producing broken shears in facets below the crust.  This crust disappears above 2000m.  Snowpack depth at treeline is 170cm but varies widely due to previous strong winds</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">New wind slabs 20-50cm thick (4finger-1finger stiffness) on wind exposed treeline and alpine lee slopes formed by SW winds in last 48 hours. Mainly sitting on a thin layer of facets but isolated in nature. Well settled midpack in thicker snowpack areas, Nov 6 crust facetting in thinner areas.  Low density powder below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 10 cm of new snow in the Icefields area has buried recently formed wind slab on NE aspects, tree line and above. The mid snowpack remains supportive however it is quickly loosing strength in shallow snowpacks. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">New snow in the last 24hrs has been denser, creating slightly &quot;upside down&quot; conditions. Periods of strong SW winds yesterday formed soft windslabs in immediate lees. The Nov28 surface hoar is down about 80cm where it exists. The early Nov crust is widespread and down about 1.5m. Tests on these layers indicate they would be hard to trigger. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A field trip to Yoho  found soft wind slabs (4 finger) near ridge crests 20cm thick.  These were buried by 10cm of low density powder. Reports of stiffer wind slabs in wind exposed terrain. Low density powder in sheltered features. Thicker snowpack areas have mainly well settled midpack. The Nov.6 crust is mainly now a facet layer in thinner areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Thursday's 10 cm of new snow in the Icefields area has buried previous wind slabs on NE aspects, tree line and above. The mid-pack remains supportive however it is quickly loosing strength in shallow locations. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">SW winds overnight on Thursday formed thin windslabs on lee features above treeline. Recent storm snow has settled to ~40cm sitting on well settled snow. The Nov28 surface hoar is down about 80cm where it exists, and the early Nov crust is widespread and down about 1.5m. Tests on these layers indicate they would be hard to trigger. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10 to 20cm of low density snow has fallen over the forecast region. Little wind accompanied the storm. This new snow has improved ski quality but has buried wind slabs that were formed by strong wind in the last few days. Use caution in areas that have seen previous wind affect.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">20cm of snow Thursday's to Sunday in the Icefields area has buried previous wind slabs, tree line and above. The mid-pack remains generally supportive however it appears to be loosing strength particularly in shallow locations. An amazingly good snow pack for the Rockies in December. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Very soft slabs exist on lee and crossloaded  features at treeline and above. 10cm of new snow overnight sits on 35cm of settled storm snow over well settled snow. The Nov28 surface hoar is down about 80cm where it exists, and the early Nov crust is widespread and down about 1.5m. Tests on these layers indicate they would be hard to trigger. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">At tree line 80cm of snow has fallen in the past 3 days with cool temperatures and light W winds.  This snow is bonding well but is a significant load on any weaknesses in the snowpack.  Buried wind slabs, and several early season crusts (mainly below 2000m) are under all this new snow and should still be considered as potential sliding layers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Thursday's 10 cm and another 8cm on Sunday has buried previous wind slabs at tree line and above. The mid-pack remains supportive however expect it to be loosing strength in shallow locations as facetting process continues. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Low density snow in upper 15cm. Well settled mid-pack. The November 6 crust is down around 130cm. A profile on Mt Abbott, 2085m, NE aspect,  gave a moderate test  results down 22cm and a hard result down 52cm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Approx 80 cm of recent storm snow at tree line which is bonding well to previous surfaces and producing Mod to Hard resistant shears.  Light wind effect near ridge crests forming isolated soft slabs.  No other major concerns in the snowpack although several crusts exist low down in the snowpack and are faceting out in thin areas.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A storm on December 23 dropped between 15 to 30 cm of low density snow over the forecast region. Generally very little wind effect in storm snow, but some soft slabs have developed near ridge tops. The Nov. rain crust is breaking down but still identifiable in the bottom third of the pack. This layer is producing hard to no shears.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Thursday's 10 cm and another 8cm on Saturday has buried previous wind slabs at tree line and above. The mid-pack remains supportive however expect it to be loosing strength in shallow locations as the facetting process continues. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack is generally strong and well settled, except for isolated pockets of wind slab in the alpine and treeline.&nbsp; While these weaknesses are stubborn to release in tests, a large trigger such as a cornice drop has the potential to trigger these slabs.&nbsp; Weaknesses deeper in the snowpack are largely dormant right now.&nbsp; </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A storm on December 23 dropped between 15 to 30 cm of low density snow over the forecast region. There is wind effect in the storm snow at upper elevations and isolated wind slabs have developed near ridge tops. The November rain crust is breaking down but still identifiable in the bottom third of the pack. This layer is producing hard to no shears</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Facetting has weakened the snowpack in shallow areas.  The snowpack remains strong where the depth is greater than 1 m.  A variable soft slab on open slopes tree line that and up is degrading ski quality.  Thicker hard slab immediately below ridge lines in the alpine on NW aspects has been buried by recent snowfalls.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> The snowpack remains strong.  Some wind slab has been noted on wind exposed slopes, but this problem is fairly isolated. Surface hoar and surface faceting has been observed from 2000 meters to the valley floor, and is best developed between1700-1800 meters.  Some sluffing of surface snow has also been noted.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A storm on December 23 dropped between 15 to 30 cm of low density snow over the forecast region. There is wind effect in the storm snow at upper elevations and isolated wind slabs have developed near ridge tops. The November rain crust is breaking down but still identifiable in the bottom third of the pack. This layer is producing hard to no shears</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Moderate to strong SW winds continue to build slab conditions on open tree line slopes and along ridge lines in the alpine.  The mid-pack is facetting but remains strong where it is deeper than a meter.  In shallow areas, facetting has weakened it significantly.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Light snow flurries have covered a thin layer of surface hoar, which is best developed between 1700 - 1900 meters.  Isolated pockets of wind slab may also have been covered. These persist on wind exposed slopes, and lee slopes near ridge crests.  The mid-pack remains strong.  Sluffing of surface snow can be expected in steep terrain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Wind slabs and cross loading at tree line and in the alpine is beginning to develop with increasing W winds and lots of recent snow available for wind transport.  In thick snowpack areas there are no other major concerns.  In thin snow pack areas new snow or wind slabs may be hiding a weak facetted base.  Caution should be used in these locations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Profile at 2140m in Kootenay found HS 140-150 with no compression results. 30cm low density on settled midpack in that area. The basal Nov.6 crust W of divide less visible and is bonded very well.  On thin areas E of the divide the crust is facetting and weakening. Windslabs 20-40cm thick to 1 finger stiffness found on lees of ridges in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Moderate to strong SW winds have created slab conditions on open tree line slopes and along ridge lines in the alpine.  The mid-pack is facetting but remains strong where it is deeper than a meter.  In shallow areas, facetting has weakened it significantly.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Light new snow covers a layer of surface hoar down 10 - 15 cm.  Surface hoar was observed between 1400 - 1900 meters, largest in areas sheltered from the wind. Isolated pockets of wind slab may also have been covered. These persist on wind exposed slopes, and lee slopes near ridge crests. The mid-pack remains strong and well-settled. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Wind slabs in alpine ridgetop features  stubborn to unreactive 20-40cm thick from field reports and local ski hill operations..  W of divide well settled snowpack in deeper locations with basal Nov6 crust well bonded.  Front ranges E of divide mainly facetted snowpack, with the Nov6 basal crust being mainly facetted.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Yesterday's moderate to strong SW winds built slab conditions on open tree line slopes and along ridge lines in the alpine. Winds have tapered off as a stable airmass moves in. The mid-pack is facetting in shallower areas,  but remains strong around treeline.&nbsp; Northwest winds may redistribute some snow onto Southeast aspects near ridge tops.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Low density snow in upper 20cm of snowpack. The Dec 25 surface hoar layer, more prominent between 1500m-2000m, is down 15cm. Well settled mid-pack. The November 6 crust is down between 130-160cm. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">20-40cm thick wind slabs exist in high alpine features and are stubborn to unreactive from field reports.  W of the divide, a well settled snowpack exists in deeper locations with the basal Nov 6 crust well bonded.  In the front ranges E of the divide, a mainly facetted snowpack exists with the Nov 6 basal crust being mainly facetted.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snowpack is faceting and losing strength in shallow areas. Midpack is still generally supportive above treeline, with wind slabs in lee features at upper elevations. New surface hoar is being observed on the surface and is quite widespread below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> A profile yesterday on Mt Macdonald West Shoulder, 2185m, 38 degree slope, West aspect showed a height of snow of 200cm. Low density snow in top 20cm. The November 6 crust is down 160cm. Moderate to hard, sudden planar, test result down 42cm on decomposing forms. The Dec 25 surface hoar layer is down 15cm, more prominent between 1500m-2000m.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">20-40cm thick wind slabs exist in high alpine features and are stubborn to unreactive from field reports. W of the divide, a well settled snowpack exists in deeper locations with the basal Nov 6 crust well bonded. In the front ranges E of the divide, a facetted snowpack exists with the Nov 6 basal crust being mainly facetted. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snowpack is faceting and losing strength in shallow areas. Midpack is still generally supportive above treeline, with wind slabs in lee features at upper elevations. New surface hoar is being observed on the surface and is quite widespread. Moderate Northerly winds at ridgetop elevation may be causing some reverse loading in exposed terrain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">New surface hoar is growing. 15cm of light snow buried a small surface hoar layer on Dec 25. This layer formed on unconsolidated snow between 1500-2000m. Tests on a W aspect at 2180m found planar results down 40cm on top of well settled snow. The Nov. crust is down 160cm and has yet to produce avalanches. Snowpack depths are below average.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span><span class="s_1681A555"> 2cm of HN sits above a thin suncrust on S aspects. 5cm to 10cm of recent HST now hides thin windslabs found in open lee areas treeline and above produced by moderate SW winds. S and W slopes are predominantly scoured with crossloaded features.  Up to 350cm in loaded areas at treeline with 200cm being the average.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Hard slabs under ridge tops in isolated areas warrant careful consideration. As alpine temperatures increase over the next 48 hours, the possibility of triggering these may also increase.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snowpack is faceting and losing strength in shallow areas. Midpack is still generally supportive above treeline, with wind slabs in lee features at upper elevations. New surface hoar is being observed on the surface and is quite widespread below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Surface snow is facetting with cold temps. Recent tests indicate that the interface down ~30cm between the new and old settled snow will fail with moderate force but is resistant to move. The Nov. crust down 160cm collapses with a hard force in snowpack tests but has yet to produce avalanches. Snowpack depths are below average.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Hard wind slabs exist in exposed alpine features but haven't been reactive to skier traffic. Suface hoar is growing in sheltered treeline locations. W of the divide, a well settled snowpack exists with the basal Nov 6 crust well bonded. In the front ranges E of the divide, a facetted snowpack exists with the Nov 6 basal crust being mainly facetted. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snowpack is faceting and losing strength in shallow areas. Midpack is still generally supportive above treeline, with wind slabs in lee features at upper elevations. Surface hoar is developing with the cool overnight temperatures and light valley bottom winds.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Surface snow is facetting with cold temps. Recent tests indicate that the interface down ~30cm between the new and old settled snow will fail with moderate force but is resistant to move. The Nov. crust is down 160cm collapses with a hard force in snowpack tests but has yet to produce avalanches. Snowpack depths are below average.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Hard wind slabs exist in exposed alpine features but haven't been reactive to skier traffic. Suface hoar is growing in sheltered treeline locations. W of the divide, a well settled snowpack exists with the basal Nov 6 crust well bonded. In the front ranges E of the divide, a facetted snowpack exists with the Nov 6 basal crust being mainly facetted. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack is faceting and losing strength especially in shallow areas.  At tree line and above, the mid-pack is generally supportive where snow pack is greater than a meter.  Wind slabs are present in lee features at upper elevations. Surface hoar is developing with the cool overnight temperatures and light valley bottom winds.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Surface snow is facetting with cold temps. Recent tests indicate that the interface down ~30cm between the new and old settled snow will fail with moderate force but is resistant to move. The Nov. crust is down 160cm collapses with a hard force in snowpack tests but has yet to produce avalanches. Snowpack depths are below average.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Some surface hoar growth over the last two days at all elevations.  Light sun crust on steep S aspects.  Moderate W winds creating hard and soft wind slabs in open areas at tree line and in the alpine.  Below this the snowpack is generally well settled with no major shears.  Still some concerns for weak basal facets in shallow snowpack areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Hard wind slabs exist in exposed alpine features but haven't been reactive to skier traffic. Surface hoar is growing in sheltered treeline locations. W of the divide, a well settled snowpack exists with the basal Nov 6 crust well bonded. In the front ranges E of the divide, a facetted snowpack exists with the Nov 6 basal crust being mainly faceted. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack is faceting and losing strength especially in shallow areas.  At tree line and above, the mid-pack is generally supportive where the snow depth is greater than a meter.  Wind slabs are present in lee features at upper elevations. Surface hoar is developing with the cool overnight temperatures and light valley bottom winds.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Strong solar rad has produced breakable sfc Cr mainly on steep solar aspects above 1700m.  Some easterly slopes are also effected. Yesterday we observed SH on the sfc up to 2150 m, the largest at the top of the VF ~1600 m (sz 10-20mm).  Cold temps and below ave HS have produced more faceting in the snowpack then normal, especially in the top 30 cm.  </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Field trips in Kootenay and Hwy93 N. found surface hoar to 1cm up to treeline as well as surface facetting.  Some hard wind slabs in alpine areas are mainly unreactive.  Mid pack maintaining strength in deeper snow pack areas, but thin areas are mainly faceted, including the basal Nov 6 crust.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack is faceting and losing strength especially in shallow areas.  At tree line and above, the mid-pack is generally supportive where the snow depth is greater than a meter.  Wind slabs are present in lee features at upper elevations. Surface hoar is developing with the cool overnight temperatures and light valley bottom winds.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Strong solar rad has produced breakable sfc Cr mainly on steep solar aspects above 1700m. Some easterly slopes are also effected. On Thursday we observed SH on the sfc up to 2150 m, the largest at the top of the VF ~1600 m (sz 10-20mm). Cold temps and below ave HS have produced more faceting in the snowpack then normal, especially in the top 30 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Between 5 and 20cm of very low density snow fell last night and into today. The was virtually no wind affect at tree line today in the Little Yoho and Highway 93 South areas. There were limited observations in the alpine, however, it suspected that winds have started to create soft slabs, and avalanche activity should be expected.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">7mm surface hoar formed over New-years. It is now buried by 5cm of new snow. We call this the 'Jan 6th layer' which will need to be assessed as snowload increases. The mid-pack remains supportive where the snow depth is more than a meter otherwise facetting continues where shallow. Wind slabs are present in lee features at treeline and above.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">20cm of new snow over a facetted old snow interface. The Dec 25 and January 4 surface hoar layers are down around 30cm and 20cm respectively where present, mostly from 1500 to 2000m. The mid-pack is still well settled except in shallower areas where it has become weak and facetted. The Nov 6 crust is down 130cm. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">5-30 cm of new snow overlies the Jan. 6th interface which is either a facet, surface hoar, or hard slab layer. Moderate S/SW winds have created soft slabs in exposed alpine and treeline areas. Field reports say these new slabs range from touchy to stubborn to trigger. The lower snowpack is facetted E of the divide and well settled to the W.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cold temperatures and the lack of snow over the past&nbsp; month has eroded the core strength of the snowpack. Watch for windslab conditions in the alpine and the most recent feature of the snowpack which is a surface hoar crystal layer. This is starting to be buried and once covered by 30cm of snow will present an avalanche problem. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">30cm of new snow over a facetted interface. This storm snow sits on a sun crust on steep south and west aspects. The Dec 25 surface hoar layer is down 40cm and the Jan 4 surface hoar layer is down around 25cm. These layers are more prominent between 1500 and 2000m. Well settled mid pack. Nov 6 crust is down 130 - 150cm. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In the Sunshine Area approximately 15cm of snow fell last night. This has refreshed the ski quality, however, it has added more load to the Jan 6th layer. Although we have not reached a critical threshold as of today, it is important to remember that the incoming storm track will add significant load and this layer will &quot;wake up&quot;, likely Weds.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Widespread surface hoar (2-7mm) has been buried by up to 10 cm of new snow.  The snowpack is faceted and is losing strength in shallow areas. The mid-pack is supportive where the snow depth is greater than a meter. Wind slabs are present in lee features at tree line and above. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">60 cm of storm snow overlies a variety of surfaces ranging from sun crust on south and west aspects to surface hoar on north and east. The surface hoar buried is largest between 1500-2000m. The mid-pack is well settled and the Nov 6 crust is down 150 to 180cm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_DDF6C5E8">Jan 5 suncrust/surface hoar layer is now down 15-30cm. SH up to 15mm was found on sheltered N locations. Strong SW winds building new slabs with lots of storm snow available for transport. S and W slopes predominantly scoured with crossloaded features. Buried windslabs lingering in open areas treeline and above produced by moderate SW winds Dec 28.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">30-50 cm new snow in past 24 hrs at treeline and up to 80 cm in past 72 hours. Mod SW winds  producing storm slabs that are sitting on a weak facet layer. Widespread natural cycle in storm snow observed today</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 30 cm of storm snow fell on Wednesday.  Below tree line, this new unconsolidated snow is sitting on a thin facetted snowpack.  In sheltered tree line areas the storm snow is sitting on a supportive mid-pack.  In wind exposed tree line and alpine areas, a 30-50 cm deep soft wind slab has formed on the previously faceted surface.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 70 cm of storm snow overlies a weak layer of buried surface hoar and facets.  This layer is best developed between 1500 and 2000 meters, but exists at all elevations.  The mid-pack is well settled and the Nov 6 crust can still be found about 30cm above the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Up to 80 cm recent storm snow and mod SW winds created storm slabs that are sitting on a weak layer of facetted crystals and in some areas surface hoar. In deep snow pack areas the mid pack remains strong.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 30 cm of low density storm snow fell on Wednesday.  Below tree line, it sits on a thin facetted snowpack. In sheltered tree line areas this new snow is sitting on a supportive mid-pack.  In wind exposed tree line and alpine areas, a 30-50 cm deep soft wind slab has formed on a variety of aspects and buried a surface hoar layer from Jan 6.   </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 70 cm of storm snow overlies a weak layer of buried surface hoar and facets. This layer is best developed between 1500 and 2000 meters, but exists at all elevations.  This layer is also best developed on the eastern side of the park, where surface hoar grew larger than in the west.  This variability will make hazard evaluation tricky.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">50 cm low density storm snow above 1500m with little wind effect or slab formation. The Jan 5 interface is now down 70-90cm with a 30-40 cm soft slab immediately above it. This interface produced Moderate to Hard test results on Surface Hoar in sheltered N and E locations. Suncrust exists at this interface on steep S aspects. 290 cm at treeline</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 50 cm of settled storm snow and mod SW winds created storm slabs that are sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar and faceted crystals. On steeper S aspects, sun crusts were buried. The winds died down at the end of the storm, so wind slabs formed during the storm may be hidden by innocent-looking powder. The mid-pack in most areas is strong.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 30 cm of low density storm snow fell on Wednesday. Winds have yet to move it around. Low elevations it sits on a facetted thin snowpack. In tree line its on thicker supportive mid-pack. In wind exposed tree line and alpine areas, some very soft slab have formed on a variety of aspects.  A buried a surface hoar layer from Jan 6 is lurking. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">70cm of storm snow overlies a weak layer of buried surface hoar. The surface hoar sits on a crust which is best developed on steep S/SW slopes.  The surface hoar layer was the largest in sheltered areas between 1500 and 1700m. This layer is more prominent on the eastern side of the park.  This variability will make hazard evaluation tricky.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 50cm of recent storm snow sits atop a variety of old surfaces: surface hoar and facets at and below tree-line, and wind or sun crusts in the alpine. Storm slabs were also buried during the storm. Where the wind has redistributed the new snow, whumphing and cracking was observed today, suggesting human-triggering is still possible. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 30 cm of low density storm snow fell on Wednesday but nothing since then. Winds are forming it into slabs alpine and exposed treeline locations. Low elevations the snow remains thin and facetted. Tree line and above its thicker and supportive. A buried a surface hoar layer from Jan 6 is lurking but has yet to become an issue. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">70cm of storm snow overlies a weak layer of buried surface hoar. The surface hoar sits on a crust which is best developed on steep S/SW slopes. The surface hoar grew largest in sheltered areas (1500 to 1700m). This layer is more prominent on the eastern side of the park. This layer will be most reactive on the specific terrain described above.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Recent whunpfing and cracking indicates that the January 6 interface is still a concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Winds have formed thin slabs out of Wednesday's 30cm storm snow at alpine and exposed treeline locations. The snowpack remains thin and facetted at lower elevations. Above tree line its thicker and supportive. A buried a surface hoar-surface facet layer 30cm down from Jan 6 is lurking but remains stubborn.      </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">70cm of storm snow is settling into a cohesive slab which overlies the Jan.4 persistent layer. The distribution of this layer is variable, but tests indicate it is skier triggerable. It consists of surface hoar which is largest in sheltered areas between 1500 and 1700m, and a crust with facets or surface hoar which on steep S'ly slopes.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snow pack test today reveals 20cm of settled storm snow sitting on top of the Jan 6th interface at the Sunshine Village study plot. Below this, a predominantly faceted snowpack exists. The height of snow was 135cm and no significant shears were noted during compression tests. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Snowpack remains thin and facetted at lower elevations.&nbsp; Last week's storm snow has buried a surface hoar layer (Jan6) down approx 30cm.  New windslabs at upper elevations that were previously stubborn to trigger may quickly become touchier as they undergo a rapid temperature change and increased loading with strong winds.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A 30-60cm slab overlies the Jan.4 persistent layer. The distribution of this layer is variable but tests and a Sa yesterday indicate it is triggerable. Our main concern is on steep S'ly slopes where facets or surface hoar overlie a crust. In sheltered areas on all aspects between 1500 and 1700m it consists of surface hoar. New windslabs have formed</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">30 to 50cm of snow sit over the Jan 6th interface. Today, in Kootenay, the Jan 6 interface was well preserved surface hoar between 3 to 5mm in size. Snowpack tests provided easy shears. The slab characteristics were 'sudden planar', or rather, the column popped out like a cash register drawer. No other significant shears were noted.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Snowpack remains thin and facetted at lower elevations, but is supportive above treeline. Last week's storm snow has buried a surface hoar layer (Jan6) down approx 30cm.&nbsp; Windslabs forming on Southerly alpine aspects and significant snow transport by intense winds.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Soft and hard wind slabs overlie the January 4 sun crust-surface hoar layer.  This layer is down 40-60cm.  The sensitivity of this layer is quite variable, however skiers have been triggering avalanches on this layer in specific terrain features.  Steep solar aspects are most reactive.  The mid-pack remains strong.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Up to 5cm HN with Strong NW winds creating windslabs near exposed ridge crests. 30-40cm low denisty snow is sitting on a 20-40 cm slab over the Jan 5 interface. Moderate Sudden Planar test results can be found on preserved surface hoar at this interface in isolated, sheltered locations. There is a high degree of variability with this layer. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">30 to 50cm of snow sit over the Jan 6th interface.  In several locations in Kootenay and some areas near Sunshine, the Jan 6 interface is a well preserved surface hoar (3 to 5mm in size). Tests show easy sudden planar shears. It's worth digging down to it in a few locations to check if it's present. Alpine features have been blasted by recent wind.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Snowpack remains thin and facetted at lower elevations, but is supportive above tree line. Last week's storm snow has buried a surface hoar layer (Jan6) down approx 30cm.  Windslabs have formed on Southwesterly alpine aspects and previous significant snow transport by intense winds.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Warm temperatures in the alpine (inversion) combined with moderate to strong SW winds are continuing to create hard and soft slabs, especially in the alpine.  These slabs overlie the January 4 interface, down 40-60cm.  Steep solar aspects are most reactive due to facets on a crust.  Significant loading should also be expected on NE aspects.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">30 to 50cm of snow sit over the Jan 6th interface.  In several locations in Kootenay and some areas near Sunshine, the Jan 6 interface is a well preserved surface hoar (3 to 5mm in size). Tests show easy sudden planar shears. It's worth digging down to it in a few locations to check if it's present. Alpine features have been blasted by recent wind.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Snowpack remains thin and facetted at lower elevations, but is supportive above tree line. Last week's storm snow has buried a surface hoar layer (Jan6) down approx 30cm.  A variety of wind slabs are building on lee alpine, tree line and on open slopes below tree line from moderate to strong southwesterly winds.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Warm temperatures in the alpine (inversion) combined with moderate to strong SW winds are continuing to create hard and soft slabs, especially in the alpine.  These slabs overlie the January 4 interface, down 40-60cm.? Steep solar aspects are most reactive due to facets on a crust.  Significant loading should also be expected on NE aspects.? </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Thin sun crust on steep S aspects. Wind slabs forming near ridge crests and in open areas at tree line and above from Moderate to Strong NW winds.  Below this is a well settled snowpack.  No significant shears found in test profiles over the past several days.  Still some concerns for facets in thin areas and cross loaded gully features.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">30cm of snow sits over the Jan 6th interface (surface hoar in kootenay it's worth to dig down to check on the interface in a few places). Few avalanches have occurred on this interface, it may need more load. There is a strong midpack West of the divide.&nbsp;  East side has been wind hammered leaving wind crust/slab over weaker snow layers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Extreme NW winds have stripped alpine and tree line fetch zones.  Hard to soft wind slabs are present on all lee slopes, predominately tree line and above.  In thin areas, these slabs are sitting on weak basal facets.  Below tree line, the old storm snow is moist and will consolidate with cooling temperatures, over a rotten base of facets.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Warm temperatures in the alpine (inversion) combined with moderate to strong SW winds has created hard and soft slabs, especially in the alpine.? These slabs overlie the January 4 interface, down 40-60cm, and can be most reactive on steep solar aspects due to facets that formed on a crust.? Significant loading can also be expected on NE aspects. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-20+ cm variable windslabs from strong W/NW winds over last 3 days. 25-35cm over Jan 6 interface of facets and/or surface hoar (preserved W of divide treeline and below). Helen Ridge profile at treeline found mod. compression results on a 15cm surface windslab, with no results below on a mainly facetted snowpack. Thin sun crust on steep S slopes.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Extreme NW winds have stripped alpine and tree line fetch zones. Hard wind slabs are present on treeline and above lee slopes. Buried surface hoar is found at some locations 10-40cm down depending on windloading patterns. Weak basal facets dominate thin areas. Below tree line, the old storm snow is moist over rotten facets.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Sustained moderate to strong southerly winds have created pockets of touchy windslab on lee slopes and widespread windeffect at treeline and above. A layer down 30-50cm has been most reactive on steep solar aspects where it is composed of facets/surface hoar on a crust. Below this the snowpack is well settled and generally strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The strong winds from the last few days have created wind slabs in lee areas in the alpine. In some areas these wind slabs will be very hard. Otherwise the storm snow from last week has settled to approximately 25cm and sits on top of the Jan 6 interface, a combination of surface hoar and facets. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Extreme NW winds stripped alpine to tree line fetch zones. Hard slabs are present on all lee slopes tree line and above. Surface hoar is found 10-40cm down depending on wind-loading patterns. Weak basal facets dominates thin snowpack areas. Below tree line, the old storm snow is over a rotten facet base. Colder temperatures helping stability. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Sustained moderate to strong southerly winds have created pockets of touchy windslab on lee slopes and windeffect on exposed slopes at treeline and above. A layer down 30-50cm has been most reactive on steep solar aspects where it is composed of facets/surface hoar on a crust. Below this the snowpack is well settled and generally strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Touchy windslabs that are reactive to human triggering exist in the alpine. Warm day time temperatures may cause these slabs to become more reactive. Extra caution on sunny slopes in the afternoon is warranted.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Last week's extreme NW winds stripped fetch zones. Hard slabs are present on all lee slopes tree line and above. Surface hoar is found 10-40cm down depending on wind-loading patterns. Weak basal facets dominates thin areas. Below tree line, the old storm snow is over a rotten facet base. Colder overnight temperatures helping stability. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Upper 25cm is settled snow, with variable wind affect above tree line. The mid pack is well settled. A profile in the Hermit area, 2270m, SE aspect, 28deg, showed a 187cm snowpack with moderate to hard test results, resistant planar down 18, 24 and 48cm. The January 4th surface layer was down 48cm and the November 6 crust was down 140cm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Extensive wind effect and wind slabs at tree line and above.  Sun crust on steep solar aspects.  Temperature crust below 1400m.  Below this is a well settled snow pack with no significant shears.  Average snow pack depth at tree line is 220cm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent strong winds have created widespread wind effect in the alpine. Windward slopes are scoured and hard and soft slabs that are reactive to skier triggering exist elsewhere. In shallow snowpack areas the mid-pack has facetted out and become weaker. Below 2200 m surface hoar exists in some locations and produces moderate results with Comp. Test.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Most slopes at treeline and alpine areas are seriously wind effected, with hard slabs in some areas, and scouring to rocks in others. These hard slabs overly a sporadically found weakness down 10-40 cm (Jan 4 surface hoar and facets). The lower snowpack is facetted and of variable strength, but overall stronger than expected for this time of year.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Settled upper snow pack with 5 cm of ski penetration. Sun crust on steep solar aspects. Snow pack is well settled. Profile on Avalanche Crest, 2450m, W asp, 42deg, 194cm snow depth, produced moderate to hard resistant planar results down 18, 27 and 47cm. The Jan 4 layer was down 47cm. On Bonney Glacier 2350m, 356cm depth, Jan 4 layer is down 92cm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent strong winds have created widespread wind effect in the alpine. Windward slopes are scoured and hard and soft slabs that are possible to trigger exist elsewhere. In shallow snowpack areas the mid-pack has facetted out and become weaker. Below 2200 m surface hoar exists in some locations and produces moderate results with comp. tests.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">No significant changes to the snowpack in the last 24-hours. Widespread wind effect in most exposed areas at and above treeline has created hard slabs which overlie a weakness of facets or surface hoar down 10-40 cm (depending on location). Tests indicate a shear on this layer, but triggering is unlikely due to the stiffness of the slab.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">New snow overnight has covered a variety of surfaces including, small surface hoar and sun crust on steep south through west slopes. Widespread wind effect is present in open areas at treeline and in the alpine, though stubborn to rider triggering.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Jan 4th SH/CR down 45-65 cm reacting in stab tests (moderate to hard range) yesterday at TL, SE asp.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Lake Ohara region today, 15-20cm in last 24 hrs with mod-strong ridge winds creating soft wind slabs in exposed features.  2450m ~170cm on Opabin glacier.  Most new along and W of divide.  Variable hard slabs from previous strong winds now mainly buried.  In thinner snowpack areas and below treeline midpack facetted and weake.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">5 cm of snow overnight has softened up the surface of the snowpack below treeline, however all areas above treeline and in the alpine have been wind blasted. Hard slabs are widespread, and provide a strong bridge over any underlying weakness. Below treeline, the snowpack is facetted throughout but no slab overlies this weakness.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">20 to 30 cm of new snow has covered a variety of surfaces including, small surface hoar and sun crust on steep south through west slopes. This also covers widespread wind effect in open areas at treeline and in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Jan 4th SH/CR down 65-95 cm reacting in stab tests (moderate to hard range) in isolated location most recently at TL, SE asp.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-15 cm of new snow overnight forming wind slabs in open areas at tree line and above with continued moderate to strong SW winds.  The new snow appears to be bonding well to the Jan 23 interface which is made up of either sun crust, facets or wind slabs depending on the aspect and elevation.  No other significant shears found in the snow pack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 30cm in last 48 hrs along and W of the divide, with lesser amounts to the E.  Soft wind slabs are sitting on previous hard wind slabs in the alpine.  Mainly facetted midpack in thin snowpack areas.  Jan 6 surface hoar can be found in various locations down approx.30 cm producing mod. compression results in the sunshine study plot today.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Most areas above treeline and in the alpine have been wind blasted. Hard slabs are widespread, and provide a strong bridge over any underlying weakness. Below treeline, the snowpack is facetted throughout but no slab overlies this weakness.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">30 to 45 cm of new snow has covered a variety of surfaces including, small surface hoar and sun crust on steep south through west slopes. This also covers widespread wind effect in open areas at treeline and in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Moderate southerly winds have loaded northerly aspects during the storm.  Below treeline the new snow is unconsolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 30cm this week along and W of the divide, with lesser amounts to the E. Soft wind slabs are sitting on previous hard wind slabs in the alpine. Mainly facetted midpack in thin snowpack areas. Jan 6 surface hoar can be found in various locations down approx.30 cm. This layer may wake up with Monday's storm if we get more than 25cm of snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Most areas above treeline and in the alpine have been wind blasted. Hard slabs are widespread, and provide a strong bridge over any underlying weakness. Some solar affect has occurred in the high alpine on  Westerly slopes. Below treeline, the snowpack is facetted throughout but no slab overlies this weakness.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">30 to 45 cm of new snow remain unconsolidated below treeline.  Moderate southerly winds loaded northerly aspects during the storm. This snow covered a variety of surfaces including, small surface hoar and sun crust on steep S through W aspects.  Yesterday this interface was not failing in stability tests at treeline in the Hermit basin, SE aspect.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">New wind slabs are sitting on top of older hard wind slabs in alpine lee areas. The middle of the snow pack is quite faceted. The Jan 6th surface hoar can still be found in isolated areas down approximately 30cm. This layer has potential to become active when it receives a considerable amount of load.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In the alpine and down to treeline, the widespread hard slabs provide a strong bridge over any underlying weakness. Some solar affect has occurred in the high alpine on Westerly slopes. Below treeline, the snowpack is facetted throughout but no slab overlies this weakness.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">30cm of settling low density snow in the upper snowpack. Jan 23 layer is down 50 to 60cm over a well settled mid pack.  Below 1800m surface hoar is buried at the Jan 23 interface. The Nov 6 crust is down around 200cm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In alpine there is 20-25 cm of recent storm snow sitting on previous hard wind slabs and wind pressed snow. Some soft slab development has occurred in lee terrain near ridge tops. In shallow snow pack areas the mid-pack is facetting and loosing strength.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Light scattered precipitation (1-3cm) throughout Jasper in the past 24 hours.  No significant change to snowpack structure:  windslabs in exposed lee features, faceted midpack at lower elevations, and poor travel with difficult trail-breaking below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10 cm of low density new snow.  Jan 23 layer is down 55cm. This layer is a sun crust on steep south and west aspects and surface hoar to 9mm below 1800m. The Nov 6 crust is down 200cm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Now 30-40 cm over 130123 interface. On steep South aspects the 0125 suncrust is now buried 25cm and sits 15cm above the 0123 interface which is found as a 1cm thick suncrust with 10 to 20 cm faceted crystals below. On other aspects the 0123 interface is old settled windslab or faceted crystals. Windslabs forming on exposed ridges above treeline. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In alpine there is 20-25 cm of recent storm snow sitting on previous hard wind slabs and wind pressed snow. Some soft slab development in lee terrain near ridge tops. In shallow snow pack areas the mid-pack is facetting and losing strength.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Light snow flurries producing 3 - 5 cm accumulations throughout Jasper in the past 24 hours.  No significant change to snowpack structure:  windslabs in exposed lee features, faceted midpack at lower elevations, and poor travel with difficult trail-breaking below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 45cm of low density new snow.&nbsp; Jan 23 layer is down 65cm. This layer is a sun crust on steep south and west aspects and rests on surface hoar to 9mm below 1800m. The Nov 6 crust is down 200cm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In alpine there is 20-25 cm of recent storm snow sitting on previous hard wind slabs and wind pressed snow. Some soft slab development in lee terrain near ridge tops. In shallow snow pack areas the mid-pack is facetting and losing strength. In the south west (Kootenay) there is a buried surface hoar layer down 55 cm that is a concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Light scattered precipitation (1-3cm) throughout Jasper in the past 24 hours.  No significant change to snowpack structure:  windslabs in exposed lee features, faceted midpack at lower elevations, and poor travel with difficult trail-breaking below treeline. Persistent hard slab buried beneath recent storm snow is widespread above treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 55cm of low density new snow. Jan 23 layer is down 65cm. This layer is a sun crust on steep south and west aspects and surface hoar to 9mm below 1800m. The Nov 6 crust is down 200cm. Watch for power sluffing in steep terrain and soft slabs running to valley bottom.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Two main layers in the upper pack are Jan 23 and Jan 4 surface hoar/ facets or suncrust down 25 &amp; 55. Major problem is wind slabs in all open areas easily triggerable in steep terrain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Wind slabs in exposed lee features, faceted mid-pack at lower elevations, and poor travel with difficult trail-breaking below treeline. Persistent hard slab and sastrugi widespread above treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 70cm of low density new snow and strong winds in the last 24hrs. Winds slabs have formed. Overnight 11cm with 14.3mm at Fidelity. The Nov 6 crust is down 200cm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Two main layers in the upper pack are Jan 23 and Jan 4 surface hoar/ facets or suncrust down 25 &amp; 55. Watch for wind slabs in all open areas. These may be easily triggered in steep terrain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Wind slabs in exposed lee features, faceted mid-pack at lower elevations, and poor travel with difficult trail-breaking below treeline. Persistent hard slab and sastrugi widespread above treeline.  Thin wind slab is forming  in immediate lee features with continuing moderate to strong NW winds.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 55 cm of settled storm snow has accumulated since Jan 26 near the west boundary of the park. The amounts are less moving east through the park.  Heavy warmer, wind effected snow lies over colder, lower density snow.  Recent strong S winds have loaded northerly lee features at treeline and in the alpine. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Continued small amounts of recent snow. Depth over 130123 interface of facets, settled windslabs, and suncrust varies from 20 to 70 cm. Warm temps and wind encouraging slab formation and cornice growth. Soft windslabs now 20 to 30 cm thick along exposed ridge crests, with many loaded gullies and alpine fans in North, East and South East aspects. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Two main layers in the upper pack are Jan 23 and Jan 6 surface hoar/ facets or suncrust down 25 &amp; 55. Watch for wind slabs in all open areas. These may be easily triggered from thin snowpack areas in steep terrain. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Hard wind slabs exist in exposed lee features yet appear to be bridging well. Mid-pack is faceted at lower elevations making for poor travel and difficult trail-breaking. Persistent hard slab and sastrugi widespread above treeline. Thin wind slabs are forming in immediate lee features with continuing moderate to strong SW to NW winds. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Moderate southerly winds for the last five days during this storm period have loaded northerly lee features at treeline and the alpine. Up to 55 cm of settled storm snow has accumulated since Jan 26 near the west boundary of the park. Half that amount accumulated east of the summit. Heavy warmer, wind effected snow lies over lower density snow.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Fresh wind slabs of variable thickness sit on top of a faceted snowpack. Expect a weaker and more faceted snowpack in areas with  &lt; 1m of snow. The Jan 6th surface hoar/crust interface is still prevalent in some isolated areas. Today in Kootenay it was found 35cm down. It did not react to skier traffic.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Expect hard wind slabs in exposed alpine/treeline lee features being the dominate feature. Lower elevations is faceted and generally unsupportive. Thin wind slabs are forming on previous surfaces, such as smooth windslabs or suncrust, with steady moderate to strong Westerly winds transporting the little snow that is available. More snow may arrive.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Dense settling recent storm snow in top 40cm. A profile at 2210m, SW aspect, 34 degrees showed 240cm of snow. The Jan 4 crust was down 145cm and the Nov 6 crust was decomposing and 28cm from the ground. One test result in the hard range down 38cm. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Little change from yesterday. However, strong winds and light precip has increased soft wind slab development. In general, expected a faceted snowpack, especially in areas with &lt; 100cm of snow. Also, the Jan 6 interface is still present in isolated locations. It is buried approximately 40cm down and is generally unreactive to human traffic.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A trace to 10cm locally at Big Bend covers the previous hard wind slab in exposed alpine and treeline features. Lower elevations are generally faceted and poor travel. Thin wind slabs will continue to form in immediate lee features with moderate to strong Westerly wind transport especially with this new snow and a little bit more expected.</span></p>