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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_7D940460">In the south of the region around 50 cm of rapidly settling snow rests on the supportive rain crust from early February. Further north the crust is buried closer to 1m down. The bond to this crust continues to strengthen with ongoing warm temperatures. Southwest winds are forming new windslabs at upper elevations. The snow is moist below 2000m and wet below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, 60-90cm of rapidly settling snow sits over the late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer. Rain has recently soaked the snow surface up to around 1700m and moist snow is reported to at least 2000m. Overnight cooling may be forming a weak surface crust at some elevations. Strong SW winds had formed wind slabs in exposed leeward terrain features. New wind slabs are expected to form in the alpine with the forecast strong winds from the SW-W and new precipitation. The mid-January surface hoar is typically down 80-120cm and has been recently reactive in many areas. The mid-December weak layer is down over 120cm but was generally unreactive through the storm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, 60-100cm of rapidly settling snow sits over the late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer. Rain has recently soaked the snow surface up to around 1900m and moist snow is reported to at least 2200m. Overnight cooling may be forming a weak surface crust at some elevations. Strong SW winds had formed wind slabs in exposed leeward terrain features. New wind slabs may form in the alpine with the forecast strong winds from the SW-W. The mid-January surface hoar is typically down 80-120cm and has been recently reactive in many areas. The mid-December weak layer is down around 1.5m but was generally unreactive through the storm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The rain line during recent heavy precipitation generally hovered around 1700m, although there were periods where rain fell into the alpine. Above that elevation, heavy accumulations of moist, dense snow have been pushed by strong southwest winds into cornices and deeper deposits on the lee side of ridgecrests and terrain breaks. Recent storm snow is poorly bonded to a hard crust, which may have overlying surface hoar, that was buried late January. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness may be persisting in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The rain line during recent heavy precipitation generally hovered around 1700m, although there were periods where rain fell into the alpine. Above that elevation, heavy accumulations of moist, dense snow have been pushed by strong southwest winds into much deeper deposits on the lee side of ridgecrests and terrain breaks. This recent storm snow overlies a hard crust, which may have overlying surface hoar that was buried late January. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness may be persisting in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack is well below the seasonal average and below the threshold depth for avalanches. The threshold snow depth before avalanches can start is generally about 30cm for smooth ground (e.g. rock slabs, grass, or fine scree), 60cm on average in open slopes at treeline and above, and 120cm on very rough ground with boulders and large stumps</span><span class="s_DDF6C5E8" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">I've been unable to access any of the weather stations in the region today and so I have based this update to the snowpack summary on Wednesday morning's weather forecast. I suspect that between 5 to 10cm of new snow have now fallen and may sit on a new layer of surface hoar. Deeper in the snowpack there are a number of weak layers although there is uncertainty about which of them are still players, and which are now dormant. The mid-February surface hoar layer is not found everywhere, but where it does exist it is buried between 30 and 70 cm down. The late January crust is probably down 75 to 150cm in the south of the region but is likely shallower in the north. The mid-January rain crust and surface hoar is probably down between 100 and 200cm. Finally, the crust/facet combination from November is near the ground. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, 40-60cm of rapidly settling snow sits over the late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer. Rain has recently soaked the snow surface up to around 2000m and moist snow is reported to at least 2200m. Overnight cooling may be forming a weak surface crust at some elevations. Strong SW winds had formed wind slabs in exposed leeward terrain features. New wind slabs may form in the alpine with the forecast strong winds from the SW-W.&nbsp; The mid-January surface hoar is typically down 50-80cm and has been very reactive in some areas. The mid-December weak layer is down around 1m but its reactivity has been isolated recently. The mid-November weak layer of crusts and facets can still be found near the bottom of the snowpack. It has generally been unreactive but one explosive triggered avalanche occurred on it recently in a reloaded area that had slide previously.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The rain line during recent heavy precipitation generally hovered around 1700m, although there were periods where rain fell into the alpine. Above that elevation, up to 100 cm of moist, dense snow have been pushed by strong southwest winds into much deeper deposits on the lee side of ridgecrests and terrain breaks. Recent storm snow is bonding poorly to a crust/surface hoar layer which was formed in late January. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness may be persisting in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">It's definitely not your typical early February coastal snowpack. At upper elevations continued warm temperatures are encouraging the settlement of recent storm snow. The supportive crust that formed at all elevations earlier in February can now be found down about 70 to 100cm in the alpine. Southwest winds have loaded lee features and cornices are reported to be looming threateningly at ridgeline. Snowpack tests on the crust are showing that it is gaining strengthen. Moist snow has been reported bellow 2200m and a slush on crust setup makes for difficult riding conditions below treeline. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">I've been unable to access any of the weather stations in the region today so I've had to base this update to the on Wednesday morning's weather forecasts. As freezing levels rise I suspect that the snowpack at lower elevations is being saturated by rain or freezing rain. Above about 1500m up to 20 cm of snow may have fallen on a new layer of surface hoar. Predominantly strong southwest winds will load lee features. What we do know is that the late-January crust is down 60 to 150cm in the south of the region and about half this depth in the north. This crust may also have surface hoar on it. The mid-January rain crust and/or surface hoar layer is down over 160cm in the south and has generally become inactive although it may still be a concern in thinner snowpack areas. The November crust/facet combo near the bottom of the snowpack may still be reactive in the far north of the region</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, 70-100cm of rapidly settling snow sits over the late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer. Rain has recently soaked the snow surface up to around 1800m and moist snow is reported to at least 2100m. Overnight cooling may be forming a weak surface crust at some elevations. Strong SW winds had formed wind slabs in exposed leeward terrain features. New wind slabs may form in the alpine with the forecast strong winds from the SW-W. The mid-January surface hoar is typically down 90-120cm and has been recently reactive in many areas. The mid-December weak layer is down around 1.5m but was generally unreactive through the storm.</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">This is a test bulletin</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_7D940460">5-10 cm of new snow has fallen since the weekend in the high alpine where moderate to strong southwest winds have formed isolate pockets of windslabs.  In the south of the region around 40-50 cm of snow sits above the supportive rain crust from early February. Further north the crust is buried closer to 1m down.   The snow is moist below 2000m and a breakable melt-freeze curst might be encountered in between 1400m to 1900m.  The snow is reported to be saturated at lower elevations and reports suggest that stumps and creeks are exposed closer to valley bottom. </span><span class="s_7D940460" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_69982360">Recent storm snow appears to be settling and bonding with warm temperatures. SW winds have created areas of wind slab on some alpine and treeline lee features. Keep your eyes open for cornices, which may be sensitive to collapsing with the warm temperatures. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer, buried up to a metre deep, remains a key concern, as triggering this would produce a surprisingly large avalanche. The mid-January surface hoar is typically down 80-120cm and is unlikely to be triggered, apart from in a thin or rocky snowpack area. The mid-December weak layer is down over 120cm, but was generally unreactive through the storm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Recent storm snow appears to be settling and bonding with warm temperatures. SW winds have created areas of wind slab on some alpine lee features. Keep your eyes open for cornices, which may be sensitive to collapsing with the warm temperatures. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer, buried up to a metre deep, remains a key concern. Triggering this could produce a surprisingly large avalanche. The mid-January surface hoar is typically down 80-120cm and is most likely to be triggered from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down. The mid-December weak layer is down over 120cm, but is generally considered unreactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The rain line during recent heavy precipitation generally hovered around 1700m, although there were periods where rain fell into the alpine. Above that elevation, heavy accumulations of moist, dense snow have been pushed by strong southwest winds into cornices and deeper deposits on the lee side of ridgecrests and terrain breaks. Recent storm snow is poorly bonded to a hard crust, which may have overlying surface hoar, that was buried late January. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness may be persisting in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The rain line during recent heavy precipitation generally hovered around 1700m, although there were periods where rain fell into the alpine. Above that elevation, heavy accumulations of moist, dense snow have been pushed by strong southwest winds into much deeper deposits on the lee side of ridgecrests and terrain breaks. This recent storm snow overlies a hard crust, which may have overlying surface hoar that was buried late January. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness may be persisting in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_E6FD2046">Sustained temperatures above zero have left the snowpack below 2100m moist. There has been some overnight recovery with light freezes, but by early afternoon the refreeze is pretty much gone. At treeline the story changes a little bit. While cooler, the snowpack has settled considerably and bonded the surface layers. Whumphing is still ongoing in open treeline areas. Alpine elevations have seen some wind and the development of new windslabs. Many crowns from last week's cycle have blown in. Treeline snow depths vary from 160-180.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 10 cm of new snow in the south of the region and 20cm in the north has fallen at upper elevations as of Thursday afternoon.  This may sit on a thin new layer of surface hoar that was reported to be growing in the lull between the last two storms.&nbsp; A freezing rain crust may have formed on the surface at lower elevations. Deeper in the snowpack there are a number of weak layers although there is uncertainty about which of them are still players, and which are now dormant. The early-February surface hoar layer may not exist  everywhere, but where it does it can be found buried between 30 and 70 cm down. The late January crust is probably down 75 to 150cm in the south of the region but is likely shallower in the north. The mid-January rain crust and surface hoar is probably down between 100 and 200cm. Finally, the crust/facet combination from November is near the ground. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">At high elevations, 40-60cm of rapidly settling snow sits over the late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer. Rain has recently soaked the snow surface up to around 2000m and moist snow is reported to at least 2200m. Overnight cooling may be forming a weak surface crust at some elevations. Strong SW winds have left wind slabs on lee alpine features. The mid-January surface hoar is typically down 50-80cm and has been very reactive in some areas. The mid-December weak layer is down around 1m but its reactivity has been isolated recently. The mid-November weak layer of crusts and facets can still be found near the bottom of the snowpack. It has generally been unreactive but one explosive triggered avalanche occurred on it recently in a reloaded area that had slid previously.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The rain line during recent heavy precipitation generally hovered around 1700m, although there were periods where rain fell into the alpine. Above that elevation, up to 100 cm of moist, dense snow have been pushed by strong southwest winds into much deeper deposits on the lee side of ridgecrests and terrain breaks. Recent storm snow is bonding poorly to a crust/surface hoar layer which was formed in late January. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness may be persisting in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">It's definitely not your typical early February coastal snowpack. At upper elevations continued warm temperatures are encouraging the settlement of recent storm snow. The supportive crust that formed up to 2100m in February can now be found down about 70 to 100cm in the alpine. Snow pack tests on both the mid-storm instabilities and the crust are showing that these layers are gaining strengthen. Moist snow has been reported bellow 2200m and a slush on crust setup makes for difficult riding conditions below treeline. Cornices are reported to be looming threateningly at ridgeline. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 10 to 40 mm of precipitation in the form of new snow and/or rain had fallen through the storm as of Thursday evening. In many places this sits on a thin layer of surface hoar that formed in the brief lull between systems on Febuary 10</span><sup><span class="s_3FE45715">th</span></sup><span class="s_3FE45715">. Freezing levels rose to 1500m in the southwest corner of the region on Thursday with cooler temperatures recorded further inland and to the north. Predominantly strong southwest winds are loading lee features in the alpine and at treeline. The late-January crust is down between 60 to 150cm in the south of the region and about half this depth in the north. This crust may have surface hoar on it. The mid-January rain crust and/or surface hoar layer is down over 160cm in the south and has generally become inactive although it may still be a concern in thinner snowpack areas. The November crust/facet combo near the bottom of the snowpack is still on my radar as a potential problem layer in the far north of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Recent storm snow appears to be settling and bonding with warm temperatures. SW winds have created areas of wind slab on some alpine lee features. Keep your eyes open for cornices, which may be sensitive to collapsing with the warm temperatures. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer, buried up to a metre deep, remains a key concern as human-triggering could produce a surprisingly large avalanche. The mid-January surface hoar is typically down 80-120cm and is most likely to be triggered from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down. The mid-December weak layer is down over 120cm, but is generally considered unreactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_7D940460">In the south of the region, rain has saturated the snowpack to ridgeline. Upper elevations in the North of the region may have received between 5 and 10 cm of new moist snow while rain fell below 2000m. The supportive rain crust from earlier in February can be found down about 50cm in the South. Further north it is buried closer to 1m down. The snow is moist below 2000m and a breakable melt-freeze curst can be encountered from 1400m to up to about 1900m. Reports suggest that stumps and creeks are exposed at lower elevations. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">New snow may have been shifted into wind slabs on lee features at alpine and treeline elevations. Keep your eyes open for cornices, which may be large and unstable. A week or so of very warm temperatures has affected the snowpack, creating moist surface layers up to around 2000m. At low elevations, the snowpack may now be relatively uniform. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer, buried around a metre deep, remains a key concern, as it could still be human-triggered and could produce a destructive avalanche. The mid-January surface hoar is typically down 80-120cm and is unlikely to be triggered, apart from in a thin or rocky snowpack area. The mid-December weak layer is down over 120cm, but has been generally unreactive lately. Basal weaknesses remain in the back of operators' minds.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">More than a week of very warm temperatures has affected the snowpack by moistening upper snowpack layers to around 2300 m. There has been some ongoing reactivity of persistent slabs, perhaps due to warming altering the properties of the slab. Below treeline, the snowpack is probably trending isothermal (zero degrees throughout). In the alpine, wind affected surfaces can be found. Cornices may be large and weak. </span><span class="s_1681A555">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer, buried up to a metre deep, remains a key concern. Triggering this could produce a surprisingly large avalanche. The mid-January surface hoar is typically down 80-120 cm and is most likely to be triggered from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down. The mid-December weak layer is down over 120cm, but is generally considered unreactive. </span><span class="s_3D0464D1">As temperatures cool this weekend, conditions should gradually improve, but it's still a trouble-ridden snowpack adapting to change... so give it a bit of time.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent warm temperatures have softened the upper snowpack, reawakening deep persistent weaknesses in isolated areas. As temperatures continue to fluctuate and stress the snowpack, expect an increased likelihood of triggering large destructive avalanches in isolated areas (e.g. thin spots) with heavy triggers (e.g. cornice falls, stuck sleds spinning tracks, or groups of people). Approximately 65-100 cm of recent storm snow is bonding well to a crust buried at the beginning of February; however, this bond is much weaker where surface hoar overlies the crust. Below that, recent snowpack tests gave moderate to hard but sudden collapse results on the mid-January surface hoar where it was found down 70-82 cm on a northeast facing treeline slope. This persistent weakness has been found as deep as 110 cm, or deeper on wind-loaded slopes. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness may be persisting in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent reports suggest 10-50 cm thick hard wind slabs lurk below ridge crests and behind terrain features at treeline and alpine elevations; however, these seem to be generally well-bonded. In more sheltered areas, variable amounts of previous storm snow is sitting on a crust that formed at the end of January. Recent warm temperatures have softened the upper snowpack, reawakening deep persistent weaknesses in isolated areas. As temperatures continue to fluctuate and stress the snowpack, expect an increased likelihood of triggering large destructive avalanches in isolated areas (e.g. thin spots) with heavy triggers (e.g. cornice falls, stuck sleds spinning tracks, or groups of people).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Today's temperatures reached well above zero in all forecast areas. The Aster Lake region hit +3 degrees. The lack of an overnight freeze left the valley bottom snow isothermal in places. This condition gradually improves with elevation, but generally the snow up to treeline has had significant warming. Treeline and above has windslabs that are dense, and relatively warm. Whumphing is less common now, but the weak interface is still present. The Jan31st interface is still the main concern at all elevations. At treeline it is down 50-60. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At treeline and above between 10 and 25cm of new snow may sit on a thin layer of surface hoar. At lower elevations, rain has saturated the upper snowpack and a freezing rain crust may be found up to around 1100m. A number of weak layers are lingering in the mid-pack although we haven't received much new information in the last week and I'm uncertain as to which of these are still players, and which are now dormant. The early-February surface hoar layer is not found everywhere, but where it does exist it is buried between 40 and 80 cm down. The late January crust is probably down 85 to 160cm in the South of the region but is likely to be shallower in the North. The mid-January rain crust and surface hoar is probably down between 100 and 200cm. Finally, the crust/facet combination from November can be found near the ground. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">More than a week of very warm temperatures has affected the snowpack by moistening upper snowpack layers to around 2000 m. Weve seen continued reactivity of persistent slabs as warming has altered the properties of the slab. Below treeline, the snowpack is probably trending isothermal (zero degrees throughout). In the alpine, wind affected surfaces can be found. Cornices may be large and weak.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer is 1-2 m deep in the west, and can be found within the upper metre of the snowpack further east. Its variably reactive.</span><span class="s_1681A555"> The mid-January surface hoar, deeper again, remains problematic in some areas. The mid-December weak layer may still be on the radar in isolated areas in the east. The mid-November weak layer of crusts and facets can still be found near the bottom of the snowpack. It seems to have reawakened with warming and has been triggered by explosives over the last few days, taking the entire snowpack with it. As temperatures cool this weekend, conditions should gradually improve, but its still a trouble-ridden snowpack adapting to change... so give it a bit of time.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have softened the upper snowpack, reawakening deep persistent weaknesses in isolated areas. As temperatures continue to fluctuate and stress the snowpack, expect an increased likelihood of triggering large destructive avalanches in isolated areas (e.g. thin spots) with heavy triggers (e.g. cornice falls, stuck sleds spinning tracks, or groups of people). Recent snowpack tests gave hard and stubborn results on the late-January crust where it was found down 33 cm with broken and decomposing surface hoar on top; however, this bond is likely much weaker where surface hoar is better preserved. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness is also persisting in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">It's definitely not your typical early February coastal snowpack. Upper elevations in the North of the region have received between 5 and 10 cm of new moist snow while rain fell below 2000m. Continued warm temperatures are encouraging the settlement of the upper snowpack. The supportive crust that form</span><span class="s_2488BF4F">ed up to 2100m earlier in February c</span><span class="s_3FE45715">an now be found down about 70 to 100cm in the alpine. Wet slushy snow sitting above the crust is making for difficult riding conditions at and below treeline.</span><span class="s_7D940460"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 20 to 70 mm of precipitation in the form of new snow and/or rain had fallen through the storm as of Friday evening. In many places this sits on a thin layer of surface hoar that formed in the brief lull between systems on Febuary 10th. The freezing level rose to 1500m in the southwest corner of the region on Friday with cooler temperatures recorded further inland and to the north. Predominantly strong southwest winds have loaded lee features in the alpine and at treeline. Before this storm the late-January crust could be found down between 60 to 150cm in the south of the region and about half this depth in the north. This crust may have surface hoar on it. The mid-January rain crust and/or surface hoar layer is down over 160cm in the south and has generally become inactive. The November crust/facet combo near the bottom of the snowpack is still on my radar as a potential problem layer in the far north of the region. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">More than a week of very warm temperatures has affected the snowpack by moistening upper snowpack layers to around 2300 m. There has been some continued reactivity of persistent slabs, perhaps due to warming altering the properties of the slab. Below treeline, the snowpack is probably trending isothermal (zero degrees throughout). In the alpine, wind affected surfaces can be found. Cornices may be large and weak. </span><span class="s_1681A555">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer, buried up to a metre deep, remains a key concern. Triggering this could produce a surprisingly large avalanche. The mid-January surface hoar is typically down 80-120 cm and is most likely to be triggered from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down. The mid-December weak layer is down over 120cm, but is generally considered unreactive. </span><span class="s_3D0464D1">As temperatures cool this weekend, conditions should gradually improve, but it's still a trouble-ridden snowpack adapting to change... so give it a bit of time.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Friday, rain continued to soak the upper snowpack. Depending on the air temperature, snow surfaces now appear moist or refrozen. Dense new wind slabs may exist in lee terrain at the highest elevations where snow fell instead of rain. Much of the terrain below treeline is below threshold for avalanche activity.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Continued warm temperatures are promoting settlement in the upper snowpack. The hard crust that form</span><span class="s_2488BF4F">ed</span><span class="s_3FE45715"> earlier in February </span><span class="s_2488BF4F">c</span><span class="s_3FE45715">an be found up to 100cm below the surface at alpine elevations. Although no recent avalanches have been observed at this interface, professionals are still keeping a close eye on it as long as warm temperatures persist. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">New snow may have been shifted into wind slabs on lee features at alpine and treeline elevations. Keep your eyes open for cornices, which may be large and unstable. A week or so of very warm temperatures has affected the snowpack, creating moist surface layers up to around 2000m. At low elevations, the snowpack may now be relatively uniform and starting to refreeze. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer, buried around a metre deep, remains a key concern, as it could still be human-triggered and could produce a destructive avalanche. The mid-January surface hoar is typically down 80-120cm and is unlikely to be triggered, apart from in a thin or rocky snowpack area. The mid-December weak layer is down over 120cm, but has been generally unreactive lately. Basal weaknesses remain in the back of operators' minds.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">As the weather finally cools after ten days of very warm temperatures and bursts of rain, surface crusts are likely to form. Underneath newly formed crusts, you may find moist snow for a few days yet. At alpine elevations, new wind slabs or storm slabs may be found. Cornices may be large and weak. </span><span class="s_1681A555">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer, buried up to a metre deep, remains a key concern. Recent avalanches on this layer have been very large. The mid-January surface hoar is typically down 80-120cm and is most likely to be triggered from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down. The mid-December weak layer is down over 120cm, but is generally considered unreactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent warm temperatures have softened the upper snowpack, reawakening deep persistent weaknesses in isolated areas. As temperatures continue to fluctuate and stress the snowpack, expect an increased likelihood of triggering large destructive avalanches in isolated areas (e.g. thin spots) with heavy triggers (e.g. cornice falls, stuck sleds spinning tracks, or groups of people). Approximately 65-100 cm of recent storm snow is bonding well to a crust buried at the beginning of February; however, this bond is much weaker where surface hoar overlies the crust. Below that, recent snowpack tests gave moderate to hard but sudden collapse results on the mid-January surface hoar where it was found down 70-82 cm on a northeast facing treeline slope. This persistent weakness has been found as deep as 110 cm, or deeper on wind-loaded slopes. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness may be persisting in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent reports suggest 10-50 cm thick hard wind slabs lurk below ridge crests and behind terrain features at treeline and alpine elevations; however, these seem to be generally well-bonded. In more sheltered areas, variable amounts of previous storm snow is sitting on a crust that formed at the end of January. Recent warm temperatures have softened the upper snowpack, reawakening deep persistent weaknesses in isolated areas. As temperatures continue to fluctuate and stress the snowpack, expect an increased likelihood of triggering large destructive avalanches in isolated areas (e.g. thin spots) with heavy triggers (e.g. cornice falls, stuck sleds spinning tracks, or groups of people).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack is isothermal up to 1950m.  Above this there is a crust from the recent heat on all aspects up to 2200m then only on solar aspects up to 2600-2700m.  Easy to moderate sheers persist within the upper snowpack down 30-40cm.  Extended column tests also indicate that this layer is prone to wide propagations.  The Jan 31st interface is down 70-80cm but the bond at this interface seems to be improving.  The basal layers in the snowpack area still weak and any avalanche that is triggerred will likely step down to these basal layers.  THroughout the past 24hrs, 10-15cmof new snow has fallen via convective flurries.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In the south of the region, warming and subsequent refreezing may have created a hard melt-freeze crust which extends up to about 1800m. At higher elevations dense wind slabs are reported to exist. Where it exists, this melt-freeze crust should add considerable strength to the snowpack, although daytime warming will weaken this crust allowing for surface avalanches to fail more easily. About 20 to 40cm below the surface you may find weak surface hoar which was buried on February 10th. It is unclear if recent warming has destroyed this potentially weak layer. I'd dig down and test for this layer, especially at upper elevations where colder temperatures may have allowed for this weakness to persist. Further north in the region, the freezing level is reported to have hovered around 1300m during recent storms. In these areas, wind and storm slabs are a concern and deeper persistent weaknesses are more likely to exist.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">As the weather finally cools after ten days of very warm temperatures and bursts of rain, surface crusts are likely to form. Underneath newly formed crusts, you may find moist snow for a few days yet. At alpine elevations, new wind slabs or storm slabs may be found. Cornices may be large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer is 1-2 m deep in the west, and can be found within the upper metre of the snowpack further east. It is variably reactive and still the main concern in many areas. The mid-January surface hoar, deeper again, remains problematic in some areas. The mid-December weak layer may still be on the radar in isolated areas in the east. The mid-November weak layer of crusts and facets can still be found near the bottom of the snowpack. It seems to have been reawakened with warming and has been triggered by explosives over the last few days, taking the entire snowpack with it. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have softened the upper snowpack, reawakening deep persistent weaknesses in isolated areas. As temperatures continue to fluctuate and stress the snowpack, expect an increased likelihood of triggering large destructive avalanches in isolated areas (e.g. thin spots) with heavy triggers (e.g. cornice falls, stuck sleds spinning tracks, or groups of people). Recent snowpack tests gave hard and stubborn results on the late-January crust where it was found down 33 cm with broken and decomposing surface hoar on top; however, this bond is likely much weaker where surface hoar is better preserved. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness is also persisting in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Friday, rain continued to soak the upper snowpack. Depending on the air temperature, snow surfaces will now appear moist or refrozen. In higher snowfall areas in the south of the region, dense new wind slabs may exist in lee terrain at the highest elevations where snow fell instead of rain. Much of the terrain below treeline is below threshold for avalanche activity.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Continued warm temperatures are promoting settlement in the upper snowpack. The hard crust that form</span><span class="s_2488BF4F">ed</span><span class="s_3FE45715"> earlier in February </span><span class="s_2488BF4F">c</span><span class="s_3FE45715">an be found up to 100cm below the surface at alpine elevations. Although no recent avalanches have been observed at this interface, professionals are still keeping a close eye on it as long as warm temperatures persist. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In the Terrace area, warming and subsequent refreezing has created a hard melt-freeze crust which extends up to about 1800m. This melt-freeze crust is adding considerable strength to the snowpack, although warming throughout the day will weaken this crust allowing for surface avalanches to fail more easily. About 20 or 30cm below the surface you may find weak surface hoar which was buried on February 10th. It is unclear if recent warming has destroyed this potentially weak layer. I'd dig down and test for this layer, especially at upper elevations where colder temperatures may have allowed for this weakness to persist. In general, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Further north in the region, the freezing level is reported to have hovered around 1300m during recent storms. In these areas, wind and storm slabs are a concern and deeper persistent weaknesses are more likely to exist.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">More than a week of very warm temperatures has affected the snowpack by moistening upper snowpack layers to around 2300 m. Below treeline, the entire snowpack was moist and may form a hard icy crust by Sunday morning. In the alpine, wind affected surfaces can be found. Cornices may be large and weak. </span><span class="s_1681A555">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer, buried up to a metre deep, remains a key concern. Recent snowpack test results have been variable, but include some sudden-type failures. The mid-January surface hoar is typically down 80-120 cm and is most likely to be triggered from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down. The mid-December weak layer is down over 120cm, </span><span class="s_3D0464D1">but large avalanches remain possible, and sun may cause another spike in avalanche activity on steep solar aspects.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent rain has soaked the upper snowpack. Depending on the air temperature, snow surfaces will now appear moist or refrozen. On high north-facing slopes, light amounts of lower density snow overlie a hard crust. Much of the terrain below treeline is below threshold for avalanche activity.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The hard crust that form</span><span class="s_2488BF4F">ed</span><span class="s_3FE45715"> earlier in February </span><span class="s_2488BF4F">c</span><span class="s_3FE45715">an be found up to 100cm below the surface at alpine elevations. Although no recent avalanches have been observed at this interface, professionals are keeping a close eye on it as long as warm temperatures persist. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Now that the weather has finally cooled after ten days of very warm temperatures and bursts of rain, surface crusts have formed up to around 1800 m. Underneath newly formed crusts, you may find moist snow for a few days yet. At alpine elevations, recently formed wind slabs or storm slabs may be found. Cornices are large and weak.</span><span class="s_1681A555"> The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer, buried around a metre deep, remains a key concern, as it could still be human-triggered and could produce a destructive avalanche. The mid-January surface hoar is typically down 80-120cm and is unlikely to be triggered, apart from in a thin or rocky snowpack area. The mid-December weak layer is down over 120cm, but has been generally unreactive lately. Basal weaknesses remain in the back of operators' minds.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Now that the weather has finally cooled after ten days of very warm temperatures and bursts of rain, surface crusts have formed to at least 2000 m. Underneath newly formed crusts, you may find moist snow for a few days yet. At alpine elevations, new wind slabs or storm slabs may be found. Cornices are large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer, buried up to a metre deep, continues to give sudden results in snowpack tests in some locations. The mid-January surface hoar is typically down 80-120cm. Chances of triggering this have decreased, but it could possibly be triggered from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Alpine temperatures dropped down to about -7 overnight and the freezing level dropped down close to valley bottoms. This cooling down of the snowpack is expected to develop new melt-freeze crusts on the surface and reduce fracture propagations at buried weak layers. During the warm-up we found approximately 65-100 cm of recent storm snow that is bonding well to a crust buried at the beginning of February; however, this bond is much weaker where surface hoar overlies the crust. Below that, recent snowpack tests gave moderate to hard but sudden collapse results on the mid-January surface hoar where it was found down 70-80 cm on a northeast facing treeline slope. This persistent weakness has been found as deep as 110 cm, or deeper on wind-loaded slopes. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness may be persisting in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">I suspect that there was a good re-freeze down to valley bottoms that produced a new surface crust. In the Elk valley north there is 100-160 cm of snow at treeline. The late January crust and surface hoar is down about 30-50 cm and shows moderate results in snow profile tests; this layer was displaying very little propagation in tests. The mid-December buried crust layer is down about 50 cm at 2150 metres elevation and continues to react to hard forces in tests with stubborn results. The snowpack was moist down to the ground on Saturday, and is expected to re-freeze with forecast overnight temperatures. There is not much snow below 1600 metres, and a lot of bare areas below 1200 metres.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A temperature crust from the recent heat can be found on all aspects up to 2200m then only on solar aspects up to 2400m. Easy to moderate sheers persist within the upper snowpack down 30-40cm. Extended column tests also indicate that this layer is prone to wide propagations. The Jan 31st interface is down 70-80cm but the bond at this interface seems to be improving. The basal layers in the snowpack area still weak and any avalanche that is triggerred will likely step down to these basal layers. Temperatures are cooling and freezing the previous isothermal snowpack at lower elevations. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In the south of the region, generally light amounts of new snow overlie a hard crust which extends to about 1800m. This melt-freeze crust is adding considerable strength to the snowpack, although warming may weaken the crust allowing for surface avalanches to fail more easily. About 20 or 40cm below the surface you may find weak surface hoar which was buried on February 10th. It is unclear if recent warming has destroyed this potentially weak layer. I'd dig down and test for this layer, especially at upper elevations where colder temperatures may have allowed for this weakness to persist. In general, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Further north in the region, freezing levels have generally been lower during recent storms. In these areas, new wind slabs are also a concern and deeper persistent weaknesses are more likely to exist.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Now that the weather has finally cooled after ten days of very warm temperatures and bursts of rain, surface crusts have formed to at least 2000 m. Underneath newly formed crusts, you may find moist snow for a few days yet. At alpine elevations, new wind slabs or storm slabs may be found. Cornices are large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer is 1-2 m deep in the west, and can be found within the upper metre of the snowpack further east. It is variably reactive and still the main concern in many areas. The mid-January surface hoar, deeper again, remains problematic in some areas. The mid-December weak layer may still be on the radar in isolated areas in the east. The mid-November weak layer of crusts and facets can still be found near the bottom of the snowpack. It seems to have been reawakened with warming and has been triggered by explosives during the recent warm spell, taking the entire snowpack with it.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The re-freeze has begun. Below freezing temperatures down to valley bottoms have developed a new surface crust. Spring-like conditions have melted out the snowpack below about 1200 metres. Recent snowpack tests gave hard and stubborn results on the late-January crust where it was found down 33 cm with broken and decomposing surface hoar on top; however, this bond is likely much weaker where surface hoar is better preserved. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness is also persisting in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent rain has soaked the upper snowpack, and depending on the air temperature, snow surfaces will now appear moist or as a refrozen crust. Light amounts of cold, lower density snow may overlie this crust on high, north-facing terrain. Much of the terrain below treeline is below threshold for avalanche activity.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The hard crust that form</span><span class="s_2488BF4F">ed</span><span class="s_3FE45715"> earlier in February </span><span class="s_2488BF4F">c</span><span class="s_3FE45715">an be found up to 100cm below the surface at alpine elevations. Although no recent avalanches have been observed at this interface, professionals are keeping a close eye on it as long as warm temperatures persist. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In the Terrace area, generally light amounts of new snow overlie a hard crust which extends to about 1800m. This melt-freeze crust is adding considerable strength to the snowpack, although warming may weaken the crust allowing for surface avalanches to fail more easily. About 20 or 30cm below the surface you may find weak surface hoar which was buried on February 10th. It is unclear if recent warming has destroyed this potentially weak layer. I'd dig down and test for this layer, especially at upper elevations where colder temperatures may have allowed for this weakness to persist. In general, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Further north in the region, the freezing level is reported to have hovered around 1300m during recent storms. In these areas, new wind slabs are a concern and deeper persistent weaknesses are more likely to exist.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Now that the weather has finally cooled after ten days of very warm temperatures and bursts of rain, surface crusts have formed up to around 2000 m. Underneath newly formed crusts, you may find moist snow for a few days yet. At alpine elevations, recently formed wind slabs or storm slabs may be found. Cornices are large and weak.</span><span class="s_1681A555"> The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer, buried up to a metre deep, remains a key concern. Recent snowpack test results have been variable, but include some sudden-type failures. The mid-January surface hoar is typically down 80-120 cm and is becoming unlikely to be triggered, but could still fail in thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light amounts of cold, lower density snow overlie a thick hard crust on high, north-facing terrain. Below about 2000m there is no snow on the crust and surface runnels show the effect of recent rain showers. Sun-exposed slopes have become moist, or wet with recent daytime warming and solar radiation, while cornices are reported to be large and potentially fragile. Below the surface crust, the snow is still moist; however, the mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-consolidated. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most of the terrain below treeline is below threshold for avalanche activity. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The snow surface is a mix of crusts, 5-10 cm of low density snow, or wind affected snow. Below the recent crust you may find moist snow for a few days yet. At alpine elevations, new wind slabs or storm slabs may be found and cornices are large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer, buried up to a metre deep, gives variable results in snowpack tests with some continuing to report sudden &quot;pops&quot; results. The mid-January surface hoar is typically down 80-120cm. Chances of triggering this have decreased, but it could possibly be triggered from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down. Deeper persistent weaknesses are dormant at this time but should remain in the back of your mind, especially during periods of intense solar radiation and warming. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The snow surface is a mix of crusts, 5-10 cm of low density snow, or wind affected snow. Below the recent crust you may find moist snow for a few days yet. At alpine elevations, new wind slabs or storm slabs may be found and cornices are large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer, buried up to a metre deep, gives variable results in snowpack tests with some continuing to report sudden &quot;pops&quot; results. The mid-January surface hoar is typically down 80-120cm. Chances of triggering this have decreased, but it could possibly be triggered from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The surface snow is undergoing a melt-freeze cycle with a strong frozen state in the morning followed by a weak melted state in the afternoon, especially on sun-exposed slopes. Not only does surface snow become weak with daytime warming, but slabs lose stiffness making deeper weaknesses more susceptible to triggering. The crust buried at the beginning of February is down around 40-60 cm and generally well-bonded; however, this bond is much weaker where surface hoar overlies the crust. Below that, recent snowpack tests gave moderate to hard but sudden collapse results on the mid-January surface hoar where it was found down 70-80 cm on a northeast facing treeline slope. This persistent weakness is generally down a metre or more. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness may be persisting in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A thick supportive crust has frozen on the surface at lower elevations, with a trace amount of fresh snow on top in some places. The late January crust and surface hoar is down about 30-50 cm and recently failed with moderate effort in snowpack tests, but the failure displayed very little propensity for propagation. The mid-December buried crust layer is down about 50 cm at 2150 metres elevation and continues to react to hard forces in tests with stubborn results. The snowpack was moist down to the ground on Saturday, and is expected to re-freeze with forecast overnight temperatures. There is not much snow below 1600 metres, and a lot of bare areas below 1200 metres.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Valley bottom saw a dusting overnight, nothing significant enough to change the conditions. There is a 2cm thick breakable, temperature crust that extends up to the 2100m mark. This is likely higher on south &amp; south-west aspects. The snowpack doesn't gain any significant structure until 2000-2100 meter mark. At that point the midpack gains strength, but the weak bottom layers are present. Treeline has a variety of buried windslabs that are sitting on the Jan 31st layer. The depth of this layer varies greatly. In windloaded terrain it is down as much as 120cm's, and in more windward areas it is down 40-60cm's. Any recent activity has initiated on this layer and quickly stepped to the deeper, basal layers. The alpine has more widespread windloading with the typical crossloading pattern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Generally light amounts of recent snowfall overlie a hard crust which extends to about 1800m. The recent accumulations may exist as a wind slab in high elevation lee terrain. The melt-freeze crust is adding considerable strength to the snowpack, although warming may weaken the crust allowing for surface avalanches to fail more easily. About 15 to 30cm below the surface you may find weak surface hoar which was buried on February 10th. Although recent warming may have destroyed this potentially weak layer in some areas, I'd dig down and test for this layer, especially at upper elevations where colder temperatures may have allowed for this weakness to persist. In general, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Further north in the region, freezing levels are reported to have been lower during recent storms. In these areas deeper persistent weaknesses are more likely to exist.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Expect to find surface crusts on solar aspects and all aspects to at least 2000 m. At alpine elevations, thin new wind slabs or storm slabs may be found and cornices are large and weak. Underneath newly formed near-surface crusts, you may find moist snow. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer is 1-2 m deep in the west, and can be found within the upper metre of the snowpack further east. It is variably reactive and still the main concern in many areas. The mid-January surface hoar, deeper again, remains problematic in some areas. The mid-December weak layer may still be on the radar in isolated areas in the east. The mid-November weak layer of crusts and facets can still be found near the bottom of the snowpack. It seems to have been reawakened with warming and has been triggered by explosives during the recent warm spell, taking the entire snowpack with it.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The surface snow is undergoing a melt-freeze cycle with a strong frozen state in the morning followed by a weak melted state in the afternoon, especially on sun-exposed slopes. Not only does surface snow become weak with daytime warming, but slabs lose stiffness making deeper weaknesses more susceptible to triggering. Recent snowpack tests gave hard and stubborn results on the late-January crust where it was found down 33 cm with broken and decomposing surface hoar on top; however, this bond is likely much weaker where surface hoar is better preserved. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness is also persisting in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light amounts of cold, lower density snow overlie a thick hard crust on high, north-facing terrain. Below about 2000m there is no snow on the crust and surface runnels show the effect of recent rain showers. Sun-exposed slopes have become moist, or wet with recent daytime warming and solar radiation, while cornices are reported to be large and potentially fragile. Below the surface crust, the snow is still moist; however, the mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-consolidated. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most of the terrain below treeline is below threshold for avalanche activity. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Generally light amounts of recent snowfall overlie a hard crust which extends to about 1800m. The recent accumulations may exist as a wind slab in high elevation lee terrain. The melt-freeze crust is adding considerable strength to the snowpack, although warming may weaken the crust allowing for surface avalanches to fail more easily. About 15 to 30cm below the surface you may find weak surface hoar which was buried on February 10th. Although recent warming may have destroyed this potentially weak layer in some areas, I'd dig down and test for this layer, especially at upper elevations where colder temperatures may have allowed for this weakness to persist. In general, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Further north in the region, freezing levels are reported to have been lower during recent storms. In these areas deeper persistent weaknesses are more likely to exist.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The snow surface is a mix of crusts, 5-10 cm of low density snow, or wind affected snow. Below the recent crust you may find moist snow for a few days yet. At alpine elevations, new wind slabs or storm slabs may be found and cornices are large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer, buried up to a metre deep, gives variable results in snowpack tests with some continuing to report sudden &quot;pops&quot; results. The mid-January surface hoar is typically down 80-120cm. Chances of triggering this have decreased, but it could possibly be triggered from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On high north-facing terrain. light amounts of cold, lower density snow overlie a widespread thick hard crust . Below about 2000m there is no snow on the crust and surface runnels show the effect of last week's rain showers. Sun-exposed slopes have become moist, or wet with recent daytime warming and solar radiation. Below the surface crust, the snow is still moist; however, the mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-consolidated. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most of the terrain below treeline is below threshold for avalanche activity. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is a mix of surface hoar, crusts, 10-25 cm of low density snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. At alpine elevations, new wind slabs may have formed from NW winds, and cornices are large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) continue to give variable results in snowpack tests. Chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased, but triggering may be possible from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The snow surface is a mix of surface hoar, crusts, low density snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. At alpine elevations, new wind slabs may have formed from NW winds, and cornices are large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) continue to give variable results in snowpack tests. Chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased, but triggering may be possible from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The surface snow is undergoing a melt-freeze cycle with a strong frozen state in the morning followed by a weak melted state in the afternoon, especially on sun-exposed slopes. Not only does surface snow become weak with daytime warming, but slabs lose stiffness making deeper weaknesses more susceptible to triggering. The crust buried at the beginning of February is down around 40-60 cm and generally well-bonded; however, this bond is much weaker where surface hoar overlies the crust. Below that, recent snowpack tests gave moderate to hard but sudden collapse results on the mid-January surface hoar where it was found down 113 cm on a northwest facing alpine slope, as well as moderate sudden planar results where it was found down 55-85 cm at treeline. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness may be persisting in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A thick supportive crust has frozen on the surface at lower elevations, with a trace amount of fresh snow on top in some places. Two weak crusts in the snowpack remain a concern for persistent slabs and step-down avalanches. One buried mid-January was recently found down 70 cm and and the other buried mid-December was found down 135 cm at treeline where the total depth was 200 cm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In the past 48hrs we've had spotty convective flurries that have left 3-12cm's of new snow. This new snow is very low density and easily blown around by the wind. We have yet to see any significant storm slab development. Below the new snow we have a rare February crust that formed during the last warm spell. This thin breakable crust is widespread up to 2050m, and on solar aspects it stretches up to the 2200m mark. So far it is insignificant as its only down 10cm's on average. Profiles today at treeline showed a much more settled and stronger snowpack that what we've seen lately. It seems the northern region of the forecast area has a stronger snowpack in general. The snow depth at the profile was 153cm, elevation was 2100m, and on a north aspect. Tests gave inconclusive results. One test had a moderate result and another 50m away had a hard result. In both cases the failure type was not very concerning. Of note was the moist layer on the ground. The depth hoar layer was 10cm thick and fairly well bonded for depth hoar. In the alpine, the winds were gusting to about 30km/hr. Expect the alpine snowpack to consist of laminated windslabs and a weak depth hoar bottom.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">At alpine elevations, generally light amounts of dry snow overlie a hard crust which extends to about 1800m. The recent accumulations may exist as a wind slab in high elevation lee terrain. The melt-freeze crust is adding considerable strength to the snowpack, although warming may weaken the crust allowing for surface avalanches to fail more easily. About 15 to 30cm below the surface you may find weak surface hoar which was buried on February 10th. Although recent warming may have destroyed this potentially weak layer in some areas, I'd dig down and test for this layer at upper elevations where colder temperatures may have allowed for this weakness to persist. In general, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Further north in the region, freezing levels are reported to have been lower during recent storms. In these areas deeper persistent weaknesses are more likely to exist.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Expect to find surface crusts on solar aspects and all aspects to at least 2000 m. At alpine elevations, thin new wind slabs or storm slabs may be found and cornices are large and weak. Underneath newly formed near-surface crusts, you may find moist snow. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer is 1-2 m deep in the west, and can be found within the upper metre of the snowpack further east. It is variably reactive and still the main concern in many areas. The mid-January surface hoar, deeper again, remains problematic in some areas. The mid-December and mid-November weak layers of crusts and facets can still be found near the bottom of the snowpack, particularly in shallower eastern parts of the Purcells. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Good overnight freezes have resulted in a thick solid crust at the snow surface that is only softening slightly with daytime warming and sun-exposure. This has effectively reduced the sensitivity of deeper persistent weaknesses on all but high alpine slopes. Even there it would likely take a heavy trigger such as a cornice fall or cliff-drop, in the right spot such as a thin rocky area.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On high north-facing terrain. light amounts of cold, lower density snow overlie a widespread thick hard crust . Below about 2000m there is no snow on the crust and surface runnels show the effect of recent rain showers. Sun-exposed slopes have become moist, or wet with recent daytime warming and solar radiation, while cornices are reported to be large and potentially fragile. Below the surface crust, the snow is still moist; however, the mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-consolidated. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most of the terrain below treeline is below threshold for avalanche activity. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Generally light amounts of recent snowfall overlie a hard crust which extends to about 1800m. The recent accumulations may exist as a wind slab in high elevation lee terrain. The melt-freeze crust is adding considerable strength to the snowpack, although warming may weaken the crust allowing for surface avalanches to fail more easily. About 15 to 30cm below the surface you may find weak surface hoar which was buried on February 10th. Although recent warming may have destroyed this potentially weak layer in some areas, I'd dig down and test for this layer at upper elevations where colder temperatures may have allowed for this weakness to persist. In general, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Further north in the region, freezing levels are reported to have been lower during recent storms. In these areas deeper persistent weaknesses are more likely to exist.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The snow surface is a mix of surface hoar, crusts, low density snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. At alpine elevations, new wind slabs may have formed from NW winds, and cornices are large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) continue to give variable results in snowpack tests. Chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased, but triggering may be possible from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On high north-facing terrain. light amounts of cold, lower density snow overlie a widespread thick hard crust. Below about 2000m there is no snow on the crust and surface runnels show the effect of last week's rain showers. Sun-exposed slopes became moist, or wet with recent daytime warming and solar radiation and are also likely refrozen. Below the surface crust, the snow may still be moist; however, the mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-consolidated. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most of the terrain below treeline is below threshold for avalanche activity. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is a mix of surface hoar, crusts, 10-25 cm of low density snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. At alpine elevations, new wind slabs may have formed from NW winds, and cornices are large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) continue to give variable results in snowpack tests. Chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased, but triggering may be possible from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The snow surface is a mix of surface hoar, crusts, low density snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. At alpine elevations, new wind slabs may have formed from NW winds, and cornices are large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) continue to give variable results in snowpack tests. Chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased, but triggering may be possible from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The upper snowpack has been undergoing a daily melt-freeze cycle for the last couple of days especially on sun-exposed slopes. Surface hoar has been reported to be growing around Nelson. While the overnight freeze can cap the snowpack protecting buried instabilities, daytime warming can make upper slabs less stiff meaning that deeper weaknesses may be more susceptible to triggering. The crust buried at the beginning of February is down around 40-60 cm and is generally well-bonded to the overlying slab; however this bond is much weaker where surface hoar overlies the crust. Below that, recent snowpack tests suggest that the mid-January surface hoar layer could still produce an avalanche given a large enough trigger. It can be found about a meter down in the alpine and 50-60cm down at treeline. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness may persist in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">A thick, solid crust can be found on the surface on all but highest alpine slopes. The best riding can be found in the North of the region right now where a thin dusting covers old wind pressed snow in the alpine.&nbsp; This snow may have been moved around by the winds forming isolated thin wind slabs in lee features. Below 2200 to 2400m the crust is effectively capping the snowpack and protecting the buried persistent week layers we've been worried about for the last couple of weeks. The mid-January surface hoar is around 60 to 80cm down. The mid-December crust is becoming harder to find but where it does exist (mainly at treeline elevations) it is over a meter down. Although these layers are protected I think that a large trigger (like a cornice collapse) in the right place could still trigger a very large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">No significant change in the last day. The overnight lows have been quite cold. Burstall Pass parking hit -19.7 as the low last night. This has tightened the snowpack considerably at all elevations. The surface crust is thick below treeline, solar aspects. In places today it was 10cm thick and supportive enough to walk on! There was little evidence of wind transport at treeline elevations today. Alpine windslabs are focused on the Eastern (lee) aspects for the most part. Valley bottom depths are about 90cm's and treeline averages 154 cm's.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In general, snow surfaces are highly variable. In the south of the region, melt freeze conditions exist below about 1800m. Above this you'll likely find settled wind slabs on north facing terrain, and a melt freeze crust on solar aspects. Between 15 and 40cm below the surface you may find weak surface hoar which was buried on February 10th. Although recent warming may have destroyed this potentially weak layer in some areas, I'd dig down and test for this layer at upper elevations where colder temperatures may have allowed for this weakness to persist. In general, the mid snowpack is strong and well-settled, and at the base of the snowpack, facets which formed earlier in the season have gone dormant for the time being. Cornices are reported to be large and unsupported.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Further north in the region, slightly cooler temperatures have persisted and melt freeze conditions are not as widespread. In these areas deeper persistent weaknesses are more likely to exist.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Expect to find surface crusts on solar aspects and all aspects to at least 2000 m. At alpine elevations, thin new wind slabs or storm slabs may be found and cornices are large and weak. Underneath newly formed near-surface crusts, you may find moist snow. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer is 1-2 m deep in the west, and can be found within the upper metre of the snowpack further east. It is variably reactive and still the main concern in many areas. The mid-January surface hoar, deeper again, remains problematic in some areas. The mid-December and mid-November weak layers of crusts and facets can still be found near the bottom of the snowpack, particularly in shallower eastern parts of the Purcells. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">A thick, solid crust can be found on the surface on all but highest north facing alpine slopes.  This has effectively capped the snowpack, protecting deeper weak layers.   Snowpack tests indicate that is becoming less and less likely to trigger an avalanche on the layer of decomposing surface hoar that can be found around 40 to 60cm down.   At upper elevations were the crust may not be as strong I suspect it would take a heavy trigger (like a cornice fall), in a thin rocky area to produce an avalanche on this layer.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On high north-facing terrain light amounts of cold, lower density snow overlie a widespread thick hard crust . Below about 2000m there is no snow on the crust and surface runnels show the effect of recent rain showers. Sun-exposed slopes became moist, or wet with recent daytime warming and solar radiation and are also likely now refrozen. Cornices are reported to be large and potentially fragile. Below the surface crust, the snow may still be moist; however, the mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-consolidated. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most of the terrain below treeline is below threshold for avalanche activity. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In the south of the region, melt freeze conditions exist below about 1800m. Above this you'll likely find settled wind slabs on north facing terrain, and a melt freeze crust on solar aspects. Between 15 and 40cm below the surface you may find weak surface hoar which was buried on February 10th. Although recent warming may have destroyed this potentially weak layer in some areas, I'd dig down and test for this layer at upper elevations where colder temperatures may have allowed for this weakness to persist. In general, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Further north in the region, slightly cooler temperatures have persisted and melt freeze conditions are not as widespread. In these areas deeper persistent weaknesses are more likely to exist.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The snow surface is a mix of surface hoar, crusts, low density snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. At alpine elevations, new wind slabs may have formed from NW winds, and cornices are large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) continue to give variable results in snowpack tests. Chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased, but triggering may be possible from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Test: Upper snowpack (top 40 cm) is blower powder. Mid-pack is mixed forms one finger hard. Basal is DH size 4, 4 finger hard</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Cornices may be large and potentially fragile. On high north-facing terrain light amounts of cold, low density snow overlie a widespread thick hard crust. Below about 2000 m, there is no snow on the crust and surface runnels show the effect of last week's rain showers. Sun-exposed slopes became moist, or wet with recent daytime warming and solar radiation and are also likely refrozen. Below the surface crust, the snow may still be moist; however, the mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-consolidated. Most of the terrain below treeline is below threshold for avalanche activity.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is a mix of surface hoar, crusts, 10-25 cm of low density snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. At alpine elevations, new wind slabs may have formed from NW winds, and cornices are large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) continue to give variable results in snowpack tests. Chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased, but triggering may be possible from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The snow surface is a mix of surface hoar, crusts, low density snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. At alpine elevations, new wind slabs may have formed from NW winds, and cornices are large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) continue to give variable results in snowpack tests. Chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased, but triggering may be possible from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_DDF6C5E8">A wide spread crust can now be found all the way to ridge crest. Surface hoar has been reported to be growing above this crust in the areas around Nelson - keep an eye on this layer it will become our next problem interface. While the crust might make for less than awesome riding conditions it is effectively &quot;caping the snowpack and is doing a good job of protecting the buried weak layers bellow. That said, recent snowpack tests suggest that the mid-January surface hoar layer could still produce an avalanche if a large enough trigger was applied in a thin rocky spot. It can be found down about 1m in the alpine and 50-60cm at treeline. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness may persist in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">A thick, solid crust can be found at the surface on all but highest alpine slopes . It sounds like the best riding is in the North of the region where a thin dusting covers old wind pressed snow in alpine. The recent winds have been light to moderate from the southwest and I suspect that you can find isolated thin windslabs in lee features. Below 2200 to 2400m the crust is effectively capping the snowpack and protecting a couple of buried persistent week layers. The mid-January surface hoar is around 60 to 80cm down. The mid-December crust is becoming harder to find but where it does exist (mainly at treeline elevations) it is over a meter down. At upper elevations where these layers are note protected by the crust it could still be possible to trigger an avalanche form a thin or rocky spot.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Yesterday's afternoon high reached +5 at valley bottom. This made the crust even thicker, and slightly more supportive. It is still breakable in most areas. We have also seen a spike in the winds recently. Snow transport was visible at treeline and alpine, however slab development is only isolated and at the moment not very touchy. Very few changes otherwise. The Jan31 is down up to a meter at treeline and the deep layers are lingering st the very bottom. In general travel is not the greatest. There are a few sheltered areas at treeline that can offer good snow still, but for the most part the skiing is challenging.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_69982360">Cornices are weak and may fail with warm temperatures. In general, snow surfaces are highly variable. In the south of the region, melt freeze conditions exist below about 1800 m. Above this you'll likely find settled wind slabs on north facing terrain, and a melt freeze crust on solar aspects. Between 15 and 40 cm below the surface you may find weak surface hoar which was buried on February 10th. Although recent warming may have destroyed this potentially weak layer in some areas, I'd dig down and test for this layer at upper elevations where colder temperatures may have allowed for this weakness to persist. In general, the mid snowpack is strong and well-settled, and at the base of the snowpack, facets which formed earlier in the season have gone dormant for the time being. Further north in the region, slightly cooler temperatures have persisted and melt freeze conditions are not as widespread. In these areas deeper persistent weaknesses are more likely to exist.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Expect to find surface crusts on solar aspects and all aspects to at least 2000 m. At alpine elevations, thin new wind slabs or storm slabs may be found and cornices are large and weak. Underneath newly formed near-surface crusts, you may find moist snow. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer is 1-2 m deep in the west, and can be found within the upper metre of the snowpack further east. It is variably reactive and still the main concern in many areas. The mid-January surface hoar, deeper again, remains problematic in some areas. The mid-December and mid-November weak layers of crusts and facets can still be found near the bottom of the snowpack, particularly in shallower eastern parts of the Purcells. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">A thick, solid crust can be found on the surface on all but highest north-facing alpine slopes.  This has effectively capped the snowpack, protecting deeper weak layers.   Snowpack tests indicate that the layer of decomposing surface hoar found around 40 to 60cm down is gaining strength.   However, at upper elevations were the crust may be absent or not be as strong I suspect that a heavy trigger (like a cornice fall) applied to a thin rocky area could still produce a large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Cornices are reported to be large and potentially fragile. On high north-facing terrain light amounts of cold, lower density snow overlie a widespread thick hard crust. Below about 2000 m, there is no snow on the crust and surface runnels show the effect of recent rain. Sun-exposed slopes recently became moist, or wet with daytime warming and solar radiation and are also likely now refrozen. Below the surface crust, the snow may still be moist; however, the mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-consolidated. Most of the terrain below treeline is below threshold for avalanche activity.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_69982360">Cornices are weak and have begun to fail with warm temperatures. In the south of the region, melt freeze conditions exist below about 1800m. At higher elevations, wind slabs may be found on north facing terrain, and a melt freeze crust on solar aspects. Between 15 and 40 cm below the surface you may find weak surface hoar which was buried on February 10th. Although recent warming may have destroyed this potentially weak layer in some areas, I'd dig down and test for this layer at upper elevations where colder temperatures may have allowed for this weakness to persist. In general, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled. Further north in the region, slightly cooler temperatures have persisted and melt freeze conditions are not as widespread. In these areas deeper persistent weaknesses are more likely to exist.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The snow surface is a mix of surface hoar, crusts, low density snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. At alpine elevations, new wind slabs may have formed from NW winds, and cornices are large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) continue to give variable results in snowpack tests. Chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased, but triggering may be possible from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Cornices may be large and fragile. In some locations, wind slabs may be found in alpine terrain. On high, shady slopes, low density dry snow overlies a crust. Sunny slopes are likely to follow a melt-freeze cycle over the next few days (soft and weak surface by day; with limited refreezing by night). Recently formed crusts at or near the snowpack surface are strong and supportive below about 2200 m. At higher elevations and on shady aspects, crusts have less strength. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-consolidated. Below treeline, there is limited snow cover.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">A dusting of new snow (~10 cm) covers the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. New wind slabs may have formed in lee terrain from recent W-NW winds, and cornices remain large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) continue to give variable results in snowpack tests. Chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased, but triggering may be possible from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">A dusting of new snow (around 10 cm) covers the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. New wind slabs may have formed in lee terrain from recent W-NW winds, and cornices remain large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) continue to give variable results in snowpack tests. Chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased, but triggering may be possible from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">A wide spread crust can now be found all the way to ridge crest.  Surface hoar has been reported above this crust in the areas around Nelson.  The curst is effectively “caping” the snowpack and doing a good job of protecting the buried weak layers bellow.  However, recent snowpack tests suggest that the mid-January surface hoar layer could still produce an avalanche if given a large enough trigger.  It can be found down about 1m in the alpine and 50-60cm at treeline. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness may persist in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span><span class="s_DDF6C5E8" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">A thick, solid crust can be found at the surface on all but highest alpine slopes. It sounds like the best riding is in the North of the region where the curst does not extend as high and a thin dusting covers old wind pressed snow in alpine. The recent winds have been light to moderate from the southwest and I suspect that you can find isolated thin windslabs in lee features. Below 2100 to 2400m the crust is effectively capping the snowpack and protecting a couple of buried persistent week layers. The mid-January surface hoar is around 60 to 80cm down. The mid-December crust is becoming harder to find but where it does exist (mainly at treeline elevations) it is over a meter down. At upper elevations where these layers are note protected by the crust it could still be possible to trigger an avalanche form a thin or rocky spot.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">We had a dusting of new snow today to freshen up the skiing. Near the divide there was 8cm's and on the road there was 2cm. Not much, but enough to smooth out the icy uptracks. Below treeline there is 80-100cm's of well settled snow with no avalanche concerns. At treeline the snowpack continues to be supportive and very well settled. A profile at Burtstall Pass today had 176 cm's of snow with no shears noted. Overall the treeline snowpack there is very solid with a foot penetration of only 19cm's. Stability tests showed no failures within the top 110cm's. A rare situation for us! There are some isolated windslabs lingering, but none are a huge concern. Just something to watch for and monitor as the day unfolds. In the alpine the windy appearance has returned. Most gullies are crossloaded with various windslabs. Skiing was reported to be challenging in the alpine right now.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Cornices are weak and may fail with warm temperatures. Wind slabs may be found in the alpine. On steep, sunny slopes, it is likely that soft, moist snow will develop by day, and crusts may form at night. Below treeline, the snowpack is becoming more uniform as warmth penetrates through. A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack has been reported in some areas, and is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. In general, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Smooth rock slabs may act as a sliding surface for the entire snowpack to glide on in specific locations as temperatures rise.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">A light dusting of new snow covers the previous variable snow surface of crusts, surface hoar, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. Thin new wind slabs are likely in exposed lee terrain, and cornices remain large and weak. The 'Valentine's Day' crust is thick and supportive below 2100 m. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer is 1-2 m deep in the west, and can be found within the upper metre of the snowpack further east. It is variably reactive in snowpack tests and still the main concern in many areas. The mid-January surface hoar, deeper again, remains problematic in some areas. The mid-December and mid-November weak layers of crusts and facets can still be found near the bottom of the snowpack, particularly in shallower eastern parts of the Purcells. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">A thick, solid crust can be found on the surface on all but highest north-facing alpine slopes. This has effectively capped the snowpack, protecting deeper weak layers. Snowpack tests indicate that the layer of decomposing surface hoar found around 40 to 60cm down is gaining strength. However, at upper elevations were the crust may be absent or not be as strong I suspect that a heavy trigger (like a cornice fall) applied to a thin rocky area could still produce a large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Cornices may be large and fragile. In some locations, wind slabs may be found in alpine terrain. On high, shady slopes, low density dry snow overlies a crust. Sunny slopes are likely to follow a melt-freeze cycle over the next few days (soft and weak surface by day; with limited refreezing by night). Recently formed crusts at or near the snowpack surface are strong and supportive below about 2200 m. At higher elevations and on shady aspects, these crusts have less strength. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-consolidated. Below treeline, there is limited snow cover.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Cornices are weak and may fail with warm temperatures. Wind slabs may be found in the alpine. On steep, sunny slopes, it is likely that soft, moist snow will develop by day, and crusts may form at night. Below treeline, the snowpack is becoming more uniform as warmth penetrates through. A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack has been reported in some areas, and is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. In general, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Smooth rock slabs may act as a sliding surface for the entire snowpack to glide on in specific locations as temperatures rise.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">A dusting of new snow (up to ~10 cm) covers the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. New wind slabs may have formed in lee terrain from recent W-NW winds, and cornices remain large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) continue to give variable results in snowpack tests. Chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased, but triggering may be possible from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The field team has only been working for only about a week and so there's quite a bit of uncertainty in my picture of the snowpack across the region. This forecast focuses on the White Pass where a 2 cm thick breakable crust can be found up to about 1300 meters. Higher than this the surface is firm and heavily wind affected with very little snow left available for transport. A crust that was buried in late January can be found around 40 cm down. We don't have a lot of information about the bond of the overlying snow to this layer and snow profile tests have produced variable results. My main concern is for where thin windslabs exist above this crust.  These old slabs may wake up given the warm forecast especially if the above freezing layer means they don't cool off overnight.  The mid-pack is relatively strong and supportive although this is probably not the case for Powder valley where the snowpack is thinner. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Cornices may be large and fragile. In some locations, wind slabs may be found in alpine terrain. On high, shady slopes, low density dry snow overlies a crust. Sunny slopes are likely to follow a melt-freeze cycle over the next few days (soft and weak surface by day; with limited refreezing by night). Recently formed crusts at or near the snowpack surface are strong and supportive below about 2200 m. At higher elevations and on shady aspects, crusts have less strength. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-consolidated. Below treeline, there is limited snow cover.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Light amounts of recent snowfall (5-15 cm) covers the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. New wind slabs may have formed in lee terrain from recent W-NW winds, and cornices remain large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) continue to give variable results in snowpack tests. Chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased, but triggering may be possible from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Up to 10 cm of recent snow covers the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. New wind slabs may have formed in lee terrain from recent W-NW winds, and cornices remain large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) continue to give variable results in snowpack tests. Chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased, but triggering may be possible from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Up to 5cm of snow covers a widespread layer of surface hoar above a crust that extends all the way to ridge crest. The curst is effectively &quot;capping&quot; the snowpack and doing a good job of protecting the buried weak layers bellow. However, I suspect that the  mid-January surface hoar layer could still produce an avalanche if given a large enough trigger in the right spot. It can be found down about 1m in the alpine and 50-60cm at treeline. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness may persist in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Up to 10 cm of new snow may now cover a thick, solid crust that extents up to 2100m and firm wind pressed surface higher than that. The recent winds have been light to moderate from the northeast and I suspect that you may find isolated fresh windslabs forming in reverse loaded lee features on southern aspects. Below 2100m the crust is effectively capping the snowpack and protecting a couple of buried persistent week layers. Two layers of surface hoar can be found between around 50 and 80cm down. Recent snow pack test indicate that these layers are unlikely to fail but could propagate widely if they do. I suspect that at upper elevations where these layers are not protected by the surface crust it could still be possible to trigger an avalanche from a thin or rocky spot. The mid-December crust is becoming harder to find but where it does exist (mainly at treeline elevations) it is over a meter down. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 15cm of new snow overnight, with less at valley bottom. This snow has formed into soft storm slabs in exposed Alpine terrain and open areas at treeline. Much of these new storm slabs are found in &quot;traditional&quot; lee and cross-loaded features, but recent moderate NE winds have also put these slabs on S and SW aspects. Otherwise the snowpack remains much the same, dominated by numerous crust layers and very weak basal layers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Cornices are weak and may fail with warm temperatures. Wind slabs may be found in the alpine. On steep, sunny slopes, it is likely that soft, moist snow will develop by day, and crusts may form at night. Below treeline, the snowpack is becoming more uniform as warmth penetrates through. A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack has been reported in some areas, and is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. In general, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Smooth rock slabs may act as a sliding surface for the entire snowpack to glide on in specific locations as temperatures rise.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Generally light amounts of new snow cover the previous variable snow surface of crusts, surface hoar, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. Thin new wind slabs are likely in exposed lee terrain, and cornices remain large and weak. The 'Valentine's Day' crust is thick and supportive below 2100 m. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer is 1-2 m deep in the west, and can be found within the upper metre of the snowpack further east. It is variably reactive in snowpack tests and still the main concern in many areas. The mid-January surface hoar, deeper again, remains problematic in some areas. The mid-December and mid-November weak layers of crusts and facets can still be found near the bottom of the snowpack, particularly in shallower eastern parts of the Purcells. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Up to 10cm of new snow now covers a thick, solid crust can be found on all but highest north-facing alpine slopes. This has effectively capped the snowpack, protecting deeper weak layers. Recent snowpack tests indicate that a layer of decomposing surface hoar found around 40 to 60cm down is gaining strength. However, at upper elevations were the crust may be absent or not be as strong I suspect that a heavy trigger (like a cornice fall) applied to a thin rocky area could still produce a large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Cornices may be large and fragile. In some locations, wind slabs may be found in alpine terrain. On high, shady slopes, low density dry snow overlies a crust. Sunny slopes are likely to follow a melt-freeze cycle over the next few days (soft and weak surface by day; with limited refreezing by night). Recently formed crusts at or near the snowpack surface are strong and supportive below about 2200 m. At higher elevations and on shady aspects, these crusts have less strength. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-consolidated. Below treeline, there is limited snow cover.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Cornices are weak and may fail with warm temperatures. Wind slabs may be found in the alpine. On steep, sunny slopes, it is likely that soft, moist snow will develop by day, and crusts may form at night. Below treeline, the snowpack is becoming more uniform as warmth penetrates through. A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack has been reported in some areas, and is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. In general, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Smooth rock slabs may act as a sliding surface for the entire snowpack to glide on in specific locations as temperatures rise.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable amounts of recent snowfall (generally around 10 cm-but up to 20cm in some parts of the Northern Selkirks) covers the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. New wind slabs may have formed in lee terrain from recent W-NW winds, and cornices remain large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) continue to give variable results in snowpack tests. Chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased, but triggering may be possible from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cornices may be large and fragile. In some locations, wind slabs may be found in alpine terrain. On high, shady slopes, low density dry snow overlies a crust. Sunny slopes are likely to follow a melt-freeze cycle over the next few days (soft and weak surface by day; with limited refreezing by night). Recently formed crusts at or near the snowpack surface are strong and supportive below about 2200 m. At higher elevations and on shady aspects, crusts have less strength. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-consolidated. Below treeline, there is limited snow cover.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Light amounts of recent snowfall (5-20 cm) covers the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. New wind slabs may have formed in lee terrain from recent W-NW winds, and cornices remain large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Up to 10 cm of recent snow covers the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. New wind slabs may have formed in lee terrain from recent W-NW winds, and cornices remain large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 5cm of snow covers a widespread layer of surface hoar above a crust that extends all the way to ridge crest. The curst is effectively &quot;capping&quot; the snowpack and doing a good job of protecting the buried weak layers bellow. However, I suspect that the mid-January surface hoar layer could still produce an avalanche if given a large enough trigger in the right spot. It can be found down about 1m in the alpine and 50-60cm at treeline. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness may persist in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 10 cm of new snow may now cover a thick, solid crust that extents up to 2100m and firm wind pressed surface higher than that. The recent winds have been light to moderate from the northeast and I suspect that you may find isolated fresh wind slabs forming in reverse loaded lee features on southern aspects. Below 2100m the crust is effectively capping the snowpack and protecting a couple of buried persistent week layers. Two layers of surface hoar can be found down between 50 and 80cm. Recent snow pack test indicate that these layers are unlikely to fail but could propagate widely if they do. I suspect that at upper elevations where these layers are not protected by the surface crust it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche from a thin or rocky spot. The mid-December crust is becoming harder to find but where it does exist (mainly at treeline elevations) it is over a meter down. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> The storm snow has settled dramatically on southern aspects due to solar effect, but up to 12cm of low density snow remains on the surface on polar aspects.  There has been evidence of reverse loading wind effect at upper exposed treeline and alpine elevations and soft slabs have formed in the immediate lees of features at these elevations.  A test pit today at treeline elevations showed the upper snowpack to be healing and gaining strength.  The pit was in a sheltered area, but exposed areas at this elevation have seen some wind.  The mid-pack is gaining strength but weak facetted grains still dominate the base of the snowpack.  At 2400m there is a discernable crust on solar aspects and 2100m and below there is a crust on all aspects under the most recent snow.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In general, the snowpack is strong, but may weaken during peak warming periods. Cornices may fail with warm temperatures. Wind slabs may be found in the alpine. On steep, sunny slopes, it is likely that soft, moist snow will develop by day, and crusts may form at night. Below treeline, the snowpack is generally strong and uniform. A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack has been reported in some areas, and is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. In general, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Smooth rock slabs may act as a sliding surface for the entire snowpack to glide on in specific locations as temperatures rise.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Generally light amounts of new snow cover the previous variable snow surface of crusts, surface hoar, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. Thin new wind slabs are likely in exposed lee terrain, and cornices remain large and weak. The 'Valentine's Day' crust is thick and supportive below 2100 m. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer is 1-2 m deep in the west, and can be found within the upper metre of the snowpack further east. It is variably reactive in snowpack tests and still the main concern in many areas. The mid-January surface hoar, deeper again, is also a concern in some areas. The mid-December and mid-November weak layers of crusts and facets can still be found near the bottom of the snowpack, particularly in shallower eastern parts of the Purcells. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 10cm of new snow now covers a thick solid crust that can be found on all but highest north-facing alpine slopes. This has effectively capped the snowpack, protecting deeper weak layers. Recent snowpack tests indicate that a layer of decomposing surface hoar found around 40 to 60cm down is gaining strength. However, at upper elevations where the crust may be absent or not as strong, I suspect that a heavy trigger (like a cornice fall) applied to a thin rocky area could still produce a large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cornices may be large and fragile. In some locations, wind slabs may be found in alpine terrain. On high, shady slopes, low density dry snow overlies a crust. Sunny slopes are likely to follow a melt-freeze cycle over the next few days (soft and weak surface by day; with limited refreezing by night). Recently formed crusts at or near the snowpack surface are strong and supportive below about 2200 m. At higher elevations and on shady aspects, these crusts have less strength. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-consolidated. Below treeline, there is limited snow cover.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">In general, the snowpack is strong, but may weaken during peak warming periods. Cornices may fail with warm temperatures. Wind slabs may be found in the alpine. On steep, sunny slopes, it is likely that soft, moist snow will develop by day, and crusts may form at night. Below treeline, the snowpack is generally strong and uniform. A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack has been reported in some areas, and is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. In general, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Smooth rock slabs may act as a sliding surface for the entire snowpack to glide on in specific locations as temperatures rise.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable amounts of recent snowfall (generally around 10 cm-but up to 20cm in some parts of the Northern Selkirks) covers the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. New wind slabs may have formed in lee terrain from recent W-NW winds, and cornices remain large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) continue to give variable results in snowpack tests. Chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased, but triggering may be possible from thin or rocky snowpack areas; or perhaps with a cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">A variable snow surface generally includes light amounts of wind-distributed fresh snow on a supportive crust with surface hoar or surface facets, all breaking down to corn snow on south aspects in the afternoon. But in general the snowpack is strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Light amounts of recent snowfall (5-20 cm) cover the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. New wind slabs may have formed in lee terrain from recent W-NW winds, and cornices remain large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Up to 10 cm of recent snow covers the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. New wind slabs may have formed in lee terrain from recent W-NW winds, and cornices remain large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 5cm of snow covers a widespread layer of surface hoar above a crust that extends all the way to ridge crest. The curst is effectively &quot;capping&quot; the snowpack and doing a good job of protecting the buried weak layers bellow. However, I suspect that the mid-January surface hoar layer could still produce an avalanche if given a large enough trigger in the right spot. It can be found down about 1m in the alpine and 50-60cm at treeline. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness may persist in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 10 cm of new snow may now cover a thick, solid crust that extents up to 2100m and firm wind pressed surface higher than that. The recent winds have been light to moderate from the northeast and I suspect that you may find isolated fresh wind slabs forming in reverse loaded lee features on southern aspects. Below 2100m the crust is effectively capping the snowpack and protecting a couple of buried persistent week layers. Two layers of surface hoar can be found down between 50 and 80cm. Recent snow pack test indicate that these layers are unlikely to fail but could propagate widely if they do. I suspect that at upper elevations where these layers are not protected by the surface crust it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche from a thin or rocky spot. The mid-December crust is becoming harder to find but where it does exist (mainly at treeline elevations) it is over a meter down. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Valley bottom up to 2100 is still suffering from the Feb crust. There is 5-10cm's on top of it which is making upward travel easier . On the way down , the crust is breakable in many places and tricky skiing. At treeline the crust almost instantly turns to hard slab. These slabs were formed by a wind event last week. The density of these slabs ranges from very hard (hard to get an edge) to breakable. Beneath these new slabs are the older Jan 31st slabs, down 30-50cm's. The alpine has had considerable wind over the past week. In places the underlying layers have been blown clean. The windloading pattern is very easy to see right now. At all elevations, the sun had a huge impact today. A sun crust will be present on all south aspects and its thought to extend up to 2500m.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A variable snow surface generally includes a supportive crust with surface hoar or surface facets, all breaking down to corn snow with daytime warming and sun-exposure. In general, the snowpack is strong, but may weaken during peak warming periods. Cornices may fail with warm temperatures. Wind slabs may be found in the alpine, or lower in glaciated drainages from recent katabatic winds. A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack has been reported in some areas, and is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Below treeline, the snowpack is generally strong and uniform. Smooth rock slabs may act as a sliding surface for the entire snowpack to glide on in specific locations as temperatures rise.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Generally light amounts of new snow cover the previous variable snow surface of crusts, surface hoar, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. Thin new wind slabs are likely in exposed lee terrain, and cornices remain large and weak. The 'Valentine's Day' crust is thick and supportive below 2100 m. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer is 1-2 m deep in the west, and can be found within the upper metre of the snowpack further east. It is variably reactive in snowpack tests and still the main concern in many areas. The mid-January surface hoar, deeper again, is also a concern in some areas. Deeper weakness are likely to remain dormant for the time being.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 10cm of new snow now covers a thick solid crust that can be found on all but highest north-facing alpine slopes. This has effectively capped the snowpack, protecting deeper weak layers. Recent snowpack tests indicate that a layer of decomposing surface hoar found around 40 to 60cm down is gaining strength. However, at upper elevations where the crust may be absent or not as strong, I suspect that a heavy trigger (like a cornice fall) applied to a thin rocky area could still produce a large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A variable snow surface generally includes a supportive crust with surface hoar or surface facets, all breaking down to corn snow with daytime warming and sun-exposure. In general, the snowpack is strong, but may weaken during peak warming periods. Cornices may fail with warm temperatures. Wind slabs may be found in the alpine, or lower in glaciated drainages from katabatic winds. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">A variable snow surface generally includes a supportive crust with surface hoar or surface facets, all breaking down to corn snow with daytime warming and sun-exposure, but in general the snowpack is strong. A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack has been reported in some areas, and is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable amounts of recent snowfall (generally around 10 cm-but up to 20cm in some parts of the Northern Selkirks) cover the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. New wind slabs may have formed in lee terrain from recent W-NW winds, and cornices remain large and weak. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">We received some great observations via the Mountain Information Network over the weekend, but it should be noted that we're still working off a pretty small sample of observations which results in significant uncertainty and overall low confidence.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The basic regional snowpack has a few defining characteristics: A melt freeze crust of variable thickness can be found from valley bottom up to around 1400m. Above this elevation the surface is firm and heavily wind affected. Around 5 - 10 cm fell over the last week which has likely been redistributed into wind slabs by the weekends moderate SW winds. A crust that was buried in late January is down about 40cm below the surface. Little is known about the bond of the overlying snow to this crust and snow profile tests have produced variable results. My main concern is for wind slabs above this crust. The mid-pack is relatively strong and supportive although this may not be the case in the Powder Valley where the snowpack is thinner. A single observation from the Haines Pass over the weekend suggests that snowpack is weaker too. A representative test profile showed 30 cm of wind slab over about 40 cm of depth hoar.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">A variable snow surface generally includes light amounts of wind-distributed fresh snow on a supportive crust with surface hoar or surface facets, all breaking down to corn snow on south aspects in the afternoon. But in general the snowpack is strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Light amounts of loose dry snow (5-20 cm) cover the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. Wind slabs may still be reactive in high elevation lee terrain from recent northwest winds, and cornices remain large and weak. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">At higher elevations, up to 10 cm of loose cold snow overlies the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. Wind slabs may still be reactive in high elevation lee terrain from recent northwest winds, and cornices remain large and weak. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5 to 10 cm of snow that has seen some heat on solar aspects and faceting on cooler aspects rests on top of a widespread layer of surface hoar above a crust that extends all the way to ridge crest. This robust and supportive crust is effectively &quot;capping&quot; the snowpack keeping the weight of riders from interacting with any deeper weak layers. The mid-January surface hoar layer is down about 100cm in the alpine and down around 50 to 60cm at treeline. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness may persist in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations. Both these layers have gone dormant for the time being, we would likely need significant warming to re-activate them.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10 to 15cm of old storm snow rests upon a thick supportive crust that extends up to 2100m before changing to a firm wind pressed surface at higher elevations. Winds were out of the NE over the weekend switching to the NW over the last few days. You can likely find thin wind slabs at upper elevations as a result. Below 2100m the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, keeping riders from interacting with deeper weak layers that exist in the snowpack. Two layers of surface hoar can be found down between 50 and 80cm. Recent snow pack test indicate that these layers are unlikely to fail but could propagate widely if they do. At upper elevations where these layers are not protected by the surface crust it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche from a thin or rocky spot. The mid-December crust is becoming harder to find but where it does exist (mainly at treeline elevations) it is over a meter down. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Despite yesterday's high of 5 degrees, the snow held in there. We escaped another temperature crust and are left with a new crust on all solar aspects. This new sun crust extends well into the alpine. Valley bottom travel is reasonable with the older breakable crust down only a few cm's. At treeline, northerly aspects still have dry snow with some wind effect in open areas. The alpine has been hit with winds and is mostly breakable windslab on lee aspects (NE-S).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A variable snow surface generally includes a supportive crust with surface hoar or surface facets, all breaking down to corn snow with daytime warming and sun-exposure, but in general the snowpack is strong. Old wind slabs may be lurking in the alpine, or lower in glaciated drainages from recent katabatic winds. A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack has been reported in some areas, and is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be persisting.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Generally light amounts of loose cold snow cover the previous variable snow surface of crusts, surface hoar, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. Thin wind slabs may still be sensitive to triggering in isolated high elevation lee terrain, and cornices remain large and weak. The 'Valentine's Day' crust, found just below the surface, is thick and supportive below 2100 m. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer is 1-2 m deep in the west, and can be found within the upper metre of the snowpack further east. It is variably reactive in snowpack tests and still the main concern in many areas. The mid-January surface hoar, deeper again, is also a concern in some areas. Deeper weakness are likely to remain dormant for the time being.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 10cm of new snow now covers a thick solid crust that can be found on all but the highest north-facing alpine slopes. This has effectively capped the snowpack, protecting deeper weak layers. Recent snowpack tests indicate that a layer of decomposing surface hoar found around 40 to 60cm down is gaining strength. However, at upper elevations where the crust may be absent or not as strong, I suspect that a heavy trigger (like a cornice fall) applied to a thin rocky area could still produce a large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A variable snow surface generally includes up to 5 cm of soft snow on a supportive crust with surface hoar or surface facets, breaking down to corn snow on all but high north aspects with daytime warming and sun-exposure. Wind slabs may be found in the alpine, or lower in glaciated drainages from katabatic winds. But in general, the snowpack is strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">A variable snow surface generally includes a supportive crust with surface hoar or surface facets, all breaking down to corn snow with daytime warming and sun-exposure, but in general the snowpack is strong. A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack has been reported in some areas, and is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may persist.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable amounts of loose cold snow (generally around 10 cm-but up to 20cm in some parts of the Northern Selkirks) cover the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, dry facetted snow, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. Wind slabs may still be reactive in high elevation lee terrain from recent northwest winds, and cornices remain large and weak. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is highly variable and may include wind-pressed surfaces or old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. If we get enough snow Wednesday overnight, thin isolated wind slabs may form in immediate leeward terrain features in the alpine.  </span><span class="s_3D0464D1" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Light amounts of wind-pressed snow (5-20 cm) cover the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. Isolated thin wind slabs may still be reactive in high elevation lee terrain, and cornices remain large and weak. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">At higher elevations, up to 10 cm of wind-pressed snow overlies the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. Thin isolated wind slabs may still be reactive in high elevation lee terrain, and cornices remain large and weak. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most prominent feature in the snowpack is the upper crust. This robust crust is supportive all the way to ridge crest and is effectively &quot;capping&quot; the snowpack, keeping the weight of riders from interacting with any deeper weak layers. Surface hoar on this crust is a widespread phenomenon. On solar aspects the proud crust is on the surface, on shadier aspects there may be 5 - 20 cm of settled storm snow on it. There are still weak layers in the snowpack that we'll continue to monitor. The mid-January surface hoar layer is down about 100cm in the alpine and down around 50 to 60cm at treeline. The mid-December crust/facet/surface hoar weakness may persist in the mid to lower snowpack at higher elevations. Both these layers have gone dormant for the time being, we would likely need significant warming to re-activate them.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10 to 15cm of old storm snow rests upon a thick supportive crust that extends up to around 2200m before changing to a firm wind pressed surface at higher elevations. Winds were out of the NE over the weekend switching to the NW and most recently SW. You may be able to find thin old wind slabs at upper elevations as a result. Below 2200m the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, keeping riders from interacting with deeper weak layers that exist in the snowpack. Two layers of surface hoar can be found down between 50 and 80cm. Recent snow pack test indicate that these layers are unlikely to fail but could propagate widely if they do. At upper elevations where these layers are not protected by the surface crust it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche from a thin or rocky spot. The mid-December crust is becoming harder to find but where it does exist (mainly at treeline elevations) it is over a meter down. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Convective flurries and a mild upslope storm last night left variable amounts of new snow. On average the forecast region saw only 4cm's last night and another 3 throughout today. Not a huge change to the snowpack, but a slight refresh for sheltered areas. With the cooling temps, slabs in the alpine and upper treeline zones tightened up a bit. There are widespread windlabs in the alpine at the moment. For the most part these alpine slabs are well bonded, but in isolated areas(steep, immediate lee) there is a concern with a weaker midlayer within the slabs, down 20-30. Treeline also has windslabs, but these tend to be a bit softer and more focused to open areas. Sheltered areas have a light dusting with the new snow. Below treeline has seen little change except for the crusts freezing very well overnight. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is highly variable and may include wind-pressed surfaces or old wind slabs, a sun crust or old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B">A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack has been reported in some areas and is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be persisting.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Generally light amounts of loose cold snow cover the previous variable snow surface of crusts, surface hoar, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. Thin wind slabs may still be sensitive to triggering in isolated high elevation lee terrain, and cornices remain large and weak. The 'Valentine's Day' crust, found just below the surface, is thick and supportive below 2100 m. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar, can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Winds were out of the NE over the weekend switching to the NW and most recently SW. You may be able to find thin old wind slabs at upper elevations as a result. These thin wind slabs rest on a thick solid crust that can be found on all but the highest north-facing alpine slopes. This has effectively capped the snowpack, keeping riders from interacting with buried weak layers in the mid pack, the most prominent of which is a layer of decomposing surface hoar down 40 to 60cm.&nbsp; At upper elevations where the crust may be absent or not as strong, a heavy trigger (like a cornice fall) applied to a thin rocky area might be capable of producing a large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snow surface is highly variable and may include wind-pressed surfaces or old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. If we get enough snow Wednesday overnight, thin isolated wind slabs may form in immediate leeward terrain features in the alpine. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is highly variable and may include wind-pressed surfaces or old wind slabs, a sun crust or old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. </span><span class="s_17AE1194">A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack has been reported in some areas and is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may persist.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable amounts of wind-pressed (generally around 10 cm-but up to 20cm in some parts of the Northern Selkirks) cover the previous snow surface of surface hoar, crust, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. Thin, isolated wind slabs may still be reactive in high elevation lee terrain, and cornices remain large and weak. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A dusting of new snow may have buried the previously variable snow surface which may have included wind-pressed surfaces or old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Light amounts of wind-pressed snow (5-20 cm) cover the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. Isolated thin wind slabs may still be reactive in high elevation lee terrain, and cornices remain large and weak. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">At higher elevations, up to 10 cm of wind-pressed snow overlies the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. Thin isolated wind slabs may still be reactive in high elevation lee terrain, and cornices remain large and weak. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The most prominent feature in the snowpack is the thick upper crust. This crust is supportive all the way to ridge crest and is effectively &quot;capping&quot; the snowpack, keeping riders from tickling any deeper weak layers. Surface hoar on this crust is a widespread phenomenon. On solar aspects the proud crust is on the surface (softening during the day), and on shadier aspects there may be 5 - 20 cm of settled storm snow on it. There are still weak layers in the snowpack that we'll continue to monitor, but for now these layers are dormant. We would likely need significant warming to re-activate them.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10 to 15cm of old storm snow sits on a thick supportive crust that extends up to around 2200m. Variable winds have created wind affected surfaces and pockets of wind slab in exposed terrain at higher elevations. Below 2200m the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from tickling deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas, where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from sparsely covered rocky slopes or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 5cm's fell last night in convective flurries with very little wind. The winds did pick up in the afternoon, which blew some alpine ridges clean. There is likely a few isolated storm slabs in immediate lees, but they'll be small. Aside form that not much change. A snow survey flight today had a much weaker snowpack in the southern area of the Park. The further north we moved, the better it seemed. Snow depths at treeline were about 170cm's.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A dusting of new snow may have buried the previously variable snow surface which may have included wind-pressed surfaces or old wind slabs, a sun crust or old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B">A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack has been reported in some areas and is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be persisting.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Generally light amounts of loose cold snow cover the previous variable snow surface of crusts, surface hoar, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. Thin wind slabs may still be sensitive to triggering in isolated high elevation lee terrain, and cornices remain large and weak. The 'Valentine's Day' crust, found just below the surface, is thick and supportive below 2100 m. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar, can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10 to 15cm of old storm snow sits on a thick supportive crust on all but the highest north-facing slopes. Variable winds have created wind affected surfaces and pockets of wind slab in exposed terrain at higher elevations. The crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from tickling deeper persistent weak layers - the most prominent of which is a layer of decomposing surface hoar down 40 to 60cm. Where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from sparsely covered rocky slopes or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A dusting of new snow may have buried the previously variable snow surface which may have included</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> wind-pressed surfaces or old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled.&nbsp; However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A dusting of new snow may have buried the previously variable snow surface which may have included wind-pressed surfaces or old wind slabs, a sun crust or old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack has been reported in some areas and is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be persisting.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable amounts of wind-pressed (generally around 10 cm-but up to 20cm in some parts of the Northern Selkirks) cover the previous snow surface of surface hoar, crust, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. Thin, isolated wind slabs may still be reactive in high elevation lee terrain, and cornices remain large and weak. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A dusting of new snow has buried the previously variable snow surface which may have included wind-pressed surfaces or old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Light amounts of wind-pressed snow (5-20 cm) cover the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. Isolated thin wind slabs may still be reactive in high elevation lee terrain, and cornices remain large and weak. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">At higher elevations, up to 10 cm of wind-pressed snow overlies the previous variable snow surface of surface hoar, crusts, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. Thin isolated wind slabs may still be reactive in high elevation lee terrain, and cornices remain large and weak. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A trace of new snow sits on the previous snow surfaces. The most prominent feature in the snowpack is the thick upper crust. This crust is supportive all the way to ridge crest and is effectively &quot;capping&quot; the snowpack, keeping riders from tickling any deeper weak layers. On solar aspects the proud crust is on the surface (softening during sunny days), and on shadier aspects there may be 5 - 20 cm of settled storm snow on it. There are still weak layers in the snowpack that we'll continue to monitor, but for now these layers are dormant. We would likely need significant warming and/or heavy loading to re-activate them.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A couple centimetres of new snow sits on the previous snow surface, which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, or dry powder. The most prominent snowpack features is a thick supportive crust just below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from tickling deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas, where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from sparsely covered rocky slopes or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A few more cm's last night have added to the week's totals. Light winds last night have blown the new snow around creating insignificant storm slabs and exposing the underlying layers in many places. The alpine has variable wind slab distribution at the moment. In sheltered areas at treeline, there is an average of 20cm's on top of the Feb 16th crust. The crust itself has begun to break down with the cold temps. In most areas it does not effect the ski quality. The buried windslabs are well bonded and sit on top of depth hoar and facets. There are no changes below treeline, and no avalanche concerns at the moment.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A dusting of new snow has buried the previously variable snow surface which may have included wind-pressed surfaces or old wind slabs, a sun crust or old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B">A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack has been reported in some areas and is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be persisting.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Generally light amounts of loose cold snow cover the previous variable snow surface of crusts, surface hoar, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. Thin wind slabs may still be sensitive to triggering in isolated high elevation lee terrain, and cornices remain large and weak. The 'Valentine's Day' crust, found just below the surface, is thick and supportive below 2100 m. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar, can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few centimetres of new snow sits on the previous snow surface, which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, or dry powder. The most prominent snowpack features is a thick supportive crust just below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from tickling deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas, where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from sparsely covered rocky slopes or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A dusting of new snow has buried the previously variable snow surface which may have included</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> wind-pressed surfaces or old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A dusting of new snow has buried the previously variable snow surface which may have included wind-pressed surfaces or old wind slabs, a sun crust or old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack has been reported in some areas and is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be persisting.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable amounts of wind-pressed (generally around 10 cm-but up to 20cm in some parts of the Northern Selkirks) cover the previous snow surface of surface hoar, crust, or wind affected snow depending on aspect and elevation. The &quot;Valentine's Day&quot; crust is just below the surface and is now strong and thick in most places. Thin, isolated wind slabs may still be reactive in high elevation lee terrain, and cornices remain large and weak. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on sun drenched slopes. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Keep an eye on the Mountain Information Network for new updates on conditions throughout the region, and if you're out in the mountains please post your reports. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline there are a few centimeters of fresh snow sitting on a breakable melt-freeze crust making riding difficult. In the alpine this dusting of snow typically covers firm wind-affected surfaces, but dry powder can still be found on sheltered north-facing slopes. Recent variable winds (most recently from the North) may have produced wind slabs on a variety of aspects in exposed terrain. The mid snow pack is generally well settled and strong. Down 50-65 cm there is another thin melt-freeze crust overlying lower density faceted snow. Snowpack tests on Feb. 26 produced moderate or hard sudden collapse (drops) results just below this crust. The base of the snowpack consists of weak facets and depth hoar. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_8BA0CF9D">Strong outflow winds (mainly from the north) have created areas of wind slab on lee slopes. On other slopes you may find</span><span class="s_3D0464D1"> old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Moderate northerly winds have created some thin windslabs from re-distributing the 5-20 cm of snow that is available for transport at alpine elevations. The surface snow has become facetted due to the cold overnight temperatures, and a new layer of surface hoar has been reported in some areas. Strong solar radiation has resulted in a thin breakable melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects at all elevations. The mid-February crust is reported to be strong, and has been stripped of new snow in many areas by northerly winds. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">There is quite a bit of variability across the region in regards to new snow amounts. The surface is also variable with everything from dry new snow, loose facetted snow, windslabs, to sun crusts. There is 5-30 cm of facetted new snow and surface hoar above the mid-February crust. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 cm of new snow sits on the previous snow surfaces. The new snow is being redistributed into thin wind slabs in open lee terrain and is sluffing in steep sheltered terrain. The most prominent feature in the snowpack is the thick upper crust. This crust is supportive all the way to ridge crest and is effectively &quot;capping&quot; the snowpack, keeping riders from tickling any deeper weak layers. On solar aspects the proud crust is on the surface (softening during sunny days), and on shadier aspects there may be 5 - 20 cm of settled storm snow on it. There are still weak layers in the snowpack that we'll continue to monitor, but for now these layers are dormant. We would likely need significant warming and/or heavy loading to re-activate them.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A couple centimetres of new snow sits on the previous snow surface, which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, or dry powder. The most prominent snowpack features is a thick supportive crust just below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from tickling deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas, where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from sparsely covered rocky slopes or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack is highly variable across the forecast region, but some common themes include: widespread wind effect and wind slabs in the Alpine and open areas at Treeline, and various layers of crust found on all aspects below 2000m and much higher on solar aspects. The weak basal layers remain a fixture of the snowpack throughout the region and full depth avalanches are still an outside possibility in certain terrain features. Large triggers such as cornices are the main concern in this respect. Solar input at this time of year is becoming significant, and is causing melt freeze cycles on steeper solar slopes. The extent of these melting periods is variable from day to day depending on climatic conditions.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Cornices may be sensitive to warm temperatures. Wind slabs may be lurking on slopes lee to outflow winds. A dusting of recent snow may overlie old variable snow surfaces including wind slabs, a sun crust or old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be persisting.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable amounts of dry facetted surface snow and pockets of surface hoar can be found above the mid-February crust. New melt-freeze crusts can be found on solar aspects at all elevations. The mid-pack is well settled. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar, can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few centimetres of new snow sits on the previous snow surface, which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, or dry powder. The most prominent snowpack features is a thick supportive crust just below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from tickling deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas, where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from sparsely covered rocky slopes or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_8BA0CF9D">Strong outflow winds (mainly from the north) have created areas of thin wind slab on lee slopes. On other slopes you may find</span><span class="s_3D0464D1"> old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Cornices may be sensitive to warm temperatures. Wind slabs may be lurking on slopes lee to outflow winds. These can be triggered by a person, but have been reported to be mainly small. On other slopes, variable surfaces include a sun crust or old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. A layer of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack is worth investigating before committing to any big alpine terrain. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be persisting.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">There is about 5-15 cm of settled facetted snow above the mostly supportive mid-February crust/ surface hoar combination. Below this crust there is a well settled mid-pack. New surface hoar has developed in isolated sheltered areas to size 10mm. Surface snow is highly variable ranging from wind affected, wind pressed crust and sun crust. Loose facetted snow is sluffing in steep (40 + degree) terrain. Isolated low density soft slabs up to size 1.0 have been reacting to skier traffic in small steep unsupported features. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Strong outflow winds (mainly from the north) have created areas of wind slab on lee slopes. On other slopes you may find old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Moderate northerly winds have created some thin windslabs from re-distributing the 5-20 cm of snow that is available for transport at alpine elevations. The surface snow has become facetted due to the cold overnight temperatures, and a new layer of surface hoar has been reported in some areas. Strong solar radiation has resulted in a thin breakable melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects at all elevations. The mid-February crust is reported to be strong, and has been stripped of new snow in many areas by northerly winds. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">There is quite a bit of variability across the region in regards to new snow amounts. The surface is also variable with everything from dry new snow, loose facetted snow, windslabs, to sun crusts. There is 5-30 cm of facetted new snow and surface hoar above the mid-February crust. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Shady and sheltered slopes have around 5-10 cm of fresh low-density snow, with thin wind slabs forming in exposed lee terrain. Sun-exposed slopes likely have a thin sun crust on the surface. The most prominent feature in the snowpack is a thick crust, down 5-30 cm. This crust is supportive all the way to ridge crest and is effectively &quot;capping&quot; the snowpack, keeping riders from tickling any deeper weak layers. There are still weak layers below this crust that we'll continue to monitor, but for now these layers are dormant. We would likely need significant warming and/or heavy loading to re-activate them.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few centimetres of new snow sits on the previous snow surface, which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, or dry powder. The most prominent snowpack features is a thick supportive crust around 10-30 cm below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from tickling deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas, where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from sparsely covered rocky slopes or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Variable windslabs exist at open treeline and alpine locations. Mod westerly winds today were transporting snow at treeline and above elevations and soft slabs are just starting to form on lee aspects. Steep solar aspects have a crust up to 2500m from yesterdays sun effect but there is still 10-15cm of low density snow on firm surfaces on northern, sheltered aspects which make for some good riding. The mid-pack is well settled, and depth hoar and facets round out the lower snowpack to ground. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Keep an eye out for cornices, which may collapse. Small wind slabs can be found on some lee alpine slopes. On other slopes, variable surfaces include a skiff of recent snow, a sun crust or old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable amounts of dry facetted surface snow and pockets of surface hoar can be found above the mid-February crust. New melt-freeze crusts can be found on solar aspects at all elevations. The mid-pack is well settled. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar, can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few centimetres of new snow sits on the previous snow surface, which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, or dry powder. The most prominent snowpack features is a thick supportive crust just below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from tickling deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas, where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from sparsely covered, rocky, sun-exposed slopes or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Strong outflow winds (mainly from the north) have created areas of thin wind slab on lee slopes. On other slopes you may find old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Keep an eye out for cornices, which may collapse. Small wind slabs can be found on some lee alpine slopes. On other slopes, variable surfaces include a skiff of recent snow, a sun crust or old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">There is about 5-15 cm of settled facetted snow above the mostly supportive mid-February crust/ surface hoar combination. Below this crust there is a well settled mid-pack. New surface hoar has developed in isolated sheltered areas to size 10mm. Surface snow is highly variable ranging from wind affected, wind pressed crust and sun crust. Loose facetted snow is sluffing in steep (40 + degree) terrain. Isolated low density soft slabs up to size 1.0 have been reacting to skier traffic in small steep unsupported features. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Strong outflow winds (mainly from the north) have created areas of wind slab on lee slopes. On other slopes you may find old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Moderate northerly winds have created some thin windslabs from re-distributing the 5-20 cm of snow that is available for transport at alpine elevations. The surface snow has become facetted due to the cold overnight temperatures, and a new layer of surface hoar has been reported in some areas. Strong solar radiation has resulted in a thin breakable melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects at all elevations. The mid-February crust is reported to be strong, and has been stripped of new snow in many areas by northerly winds. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">There is quite a bit of variability across the region in regards to new snow amounts. The surface is also variable with everything from dry new snow, loose facetted snow, windslabs, to sun crusts. There is 5-30 cm of facetted new snow and surface hoar above the mid-February crust. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Shady and sheltered slopes have around 5-10 cm of fresh low-density snow, with thin wind slabs forming in exposed lee terrain. Sun-exposed slopes likely have a thin sun crust on the surface. The most prominent feature in the snowpack is a thick crust, down 5-30 cm. This crust is supportive all the way to ridge crest and is effectively &quot;capping&quot; the snowpack, keeping riders from tickling any deeper weak layers. There are still weak layers below this crust that we'll continue to monitor, but for now these layers are dormant. We would likely need significant warming and/or heavy loading to re-activate them.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few centimeters of new snow sits on the previous snow surface, which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, or dry powder. The most prominent snowpack features is a thick supportive crust around 10-30 cm below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from tickling deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas, where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from sparsely covered rocky slopes or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">As of this afternoon the storm has left the Spray with 7cm's of new snow. At valley bottom this has done little to change the snowpack. The crust is now down 5-10cm's. At treeline the new snow has worked with the cold temps to create pretty good skiing on polar aspects. The storm snow sits on a 20cm thick layer of facetted snow that was formally soft windslab. In immediate lee areas the storm snow has formed thin storm slabs. At the moment they are of no concern, but if more snow comes they may become an issue. The alpine has seen significant wind transport with the new snow. Stormslabs will be more widespread and potentially reactive as the loading continues.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Small wind slabs can be found on some lee alpine slopes. On other slopes, variable surfaces include a skiff of recent snow, a sun crust or old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable amounts of dry facetted surface snow and pockets of surface hoar can be found above the mid-February crust. New melt-freeze crusts can be found on solar aspects at all elevations. The mid-pack is well settled. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar, can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few centimeters of new snow sits on the previous snow surface, which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, or dry powder. The most prominent snowpack features is a thick supportive crust just below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from tickling deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas, where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from sparsely covered, rocky, sun-exposed slopes or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Strong outflow winds (mainly from the north) have created areas of thin wind slab on lee slopes. On other slopes you may find old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Keep an eye out for cornices, which may collapse. Small wind slabs can be found on some lee alpine slopes. On other slopes, variable surfaces include a skiff of recent snow, a sun crust or old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">There is about 5-15 cm of settled facetted snow above the mostly supportive mid-February crust/ surface hoar combination. Below this crust there is a well settled mid-pack. New surface hoar has developed in isolated sheltered areas to size 10mm. Surface snow is highly variable ranging from wind affected, wind pressed crust and sun crust. Loose facetted snow is sluffing in steep (40 + degree) terrain. Isolated low density soft slabs up to size 1.0 have been reacting to skier traffic in small steep unsupported features. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Keep an eye on the Mountain Information Network (click on the blue pins on our overview map) for new updates on conditions throughout the region. If you're out in the mountains, please tell us what you've seen by posting a report. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces are highly variable. In the White Pass area I would expect to find wind-pressed snow and wind slabs in exposed terrain from recent strong northerly winds. Steep, south-facing slopes are likely sporting a melt-freeze crust courtesy of last weekend's warm temperatures and more recent cooling. Snowpack observations from the Fraser camp area suggest you may find a crust about 40-60 cm below the surface. This crust may have weak overlying facet crystals and is worth further investigation. I'd dig down and test for this layer before committing to any steeper, exposed lines. The mid snowpack is generally well-settled and strong. The base of the snowpack consists of weak facets and depth hoar. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">North and west winds (mainly from the north) have created isolated stiff wind slabs 5 to 10cm thick on lee slopes. On other slopes you may find tired old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">There is quite a bit of variability across the region in regards to new snow amounts, which is generally in the 5-20 cm range. The snow surface is also variable and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it isn't wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">There is quite a bit of variability across the region in regards to new snow amounts, which is generally in the 5-25 cm range. The snow surface is also variable and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it isn't wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Shady and sheltered slopes have around 5-10 cm of fresh low-density snow, with thin wind slabs forming in exposed lee terrain. Sun-exposed slopes likely have a thin sun crust on the surface. The most prominent feature in the snowpack is a thick crust, down 5-30 cm. This crust is supportive all the way to ridge crest and is effectively &quot;capping&quot; the snowpack, keeping riders from tickling any deeper weak layers. There are still weak layers below this crust that we'll continue to monitor, but for now these layers are dormant. We would likely need significant warming and/or heavy loading to re-activate them.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 10 cm of new snow sits on the previous snow surface, which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, or dry powder. Periods of moderate northerly winds have produced pockets of wind slab in exposed lee terrain. The most prominent snowpack features is a thick supportive crust around 10-30 cm below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from tickling deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas, where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from sparsely covered rocky slopes or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">An average of 10cm of snow fell throughout the region, but amounts vary from drainage to drainage. This has not changed hazard levels below treeline, but at treeline and in the alpine this is a different story. Strong north westerly winds up high moved snow around all day, and by mid-day the winds started to affect treeline elevations as well. Widespread soft slabs exist on lee aspects in the alpine, and are just starting to form at treeline elevations. The sun packed a punch today and on steep solar aspects the snow almost became moist, even though temperatures were below freezing all day. Cold temps overnight (-30degC at Mud Lake) contributed to near surface facetting, which remains on polar aspects. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Northerly winds have likely created isolated stiff thin wind slabs in lee alpine terrain. A variety of other surfaces can be found including a skiff of recent snow, a sun crust, an old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Keep an eye out for cornices that could become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">5- 10 cm of recent storm snow adds to the variable amounts of dry facetted snow on top of the mid-February crust with associated buried surface hoar in sheltered areas, or more recent melt-freeze crusts on sun-exposed slopes. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar, can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194"> </span></p>
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.s_3FE45715 { 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 the previous snow surface, which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, or dry powder. The most prominent snowpack features is a thick supportive crust just below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from tickling deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas, where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from sparsely covered, rocky, sun-exposed slopes or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">North and west winds (mainly from the north) have created isolated stiff wind slabs 5 to 10cm thick on lee slopes. On other slopes you may find tired old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Northerly outflow winds have likely created isolated stiff thin wind slabs in lee alpine terrain. A variety of other surfaces can be found including a skiff of recent snow, a sun crust, an old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Keep an eye out for cornices that could become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">There is quite a bit of variability across the region in regards to new snow amounts, which is generally in the 5-25 cm range. The snow surface is also variable and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it isn't wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">North and west winds have created isolated stiff wind slabs 5 to 10cm thick on lee and cross-loaded slopes. On other slopes you may find tired old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable recent storm snow totals across the region are generally in the 5-25 cm range. The snow surface varies with elevation and aspect with respect to sun and wind exposure, and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it isn't wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable recent storm snow totals across the region are generally in the 5-25 cm range. The snow surface varies with elevation and aspect with respect to sun and wind exposure, and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it isn't wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Shady and sheltered slopes have 5-15 cm of recent new snow.  Thin wind slabs have formed in exposed lee terrain features from ongoing NW-NE winds. Steep sun-exposed slopes likely have a thin new sun crust on the surface. The most prominent feature in the snowpack is a thick crust, down 5-30 cm. This crust is supportive all the way to ridge crest and is effectively &quot;capping&quot; the snowpack, keeping riders from stressing any deeper weak layers. There are still weak layers below this crust that we'll continue to monitor, but for now these layers are dormant. We would likely need significant warming and/or heavy loading to re-activate them.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 10 cm of new snow sits on the previous snow surface which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or dry powder. Periods of moderate northerly winds have produced pockets of wind slab in exposed lee terrain. The most prominent snowpack features is a thick supportive crust around 10-30 cm below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from rocky sun-exposed slopes, thin snowpack areas, or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Not a lot of change in the last 24hrs. The winds have kept up in the alpine, but luckily most of the snow has been whipped up and blown away. There isn't a lot of windslab building at the moment. Immediate lee will have small pockets of isolated slabs. Treeline has seen much of the new snow stripped away exposing the underlying surfaces. Most of these underlying surfaces are old windslab.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Incoming snow and strong winds are likely to build wind slabs on lee features, and storm slabs in more sheltered spots. Previous outflow winds created isolated stiff thin wind slabs, which may now be buried under new snow. A variety of other interfaces may be found under the new snow, including a sun crust, an old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Keep an eye out for cornices that could fail.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Roughly 5-10 cm of recent storm snow adds to the variable amounts of dry facetted snow on top of the mid-February crust with associated buried surface hoar in sheltered areas, or more recent melt-freeze crusts on sun-exposed slopes. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar, can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194"> </span></p>
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.s_3FE45715 { 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 over the previous snow surface which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or dry powder. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick supportive crust just below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from rocky sun-exposed slopes, thin snowpack areas, or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">North and west winds (mainly from the north) have created isolated stiff wind slabs 5 to 10 cm thick on lee slopes. On other slopes you may find tired old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Incoming snow and strong SW winds are likely to build wind slabs on lee features, and storm slabs in more sheltered spots. Previous outflow winds created isolated stiff thin wind slabs, which may now be buried under new snow. A variety of other interfaces may be found under the new snow, including a sun crust, an old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Keep an eye out for cornices that could fail.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable recent storm snow totals across the region are generally in the 5-25 cm range. The snow surface varies with elevation and aspect with respect to sun and wind exposure, and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it isn't wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</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_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">North and west winds have created isolated stiff wind slabs 5 to 10cm thick on lee and cross-loaded slopes. On other slopes you may find tired old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</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_17AE1194">Variable recent storm snow totals across the region are generally in the 5-25 cm range. The snow surface varies with elevation and aspect with respect to sun and wind exposure, and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it isn't wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_17AE1194 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #121212; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable recent storm snow totals across the region are generally in the 5-25 cm range. The snow surface varies with elevation and aspect with respect to sun and wind exposure, and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it isn't wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</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_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Shady and sheltered slopes have 5-15 cm of recent new snow. Ongoing outflow winds have redistributed this new snow in wind-exposed terrain resulting in a highly variable snow surface and the formation of thin wind slabs in leeward features. Steep sun-exposed slopes have a thin new sun crust on the surface. The most prominent feature in the snowpack is the thick late-Feb crust, down 5-30 cm. This crust is supportive all the way to ridge crest and is effectively &quot;capping&quot; the snowpack, keeping riders from stressing any deeper weak layers. There are still weak layers below this crust that we'll continue to monitor, but for now these layers are dormant. We would likely need significant warming and/or heavy loading to re-activate them.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas, up to 10 cm of new snow from earlier in the week sits over a previously variable snow surface which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or dry powder. Ongoing winds have redistributed the new snow in wind-exposed terrain resulting in a highly variable snow surface and the formation of thin wind slabs in leeward features. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick supportive crust around 10-30 cm below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from rocky sun-exposed slopes, thin snowpack areas, or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Once again there was little change today. The alpine has had significant wind action that has stripped most of the available snow. Again, we're left with breakable hardslab on almost all aspects. Open areas at treeline have also seen widespread wind effect that has done a good job of removing any available snow. The north winds from a few days ago have managed to sneak into the nooks and crannies that held decent skiing. Very sheltered and shaded areas at treeline with a SE aspect might still hold snow. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">New snow and strong SW winds are likely to have built wind slabs on lee features, and storm slabs in more sheltered spots. These overlie a variety of interfaces including older wind slabs, a sun crust, an old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Keep an eye out for cornices that could fail.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Roughly 5-10 cm of recent storm snow adds to the variable amounts of dry facetted snow on top of the mid-February crust with associated buried surface hoar in sheltered areas, or more recent melt-freeze crusts on sun-exposed slopes. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar, can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas, the dusting of new snow from earlier in the week sits over a previously variable snow surface which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or dry powder. Ongoing winds have redistributed the new snow in wind-exposed terrain resulting in a highly variable snow surface and the formation of thin wind slabs in leeward features. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick supportive crust just below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from rocky sun-exposed slopes, thin snowpack areas, or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">North and west winds have created isolated wind slabs 5 to 10 cm thick on lee slopes. On other slopes you may find tired old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">New snow and strong SW winds are likely to have built wind slabs on lee features, and storm slabs in more sheltered spots. These overlie a variety of interfaces including old hard wind slabs, a sun crust, a rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Keep an eye out for cornices that could fail.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable recent storm snow totals across the region are generally in the 5-25 cm range. The snow surface varies with elevation and aspect with respect to sun and wind exposure, and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it isn't wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">North and west winds have created isolated stiff wind slabs 5 to 10cm thick on lee and cross-loaded slopes. On other slopes you may find tired old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Variable recent storm snow totals across the region are generally in the 5-25 cm range. The snow surface varies with elevation and aspect with respect to sun and wind exposure, and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it isn't wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable recent storm snow totals across the region are generally in the 5-25 cm range. The snow surface varies with elevation and aspect with respect to sun and wind exposure, and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it isn't wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Shady and sheltered slopes have 5-15 cm of recent new snow. Ongoing outflow winds have redistributed this new snow in wind-exposed terrain resulting in a highly variable snow surface and the formation of thin wind slabs in leeward features. Steep sun-exposed slopes have a thin new sun crust on the surface. The most prominent feature in the snowpack is the thick late-Feb crust, down 5-30 cm. This crust is supportive all the way to ridge crest and is effectively &quot;capping&quot; the snowpack, keeping riders from stressing any deeper weak layers. There are still weak layers below this crust that we'll continue to monitor, but for now these layers are dormant. We would likely need significant warming and/or heavy loading to re-activate them.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas, up to 10 cm of new snow from earlier in the week sits over a previously variable snow surface which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or dry powder. Ongoing winds have redistributed the new snow in wind-exposed terrain resulting in a highly variable snow surface and the formation of thin wind slabs in leeward features. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick supportive crust around 10-30 cm below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from rocky sun-exposed slopes, thin snowpack areas, or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Wind was the name of the game today. Somehow the winds managed to scrub even more snow away during the day today. Most of the snow was picked up and blown to Saskatchewan or sublimated away by the warm air temp. Not a lot of further slab development today in the alpine. Existing alpine surfaces are windslabs of various densities. Treeline is a similar story except for the continued formation of isolated windslabs in open areas. Below treeline is still a breakable crust buried beneath 5-10 cm's of snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">New snow and strong SW winds have likely built reactive wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. These overlie a variety of interfaces including older wind slabs, a sun crust, an old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Keep an eye out for cornices that could fail.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Roughly 5-10 cm of recent storm snow adds to the variable amounts of dry facetted snow on top of the mid-February crust with associated buried surface hoar in sheltered areas, or, more recent melt-freeze crusts on sun-exposed slopes. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar, can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas, the dusting of new snow from earlier in the week sits over a previously variable snow surface which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or dry powder. Ongoing winds have redistributed the new snow in wind-exposed terrain resulting in a highly variable snow surface and the formation of thin wind slabs in leeward features. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick supportive crust just below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from rocky sun-exposed slopes, thin snowpack areas, or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">North and west winds have created isolated wind slabs 5 to 10 cm thick on lee slopes. On other slopes you may find tired old wind slabs, a sun crust on all solar aspects, surface hoar, surface facets, and/or up to 5 cm of soft snow over a widespread supportive rain crust in wind sheltered areas. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">By Friday morning up to 40cm of new snow had fallen with the highest accumulations occurring in the southwest of the region. The new snow, moderate temperatures and strong southwest winds have likely built dense wind slabs on lee features, and storm slabs in more sheltered spots. The new snow overlies a variety of interfaces including old hard wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on alpine slopes in the north of the region. Keep an eye out for cornices that could fail.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable recent storm snow totals across the region are generally in the 5-25 cm range. The snow surface varies with elevation and aspect with respect to sun and wind exposure, and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it isn't wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In wind-sheltered areas, 3-10 cm of new snow from Wednesday has buried a hard old snow surface which may include a sun crust or old wind pressed snow. Ongoing winds have redistributed the new snow in wind-exposed terrain resulting in a variable snow surface and the formation of thin wind slabs in leeward features. New snowfall over the weekend with strong winds will continue to contribute to this wind slab formation. 40-60 cm below the surface you may find a crust and weak facet crystals. This persistent weak layer has generally been dormant but snowpack tests suggest that it may still be reactive in some areas and could reawaken with substantial warming or new loading. Dig down and test for this layer before committing to any steeper exposed lines. The mid snowpack is generally well-settled and strong. The base of the snowpack consists of weak facets and depth hoar. The snowpack is unusually thin right now and other hazards exist including open crevasses and large rocks. Keep an eye on the Mountain Information Network for new updates on conditions throughout the region. If you're out in the mountains, please tell us what you've seen by posting a report. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span><span class="s_3D0464D1">North and west winds have created isolated wind slabs 5 to 10 cm thick on high elevation lee slopes. On other slopes you may find stubborn old wind slabs and surface facets. Melt-freeze conditions can be found on all solar aspects and at lower elevations. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Variable recent storm snow totals across the region are generally in the 5-25 cm range. The snow surface varies with elevation and aspect with respect to sun and wind exposure, and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it isn't wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable recent storm snow totals across the region are generally in the 5-25 cm range. The snow surface varies with elevation and aspect with respect to sun and wind exposure, and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it isn't wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</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_AA239A9B">Shady and sheltered slopes have 5-15 cm of snow from earlier in the week. Ongoing winds have redistributed this new snow in wind-exposed terrain resulting in a highly variable snow surface and the formation of thin wind slabs in leeward features. Steep sun-exposed slopes have a thin new sun crust on the surface. The most prominent feature in the snowpack is the thick late-Feb crust, down 5-30 cm. This crust is supportive all the way to ridge crest and is effectively &quot;capping&quot; the snowpack, keeping riders from stressing any deeper weak layers. There are still weak layers below this crust that we'll continue to monitor, but for now these layers are dormant. We would likely need significant warming and/or heavy loading to re-activate them.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas, up to 10 cm of snow from earlier in the week sits over a previously variable snow surface which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or dry powder. Ongoing winds have redistributed the new snow in wind-exposed terrain resulting in a highly variable snow surface and the formation of thin wind slabs in leeward features. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick supportive crust around 10-30 cm below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from rocky sun-exposed slopes, thin snowpack areas, or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Trace amounts of snow today accompanied by moderate winds and mild temperatures have not changed the hazard levels. Existing alpine surfaces are windslabs of various densities. At treeline wind slabs up to 20cm and of varying densities exist in immediate lee features at ridge tops and open treeline areas. Below treeline is still a breakable crust buried beneath 5-10 cm's of snow. It was mainly cloudy today, but the sun did make a periodic appearance and although brief it's effect is strong at this time of year. Combined with mild temps there maybe a slight crust tomorrow morning on steeper solar aspects to 2300m. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">New snow and strong SW winds have likely built reactive wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. More snow and wind on Sunday will add to the developing wind slab problem. These overlie a variety of interfaces including older wind slabs, a sun crust, an old rain crust, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Keep an eye out for cornices that could fail.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Roughly 5-10 cm of recent storm snow adds to the variable amounts of dry facetted snow on top of the mid-February crust with associated buried surface hoar in sheltered areas, or, more recent melt-freeze crusts on sun-exposed slopes. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar, can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194"> </span></p>
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.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas, the dusting of new snow from earlier in the week sits over a previously variable snow surface which was a mix of surface hoar, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or dry powder. Ongoing winds have redistributed the new snow in wind-exposed terrain resulting in a highly variable snow surface and the formation of thin wind slabs in leeward features. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick supportive crust just below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, it could still be possible to trigger a deep avalanche from rocky sun-exposed slopes, thin snowpack areas, or with a heavy load (i.e. cornice fall). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">North and west winds have created isolated wind slabs 5 to 10 cm thick on high elevation lee slopes. On other slopes you may find stubborn old wind slabs and surface facets. Melt-freeze conditions can be found on all solar aspects and at lower elevations. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">By Friday morning up to 40cm of new snow fell with the highest accumulations occurring in the southwest of the region. The new snow and strong southwest winds have built dense slabs on exposed lee features, while loose powder can be found in sheltered terrain. More snow and wind on Sunday will add to this developing storm slab. The new snow overlies a variety of interfaces including old hard wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on alpine slopes in the north of the region. Keep an eye out for cornices that could fail.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable recent storm snow totals across the region are generally in the 5-25 cm range. The snow surface varies with elevation and aspect with respect to sun and wind exposure, and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it isn't wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Snow surfaces can best be described as variable. Melt-freeze conditions can be found on solar aspects in the alpine, and on all aspects at lower elevations. On high north-facing terrain, you'll likely find stubborn old wind slabs and surface facets. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Variable recent storm snow totals across the region are generally in the 5-25 cm range. The snow surface varies with elevation and aspect with respect to sun and wind exposure, and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it isn't wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable recent storm snow totals across the region are generally in the 5-25 cm range. The snow surface varies with elevation and aspect with respect to sun and wind exposure, and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it is not wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Variable snow surface consists of wind-affected snow or wind-scoured crusts in exposed alpine areas, moist snow or sun crust on sun-exposed slopes, or 5-10cm of dry snow overlying an old crust in shady and sheltered areas. </span><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, ongoing winds may be continuing to build thin wind slabs in leeward features. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B">Lower elevations are undergoing daily springtime melt-freeze cycles. The most prominent feature in the snowpack is the thick late-February crust, down 5-20 cm. This crust is supportive all the way to ridge crest and is effectively &quot;capping&quot; the snowpack, keeping riders from stressing any deeper weak layers. There are still weak layers below this crust that we'll continue to monitor, but for now these layers are dormant. We would likely need significant warming and/or heavy loading to re-activate them.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable snow surface consists of wind-affected snow or wind-scoured crusts in exposed alpine areas, moist snow or sun crust on sun-exposed slopes, or 5-10cm of dry snow overlying an old crust in shady and sheltered areas. At higher elevations, ongoing winds may be continuing to build thin wind slabs in leeward features. Lower elevations are undergoing daily springtime melt-freeze cycles. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick supportive crust 10-30cm below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, dormant persistent weak layers may still be lingering and could wake-up with heavy loading or strong warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Widespread wind affect in Alpine and open areas at Treeline on all aspects. There are areas of hard wind slab, soft wind slab, sastrugi and breakable wind crust. Below 2300m ski conditions improve on polar aspects. Solar aspects were going moist by midday.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">Just before the weekend, 10-20cm of snow and strong SW winds built reactive wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. More snow and wind on Sunday will add size and destructive potential to the developing wind slab problem. Below the recent snowfall, you'll find a variety of interfaces including older wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are reported to be large and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Roughly 5-10 cm of recent storm snow adds to the variable amounts of dry facetted snow on top of the mid-February crust with associated buried surface hoar in sheltered areas, or, more recent melt-freeze crusts on sun-exposed slopes. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar, can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable snow surface consists of wind-affected snow or wind-scoured crusts in exposed alpine areas, moist snow or sun crust on sun-exposed slopes, or 5-10cm of dry snow overlying an old crust in shady and sheltered areas. At higher elevations, ongoing winds may be continuing to build thin wind slabs in leeward features. Lower elevations are undergoing daily springtime melt-freeze cycles. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick supportive crust just below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, dormant persistent weak layers may still be lingering and could wake-up with heavy loading or strong warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Snow surfaces can best be described as variable. Melt-freeze conditions can be found on solar aspects in the alpine, and on all aspects at lower elevations. On high north-facing terrain, you'll likely find stubborn old wind slabs and surface facets. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">Just before the weekend, between 10 and 40cm of new snow fell with the highest accumulations occurring in the southwest of the region. The new snow and strong southwest winds built dense slabs on exposed lee features. Locally heavy snowfall and strong winds on Sunday and Monday morning will add size and destructive potential to this developing storm slab. Below the recent storm snow you'll find a variety of interfaces including old hard wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. Some reports suggest a reasonable bond at this interface, although I'd remain cautious on steeper, high-consequence slopes as a release on recently buried surfaces could be large and destructive .</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on alpine slopes in the north of the region. Cornices are reported to be large and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable recent storm snow totals across the region are generally in the 5-25 cm range. The snow surface varies with elevation and aspect with respect to sun and wind exposure, and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it isn't wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Snow surfaces can best be described as variable. Melt-freeze conditions can be found on solar aspects in the alpine, and on all aspects at lower elevations. On high north-facing terrain, you'll likely find stubborn old wind slabs and surface facets. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">New snow and strong winds have developed wind slabs that have been reported to be 40-60 cm deep. The new snow is sitting on various old surfaces that includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm below the new snow. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Variable recent storm snow totals across the region are generally in the 5-25 cm range. The snow surface varies with elevation and aspect with respect to sun and wind exposure, and includes dry new snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it is not wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Variable snow surface consists of wind-affected snow or wind-scoured crusts in exposed alpine areas, moist snow or sun crust on sun-exposed slopes, or 5-10cm of dry snow overlying an old crust in shady and sheltered areas. </span><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, ongoing winds may be continuing to build thin wind slabs in leeward features. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B">Lower elevations are undergoing daily springtime melt-freeze cycles. The most prominent feature in the snowpack is the thick late-February crust, down 5-20 cm. This crust is supportive all the way to ridge crest and is effectively &quot;capping&quot; the snowpack, keeping riders from stressing any deeper weak layers. There are still weak layers below this crust that we'll continue to monitor, but for now these layers are dormant. We would likely need significant warming and/or heavy loading to re-activate them.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable snow surface consists of wind-affected snow or wind-scoured crusts in exposed alpine areas, moist snow or sun crust on sun-exposed slopes, or 5-10cm of dry snow overlying an old crust in shady and sheltered areas. At higher elevations, ongoing winds may be continuing to build thin wind slabs in leeward features. Lower elevations are undergoing daily springtime melt-freeze cycles. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick supportive crust 10-30cm below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, dormant persistent weak layers may still be lingering and could wake-up with heavy loading or strong warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Widespread wind affect in alpine and open areas at treeline. Prominent in these areas are hard wind slabs, soft wind slabs, and breakable wind crusts. Reverse wind loading is also evident due to a recent wind event from the north.  Sun crusts are dominant on solar aspects. The ski quality is reasonable on polar aspects below 2300m if you can find an area without tracks. The November facet/depth hoar layer is a live and well and has been responsible for a recent skier-triggered avalanche. See avalanche activity.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">10-20cm of snow and strong SW winds from the previous storm&nbsp; built reactive wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. Snow and winds on Sunday have added size and destructive potential to the developing wind slab problem. There are a variety of interfaces including older wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets buried below the recent storms snow. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are getting to be large and potentially unstable.&nbsp; Solar aspects may become active in the afternoons.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Roughly 5-10 cm of recent snow adds to the variable amounts of dry facetted snow on top of the mid-February crust with associated buried surface hoar in sheltered areas, or, more recent melt-freeze crusts on sun-exposed slopes. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar, can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable snow surface consists of wind-affected snow or wind-scoured crusts in exposed alpine areas, moist snow or sun crust on sun-exposed slopes, or 5-10cm of dry snow overlying an old crust in shady and sheltered areas. At higher elevations, ongoing winds may be continuing to build thin wind slabs in leeward features. Lower elevations are undergoing daily springtime melt-freeze cycles. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick supportive crust just below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, dormant persistent weak layers may still be lingering and could wake-up with heavy loading or strong warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Snow surfaces can best be described as variable. Melt-freeze conditions can be found on solar aspects in the alpine, and on all aspects at lower elevations. On high north-facing terrain, you may find stubborn old wind slabs and surface facets. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, be aware that cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">Just before the weekend, between 10 and 40cm of new snow fell with the highest accumulations occurring in the southwest of the region. The new snow and strong southwest winds built dense slabs on exposed lee features. Locally heavy snowfall and strong winds on Sunday and Monday morning will have added size and destructive potential to this developing storm slab. Below the recent storm snow you'll find a variety of interfaces including old hard wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. Some reports suggest a reasonable bond at this interface, although I'd remain cautious of steeper, high-consequence slopes as a release on these recently buried surfaces could be large and destructive .</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on alpine slopes in the north of the region. Cornices are reported to be large and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">There is about 20-40 cm of snow above the old snow surface. The old snow surface varies with elevation and aspect with respect to sun and wind exposure, and includes dry snow, loose facetted snow, wind slabs, and sun crusts. The mid-February crust is down around 10-30 cm where it is not wind loaded or scoured. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. However, triggering may be possible with a large input such as cornice fall, or an avalanche stepping down, especially on slopes that see a lot of sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weekend brought another 10 cm of snow to most areas. This new snow may be bonding poorly to the older snow surface, which was a crust, wind affected snow, or dry settled snow. Periods of strong southerly winds may have redistributed the new snow in wind-exposed terrain resulting in a variable snow surface and the formation of thin wind slabs in leeward features. Roughly 40-60 cm below the surface you may find a crust and weak faceted snow. This persistent weak layer has generally been dormant but snowpack tests suggest that it may still be reactive in some areas and could reawaken with substantial warming or new loading. Dig down and test for this layer before committing to any steeper exposed lines. The mid snowpack is generally well-settled and strong. The base of the snowpack consists of weak facets and depth hoar. The snowpack is unusually thin right now and other hazards exist including open crevasses and large rocks. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Keep an eye on the Mountain Information Network for new updates on conditions throughout the region. If you're out in the mountains, please post a report.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Snow surfaces can best be described as variable. Melt-freeze conditions can be found on solar aspects in the alpine, and on all aspects at lower elevations. On high north-facing terrain, you'll likely find stubborn old wind slabs and surface facets. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, large cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The north of the region received up to 30 cm of new snow in the alpine and rain below about 2000 metres. The south of the region had closer to 5 cm in the alpine with a freezing level around 2000 metres. Strong westerly winds transported new snow into deep windlabs. This new storm snow is sitting above loose facetted snow and a melt-freeze crust that was buried in mid-February. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Moist snow on solar aspects up to about 2400 metres and all aspects up to about 1800-2000 metres. The mid-February crust is buried down 10-30 cm and there is a weak layer of facets and/or surface hoar in the sandwich above the crust. The mid pack is well settled with a couple of persistent weak layers that continue to give hard or very hard results in snow profile tests. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Variable snow surface consists of wind-affected snow or wind-scoured crusts in exposed alpine areas, moist snow or sun crust on sun-exposed slopes, or 5-10cm of dry snow overlying an old crust in shady and sheltered areas. </span><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, recent winds may have built thin wind slabs in leeward features. Most </span><span class="s_AA239A9B">elevations are undergoing daily springtime melt-freeze cycles. The most prominent feature in the snowpack is the thick late-February crust, down 5-20 cm. This crust is supportive all the way to ridge crest and is effectively &quot;capping&quot; the snowpack, keeping riders from stressing any deeper weak layers. There are still weak layers below this crust that we'll continue to monitor, but for now these layers are dormant. We would likely need significant warming and/or heavy loading to re-activate them.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface consists of wind-affected snow or wind-scoured crusts in exposed alpine areas, moist snow or sun crust on sun-exposed slopes, or 5-10cm of dry snow overlying an old crust in shady and sheltered areas. At higher elevations, recent winds may have built thin wind slabs in leeward features. Lower elevations are undergoing daily springtime melt-freeze cycles. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick supportive crust 10-30cm below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, dormant persistent weak layers may still be lingering and could wake-up with heavy loading or strong warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Widespread wind effect in the alpine and open areas at treeline. These areas exhibit hard wind slab, soft wind slab, sastrugi, breakable wind crust and everything in between. Solar aspects were moist to 2600m, but sheltered polar aspects stayed dry all dry. The November facets/depth hoar combo persists and has been responsible for a couple of recent natural and human triggered slides.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">10-20cm of snow and strong SW winds from the previous storm built reactive wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. Snow and winds on Sunday have added size and destructive potential to the developing wind slab problem. There are a variety of interfaces including older wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets buried below the recent storms snow. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are getting to be large and potentially unstable. Solar aspects may become active in the afternoons.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Roughly 5-10 cm of recent snow adds to the variable amounts of dry facetted snow on top of the mid-February crust with associated buried surface hoar in sheltered areas, or, more recent melt-freeze crusts on sun-exposed slopes. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar, can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased dramatically.&nbsp; </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable snow surface consists of wind-affected snow or wind-scoured crusts in exposed alpine areas, moist snow or sun crust on sun-exposed slopes, or 5-10cm of dry snow overlying an old crust in shady and sheltered areas. At higher elevations, recent winds may have built thin wind slabs in leeward features. Lower elevations are undergoing daily springtime melt-freeze cycles. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick supportive crust just below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, dormant persistent weak layers may still be lingering and could wake-up with heavy loading or strong warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Snow surfaces can best be described as variable. Melt-freeze conditions can be found on solar aspects in the alpine, and on all aspects at lower elevations. On high north-facing terrain, you may find stubborn old wind slabs and surface facets. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, be aware that cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">The previous storm accompanied by strong southwest winds built dense slabs on exposed lee features. Incoming precipitation will add additional load to the storm slab. Below this there are a variety of interfaces including old hard wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. Reports suggest a reasonable bonds at these interfaces, although we remain cautious of steeper, high-consequence slopes, as a release on these recently buried surfaces could be large and destructive .</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region. Cornices are becoming large and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">A couple of more cm of new snow brings the total to 20-30 cm of snow that has been transported into windslabs on various aspects. Warm temperatures and high freezing levels have created crusts on solar aspects up to about 2600 metres. Dry snow can be found above 1900 metres on Northerly aspects. Snow depths above the mid-February crust are variable due to changing wind directions during the extended dry period. The mid pack is well settled with several old persistent weak layers still giving hard or very hard results in snow profile tests. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) are generally dormant, and chances of triggering these weaknesses have decreased. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">A variety of old snow surfaces exists throughout the region. Melt-freeze conditions can be found on solar aspects in the alpine, and on all aspects at lower elevations. On high north-facing terrain, you may find stubborn old wind slabs and some surface facets from cold, clear nights.. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. Cornices , however, may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A moist snow surface is being reported to around 2500m on solar aspects and around 2000m on north aspects. Up to 40cm of recent snow is settling into a cohesive slab with the unseasonably warm conditions. Strong winds transported the new snow into deep wind slabs in leeward terrain features. The new storm snow is sitting above loose facetted snow and a melt-freeze crust that was buried in mid-February. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) </span><span class="s_3FE45715">have gained significant strength and have been dormant for several weeks but now have the potential to wake-up with the current warm temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">A moist snow surface is being reported to around 2500m on solar aspects and to around 2000m on north aspects. The mid-February crust is buried down 10-30 cm and there is a weak layer of facets and/or surface hoar in the sandwich above the crust. The mid pack is well settled with a couple of persistent weak layers that continue to give hard or very hard results in snow profile tests. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) </span><span class="s_3FE45715">have gained significant strength and have been dormant for several weeks but now have the potential to wake-up with the current warm temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_C9E15120">If any snow arrives on Thursday, it may be shifted by SW winds at high elevations. Lower down the mountain, drizzle may weaken the snow surface layers, adding warmth and weight to the snowpack. Previous snow surfaces are variable and include moist snow, crusts and a little dry snow on high north aspects.</span><span class="s_3D0464D1"> The most prominent feature in the snowpack is the thick late-February crust, down 5-20 cm. This crust has been supportive all the way to ridge crest and &quot;capping&quot; the snowpack, keeping riders from stressing any deeper weak layers. There are still weak layers below this crust that we'll continue to monitor. As temperatures become very warm over the next couple of days, be alert to whether this supportive capping layer is breaking down. Consequences go up if it does.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_C9E15120">If any snow arrives on Thursday, it may be shifted by SW winds at high elevations. Lower down the mountain, drizzle may weaken the snow surface layers, adding warmth and weight to the snowpack. Previous snow surfaces are variable and include moist snow, crusts and a little dry snow on high north aspects. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick supportive crust 10-30cm below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m elevation. This crust has begun to break down in response to warm temperatures, and may not be providing the “capping” support it once was. Persistent weak layers still react in snowpack tests and could wake up with continued warming. It may be time for a mentality shift.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The warm temperatures have started to have a sustained effect on the snowpack. By noon today, the valley bottom was moist and isothermal by mid-afternoon. Treeline and lower alpine elevations also have moist surface snow on all aspects. Southern aspects are suffering from the same soar effect, but the cloud cover has helped slow it down.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">Incoming precipitation will add load to the already reactive wind slabs in exposed lee terrain at treeline and in the alpine. Snow and winds from earlier in the week have added size and destructive potential to the developing wind slab problem. There are a variety of interfaces including old wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets buried below the recent storm snow. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found and could possibly be triggered with a big enough load such as a cornice failure. Cornices are now getting to be large and potentially unstable. Solar aspects are also a concern, especially in the afternoon.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">A moist snow surface is being reported to around 2500m on solar aspects and 1800m on north aspects. Wind slabs are being reported in the alpine and may be overlying the early-March crust/facet layer. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength and have been dormant for several weeks but have the potential to wake-up with the current warm temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable snow surfaces include wind-affected snow or wind-scoured crusts in exposed alpine areas, moist snow or sun crust on sun-exposed slopes, or 5-10cm of dry snow overlying an old crust in shady and sheltered areas. At higher elevations, recent winds may have built thin wind slabs in leeward features. Lower elevations have undergone several springtime melt-freeze cycles. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick supportive crust just below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In high alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, dormant persistent weak layers may still be lingering and could wake-up with heavy loading or strong warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Melt-freeze conditions can be found on solar aspects in the alpine, and on all aspects at lower elevations. On high north-facing terrain, old wind slabs and surface facets still exist. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, be aware that cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">The previous storm accompanied by strong southwest winds has built dense slabs on exposed lee features. Incoming precipitation will add additional load to the storm slab. Below this there are a variety of interfaces including old hard wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. Reports suggest a reasonable bonds at these interfaces, although we should remain cautious of steeper, high-consequence slopes, as a release on these recently buried surfaces could be large and destructive .&nbsp; At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region. Cornices are becoming large and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A moist snow surface is being reported to around 2500m on solar aspects and 2000m on north aspects. Wind slabs are being reported in the alpine and will continue to form on Thursday where the new precipitation falls as snow. The mid-February crust/facet layer is down up to 40cm in wind loaded areas and is reported to be quite reactive in some areas.  The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength and have been dormant for several weeks but now have the potential to wake-up with the current warm temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">The recent precipitation is falling on a variety of old snow surfaces that exist throughout the region. Melt-freeze conditions can be found on solar aspects in the alpine, and on all aspects at lower elevations. On high north-facing terrain, you may find stubborn old wind slabs and some surface facets from cold, clear nights, buried around March 5th. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. Cornices , however, may become weak with daytime warming. New storm snow will most likely be quite wet and accompanied by strong SW winds.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A moist snow surface is being reported to around 2500m on solar aspects and around 2000m on north aspects. Up to 40cm of recent snow is settling into a cohesive slab with the unseasonably warm conditions. Strong winds transported the new snow into deep wind slabs in leeward terrain features. The new storm snow is sitting above loose facetted snow and a melt-freeze crust that was buried in mid-February. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) </span><span class="s_3FE45715">have gained significant strength and have been dormant for several weeks but now have the potential to wake-up with the current warm temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">A moist snow surface is being reported to around 2500m on solar aspects and to around 2000m on north aspects. The mid-February crust is buried down 10-30 cm and there is a weak layer of facets and/or surface hoar in the sandwich above the crust. The mid pack is well settled with a couple of persistent weak layers that continue to give hard or very hard results in snow profile tests. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) </span><span class="s_3FE45715">have gained significant strength and have been dormant for several weeks but now have the potential to wake-up with the current warm temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Available snow may shifted by SW winds at high elevations. Lower down the mountain, drizzle has weakened the snow surface layers, adding warmth and weight to the snowpack. The most prominent feature in the snowpack is the thick late-February crust, down 5-20 cm. Limited reports suggest this crust is supportive all the way to ridge crest, &quot;capping&quot; the snowpack and keeping riders from stressing any deeper weak layers. There are still weak layers bellow this crust. As temperatures become very warm over the next couple of days, be alert to whether this supportive capping layer is breaking down. Consequences go up if it does.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_C9E15120">Any available snow may be shifted by SW winds into wind slabs at high elevations. Lower down the mountain, the snowpack has become warm and weak. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick supportive crust 10-30cm below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m elevation. This crust has begun to break down in response to warm temperatures, and may not be providing the capping support it once was. Persistent weak layers still react in snowpack tests and could wake up with continued warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The entire forecast region has been basking in the sun and enjoying unusually warm temps for the past 28hrs. The region's hot spot today was Mud Lake with 6 degrees. The valley bottom snowpack is now isothermal in most areas, up to 2200m. The &quot;winter&quot; snowpack does not return until treeline where there is a moist surface layer sitting on top of dry facets up to 2300m. Daytime highs at treeline hit 3 degrees today with overnight lows of +1. The alpine snowpack is more variable. The effects of the sun and heat are more pronounced on south aspects, but even the north aspects have seen some heat. There was intense transport at the upper elevations. Cornices are soaking up the warm temps and becoming a potential problem.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">Incoming precipitation will add load to the already reactive wind slabs in exposed lee terrain at treeline and in the alpine. Snow and winds from earlier in the week have added size and destructive potential to the developing wind slab problem. There are a variety of interfaces including old wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets buried below the recent storm snow. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found and could possibly be triggered with a big enough load such as a cornice failure. Cornices are now getting to be large and potentially unstable. Solar aspects are also a concern, especially in the afternoon.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">A moist snow surface is being reported to around 2500m on solar aspects and 1800m on north aspects. Wind slabs are being reported in the alpine and may be overlying the early-March crust/facet layer. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength and have been dormant for several weeks but have the potential to wake-up with the current warm temperatures. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable snow surfaces include wind-affected snow or wind-scoured crusts in exposed alpine areas, moist snow or sun crust on sun-exposed slopes, or 5-10cm of dry snow overlying an old crust in shady and sheltered areas. At higher elevations, recent winds may have built thin wind slabs on leeward features. Lower elevations have undergone several springtime melt-freeze cycles. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick supportive crust just below the surface. It extends up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In high alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, dormant persistent weak layers may still be lingering and could wake-up with heavy loading or strong warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Melt-freeze crusts can be found on solar aspects in the alpine, and on all aspects at lower elevations. On high north-facing terrain, old wind slabs and surface facets still exist. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, be aware that cornices may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">This storm system accompanied by strong southwest winds will build dense slabs on exposed lee features, adding additional load to the previous storm slab. There are a variety of old&nbsp; buried interfaces that include hard wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. The lack of large recent avalanches suggest a reasonable bonds at these interfaces, but we should remain cautious of steeper, high-consequence slopes, as a release on&nbsp; any of these&nbsp; buried layers could be large and destructive . At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region. Cornices are becoming large and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A moist snow surface is being reported to around 2500m on solar aspects and 2000m on north aspects. Wind slabs are being reported in the alpine and will continue to form on Thursday where the new precipitation falls as snow. The mid-February crust/facet layer is down up to 40cm in wind loaded areas and is reported to be quite reactive in some areas. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength and have been dormant for several weeks but now have the potential to wake-up with the current warm temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Incoming precipitation will fall on a variety of old snow surfaces that exist throughout the region. There are numerous crusts and old wind slabs buried in the snowpack above treeline that may still be  problematic. Below treeline the snowpack has had numerous warming and rain events and should be bombproof for the most part. Rain has recently been reported to ridge tops in the Coquihalla region. Solar aspects  are reported to be going isothermal in some areas below 1600m</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A moist snow surface has been reported to around 2500m on solar aspects and around 2000m on north aspects. </span><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds will continue to build wind slabs in leeward terrain features in the alpine. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Up to 60cm of snow sits over a weak facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-February. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (over 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) </span><span class="s_3FE45715">have gained significant strength and have been dormant for several weeks but now have the potential to wake-up with the current warm temperatures and new storm loading.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">A moist snow surface has been reported to around 2500m on solar aspects and to around 2000m on north aspects. The mid-February crust is buried down 10-30 cm and there is a weak layer of facets and/or surface hoar in the sandwich above the crust. The mid pack is well settled with a couple of persistent weak layers that continue to give hard or very hard results in snow profile tests. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (up to 100 cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (80-120 cm deep) </span><span class="s_3FE45715">have gained significant strength and have been dormant for several weeks but now have the potential to wake-up with the current warm temperatures and new loading. A basal weakness has recently become active with the warm conditions and several avalanches have released to the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AD137C69">Rain on Saturday is likely to further weaken already moist snow. Wind slabs may be found at high elevations. In many areas, the snowpack is becoming moist and slowly turning into a more uniform, springtime snowpack. The surface has only seen limited refreezing these last few days. The most prominent feature in the snowpack is the thick late-February crust, down 5-20 cm. Limited reports suggest this crust is breaking down in some areas, while it remains supportive all the way to ridge crest in other spots. There are still weak layers below this crust. It is unclear whether these deeper layers are still reactive, but I would go with caution in case they are.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_C9E15120">Rain is likely to weaken the snowpack below about 2000 m on Saturday, and may cause a natural cycle of loose wet or wet slab avalanches. At low elevations, thin snowpack areas may simply melt. On the highest peaks, new snow will probably be shifted by strong winds into slabs lee to the SW. Cornices may develop. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick crust 10-30cm below the surface, extending up to around 2200m elevation. The support of this crust is breaking down in response to warm temperatures. Persistent weak layers below this crust still react in snowpack tests and could wake up with continued warming or loading.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack was able to make it most of the because of last night's marginal re-freeze and the cloudy skies today. Pretty much the same situation as yesterday's discussion: below treeline is isothermal by mid afternoon with a surface re-freeze overnight. Treeline is a bit more aspect dependant in regards to the surface conditions. Solar aspects have a significant crust while polar aspects have a lighter temperature crust. The alpine is still a winter snowpack with thin crusts on solar aspects and hard wind slabs on most other aspects.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Incoming precipitation&nbsp; will add additional&nbsp; load to the already reactive wind slabs in lee terrain at treeline and into the alpine. Snow and winds from earlier in the week have added size and destructive potential to the developing wind slab problem. There are a variety of interfaces including old wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets buried below the recent storm snow. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found and could possibly be triggered with a big enough load such as a cornice failure. Cornices are now getting to be large and potentially unstable. Solar aspects are also a concern, especially in the afternoon.&nbsp; There is&nbsp; concern for the combination of new snow load, strong winds and rapidly rising temperatures.</span><span class="s_A9A7295C" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">A moist snow surface has been reported to around 2500m on solar aspects and 1800m on north aspects. Wind slabs have formed in the alpine and may be overlying the early-March crust/facet layer. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength and have been dormant for several weeks but have the potential to wake-up with the current warm temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_C9E15120">Rain is likely to weaken the snowpack below about 2000 m on Saturday, and may be enough to cause a natural cycle of loose wet or wet slab avalanches. At low elevations, thin snowpack areas may simply melt. On the highest peaks, new snow will probably be shifted by strong winds into slabs lee to the SW. Cornices may develop. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick crust 10-30cm below the surface, extending up to around 2200m elevation. </span><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In high alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, dormant persistent weak layers may still be lingering and could wake-up with heavy loading or strong warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Melt-freeze crusts can be found on solar aspects in the alpine, and on all aspects at lower elevations. On high north-facing terrain, old wind slabs and surface facets still exist. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. However, be aware that cornices may become weak with daytime warming. and incoming precipitation will develop wind slabs on lee slopes.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">This storm system accompanied by strong southwest winds has built dense slabs on lee features, and added additional load to the previous storm slab. There are a variety of old buried interfaces that include hard wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. The recent lack of large avalanches suggests reasonable bonds at these interfaces, but we should remain cautious of steeper, high-consequence slopes. A release on any of these buried layers could be large and destructive . At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region. Cornices are continuing to grow and will be potentially unstable. Recent rapid loading and rising temperatures through Friday are a major concern right now. Operators are estimating 50+cm of storm snow at upper elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A moist snow surface has been reported to around 2500m on solar aspects and 2000m on north aspects. </span><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds will continue to build wind slabs in leeward terrain features in the alpine. </span><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-February crust/facet layer is down up to 40cm in wind loaded areas and is reported to be quite reactive in some areas. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength and have been dormant for several weeks but now have the potential to wake-up with the current warm temperatures and new loading. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_69982360">20-40 cm recent snow has been moved around by strong winds, which changed direction from southerly to northerly and back to southerly again. This has probably left wind slabs on a wide array of slopes. The strength of forecast winds may lead to hard slabs developing further down start zones than perhaps anticipated. In wind-sheltered areas, storm slabs may be found. The new snow generally sits on a well consolidated mid-snowpack. The bottom 30-50 cm of the snowpack consists of weak sugary faceted snow. The current snow depth at Fraser is 149 cm.</span><span class="s_69982360" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Incoming precipitation will fall on a variety of old snow surfaces that exist throughout the region. There are numerous crusts and old wind slabs buried in the snowpack above treeline that may still be problematic but below treeline the snowpack has had numerous warming and rain events and should be bombproof for the most part. Rain has recently been reported to ridge tops in the Coquihalla region. Solar aspects are reported to be going isothermal in some areas below 1600m</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, new snow sits over a variety of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs which may still be reactive. Rain has soaked the upper snowpack to around treeline elevation. In the alpine, strong winds during the storm have redistributed the new snow into wind slabs in leeward terrain features. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Prior to the storm, 30-60cm of snow was sitting over a weak facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-February. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (over 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep)</span><span class="s_3FE45715"> have been dormant for several weeks but now have the potential to wake-up with the current warm temperatures and new storm loading.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, new snow sits over a variety of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs which may still be reactive. Rain has soaked the upper snowpack to around treeline elevation. In the alpine, strong winds during the storm are redistributing the new snow into wind slabs in leeward terrain features. Prior to the storm, 10-30cm of snow was sitting over a weak facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-February. </span><span class="s_17AE1194">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (around 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) </span><span class="s_3FE45715">have been dormant for several weeks but now have the potential to wake-up with the current warm temperatures and new loading. A basal weakness has recently become active with the warm conditions and several avalanches have released to the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AD137C69">Rain up to at least 2000 metres on Saturday may increase the likelihood of triggering a wet slab avalanche on one of the buried persistent weak layers. Strong southwest winds combined with new snow at higher alpine elevations may have developed new wind slabs that are easy to trigger, and may allow for long propagations where they are sitting on a crust/facet combination. In many areas, the snowpack is becoming moist and slowly turning into a more uniform, springtime snowpack. The surface has only seen limited refreezing these last few days. The most prominent feature in the snowpack is the thick late-February crust, down 5-20 cm. Limited reports suggest this crust is breaking down in some areas, while it remains supportive all the way to ridge crest in other spots. There are still weak layers below this crust. It is unclear whether these deeper layers are still reactive, but I would go with caution in case they are.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">Rain is likely to weaken the snowpack below about 2000 m on Saturday, and may cause a natural cycle of loose wet or wet slab avalanches. At low elevations, thin snowpack areas may simply melt. On the highest peaks, new snow will probably be shifted by strong winds into slabs lee to the SW. Cornices may develop. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick crust 10-30cm below the surface, extending up to around 2200m elevation. The support of this crust is breaking down in response to warm temperatures. Persistent weak layers below this crust still react in snowpack tests and could wake up with continued warming or loading.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 7cm of snow fell throughout the day on Saturday with moderate westerly winds at treeline and above.  New thin storm slabs are building on north and east aspects.  These new slabs are overlying a variety of different snow surfaces depending on aspect at elevation.  In the Alpine, they are overlying temperature crusts on all aspects except for true north.  At treeline they are overlying widespread temperature crusts.  Below this elevation most of the recent precipitation fell as rain.  In many areas down low, the snowpack is isothermal. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm will have added additional load to the already reactive wind slabs in lee terrain at treeline and into the alpine. Snow and winds from earlier in the week have added size and destructive potential to the developing wind slab problem. There are a variety of interfaces including old wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets buried below the recent storm snow. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found and could possibly be triggered with a big enough load such as a cornice failure. In other parts of the province there has been a surge in activity recently on old, buried weak layers that may be attributed to the rapid warming event that just occurred. Nevertheless, these old deeply buried layers could produce very large destructive avalanches if they are triggered. Cornices are now getting to be large and potentially unstable. Solar aspects are also a concern, especially in the afternoon. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, new snow sits over a variety of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs which may still be reactive. Rain has soaked the upper snowpack to around treeline elevation. In the alpine, strong winds during the storm are redistributing the new snow into wind slabs in leeward terrain features. Prior to the storm, 10-30cm of snow was sitting over a weak facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-February. T</span><span class="s_17AE1194">he late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found around 1m below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength and have been dormant for several weeks but have the potential to wake-up with the current warm temperatures and loading.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Rain on Saturday may have been enough to cause a natural cycle of loose wet or wet slab avalanches. At low elevations, thin snowpack areas may simply melt. On the highest peaks, new snow will probably be shifted by strong winds into slabs lee to the SW. Cornices may develop. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick crust 10-30cm below the surface, extending up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In high alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, dormant persistent weak layers may still be lingering and could wake-up with heavy loading or strong warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Melt-freeze crusts can be found on solar aspects in the alpine, and on all aspects at lower elevations. Old wind slabs and surface facets may still still exist on high north facing slopes. The snowpack is generally strong and well settled. Cornices may become weak with daytime warming. and incoming precipitation will develop wind slabs on lee slopes.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">Strong southwest winds will have built dense slabs on lee features, and added additional load to the previous storm slab. Commercial operators are&nbsp; reporting 100+cm of new snow from this recent storm !There are a variety of old buried layers that include hard wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. The recent lack of large avalanches suggests reasonable bonds at these interfaces, but we I would remain cautious of steeper, high-consequence slopes. A release on any of these buried layers could be large and destructive . At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region. Cornices are continuing to grow and will be potentially unstable. Recent rapid loading and strong winds are a major concern right now. Operators are estimating 50+cm of storm snow at upper elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, new snow sits over a variety of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs which may still be reactive. Rain has soaked the upper snowpack to around treeline elevation. In the alpine, strong winds during the storm have redistributed the new snow into wind slabs in leeward terrain features. Prior to the storm, 20-40cm of snow was sitting over a weak facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-February. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found about a metre below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar can be found below that. These layers have been dormant for several weeks but now have the potential to wake-up with the current warm temperatures and new loading. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">10 to 20cm of recent storm snow now lies on a variety of crusts and old wind slabs above treeline. A crust that was beginning to break down and facet was buried around March 5 and may be the one to look for in the snowpack. Much of the new snow will have been redistributed by strong winds during parts of the storm. Below treeline the snowpack has had numerous warming and rain events and should be bombproof for the most part. Rain has recently been reported to ridge tops in the Coquihalla region. Solar aspects have been reported as isothermal in some areas below 1600m.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, new snow sits over a variety of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs which may still be reactive. Rain has soaked the upper snowpack to around treeline elevation. In the alpine, strong winds during the storm have redistributed the new snow into wind slabs in leeward terrain features. Prior to the storm, 30-50cm of snow was sitting over a weak facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-February. This layer has been quite reactive recently and may increase the likelihood of triggering a storm slab. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (over 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, new snow sits over a variety of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs which may still be reactive. Rain has soaked the upper snowpack to around treeline elevation. In the alpine, strong winds during the storm are redistributing the new snow into wind slabs in leeward terrain features. Prior to the storm, 10-30cm of snow was sitting over a weak facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-February. This layer has been quite reactive recently and may increase the likelihood of triggering a storm slab. </span><span class="s_17AE1194">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (around 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) </span><span class="s_3FE45715">have been dormant for several weeks . A basal weakness has recently become active with the warm conditions and several avalanches released to the ground last week.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AD137C69">Forecast heavy precipitation is expected to fall as snow above about 1200 metres. New snow and wind are expected to develop new storm slabs above the rain soaked snowpack. Heavy rain on Saturday soaked the snowpack up to ridge tops. Strong southwest winds combined with new snow at higher alpine elevations may have developed new wind slabs that are easy to trigger, and may allow for long propagations where they are sitting on a crust/facet combination. The most prominent feature in the snowpack is the thick late-February crust, down 5-20 cm before the ongoing storm. Limited reports suggest this crust is breaking down in some areas, while it remains supportive all the way to ridge crest in other spots. Deeply buried persistent weak layers still exist in the snowpack. These layers have not been reactive lately, however the extremes of warm weather followed by heavy loading due to rain then followed by snow, make it difficult to assess how the snowpack will respond.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 40 mm of rain fell on Saturday that may have been snow above 2000 metres. Gradual cooling and forecast heavy precipitation for Sunday night and Monday are expected to develop new storm slabs above various old surfaces including moist or wet snow, crusts, old windslabs, and possibly surface facets on high alpine north aspects. There is not enough snow at below treeline elevations for avalanches at this time. If the freezing levels drop to valley bottom we may see new snow covering some areas that have been bare ground. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick crust 10-30cm below the surface (before the ongoing storm), extending up to around 2200m elevation. The support of this crust is breaking down in response to warm temperatures. Persistent weak layers below this crust still react in snowpack tests and could wake up with continued warming or loading.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 15cm of snow has fallen at treeline over the past 36hrs. This snow has now buried crusts on steep solar aspects at all elevations. On Saturday strong SW winds formed thin storm slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain in alpine and treeline areas, but further storm slab development slowed down on Sunday. Much of the precipitation fell as rain at lower elevations on Saturday and temperatures dropped overnight. A new rain crust now exists at lower elevations with a small amount of new snow sitting on top.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The amount of storm snow varies from 20 to 125cm&nbsp; across the Inland Northwest region with the largest amounts bing farther north and west. Below the new snow surface, there are a variety of old interfaces;  Wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found and could possibly be triggered with a big enough load such as a cornice failure. In other parts of the province there has been a surge in activity recently on old, buried weak layers that may be attributed to the rapid warming event that just occurred. These old deeply buried layers could produce very large destructive avalanches if they are triggered. Cornices are now getting to be large and potentially unstable. Solar aspects are now a concern, especially in the afternoon. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, new snow sits over a variety of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs which may still be reactive. Rain has soaked the upper snowpack to around treeline elevation. In the alpine, strong winds during the storm have redistributed the new snow into wind slabs in leeward terrain features. Prior to the storm, 10-30cm of snow was sitting over a weak facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-February. This layer has been quite reactive recently and may increase the likelihood of triggering a storm slab. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (around 70cm deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1m deep) have been dormant for several weeks. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy rain ( 60 mm around Fernie) on Saturday has soaked the surface snow. On Sunday the rain has changed to snow as the freezing levels slowly drop. The cooling is expected to be slow and gradual. Forecast heavy snowfall combined with southwest winds are expected to develop new storm slabs on all aspects in the alpine and at treeline. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick crust 10-30cm below the surface (before the ongoing storm), extending up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In high alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, dormant persistent weak layers may still be lingering and could wake-up with heavy loading or strong warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">The snowpack is generally strong and well settled with 10 cm of new snow overlying a variety of melt-freeze crusts on solar aspects in the alpine as well as lower elevations. Old wind slabs and surface facets may still still exist on high north facing slopes.  The recent storm with strong winds has scoured windward slopes down to the old crusty surfaces and developed wind slabs on lee slopes.  Solar aspects are moist during the day and forming crusts at night.  Cornices continue to grow and may become weak with daytime warming. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">Strong southwest winds will have built dense slabs on lee features, and added additional load to the previous storm slab. Commercial operators are reporting 100+cm of new snow from the most recent storm ! There are a variety of old buried layers that include hard wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. The recent lack of large avalanches suggests reasonable bonds at these interfaces, but we I would remain cautious of steeper, high-consequence slopes. A release on any of these buried layers could be large and destructive . At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region. Cornices are continuing to grow and will be potentially unstable. Recent rapid loading and strong winds are a major concern right now. Operators are estimating 50+cm of storm snow at upper elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, new snow sits over a variety of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs which may still be reactive. Rain has soaked the upper snowpack to around treeline elevation. In the alpine, strong winds during the storm have redistributed the new snow into wind slabs in leeward terrain features. Prior to the storm, 20-40cm of snow was sitting over a weak facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-February. This layer has been quite reactive recently and may increase the likelihood of triggering a storm slab. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (around 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Wind slabs (lee to recent S-SW winds) and wind-affected surfaces are the main theme at the snow surface. Around the Coquihalla, up to 20 cm new snow may have created a localised storm slab problem. Cornices may also be fragile. Older, buried wind slabs may be hard to spot. A crust/facet combo produces moderate, sudden results in snowpack tests. This layer is buried anywhere from 10 to 60 cm down. Below this crust, the snowpack is reported to be generally well-settled and strong. Below treeline, the diminishing snowpack is trending isothermal (same temperature throughout). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, new snow sits over a plethora of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs which may still be reactive especially to rider triggers. Rain has soaked the upper snowpack to around treeline elevation. In the alpine, strong winds during the storm have redistributed the new snow into wind slabs in leeward terrain features. Prior to the storm, 30-50cm of snow was sitting over a weak facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-February. This layer has been quite reactive recently and may increase the likelihood of triggering a storm slab. The late-January crust/surface hoar layer (over 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, new snow sits over a plethora of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs which may still be reactive to rider triggering. Rain has soaked the upper snowpack to around treeline elevation. In the alpine, strong winds during the storm are redistributing the new snow into wind slabs in leeward terrain features. Prior to the storm, 10-30cm of snow was sitting over a weak facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-February. </span><span class="s_17AE1194">The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (around 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) </span><span class="s_3FE45715">have been dormant for several weeks but now have the potential to wake-up with the current warm temperatures and new loading. A basal weakness has recently become active with the warm conditions and several avalanches have released to the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AD137C69">Heavy rain on Saturday soaked the snowpack up to ridge tops. On Sunday, heavy snowfall (up to 35cm) and southwest winds developed new storm slabs that may be easy to trigger, and may allow for long propagations where they are sitting on a crust/facet combination. The most prominent feature in the snowpack is the thick late-February crust located about 20cm below the recent storm snow. Limited reports suggest this crust is breaking down in some areas, while it remains supportive all the way to ridge crest in other spots. Deeply buried persistent weak layers still exist in the snowpack. These layers have not been reactive lately, however the extremes of warm weather followed by heavy loading due to rain then followed by snow, make it difficult to assess how the snowpack will respond.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy rain (up to 60 mm) on Saturday soaked the snowpack. On Sunday the rain changed to snow as the freezing levels slowly dropped. Heavy snowfall (up to 50cm) combined with strong southwest winds developed new storm slabs on all aspects in the alpine and at treeline. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick crust 10-30cm below the recent storm snow extending up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In high alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, dormant persistent weak layers may still be lingering and could wake-up with recent heavy loading or strong warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack is highly variable depending on aspect and elevation. Up to 50cm of storm snow has fallen at treeline. On polar aspects moderate shears exist at the storm snow interface (down 50cm) and easy to moderate shears exist within the storm snow down 15 to 30cm. Thin storm slabs formed early in the storm, but then the winds backed off. This has left hidden slabs buried under low density snow at treeline. In the alpine slabs are prominent and a few avalanches have occurred related to this problem (see Avalanche Activity Discussion). On solar aspects a completely different situation exists. On these aspects the storm snow has already settled to 30cm and seems well bonded to the underlying crusts below 2400m. Above this elevation the storm snow seems to have bonded less well and numerous point release avalanches have been observed in steep alpine terrain. The surface snow on solar aspects was moist by midday. On all aspects below 2100m the storm snow sits on a very dense and strong rain crust (about 1cm thick) that was formed on Saturday. This rain crust is supportive to skier traffic.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Anywhere from 20 to 120 cm recent storm snow has been redistributed by winds into soft and hard wind slabs at alpine and treeline elevations (highest storm snow amounts were in the north and west). This overlies various surfaces including old wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices</span><span class="s_1681A555"> are large and potentially fragile. Below treeline, the snow appears to be in a spring melt-freeze cycle.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, new snow sits over a plethora of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs which may still be reactive to rider triggers. Rain has soaked the upper snowpack to around treeline elevation. In the alpine, strong winds during the storm are redistributing the new snow into wind slabs in leeward terrain features. Prior to the storm, 10-30cm of snow was sitting over a weak facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-February. T</span><span class="s_17AE1194">he late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found around 1m below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength and have been dormant for several weeks but have the potential to wake-up with the current warm temperatures and loading.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy rain (60 mm around Fernie) on Saturday soaked the snowpack. On Sunday the rain changed to snow as the freezing levels slowly dropped. Heavy snowfall (about 60cm) combined with strong southwest winds developed new storm slabs on all aspects in the alpine and at treeline. The most prominent snowpack feature is a thick crust 10-30cm below the surface (before the recent storm), extending up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In high alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, dormant persistent weak layers may still be lingering and could wake-up with heavy loading or strong warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Wind slabs (most recently formed with northerly winds, but previously lee to the S-SW) and wind-affected surfaces are the main theme at the snow surface. Wind slabs can be triggered with the weight of a person. Cornices may also be fragile. Older, buried wind slabs may be hard to spot. A crust/facet combo produces moderate, sudden results in snowpack tests. This layer is buried anywhere from 10 to 60 cm down. Below this crust, the snowpack is reported to be generally well-settled and strong. Below treeline, the diminishing snowpack is trending isothermal (same temperature throughout). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Up to 1 m of recent storm snow has been redistributed by strong and variable winds, creating widespread wind slabs. Operators got moderate snowpack test results on storm interfaces on Sunday. Older buried surfaces include wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Below treeline, the snow appears to be in a spring melt-freeze cycle.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At upper elevations, new snow sits over a plethora of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs which may still be reactive to rider triggers. Rain has soaked the upper snowpack to around treeline elevation. In the alpine, strong winds during the storm have redistributed the new snow into wind slabs in leeward terrain features. Prior to the storm, 20-40cm of snow was sitting over a weak facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-February. This layer has been quite reactive recently and may increase the likelihood of triggering a slab avalanche. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (around 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_69982360">Prior to last weekend, 20-40 cm of recent snow was moved around by strong winds, which changed direction from southerly to northerly and back to southerly again. This left wind slabs on a wide array of slopes. The strength of more recent winds may have lead to hard slabs developing further down start zones than perhaps anticipated. In wind-sheltered areas, the surface snow is reported to be loose and powdery. The recent storm snow generally sits on a well consolidated mid-snowpack. The bottom 30-50 cm of the snowpack consists of weak sugary faceted snow. The current snow depth at Fraser is 149 cm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Wind slabs and wind-affected surfaces are the main theme at the snow surface. Cornices may also be fragile. Older, buried wind slabs may be hard to spot. A crust/facet combo down 10-60 cm produces moderate, sudden results in snowpack tests. In the neighbouring Sea-to-Sky region, this layer has shown enough reactivity to call it a persistent slab problem. Maybe it is the same inland? Let us know. A second, deeper crust, marks the boundary with a lower snowpack that is reported to be generally well-settled and strong. Below treeline, the diminishing snowpack is trending isothermal (same temperature throughout).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, new snow up to 60 cm sits over a plethora of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs which may still be reactive especially to rider triggers. Previous rain has saturated the upper snowpack up to around treeline elevations forming a spring-like, melt-freeze crust. In the alpine, strong winds have redistributed the new snow into wind slabs on leeward terrain features. The recent storm snow is sitting over a weak facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-February. This layer has been quite reactive recently and may increase the likelihood of triggering a slab. The late-January crust/surface hoar layer (over 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, up to 20 cm of new snow sits over a plethora of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs which may still be reactive to rider triggering. Rain has soaked the upper snowpack to around treeline elevation forming a spring-like, melt-freeze crust. In the alpine, strong winds have redistributed the new snow into wind slabs in leeward terrain features. Prior to the storm, 10-30 cm of snow was sitting over a weak facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-February. This interface has not been as reactive in the South like it has in the North; however, it still exists and should remain on your radar. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (around 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy rain on Saturday soaked the snowpack up to ridge tops. On Sunday, heavy snowfall (up to 35cm) and southwest winds developed new storm slabs that are still reactive to human-triggering. The new snow sits on the mid-March rain crust that formed during the rain event on Saturday. The mid-Feb layer was down around 20cm before the rain event and there is currently uncertainty as to the status of this layer. Older deeply buried persistent weak layers still exist in the snowpack. These layers have not been reactive lately but the extremes of warm weather followed by heavy loading from rain and snow make it difficult to assess how the snowpack will respond.</span><span class="s_AD137C69" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy rain (up to 60 mm) on Saturday soaked the snowpack. On Sunday the rain changed to snow as the freezing levels slowly dropped. Heavy snowfall (up to 50cm) combined with strong southwest winds developed new storm slabs on all aspects in the alpine and at treeline. The thick mid-February crust was 10-30cm below the surface before the recent storm and extends up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In high alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, dormant persistent weak layers may still be lingering and could wake-up with heavy loading or strong warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack is highly variable depending on aspect and elevation. Storm snow from last weekend has settled out to 40cm at treeline. The interface beneath this storm snow continues to give moderate sudden planar results in snowpack tests on polar aspects. Some areas at upper treeline elevations have a thin buried slab above this interface that was formed early in the storm. Wind speeds decreased dramatically at the end of the storm leaving mainly low density snow above these thin slabs. More extensive slab formation occurred in the alpine and several recent avalanches can be associated to this issue. On solar aspects a completely different situation exists. The storm snow is settling rapidly and appears well bonded to the previous surface of sun crust, except at higher elevations in the alpine where the bond seems less solid. Snow was again turning moist on the surface today in steep terrain on all solar aspects. On all aspects below 2100m the recent snow sits on a very dense and strong rain crust about 1cm thick.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Anywhere from 20 to 120 cm recent storm snow has been redistributed by winds into soft and hard wind slabs at alpine and treeline elevations (highest storm snow amounts were in the north and west). This overlies various surfaces including old wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Below treeline, the snow appears to be in a spring melt-freeze cycle.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At higher elevations, new snow sits over a plethora of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs which may still be reactive to rider triggers. Rain has soaked the upper snowpack to around treeline elevation forming a spring-like, melt-freeze crust. In the alpine, strong winds have redistributed the new snow into wind slabs in leeward terrain features. Prior to the storm, 10-30cm of snow was sitting over a weak facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-February. This interface has not been as reactive in the Purcell's&nbsp; like it has in neighboring regions; however, it does exist and should remain on your radar. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer can be found around 1m below the surface in deeper snowpack areas. The mid-January surface hoar can be found below that. These layers have gained significant strength and have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy rain (60 mm around Fernie) on Saturday soaked the snowpack. On Sunday the rain changed to snow as the freezing levels slowly dropped. Heavy snowfall (about 60cm) combined with strong southwest winds developed new storm slabs on all aspects in the alpine and at treeline. The thick mid-February crust was 10-30cm below the surface before the recent storm and extends up to around 2200m elevation. Below this elevation the crust is effectively capping the snowpack, preventing riders from stressing deeper persistent weak layers. In high alpine areas where the crust is not present or is less thick, dormant persistent weak layers may still be lingering and could wake-up with heavy loading or strong warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Wind slabs (most recently formed with northerly winds, but previously lee to the S-SW) and wind-affected surfaces are the main theme at the snow surface. Cornices may also be fragile. Older, buried wind slabs may be hard to spot. A crust/facet persistent weak layer, buried anywhere from 10 to 60 cm down, has started to play up (see avalanche summary). Avalanche problems associated with this layer may linger for a while. A deeper crust (formed by heavy rain in February) is down around 70 cm. Below the deeper crust, the snowpack is reported to be generally well-settled and strong. Below treeline, the diminishing snowpack is trending isothermal (same temperature throughout). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Around 1 m of recent storm snow was redistributed by strong and variable winds, creating widespread wind slabs. Operators now report reasonable settlement and bonding within the storm snow. Older buried surfaces include wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Below treeline, the snow appears to be in a spring melt-freeze cycle.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At higher elevations, new snow 30-60 cm sits over a plethora of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs which may still be reactive especially to rider triggers. Previous rain has saturated the upper snowpack up around treeline elevations forming a firm melt-freeze crust. In the alpine, strong winds have redistributed the new snow into wind slabs on leeward terrain features. The recent storm snow is sitting over a weak persistent facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-February. This layer has been quite reactive recently and may increase the likelihood of triggering a large slab. The late-January crust/surface hoar layer (over 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Wind slabs and wind-affected surfaces are the main theme at the snow surface. New snow and wind on Thursday is expected to form new and reactive storm slabs. Cornices may also be fragile.&nbsp; A crust/facet combo down 10-60 cm produces moderate, sudden results in snowpack tests. Avalanche problems associated with this layer may linger for a while, and may surprise with nasty consequences, especially in areas where the overlying slab is well-developed.&nbsp; A second, deeper crust, marks the boundary with a lower snowpack that is reported to be generally well-settled and strong. Below treeline, the diminishing snowpack is trending isothermal (same temperature throughout).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At higher elevations, new snow up to 60 cm sits over a plethora of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs which may still be reactive to rider triggers. Previous strong winds have redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward terrain features. Lower elevations up to treeline are sporting spring-like, melt-freeze conditions. The recent storm snow is sitting over a weak facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-February and has been quite reactive recently. The late-January crust/surface hoar layer (over 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At higher elevations, up to 25 cm of new snow sits over a plethora of old surfaces including wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs and crusts which were buried mid-March. Previous strong winds have redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward terrain features and lower elevations (below 2000 m) are sporting spring-like, melt-freeze conditions. Digging deeper (20-50 cm below the surface) sits the mid-February facet/ crust interface. This interface has not been as reactive in the South unlike regions to the North. However, its still alive and well in test profiles. It may just require additional load and/ or a change in slab properties before it reaches threshold and becomes reactive. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (around 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy rain on Saturday soaked the snowpack up to ridge tops. On Sunday, heavy snowfall (up to 35cm) and southwest winds developed new storm slabs that are still reactive to human-triggering in wind loaded areas. The new snow sits on the mid-March rain crust (up to 15cm thick) and reports suggest that the new snow is generally bonding well to the crust. The new snow has become moist on all sun exposed aspects but remains dry on north aspects. Older deeply buried persistent weak layers still exist in the snowpack but are no longer expected to be reactive. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm snow is settling into a cohesive slab which is typically 30-40cm thick. Up to at least 2000m elevation, the snowpack below the new storm snow is moist or wet from the warming and heavy rain last week. A weak rain crust sits between the storm snow and the lower snowpack. The thick mid-February crust has broken down and is no longer supportive. There are a couple older persistent weak layers in the midpack that are probably breaking down but will remain an isolated concern while the snowpack remains warm. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">On solar aspects expect to find a sun crust all the way up to the peaks.  This crust was still 1cm thick at 2500m on Wednesday and where is was steeper, the crust was bullet proof and hard to get an edge into.  On more shaded and northern aspects, a winter snowpack can still be found.  Pockets of windslabs should be expected along ridgelines but due to light winds over the past few days, these slabs do not appear to extend far downslope.  The freezing level on Wednesday was around 2100m and there was intense solar radiation later in the day. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Anywhere from 20 to 120 cm recent storm snow has been redistributed by winds into soft and hard wind slabs at alpine and treeline elevations (highest storm snow amounts were in the north and west). This overlies various surfaces including old wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. New snow and wind on Thursday is forecast to form new wind slabs in exposed lee terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Below treeline, the snow appears to be in a spring melt-freeze cycle.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At higher elevations, 10-30 cm of new snow sits over a plethora of old surfaces including wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs and crusts which were buried mid-March. Previous strong winds have redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward terrain features and lower elevations (below 2000 m) are sporting spring-like, melt-freeze conditions. Digging deeper (20-50 cm below the surface) sits the mid-February facet/ crust interface. This interface has not been reactive in the Purcell's unlike regions to the North. However, its still alive and well in test profiles. It may just require additional load and/ or a change in slab properties before it reaches threshold and becomes reactive. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (around 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm snow is settling into a cohesive slab which is typically 50-70cm thick. Up to at least treeline elevation, the snowpack below the new storm snow is expected to be moist or wet from the warming and heavy rain last week. A weak rain crust sits between the new storm snow and the lower snowpack. The thick mid-February crust has broken down and is no longer supportive. Recent cornice growth has been reported and these cornices may become fragile with afternoon warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Wind slabs (most recently formed with northerly winds, but previously lee to the S-SW) and wind-affected surfaces are the main theme at the snow surface. New snow and wind forecast for Thursday is expected to form new storm slabs. Cornices may also be fragile. A crust/facet persistent weak layer, buried anywhere from 10 to 60 cm down, has started to play up (see avalanche summary). Avalanche problems associated with this layer may linger for a while with the potential for large and destructive avalanches. A deeper crust (formed by heavy rain in February) is down around 70 cm. Below the deeper crust, the snowpack is reported to be generally well-settled and strong. Below treeline, the diminishing snowpack is trending isothermal (same temperature throughout). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Around 1 m of recent storm snow was redistributed by strong and variable winds, creating widespread wind slabs. Operators now report reasonable settlement and bonding within the storm snow. Older buried surfaces include wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. With more snow and wind forecast for Thursday, new storm slabs are expected to form. The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Below treeline, the snow appears to be in a spring melt-freeze cycle.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At higher elevations, new snow up to 60 cm sits over a plethora of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs which may still be reactive to rider triggers. Previous strong winds have redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward terrain features. Lower elevations up to treeline are sporting spring-like, melt-freeze conditions. The recent storm snow is sitting over a weak facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-February and has been quite reactive recently. The late-January crust/surface hoar layer (over 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_71516F31">New snow will be landing on old hard wind slabs and wind-scoured surfaces. New storm slabs are expected to develop.</span><span class="s_B5B45E27"> Cornices may also be fragile. A crust/facet combo down 10-60 cm is causing trouble (see avalanche summary) and produces moderate, sudden results in snowpack tests. Avalanche problems associated with this layer may linger for a while, with the potential for large and destructive avalanches. A second, deeper crust marks the boundary with a lower snowpack that is reported to be generally well-settled and strong. Below treeline, the diminishing snowpack is trending isothermal (same temperature throughout).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At higher elevations, new storm snow up to 20 cm sits over a plethora of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. This gives us anywhere from 40-80 cm over the mid-February persistent weak interface. This interface has recently been very reactive and I don't suspect that to change during this stormy period. Strong winds have redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward terrain features. Lower elevations up to treeline are sporting spring-like, melt-freeze conditions. The late-January crust/surface hoar layer (over 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At higher elevations, up to 20-50 cm of snow sits over a plethora of old surfaces including wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs and crusts which were buried mid-March. Previous strong winds have redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward terrain features and lower elevations (below 2000 m) are sporting spring-like, melt-freeze conditions. Digging deeper (40-70 cm below the surface) sits the mid-February facet/ crust interface. This interface has not been as reactive in the South unlike regions to the North. However, it is alive and well in test profiles. It may just require additional load and/ or a change in slab properties before it reaches threshold and becomes reactive. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (around 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">During the heat afternoon of the afternoon, the snow surface has been reported to be moist or wet at all elevations on solar aspects and up to 2000m on north aspects. Melt-freeze cycles are occurring at higher elevations with a weak crust forming overnight and then breaking down during the afternoon. Up to 35cm of snow sits over the mid-March rain crust which is up to 15cm thick. Reports suggest that this recent snow is generally bonding well to the crust. Older deeply buried persistent weak layers still exist in the snowpack but are no longer expected to be reactive. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm snow is settling into a cohesive slab which is typically 30-40cm thick. This snow is now moist or wet on all aspects and elevations except high elevation north facing terrain. Wind affected snow is expected in the high alpine and ongoing winds may be adding additional load to slabs in leeward terrain features. Up to at least treeline elevation, the snowpack below the new storm snow is moist or wet from the warming and heavy rain last week. A weak rain crust sits between the storm snow and the lower snowpack. The thick mid-February crust has broken down and is no longer supportive. There are a couple older persistent weak layers in the midpack that are probably breaking down but will remain an isolated concern while the snowpack remains warm. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Overnight lows have been high enough lately to prevent a solid freeze below treeline. By early afternoon the valley bottom snowpack is near isothermal and higher elevations are seeing moist snow on solar aspects. At treeline the surface varies from sun/temperature crust on solar aspects to fresh windslabs on lee features. The recent snow has been blown into the low areas where there is a crust underneath. No avalanches have occurred on this interface yet, but its likely there are isolated pockets of touchy windslab in crossloaded features. The alpine is a mix of windslab and wind disturbed, but still soft snow. Winds were variable today so expect to see windslabs of varying density on all aspects.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_71516F31">New snow will be landing on recently formed wind slabs and wind-scoured surfaces. Weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack include hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Below treeline, the snow appears to be in a spring melt-freeze cycle.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At higher elevations, 10-30 cm snow sits over a plethora of old surfaces including wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs and crusts which were buried mid-March. Previous strong winds have redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward terrain features and lower elevations (below 2000 m) are sporting spring-like, melt-freeze conditions. Digging deeper (20-50 cm below the surface) sits the mid-February facet/ crust interface. This interface has not been reactive in the Purcell's unlike regions to the North. However, it is alive and well in test profiles and may just require additional load and/ or a change in slab properties before it reaches threshold and becomes reactive. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (around 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm snow is settling into a cohesive slab which is typically 50-70cm thick. This snow is now moist or wet on all aspects and elevations expect high elevation north facing terrain. Wind affected snow is expected in the high alpine and ongoing winds may be adding additional load to slabs in leeward terrain features. Up to at least treeline elevation, the snowpack below the new storm snow is moist or wet from the warming and heavy rain last week. A weak rain crust sits between the new storm snow and the lower snowpack. The thick mid-February crust has broken down and is no longer supportive. Recent cornice growth has been reported and these cornices may become fragile with afternoon warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_71516F31">New snow will be landing on old hard wind slabs and wind-scoured surfaces. New storm slabs are expected to develop. </span><span class="s_B5B45E27">Cornices may also be fragile. A crust/facet persistent weak layer, buried anywhere from 10 to 60 cm down, has started to play up (see avalanche summary). Avalanche problems associated with this layer may linger for a while with the potential for large and destructive avalanches. A deeper crust (formed by heavy rain in February) is down around 70 cm. Below the deeper crust, the snowpack is reported to be generally well-settled and strong. Below treeline, the diminishing snowpack is trending isothermal (same temperature throughout).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Around 1 m of recent storm snow was redistributed by strong and variable winds, creating widespread wind slabs. Operators report settlement and bonding within the storm snow. Older buried surfaces include wind slabs, hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. With more snow and wind forecast, new storm slabs are expected to form. The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Below treeline, the snow appears to be in a spring melt-freeze cycle.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At higher elevations, new storm snow up to 20 cm sits over a plethora of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. This gives us anywhere from 40-80 cm over the mid-February persistent weak interface. This interface has recently been very reactive and I don't suspect that to change during this stormy period. Strong winds have redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward terrain features. Lower elevations up to treeline are sporting spring-like, melt-freeze conditions. The late-January crust/surface hoar layer (over 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">By Saturday morning I'd expect new storm slabs to have formed in response to steady wind, snowfall and warm temperatures prior to the weekend.</span><span class="s_71516F31"> </span><span class="s_B5B45E27">Cornices may also be fragile. A crust/facet persistent weak layer, buried up to 60 cm down, has started to play up in isolated terrain (see avalanche summary). Avalanche problems associated with this layer may linger for a while with the potential for surprisingly large and destructive avalanches. Below this, the snowpack is reported to be generally well-settled and strong. At lower elevations, the diminishing snowpack is trending isothermal (same temperature throughout).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At higher elevations, new storm snow 20-30 cm sits over a plethora of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. This gives us anywhere from 40-80 cm over the mid-February persistent weak interface. This interface has recently been very reactive and I don't suspect that to change during this stormy period. Strong winds have redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward terrain features. Lower elevations up to treeline are sporting spring-like, melt-freeze conditions. The late-January crust/surface hoar layer (over 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At higher elevations, up to 20-50 cm of snow sits over a plethora of old surfaces including wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs and crusts which were buried mid-March. Previous strong winds have redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward terrain features and lower elevations (below 2000 m) are sporting spring-like, melt-freeze conditions. Digging deeper (40-70 cm below the surface) sits the mid-February facet/ crust interface. This interface has not been as reactive in the South unlike regions to the North. However, it is alive and well in test profiles. It may just require additional load and/ or a change in slab properties before it reaches threshold and becomes reactive. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (around 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snowfall may be sitting on a sun crust on solar aspects. During the heat afternoon of the afternoon, the snow surface has been reported to be moist or wet at all elevations on solar aspects and up to 2000m on north aspects. At many elevations, melt-freeze cycles are occurring with a weak surface crust forming overnight and then breaking down during the afternoon. Up to 35cm of snow from last weekends storm sits over the mid-March rain crust which is up to 15cm thick. Reports suggest that this snow is bonding well to the crust. Older deeply buried persistent weak layers still exist in the snowpack but are no longer expected to be reactive. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A moist or wet snow surface is expected on all aspects to around treeline and on sun-exposed slopes into the alpine. Dry snow can likely still be found on sheltered high elevation slopes. Ongoing strong SW winds are redistributing the surface snow in exposed high elevation terrain. New wind slabs are expected to be building in leeward features and will be enhanced with the upcoming snowfall. A weak rain crust from last weekend is down 30-50cm and has a good bond with snow above. There are a couple older persistent weak layers in the midpack that are still intact and have the potential to wake-up with substantial warming or heavy loading. Cornices may become fragile with afternoon warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Overnight lows have been high enough lately to prevent a solid freeze below treeline. By early afternoon the valley bottom snowpack is near isothermal and higher elevations are seeing moist snow on solar aspects. At treeline the surface varies from sun/temperature crust on solar aspects to fresh windslabs on lee features. The recent snow has been blown into the low areas where there is a crust underneath. No avalanches have occurred on this interface yet, but its likely there are isolated pockets of touchy windslab in crossloaded features. The alpine is a mix of windslab and wind disturbed, but still soft snow. Winds were variable today so expect to see windslabs of varying density on all aspects.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_71516F31">New snow has landed on recently formed wind slabs and wind-scoured surfaces. Weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack include hard crusts, surface hoar, and/or surface facets. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Below treeline, the snow appears to be in a spring melt-freeze cycle.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At higher elevations, 10-30 cm snow sits over a plethora of old surfaces including wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs and crusts which were buried mid-March. Previous strong winds have redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward terrain features and lower elevations (below 2000 m) are sporting spring-like, melt-freeze conditions. Digging deeper (20-50 cm below the surface) sits the mid-February facet/ crust interface. This interface has not been reactive in the Purcell's unlike regions to the North. However, it is alive and well in test profiles and may just require additional load and/ or a change in slab properties before it reaches threshold and becomes reactive. The late-Jan crust/surface hoar layer (around 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Rain on Thursday has soaked the snow surface to around 1800m. Up to 15cm of new snow is expected to have fallen in the alpine. This was coupled with strong SW winds which have likely redistributed much of this snow in exposed terrain. New wind slabs are expected in leeward features. A weak rain crust from last weekend is down 50-70cm and has a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the midpack but are not currently presenting an avalanche problem. Recent cornice growth has been reported and these cornices may become fragile with afternoon warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">By Saturday morning I'd expect deep and dense new storm slabs to have formed in response to steady wind, snowfall and warm temperatures prior to the weekend.</span><span class="s_71516F31"> </span><span class="s_B5B45E27">Cornices may also be fragile. A crust/facet persistent weak layer, buried up to 80 cm down, has started to play up in isolated terrain (see avalanche summary). Avalanche problems associated with this layer may linger for a while with the potential for surprisingly large and destructive avalanches. Below this, the snowpack is reported to be generally well-settled and strong. At lower elevations, the diminishing snowpack is trending isothermal (same temperature throughout).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">New wind slabs have formed in high elevation lee terrain. These wind slabs overlie a variety of surfaces which include older wind slabs or melt-freeze crusts. Up to a metre below the surface you may find a hard crust which co-exists with facets, especially in the north of the region. Although reports suggest this layer has gained significant strength, I'd be wary of the possibility of isolated large avalanches on steep, unsupported slopes, especially if temperatures increase, or if solar radiation is strong. The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Below treeline, the snow appears to be in a spring melt-freeze cycle.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At higher elevations, new storm snow 20-30 cm sits over a plethora of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs otherwise known as the mid-March interface. This gives us anywhere from 40-80 cm over the mid-February persistent weak interface. This interface has recently been very reactive. Strong southwest winds have redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward terrain features. Lower elevations up to treeline are sporting spring-like, melt-freeze conditions. The late-January crust/surface hoar layer (over 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snowfall with strong SW winds is forming wind slabs in leeward terrain features. At lower elevations or on sun-exposed slopes, the new snowfall may sit over a sun/temperature crust that formed with warm conditions during the week. Down around 25cm is a thin rain crust that was reported to be widespread to at least 1200m elevation. Snowpack tests suggest that this layer is reactive but there may not be enough of an overlying slab yet to create an avalanche problem. The late January crust/facet interface can be found around 100cm below the surface. This layer has been dormant but could wake-up with substantial warming or heavy loading. A cornice failure or an avalanche in motion may have the potential to step down to this layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">New storm slabs have formed in response to steady wind, snowfall and warm temperatures prior to the weekend. At lower elevations, rain has saturated the snowpack. </span><span class="s_B5B45E27">Cornices may also be fragile. A touchy crust/facet persistent weak layer, buried up to 70 cm down, has started to play up in isolated terrain, especially in the north of the region (see avalanche summary). Avalanche problems associated with this layer may linger for a while with the potential for surprisingly large and destructive avalanches. Below this, the snowpack is reported to be generally well-settled and strong. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, new storm snow (30-50cm) sits over a variety of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. Anywhere from 50-80 cm now sits over the mid-February persistent weak interface. This interface has recently been very reactive and may continue to produce large avalanches. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. The snow surface has been reported to be wet to around 1700m and moist to ridgetop. The snow surface is now expected to undergo melt-freeze cycles as freezing levels fluctuate overnight. The late-January crust/surface hoar layer (over 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, new storm snow (40-60cm) sits over a variety of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. New snowfall amounts taper off substantially towards the south of the region. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. The snow surface has been reported to be wet to around 1700m and moist to 2300m. The snow surface is now expected to undergo melt-freeze cycles as freezing levels fluctuate overnight. Down 50-80 cm is the mid-February facet/crust interface. This interface has not been very reactive in the South Columbia region but in the North Columbia region it has produced numerous large avalanches. With the new storm loading, this layer may become reactive and storm slab avalanches have the potential to step down. The late-January crust/surface hoar layer (over 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 to 30 cm of new snow rests on the 15cm thick mid-March crust. Wind loaded features may have as much as 60 cm on the crust. During the heat of the afternoon, the snow surface has been reported to be moist or wet at all elevations on solar aspects and up to 2000m on north aspects. At many elevations, melt-freeze cycles are occurring with a weak surface crust forming overnight and then breaking down during the afternoon. Up to 35cm of snow from last weekends storm sits over the mid-March rain crust. Reports suggest that this snow is bonding well to the crust. Older deeply buried persistent weak layers still exist in the snowpack but are no longer expected to be reactive. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A moist or wet snow surface is expected on all aspects to around treeline and on sun-exposed slopes into the alpine. Dry snow can likely still be found on sheltered high elevation slopes. Ongoing strong SW winds are redistributing the surface snow in exposed high elevation terrain.&nbsp; A weak rain crust from last weekend is down 30-50cm and has a good bond with snow above. There are a couple older persistent weak layers in the midpack that are still intact and have the potential to wake-up with substantial warming or heavy loading. Cornices may become fragile with afternoon warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack at lower elevations is not getting much (if any) refreeze overnight due to warm temperatures and light rain making travel tedious, especially where the snowpack has gone isothermal. Crusts are present on solar aspects all the way to mountaintop, and these crusts are breaking down each day depending on solar input and daytime heating. However, classic spring-time &quot;corn snow&quot; is not being observed yet. Wind slabs can be found on lee and cross-loaded terrain in the alpine and treeline. The weak basal layers remain a concern, particularly in shallow snowpack areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_71516F31">Light accumulations from Friday may now exist as a soft wind slab in high elevation lee terrain. The new snow overlies older wind slabs, crusts and wind-scoured surfaces. Weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack may include hard crusts and/or weak facet crystals. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Below treeline, the snow is in a spring melt-freeze cycle.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, new storm snow (10-30cm) sits over a variety of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. The snow surface has been reported to be wet to around 1800m and moist to around 2300m. The snow surface is now expected to undergo melt-freeze cycles as freezing levels fluctuate overnight. 20-50 cm below the surface is the mid-February facet/crust interface. This interface has not yet become reactive in the Purcell region but in the North Columbia region it has produced numerous large avalanches. With the new storm loading, this layer may become reactive and smaller avalanches have the potential to step down. The late-January crust/surface hoar layer (around 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (over 1m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Rain on Thursday has soaked the snow surface to around 1800m. Up to 15cm of new snow is expected to have fallen in the alpine. This was coupled with strong SW winds which have likely redistributed much of this snow in exposed terrain. New wind slabs are expected in leeward features. A weak rain crust from last weekend is down 50-70cm and has a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the midpack but are not currently presenting an avalanche problem. Recent cornice growth has been reported and these cornices may become fragile with afternoon warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Deep and dense new storm slabs to have formed in response to steady wind, snowfall and warm temperatures prior to the weekend. At lower elevations, rain has saturated the snowpack. </span><span class="s_B5B45E27">Cornices may also be fragile. A weak crust/facet persistent weak layer, buried up to 80 cm down, has started to play up in isolated terrain (see avalanche summary). Avalanche problems associated with this layer may linger for a while with the potential for surprisingly large and destructive avalanches. Below this, the snowpack is reported to be generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Smaller wind slabs have formed in high elevation lee terrain. These wind slabs overlie a variety of surfaces which include older wind slabs or melt-freeze crusts. Up to a metre below the surface you may find a hard crust which co-exists with facets, especially in the north of the region. Although reports suggest this layer has gained strength, I'd be wary of the possibility of isolated large avalanches on steep, unsupported slopes, especially if temperatures increase, or if solar radiation is strong. The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Below treeline, the snow appears to be in a spring melt-freeze cycle.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, new storm snow (40-60cm) sits over a variety of surfaces including moist snow, crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. Anywhere from 50-80 cm now sits over the mid-February persistent weak interface. This interface has recently been very reactive. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. The snow surface has been reported to be wet to around 1700m and moist to around 2000m. The snow surface is now expected to undergo melt-freeze cycles as freezing levels fluctuate overnight. The late-January crust/surface hoar layer (over 1m deep) and the mid-January surface hoar (around 1.5m deep) have been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">New wind slabs have formed in response to recent wind, snowfall and warm temperatures. At lower elevations, rain has saturated the snowpack. </span><span class="s_B5B45E27">Cornices may also be fragile. A touchy crust/facet persistent weak layer, buried up to 60 cm down, has been reactive producing easy test results at upper treeline and alpine elevations, especially in the north of the region (see avalanche summary). Avalanche problems associated with this layer may linger for a while with the potential for surprisingly large and destructive avalanches. Below this, the snowpack is reported to be generally well-settled and strong. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, 40-50cm of dense storm snow sits over the mid-March interface which had included crusts, moist snow, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. Anywhere from 70-100cm now sits over the mid-February persistent weak interface. This interface has recently been very reactive and has produced very large avalanches. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. On Saturday, the snow surface was reported to be wet to around 1600m and moist to around 1900m. The snow surface is now expected to be undergoing melt-freeze cycles as freezing levels drop overnight.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, 40-60cm of dense storm snow sits over the mid-March interface which had included crusts, moist snow, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. New snowfall amounts taper off substantially towards the south of the region. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. Down 50-80cm is the mid-February facet/crust interface. This interface appears to be well bonded in the South Columbia region but in the North Columbia region it is very reactive and has produced numerous large avalanches. There is still some concern for this layer to wake-up in the South Columbia region and storm slab avalanches have the potential to step down to it. On Saturday, the snow surface was reported to be wet to around 1700m and moist to around 2000m. The snow surface is now expected to be undergoing melt-freeze cycles as freezing levels drop overnight.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">An average of 30-50 cm of moist new snow now sits on the mid-March crust, which is 10-15 cm thick. Wind loaded features may have as much as 60 cm on the crust. Recent reports suggest that the overlying snow is bonding well to the crust. During the heat of the afternoon, the snow surface has been reported to be moist or wet at all elevations on solar aspects and up to 2000m on north aspects. At many elevations, melt-freeze cycles are occurring with a weak surface crust forming overnight and then breaking down during the afternoon. Older deeply buried persistent weak layers still exist in the snowpack but are no longer expected to be reactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A moist or wet snow surface is expected on all aspects to around treeline and on sun-exposed slopes into the alpine. Dry snow can likely still be found on sheltered high elevation slopes. Ongoing strong SW winds are redistributing the surface snow in exposed high elevation terrain.  A weak rain crust from last weekend is down 30-50cm and has a good bond with snow above. There are a couple older persistent weak layers in the midpack that are still intact and have the potential to wake-up with substantial warming or heavy loading. Cornices may become fragile with afternoon warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Light rain up to 2300m on Saturday has formed rain crusts on all aspects that are not supportive to the weight of a skier at lower elevations. Solar input today began to break down these crusts in the afternoon on solar aspects. Previously formed sun crusts exist up to 2800m on solar aspects. Yesterday's rain turned to snow overnight and between 4 and 7cm fell at treeline. Previously formed wind slabs are still prominent in alpine areas and isolated areas at upper treeline elevations. Watch for these slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain. Basal weaknesses remain a concern, particularly in steep and shallow snowpack features. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_71516F31">Light accumulations from Friday may now exist as a soft wind slab in high elevation lee terrain. The new snow overlies older wind slabs, crusts and wind-scoured surfaces. Sun-exposed slopes and lower elevation areas are likely in a spring melt-freeze cycle. Weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack may include hard crusts and/or facet crystals, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of this layer. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile, especially under warm, sunny skies</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snowfall amounts vary greatly across the region. The NW part of the region received up to 60cm while the Dogtooth received around 30cm and the far south received close to zero. At higher elevations, this dense storm snow sits over the mid-March interface which had included crusts, moist snow, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. On Saturday, the snow surface was reported to be wet to around 1800m and moist to around 2400m. The snow surface is now expected to undergo melt-freeze cycles as freezing levels fluctuate overnight. 20-50 cm below the surface is the mid-February facet/crust interface. This interface has not been reactive in the Purcells but has been very reactive in the neighboring North Columbia region. With additional loading, this layer could become a concern. Deeper persistent weak layers have been dormant for several weeks and are not currently a problem but still have the potential to wake-up with major warming or heavy loading. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snow level has typically been between 1700 and 2000 m for the past couple days. Alpine areas have likely received 20-30 cm of moist new snow during this time. Periods of strong W-SW winds have probably redistributed much of this snow in exposed terrain, creating fresh wind slabs in leeward features. A weak rain crust from last weekend is down 50-70cm and has a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the midpack but are not currently presenting an avalanche problem. Recent cornice growth has been reported and these cornices may become fragile with afternoon warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Deep and dense new storm slabs have formed in response to steady wind, snowfall and warm temperatures prior to the weekend. At lower elevations, rain has saturated the snowpack. </span><span class="s_B5B45E27">Cornices may also be fragile. A variably reactive crust/facet persistent weak layer, buried up to 100 cm down, has been the culprit in a few recent destructive avalanches (see avalanche summary). Avalanche problems associated with this layer may linger for a while with the potential for surprisingly large and destructive avalanches in steeper, high elevation terrain. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">In high elevation lee terrain you may find smaller soft wind slabs which formed in response to recent southwest winds and light snowfall. These wind slabs overlie a variety of surfaces which include older wind slabs or melt-freeze crusts. On sun-exposed slopes and at lower elevations, the snowpack is likely in a spring melt-freeze cycle.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Up to a metre below the surface you may find a hard crust which co-exists with facets. This condition seems more specific to the north of the region. Although reports suggest this layer has gained significant strength, I'd be wary of the possibility of isolated large avalanches on steep, unsupported slopes, especially if temperatures increase, or if solar radiation is strong. The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, 40-60cm of dense storm snow sits over the mid-March interface which had included crusts, moist snow, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. Anywhere from 70-100cm now sits over the mid-February persistent weak interface. This interface has recently been very reactive and has produced very large avalanches. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. On Friday, the snow surface was reported to be wet to around 1700m and moist to around 2100m. The snow surface is now expected to be undergoing melt-freeze cycles as freezing levels drop overnight. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">New wind slabs have formed in response to recent wind, snowfall and warm temperatures. At lower elevations, rain has saturated the snowpack. Cornices may also be fragile. A touchy crust/facet persistent weak layer, buried up to 60 cm down, has been reactive producing easy test results at upper treeline and alpine elevations, especially in the north of the region (see avalanche summary). Avalanche problems associated with this layer may linger for a while with the potential for surprisingly large and destructive avalanches. Below this, the snowpack is reported to be generally well-settled and strong. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, 40-60cm of dense storm snow sits over the mid-March interface which had included crusts, moist snow, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. Anywhere from 80-120cm now sits over the mid-February persistent weak interface. This interface has recently been very reactive and has produced very large avalanches. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds had redistributed the new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. On Sunday, the snow surface was reported to be moist below around 1800m. The snow surface is now expected to be undergoing melt-freeze cycles as freezing levels drop overnight.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, 40-60cm of dense storm snow sits over the mid-March interface which had included crusts, moist snow, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. New snowfall amounts taper off towards the south of the region. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds had redistributed the new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. Down 50-80cm is the mid-February facet/crust interface. This interface appears to be well bonded in the South Columbia region but in the North Columbia region it is very reactive and has produced numerous large avalanches. There is still some concern for this layer to wake-up in the South Columbia region and storm slab avalanches have the potential to step down to it. On Sunday, the snow surface was reported to be wet to around 1700m and moist to around 2000m (higher on solar aspects). The snow surface is now expected to be undergoing melt-freeze cycles as freezing levels drop overnight.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Most areas received 5-15 cm of snow over the past couple days. Fluctuating temperatures have resulted in variable snow surfaces (dry, moist, crusty) depending on aspect and elevation. Moderate W-SW winds have formed fresh wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain at and above treeline. The mid March crust layer is now down 40-60cm. Recent reports suggest that the overlying snow is bonding well to the crust. At many elevations, melt-freeze cycles continue with a weak surface crust forming overnight and then breaking down during the afternoon. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Around 5-15 cm of new snow has likely fallen at elevations above 1500 m. Periods of strong W-SW winds may have redistributed the new snow in exposed high elevation terrain, creating fresh wind slabs on lee and cross-loaded slopes. Lower elevation slopes are probably moist or wet and the snowpack is rapidly dwindling. A weak rain crust from last weekend is down 30-50cm and generally has a good bond with snow above. There are a couple older persistent weak layers in the midpack that are still intact and have the potential to wake-up with substantial warming or heavy loading. Cornices may become fragile with afternoon warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">6 to 10cm new snow in the past 24hrs at treeline. This overlies a dense supportive layer (rain crust at lower elevations) at treeline and below. Minor sluffing in steep terrain with skier traffic. Solar radiation is intense even when only in isolated bursts, which is producing moist snow on solar aspects at all elevations. Wind slabs are still present in the alpine and these reach into isolated areas at treeline. The basal weak layers remain a concern in steep and shallow snowpack areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light accumulations from Friday may now exist as a soft wind slab in high elevation lee terrain. The new snow overlies older wind slabs, crusts and wind-scoured surfaces. Sun-exposed slopes and lower elevation areas are likely in a spring melt-freeze cycle. Weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack may include hard crusts and/or facet crystals, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of this layer. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snowfall amounts vary greatly across the region. The NW part of the region received up to 60cm while the Dogtooth received around 30cm and the far south received close to zero. At higher elevations, this dense storm snow sits over the mid-March interface which had included crusts, moist snow, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds had redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. On Sunday, the snow surface was reported to be wet to around 1800m and moist to around 2200m. The snow surface is now expected to undergo melt-freeze cycles as freezing levels fluctuate overnight. 20-50 cm below the surface is the mid-February facet/crust interface. This interface has not been reactive in the Purcells but has been very reactive in the neighboring North Columbia region. With additional loading, this layer could become a concern. Deeper persistent weak layers in the snowpack that have been dormant for several weeks are not currently a problem but still have the potential to wake-up with major warming or heavy loading. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snow level has typically been between 1600 and 2000 m for the past couple days. Alpine and treeline areas have likely received 20-30 cm of moist new snow during this time. Periods of strong W-SW winds have probably redistributed much of this snow in exposed terrain, creating fresh wind slabs in leeward features. A weak rain crust from last weekend is down 50-70cm and has a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the midpack but are not currently presenting an avalanche problem. Recent cornice growth has been reported and these cornices may become fragile with afternoon warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Deep and dense new storm slabs have formed in response to steady wind, snowfall and warm temperatures prior to the weekend. At lower elevations, rain has saturated the snowpack. Cornices may also be fragile. The mid-March persistent weakness has become a serious player. It consists of a variably reactive crust/facet interface that is buried about 100cm below the snow surface. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">In high elevation lee terrain you may find smaller soft wind slabs which formed in response to recent southwest winds and light snowfall. These wind slabs overlie a variety of surfaces which include older wind slabs or melt-freeze crusts. On sun-exposed slopes and at lower elevations, the snowpack is likely in a spring melt-freeze cycle.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Up to a meter below the surface you may find a hard crust which co-exists with facets. This condition seems more specific to the north of the region. Although reports suggest this layer has gained significant strength, I'd be wary of the possibility of isolated large avalanches on steep, unsupported slopes, especially if temperatures increase, or if solar radiation is strong. The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, 40-60cm of dense storm snow sits over the mid-March interface which had included crusts, moist snow, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. Anywhere from 70-100cm now sits over the mid-February persistent weak interface. This interface has recently been very reactive and has produced some very large avalanches. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds had redistributed the new snow into wind slabs in leeward features. On Sunday, the snow surface was reported to be wet to around 1700m and moist to around 2000m (higher on solar aspects). The snow surface is now expected to be undergoing melt-freeze cycles as freezing levels drop overnight. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Intentionally left blank. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">A few centimeters of new snow fell Monday night. This new snow rests on top of wind slabs that formed over the last few days in response to recent wind, snowfall and warm temperatures. At lower elevations, rain has saturated the snowpack. Cornices may also be fragile. A touchy crust/facet persistent weak layer, buried up to 60 cm down, has been reactive producing easy test results at upper treeline and alpine elevations, especially in the north of the region (see avalanche summary). Avalanche problems associated with this layer may linger for a while with the potential for surprisingly large and destructive avalanches. Below this, the snowpack is reported to be generally well-settled and strong. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At higher elevations, 40-60 cm of dense storm snow sits over the mid-March interface which had included crusts, moist snow, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. Anywhere from 25-60 cm of snow sits on the mid- March interface, which has recently been reactive as a storm slab. The mid- February persistent weak interface is now down 80-120 cm and continues to be very reactive, producing very large and destructive avalanches. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds had redistributed the new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. Snow surfaces are reported to be moist below around 1900 m.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At higher elevations, 40-60 cm of dense storm snow sits over the mid-March interface which had included crusts, moist snow, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. This interface has recently come alive and is reactive, especially in the North (Revelstoke and surrounding area). Recent snowfall amounts taper off towards the south of the region. Strong SW winds had redistributed the new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. Digging deeper, 50-80 cm is the mid-February facet/crust interface. There is some concern for this layer to wake-up in the South Columbia region and storm slab avalanches have the potential to step down to it. Snow surfaces are wet to around 1700 m and moist to around 2200 m. The snow surface is undergoing melt-freeze cycles as freezing levels drop overnight.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In the past 3 days many areas received up to 20 cm of new snow above 1600 m. Fluctuating temperatures have resulted in variable snow surfaces (dry, moist, crusty) depending on aspect and elevation. Moderate W-SW winds have formed fresh wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain at and above treeline. The mid March crust layer is now down 40-60cm. Recent reports suggest that the overlying snow is bonding well to the crust. At many elevations, melt-freeze cycles continue with a weak surface crust forming overnight and then breaking down during the afternoon. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Around 10-20 cm of new snow has likely fallen at elevations above 1500-1700 m. Periods of strong W-SW winds may have redistributed the new snow in exposed high elevation terrain, creating fresh wind slabs on lee and cross-loaded slopes. Lower elevation slopes are probably moist or wet and the snowpack is rapidly dwindling. A weak rain crust from last weekend is down 30-50cm and generally has a good bond with snow above. There are a couple older persistent weak layers in the midpack that are still intact and have the potential to wake-up with substantial warming or heavy loading. Cornices may become fragile with afternoon warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">2 to 4cm of new snow overnight with up to 10cm of storm snow at treeline. This storm snow overlies a variety of previous surfaces including wind slabs, sun crust and rain crust at lower elevations. Recent cool temperatures have solidified the crusts and these are now supportive to the weight of a skier. Solar radiation is intense at this time of year and even brief clear periods are causing the surface snow to become moist on solar aspects. Wind slabs are still prominent in lee and cross-loaded features in the alpine and these reach down into isolated upper treeline terrain. The basal weak layers persist and concern remains for triggering this layer in steep and shallow snowpack features.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light accumulations from Friday may now exist as a soft wind slab in high elevation lee terrain. The new snow overlies older wind slabs, crusts and wind-scoured surfaces. Sun-exposed slopes and lower elevation areas are likely in a spring melt-freeze cycle. Weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack may include hard crusts and/or facet crystals, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of this layer. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snowfall amounts vary greatly across the region. The NW part of the region received up to 60 cm while the Dogtooth received around 30 cm and the far south received close to zero. At higher elevations, this dense storm snow sits over the mid-March interface which had included crusts, moist snow, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds had redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. Snow surfaces are wet around 1800 m and moist to around 2200 m. The snow surface is expected to undergo melt-freeze cycles as freezing levels drop overnight. On average, 20-50 cm below the surface is the mid-February facet/crust interface. This interface has not been reactive in the Purcells but has been very reactive in the neighboring North Columbia region. Deeper persistent weak layers in the snowpack have been dormant for several weeks, however shallower snowpack areas may be suspect.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snow level has typically been between 1600 and 2000 m for the past couple days. Alpine and treeline areas have likely received 20-35 cm of new snow during this time. Periods of strong W-SW winds have probably redistributed much of this snow in exposed terrain, creating fresh wind slabs in leeward features. The mid March rain crust is down 50-70cm and has a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the midpack but are not currently presenting an avalanche problem (maybe during a big warm up though?). Recent cornice growth has been reported and these cornices may become fragile with afternoon warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">A few cm of fresh snow fell with almost no wind Monday night.  This recent dusting should make for great riding, but the region has a very serious persistent slab problem just under the surface.  A cohesive slab 40 to 120cm in depth rests on the mid-March persistent weak layer that consists of small grain facets on a crust.  This interface has been quite volatile recently and remains sensitive to human triggering.  At lower elevations, rain has saturated the snowpack.  The mid and lower snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">In high elevation lee terrain you may find smaller soft wind slabs which formed in response to recent southwest winds and light snowfall. These wind slabs overlie a variety of surfaces which include older wind slabs or melt-freeze crusts. On sun-exposed slopes and at lower elevations, the snowpack is likely in a spring melt-freeze cycle.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Up to a meter below the surface you may find a hard crust which co-exists with facets. This condition seems more specific to the north of the region. Although reports suggest this layer has gained significant strength, I'd be wary of the possibility of isolated large avalanches on steep, unsupported slopes, especially if temperatures increase, or if solar radiation is strong. The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_DDF6C5E8">At higher elevations, 40-60 cm of dense storm snow sits over the mid-March interface which had included crusts, moist snow, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. This has recently been reactive with the new storm snow. The mid- February persistent weak interface is now down 80-120 cm and continues to be very reactive, producing very large and destructive avalanches. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds had redistributed the new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. Snow surfaces are reported to be moist below around 1900 m and undergoing melt-freeze cycles as freezing levels drop overnight.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">5 to 20 cm of light storm snow fell in the last 48 hours.  This snow rests on top of ageing wind slabs that formed over the last week in response to recent wind, snowfall and warm temperatures. At lower elevations, rain has saturated the snowpack. Cornices may also be fragile. A touchy crust/facet interface known as the mid-March persistent weak layer is 40 to 120 cm below the surface.  This persistent weak layer continues to produce sudden test results at upper treeline and alpine elevations, especially in the north of the region.  Below this, the snowpack is reported to be generally well-settled and strong. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, 40-60 cm of dense storm snow sits over the mid-March interface which had included crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. Anywhere from 25-60 cm of snow sits on the mid- March interface, which has recently been reactive as a storm slab. The mid- February persistent weak interface is now down 80-120 cm and continues to be very reactive, producing very large and destructive avalanches. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds had redistributed the new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. Snow surfaces are reported to be moist below around 1900 m.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, 40-60 cm of dense storm snow sits over the mid-March interface which included crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. This interface has recently come alive and has been reactive, especially in the North (Revelstoke and surrounding area). Snow-pit testing varies regionally, with this interface generally showing moderate to hard results with a resistent-sudden planar fracture characteristic. Recent snowfall amounts taper off towards the south of the region. Strong SW winds had redistributed the new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. Digging deeper, 50-80 cm is the mid-February facet/crust interface. There is some concern for this layer to wake-up in the South Columbia region and storm slab avalanches have the potential to step down to it. Snow surfaces are wet to around 1700 m and moist to around 2200 m. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Light snow continues to accumulate with approximately 20-30 cm in the past several days. Fluctuating temperatures have resulted in variable snow surfaces (dry, moist, crusty) depending on aspect and elevation. Moderate SW winds have formed fresh wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain at and above treeline. The mid March crust layer is now down 40-60cm. Most recent reports suggest that the overlying snow is bonding well to the crust. However, a snowpack test on Tuesday from the northern part of the region produced an easy sudden &quot;pops&quot; result on a crust/facet interface down 70 cm. This was on a northwest aspect near 2200 m. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Light snow continues to accumulate above 1500-1700 m. Many areas have likely received 20-30 cm in the past several days. Periods of strong W-SW winds may have redistributed the new snow in exposed high elevation terrain, creating fresh wind slabs on lee and cross-loaded slopes. Lower elevation slopes are probably moist or wet and the snowpack continued to rapidly dwindle. A weak rain crust from last weekend is down 30-50cm and generally seems to have a good bond with snow above. There are a couple older persistent weak layers in the midpack that are still intact and have the potential to wake-up with substantial warming or heavy loading. Cornices may become fragile with afternoon warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-15cm is now overlying previous snow surface that include crusts on all aspects except for true north above 2400m. Isolated pockets of windslab can be found at higher elevations in sheltered areas but many areas have been wind affected or temperature affected from last weeks weather. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper snowpack is largely well settled and non-reactive.  Sun-exposed slopes and lower elevation areas are likely in a spring melt-freeze cycle. Weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack may include hard crusts and/or facet crystals, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of this layer. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At upper elevations recent storm snow amounts vary. The NW part of the region received up to 60 cm while the Dogtooth received around 30 cm and the far south received close to zero. This dense storm snow sits over the mid-March interface which consists of a series of crusts, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. Snowpack tests are showing moderate- hard results with a sudden planar fracture characteristic. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds had redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward terrain features and slopes. On Sunday, the snow surface was reported to be wet to around 1800m and moist to around 2200m. Snow surface are moist up to 2200 m with no significant re-freeze expected. Digging deeper, 20-50 cm below the surface is the mid-February facet/crust interface. This interface has not been reactive in the Purcells but has been very reactive in the neighboring North Columbia region. Deeper persistent weak layers in the snowpack that have been dormant for several weeks and are not currently a problem but still have the potential to wake-up with major warming or heavy loading. Persistent weak layers may be suspect in shallower snowpack areas. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Light snow continues to accumulate above 1500-1700 m. Totals from the last several days are around 25-35 cm. Periods of strong W-SW winds have probably redistributed much of this snow in exposed terrain, creating fresh wind slabs in leeward features. The mid March rain crust is down 50-70cm and has a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the midpack but are not currently presenting an avalanche problem (maybe during a big warm up though?). Recent cornice growth has been reported and these cornices may become fragile with afternoon warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">5 to 10 cm of new snow has fallen over the last 48 hours. This recent dusting has made for great riding, but the region has a very serious persistent slab problem just under the surface. Old storm snow from the last week is settling into a cohesive slab 40 to 120cm in depth that rests on the mid-March persistent weak layer that consists of small grain facets on a crust. This interface has been incredibly volatile recently and remains sensitive to human triggering. Recent compression tests have produced sudden planar failures at this interface. At lower elevations, rain has saturated the snowpack. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">In high elevation lee terrain you may find smaller soft wind slabs which formed in response to recent southwest winds and light snowfall. These wind slabs overlie a variety of surfaces which include older wind slabs or melt-freeze crusts. On sun-exposed slopes and at lower elevations, the snowpack is likely in a spring melt-freeze cycle.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Up to a meter below the surface you may find a hard crust which co-exists with facets. This condition seems more specific to the north of the region. Although reports suggest this layer has gained significant strength, I'd be wary of the possibility of isolated large avalanches on steep, unsupported slopes, especially if temperatures increase, or if solar radiation is strong. The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At higher elevations, 40-60 cm of dense storm snow sits over the mid-March interface which had included crusts, moist snow, wind affected surfaces, and/or old wind slabs. This has recently been reactive with the new storm snow. The mid- February persistent weak interface is now down 80-120 cm and continues to be very reactive, producing very large and destructive avalanches. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds had redistributed the new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. Snow surfaces are reported to be moist up to 2000 m.&nbsp; </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Warm temperatures and light rain have promoted settlement within the most recent recent storm snow, but the region has a very serious persistent slab problem just under the surface. A touchy crust/facet interface known as the mid-March persistent weak layer is down 40 to 120 cm. This persistent weak layer continues to produce sudden test results at upper treeline and alpine elevations, especially in the north of the region. Below this, the snowpack is reported to be generally well-settled and strong. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow up to 20 cm at higher elevations has added to the 40-60 cm of  dense storm snow which sits over the mid-March interface. This buried persistent weak layer is comprised of a series of crusts, wind affected surfaces, and old wind slabs. Digging deeper is the mid- February persistent weak interface which is now down 80-120 cm and continues to be very reactive, producing very large and destructive avalanches. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds had redistributed the new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. From 2000 m down, the upper snowpack has become moist or wet, and has seen no significant re-freeze overnight.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New dense snow up to 25 cm at higher elevations has added load to the previous storm snow that sits over the mid-March interface 40-60 cm down. This interface is comprised of  a series of crusts, wind affected surfaces, and old wind slabs which has recently come alive and has been reactive, especially in the North (Revelstoke and surrounding area). Snow-pit testing varies regionally, with this interface generally showing moderate to hard results with a resistent-sudden planar fracture characteristic. Recent snowfall amounts taper off towards the south of the region. Strong SW winds had redistributed the new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. Digging deeper, 50-80 cm is the mid-February facet/crust interface. There is some concern for this layer to wake-up in the South Columbia region and storm slab avalanches have the potential to step down to it. </span><span class="s_1681A555">From 2200 m down, the upper snowpack has become wet, and has seen no significant re-freeze overnight.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">By early Thursday morning the temperatures began to rise and light rain was likely seen to ridgetop in most areas. This will have created moist or wet surface snow, which probably won't refreeze overnight unless it clears off. The mid March crust layer is now down 40-60cm, and possibly deeper on wind loaded features. Most recent reports suggest that the overlying snow is bonding well to the crust. However, a snowpack test on Tuesday from the northern part of the region produced an easy sudden &quot;pops&quot; result on a crust/facet interface down 70 cm. This was on a northwest aspect near 2200 m. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Temperatures were already on the rise with light precipitation beginning early Thursday morning. This probably resulted in rain to ridgetop creating moist or wet snow at all elevations. The snow surface probably won't refreeze unless there is significant clearing overnight. The mid March rain crust is down 30-60cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack. There is potential for these layers to wake up depending on how much rain and how warm it gets. Recent cornice growth has been reported and these cornices may become fragile with warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Nearly double digit temps have turned the snowpack isothermal at elevation up to 2100m. Above that we have a moist layer resting on a variety of surfaces including old crusts and windslabs. The alpine has windslabs lingering in isolated areas. Polar aspects are more susceptible to the windslab problem These slabs are bonding quickly with the warm weather and high freezing levels.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 25 cm of recent wet snow is sloughing readily in steep terrain. Weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack may include hard crusts and/or facet crystals, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of these layers. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Unpredictable, full-depth glide avalanches are also a concern on low elevation slopes with smooth ground cover (grassy slopes, rock slabs, etc.) where large cracks have formed from the snowpack slipping on the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Warm temps, sunny periods and high freezing levels will make surfaces moist, with no overnight recoveries expected. At treeline and above storm snow amounts from last weekend vary. The NW part of the region received up to 60 cm while the Dogtooth received around 30 cm and the far south received close to zero. This dense storm snow sits over the mid-March interface which consists of a series of crusts, old wind slabs, facets and surface hoar. On a NE aspect at 2375m on Wednesday tests results showed that this interface was easy to trigger and likely to propagate. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds had redistributed new snow into wind slabs on leeward terrain features and slopes. Below this interface is the mid-February facet/crust interface. The mid-February layer has not been reactive in the Purcells but has been very reactive in the neighboring North Columbia region. Deeper persistent weak layers that have been dormant for several weeks are not currently a problem but still have the potential to wake-up with major warming or heavy loading. Persistent weak layers may be suspect in shallower snowpack areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Temperatures were already on the rise with light precipitation beginning early Thursday morning. This probably resulted in rain to ridgetop creating moist or wet snow at all elevations. The snow surface probably won't refreeze unless there is significant clearing overnight. The mid March rain crust is down 50-70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack. There is potential for these layers to wake up depending on how much rain and how warm it gets. Recent cornice growth has been reported and these cornices may become fragile with warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Warm temperatures and light rain have promoted settlement within the most recent recent storm snow, but the region has a very serious persistent slab problem just under the surface. A 50 to 150cm thick slab is poorly bonded to the facet/crust persistent weak layer buried mid-March. This interface has been incredibly volatile recently and remains sensitive to human triggering. Recent compression tests have produced sudden planar failures at this interface. At lower elevations, rain has saturated the snowpack. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">30-50 cm thick fresh heavy storm and thicker wind slabs are poorly bonded to older stiff wind slabs, melt-freeze crusts, or other slippery previous snow surfaces. On sun-exposed slopes and at lower elevations, the snowpack is likely in a spring melt-freeze cycle. A hard crust with weak facets may be lurking as deep as a metre down. This condition seems more specific to the northern parts of the region. Although reports suggest this persistent weakness has gained significant strength, I'd be wary of the possibility of isolated large avalanches on steep, unsupported slopes, especially if temperatures increase, or if solar radiation is strong. The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New dense, wet snow up to 25 cm at higher elevations adds to the previous storm snow (40-60 cm) which sits over the mid-March interface. This buried, persistent weak interface is comprised of a series of crusts, wind affected surfaces, and old wind slabs and has recently been reactive. The mid- February persistent weak interface is now down 80-120 cm and continues to be very reactive, producing very large and destructive avalanches. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds has redistributed the new snow into wind slabs on leeward features.</span><span class="s_1681A555"> From 2000 m down, the upper snowpack has become wet and will continue to deteriorate with no significant re-freeze overnight </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Warm temperatures and light rain have promoted settlement within the most recent recent storm snow, but the region has a very serious persistent slab problem just under the surface. A touchy crust/facet interface known as the mid-March persistent weak layer is down 40 to 120 cm. This persistent weak layer continues to produce sudden test results at upper treeline and alpine elevations, especially in the north of the region. Below this, the snowpack is reported to be generally well-settled and strong. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A rain soaked upper snowpack exists to 2000 m. Above that elevation, new, dense storm snow (25 cm) has added load over the mid-March interface 40-60 cm down. This interface is comprised of a series of crusts, wind affected surfaces, and old wind slabs Digging deeper is the mid- February persistent weak interface which is now down 80-120 cm and continues to be very reactive, producing very large and destructive avalanches. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds had redistributed the new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">A rain soaked upper snowpack exists to 2300 m. Above that elevation, new, dense storm snow (25 cm) has added load over the mid-March interface 40-60 cm down. This interface is comprised of a series of crusts, wind affected surfaces, and old wind slabs which has recently come alive and has been reactive, especially in the North (Revelstoke and surrounding area). Snow-pit testing varies regionally, with this interface generally showing moderate to hard results with a resistant-sudden planar fracture characteristic. Recent snowfall amounts taper off towards the south of the region. Strong SW winds had redistributed the new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. Digging deeper, 50-80 cm is the mid-February facet/crust interface which has also been reactive with larger loads like smaller avalanches stepping down to this interface. Regardless, both layers seem to have very similar sensitivity to triggers and large and destructive avalanches are resulting. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">5 to 20 cm of new snow was left in the wake of Wednesday night's storm. Most (if not all) of this storm snow was affected by rain that fell to ridgetop Thursday afternoon as temperatures rose as high +4 at 2000m. This wet surface snow did not re-freeze Thursday night. The mid-March crust layer is now down 40-60cm, and possibly deeper on wind loaded features. Most recent reports suggest that the overlying snow is bonding well to the crust. However, a snowpack test on Tuesday from the northern part of the region produced an easy sudden &quot;pops&quot; result on a crust/facet interface down 70 cm. This was on a northwest aspect near 2200 m. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Ongoing warm temperatures are helping to rapidly settle the snowpack at and below treeline. Ongoing SW winds have likely left lingering wind slabs on north through east facing features. The mid-March rain crust is down 30-60cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack. There is potential for these layers to wake up depending on how much rain and how warm it gets. Recent cornice growth has been reported and these cornices may become fragile with warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Freezing levels climbed up to 2600m on Friday and as a result, the snowpack is isothermal at lower elevations.  We are now entering a true spring snowpack state. In the morning when temperatures are cooler, the snowpack is stable.  Then as the day progresses and warms up and freezing levels rise, the snowpack will become less stable. Isolated pockets of windslabs may be found on true north aspects at higher elevations and this will continue to remain a concern for skiers.  Now is the time to be looking for corn snow skiing...  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Another 10 cm of drier snow adds to the 10-25 cm of recent wet snow. Weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack may include hard crusts and/or facet crystals, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of these layers. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Unpredictable, full-depth glide avalanches are also a concern on low elevation slopes with smooth ground cover (grassy slopes, rock slabs, etc.) where large cracks have formed from the snowpack slipping on the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Recent warm temps, sunny periods and high freezing levels will make surfaces moist; with some crust recovery/ development above 2000 m. Below that elevation no significant overnight recoveries are expected. At treeline and above storm snow amounts from last weekend vary. The NW part of the region received up to 60 cm while the Dogtooth received around 30 cm and the far south received close to zero. This dense storm snow sits over the mid-March interface which consists of a series of crusts, old wind slabs, facets and surface hoar. Snow-pit tests have shown this interface to be fairly easy to trigger and likely to propagate. In exposed terrain, strong SW winds had redistributed snow into touchy wind slabs on leeward terrain features and slopes. Below this interface is the mid-February facet/crust interface. The mid-February layer has been dormant for some time, however; in neighboring regions it has been reactive. Persistent weak layers may be suspect in shallower snowpack areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Friday was downright balmy in the region, a temperature of +7 was recorded on a north facing slope at 2200m Friday. These warm temps likely resulted in moist/wet snow all the way to ridge top. It looks like another warm and cloudy night Friday, so there probably won't be an overnight refreeze. The mid-March rain crust is down 50-70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack. There is potential for these layers to wake up depending on how much rain and how warm it gets. Recent cornice growth has been reported and these cornices may become fragile with warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Warm temperatures and light rain have promoted settlement within the most recent recent storm snow, but the region has a very serious persistent slab problem just under the surface. A 50 to 150cm thick slab is poorly bonded to the facet/crust persistent weak layer buried mid-March. This interface has been incredibly volatile recently and remains sensitive to human triggering, especially where the slab is thinner. Recent compression tests have produced sudden planar failures at this interface. At lower elevations, rain has saturated the snowpack. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">30-50 cm of recent heavy storm snow and thicker wind slabs are poorly bonded to crusts and other slippery previous snow surfaces. A hard crust with weak facets, buried early March, may be lurking over a metre down. This condition seems more specific to the northern parts of the region. Although reports suggest this persistent weakness has gained significant strength, I'd be wary of the possibility of isolated large avalanches on steep, unsupported slopes, especially if temperatures increase, or if solar radiation is strong. On sun-exposed slopes and at lower elevations, the snowpack is likely in a spring melt-freeze cycle. The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A rain soaked upper snowpack exists to 2300 m. Above that elevation, new, dense storm snow (25 cm) has added load over the mid-March interface 40-60 cm down. This interface is comprised of a series of crusts, wind affected surfaces, and old wind slabs which has recently come alive and has been reactivate. Strong SW winds had redistributed the new snow into wind slabs on leeward features. Digging deeper, 50-80 cm is the mid-February facet/crust interface which has also been reactive with larger loads like smaller avalanches stepping down to this interface. Regardless, both layers seem to have very similar sensitivity to triggers and large and destructive avalanches are resulting. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces are highly variable at the moment. Diurnal temperature swings have promoted a melt-freeze cycle on sun-exposed slopes in the alpine, and on all aspects at lower elevations. Cold night time temperatures have likely contributed to surface faceting, especially on sheltered north facing terrain where the snow may be loose and unconsolidated. Surface hoar development may also be occurring in shaded terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">About 20cm below the surface you may find a thin crust that was likely formed by rain early in the last storm. In some areas, this crust is reported to bond poorly with the overlying snow, and is widespread to at least 1200m. Snowpack tests suggest that this layer is reactive but there may not be enough of an overlying slab yet to create an avalanche problem. The late January crust/facet interface can be found around 100cm below the surface. This layer has been dormant but could wake-up with substantial warming or heavy loading. A cornice failure or an avalanche in motion may have the potential to step down to this layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">This region has a very serious persistent slab problem that exists under the upper layers of dense storm snow. Depending on how much recent snow has fallen, a facet/crust persistent weak layer buried mid-March lies anywhere from 40-120 cm below the surface. Avalanches have continued to run on this layer at upper treeline and alpine elevations, especially in the north of the region. Snowpack layers deeper than this critical interface are reported to be generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_69982360">On Friday, the snow surface became moist to 2800 m in the south, and 2200 m in the north. A few cm of snow may now overlie this moist or refrozen surface, redistributed by SW winds. The mid-March crust is down 60-100 cm and has a poor bond with storm snow above in some locations. A deeper crust/facet layer from mid-February is the one to watch: it is down 80-120 cm and continues producing very large and destructive avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Strong winds have shifted snow onto lee slopes at high elevations. Rain on Friday soaked the upper snowpack to at least treeline. Two persistent weak layers in the upper metre or so of the snowpack are the main story. They have been keeping conditions spicy. The mid-March layer, around 60 cm down, is most reactive where it exists as a crust. Around 80-100 cm down, the mid-February facet/crust interface has also been reactive with large loads like smaller avalanches stepping down, cornice fall or explosives. Both layers are sensitive to triggering and propagate easily, causing very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">20 to 40 cm of rapidly settling wet snow can be found on the surface. Friday felt almost May-like in the mountains with temps topping out at +15c at 900m, +5c at 2200m. Temps dipped below freezing early Saturday morning for a few hours which likely created a very thin surface crust. The mid March crust/facet complex is now down 40-60cm, potentially deeper on wind loaded features. Most recent reports suggest that the overlying snow is bonding well to the crust. However, snowpack tests continue to produce sudden fracture characters indicating there is still energy at this interface. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Sustained warm temperatures are helping to rapidly settle the snowpack at and below treeline. Ongoing SW winds have likely left lingering wind slabs on north through east facing features. The mid-March rain crust is down 30-60cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack. There is potential for these layers to wake up with sustained warming and/or significant rain. Recent cornice growth has been reported and these cornices may become fragile with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">5 to 15cm of heavy wet snow fell at treeline in the past 36hrs, with rain below 2200m. Snow conditions are isothermal below treeline and boot penetration is to ground. Thin storm slabs are present in the alpine on all aspects.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 20 cm of dense storm snow overlies a variety of crusty old surfaces. Weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack may include hard crusts and/or facet crystals, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of these layers. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Unpredictable, full-depth glide avalanches are also a concern on low elevation slopes with smooth ground cover (grassy slopes, rock slabs, etc.) where large cracks have formed from the snowpack slipping on the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span><span class="s_3D0464D1">Recent warm temps, sunny periods and high freezing levels will make surfaces moist; with some crust recovery/ development above 2000 m. Below that elevation, no significant overnight recoveries are expected. At treeline and above storm snow amounts from last weekend vary. The NW part of the region received up to 60 cm while the Dogtooth received around 30 cm and the far south received close to zero. This dense storm snow sits over the mid-March interface which consists of a series of crusts, old wind slabs, facets and surface hoar. Snow-pit tests have shown this interface to be fairly easy to trigger and likely to propagate. Below this interface is the mid-February facet/crust interface. The mid-February layer has been dormant for some time, however; in neighboring regions it has been reactive. Persistent weak layers may be suspect in shallower snowpack areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Friday was downright balmy in the region, a temperature of +7 was recorded on a north facing slope at 2200m Friday. These warm temps have given way to an isothermal snowpack that extends to at least 1600m. Upper elevations probably are not far off with the exception of high north facing features. The mid-March rain crust is down 50-70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up given enough sustained warming and/or rain. Recent conditions have been favorable for cornice growth, large and vulnerable cornices hang precipitously in the balance over many alpine features.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">This region has a very serious persistent slab problem that exists under the upper layers of dense storm snow. Depending on how much recent snow has fallen, a facet/crust persistent weak layer buried mid-March lies anywhere from 50-150 cm below the surface. This interface has been incredibly volatile recently and remains sensitive to human triggering, especially where the slab is thinner. Recent compression tests have produced sudden planar failures at this interface. At lower elevations, rain has saturated the snowpack. Layers below the critical mid-March interface are generally considered to be well-settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">30-50 cm of recent heavy storm snow and, in windy areas, thick wind slabs are poorly bonded to crusts and other slippery previous snow surfaces. In particular, a layer of surface hoar that was buried around 25 March and is now buried around 40 cm below the surface. This layer has been responsible for avalanche activity and whumpfs on northerly aspects in the alpine and at treeline. Some way below this, a hard crust with weak facets, buried early March, may be found over a metre down, particularly in northern parts of the region. Although reports suggest this deeper persistent weakness has gained strength, I'd still be wary of the possibility of isolated large avalanches on steep, unsupported slopes, especially if temperatures increase, or if solar radiation is strong. On sun-exposed slopes and at lower elevations, the snowpack is likely in a spring melt-freeze cycle. The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Strong winds have shifted snow onto lee slopes at high elevations. Rain on Friday soaked the upper snowpack to at least treeline. Two persistent weak layers in the upper metre or so of the snowpack are the main story. They have been keeping conditions spicy. The mid-March layer, around 60 cm down, is most reactive where it exists as a crust. Around 80-100 cm down, the mid-February facet/crust interface has also been reactive with large loads like smaller avalanches stepping down, cornice fall or explosives. Both layers are sensitive to triggering and propagate easily, causing very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">This region has a very serious persistent slab problem that exists under the upper layers of dense storm snow. Depending on how much recent snow has fallen, a facet/crust persistent weak layer buried mid-March lies anywhere from 40-120 cm below the surface. Avalanches have continued to run on this layer at upper treeline and alpine elevations, especially in the north of the region. Snowpack layers deeper than this critical interface are reported to be generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Strong winds have shifted snow onto lee slopes at high elevations. Cornices are large and fragile. Rain below treeline is saturating the snowpack. In the alpine and at treeline, two persistent weak layers in the upper metre or so of the snowpack are the main story. The mid-March layer, around 60 cm down, is most reactive where it exists as a crust. Around 80-100 cm down, the mid-February facet/crust interface has also been reactive. Both layers (or facets in between the two layers) are sensitive to triggering and propagate easily, causing very large avalanches. As temperatures rise on Monday, the reactivity of storm slabs and persistent slabs may go up.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Strong winds have shifted recent snow onto lee slopes at high elevations. Rain on Friday soaked the upper snowpack to at least treeline. Two persistent weak layers in the upper metre or so of the snowpack are the main story. The mid-March layer, around 60 cm down, is most reactive where it exists as a crust. Around 80-100 cm down, the mid-February facet/crust interface has also been reactive with large loads like smaller avalanches stepping down, cornice fall or explosives. Both layers are sensitive to triggering and propagate easily, causing very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Heavy rain fell to ridgetop Saturday before finally turning to snow mid-morning. Now 5 to 25cm of new snow rests on 10 to 40 cm of rain saturated snow. The mid-March crust/facet complex is now down 50-70cm. It's thought that the warmth is helping to strengthen the bond at this interface, but snowpack testing is still producing sudden failures at this interface. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Sustained warm temperatures are helping to rapidly settle the snowpack at and below treeline. Ongoing SW winds have likely left lingering wind slabs on north through east facing features. The mid-March rain crust is down 30-60cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack. There is potential for these layers to wake up with sustained warming and/or significant rain. Recent cornice growth has been reported and these cornices may become fragile with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 20 cm of dense storm snow overlies a variety of crusty old surfaces. Weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack may include hard crusts and/or facet crystals, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of these layers. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Unpredictable, full-depth glide avalanches are also a concern on low elevation slopes with smooth ground cover (grassy slopes, rock slabs, etc.) where large cracks have formed from the snowpack slipping on the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">New snow fell to around 1900-2100 m on Saturday, with rain at lower levels. Strong winds have formed wind slabs on lee slopes. The mid-March interface (crusts, old wind slabs, facets and surface hoar) is down around 60 cm. In snowpack tests, it is still giving moderate to heard, sudden results with propagation likely. The deeper mid-February layer has been dormant for some time; however in neighboring regions it has been reactive. Persistent weak layers may be suspect in shallower snowpack areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Locally heavy rain fell Saturday to about 1400m. This resulted in 5 to 15cm of moist snow coming to rest on the older saturated snow. Moving into Sunday cloud cover and strong SW winds put the breaks on warmth induced avalanche activity. The snowpack is isothermal below 1600m. Upper elevations probably are not far off with the exception of high north facing features. The mid-March rain crust is down 50-70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up given enough sustained warming and/or rain. Recent conditions have been favorable for cornice growth, large and vulnerable cornices hang precipitously in the balance over many alpine features.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">This region is dealing with a very serious persistent slab problem that is currently being subjected to significant additional loading by new snow and/or rain. Depending on how much recent snow has fallen, a facet/crust persistent weak layer buried mid-March lies anywhere from 50-150 cm below the surface. This interface has been incredibly volatile recently and remains sensitive to both human and natural triggering, especially where the slab is thinner. Recent compression tests have produced sudden planar failures at this interface. At lower elevations, rain has saturated the snowpack. Layers below the critical mid-March interface are generally considered to be well-settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">30-50 cm of recent heavy storm snow and, in windy areas, thick wind slabs are poorly bonded to crusts and other slippery previous snow surfaces. In particular, a layer of surface hoar that was buried around 25 March and is now buried around 40-60 cm below the surface. This layer has been responsible for recent avalanche activity and whumpfs have been reported on northerly aspects in the alpine and at treeline. Some way below this layer, a hard crust with weak facets, buried early March, may be found over a metre down, particularly in northern parts of the region. Although reports suggest this deeper persistent weakness has gained strength, I'd still be wary of the possibility of isolated large avalanches on steep, unsupported slopes, especially if temperatures increase, or if solar radiation is strong. On sun-exposed slopes and at lower elevations, the snowpack is likely in a spring melt-freeze cycle. The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Strong winds have shifted snow onto lee slopes at high elevations. Rain below treeline is saturating the snowpack. In the alpine and at treeline, two persistent weak layers in the upper metre or so of the snowpack are the main story. They have been keeping conditions spicy. The mid-March layer, around 60 cm down, is most reactive where it exists as a crust. Around 80-100 cm down, the mid-February facet/crust interface has also been reactive. Both layers are sensitive to triggering and propagate easily, causing very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">This region has a very serious persistent slab problem that exists under the upper layers of dense storm snow. Depending on how much recent snow has fallen, a facet/crust persistent weak layer buried mid-March lies anywhere from 40-120 cm below the surface. Avalanches have continued to run on this layer at upper treeline and alpine elevations, especially in the north of the region. Snowpack layers deeper than this critical interface are reported to be generally well-settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20cm of recent snow overlies a wet layer or a crust that formed on Friday when it rained into the alpine. This new snow is moist to around 2000m. In the alpine, strong winds have redistributed the new snow and wind slabs can be expected in leeward terrain features. Large cornices may be fragile due to the warm conditions. Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper 1m of the snowpack and remain a serious concern. The mid-March crust/facet layer is down around 60cm and remains reactive to light triggers. Down around 80-100cm is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer which has also been reactive to heavy loads like avalanches in motion stepping down, cornice failures, or explosives. Both layers have the potential for wide propagations and very large avalanches are possible.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">5-15cm of recent snow overlies a wet layer or a crust that formed on Friday when it rained into the alpine. This new snow is moist to around 2100m. In the alpine, strong winds have redistributed the new snow and wind slabs can be expected in leeward terrain features. Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper 1m of the snowpack and remain a serious concern. The mid-March crust/facet layer is down around 60cm and remains reactive to light triggers. Down around 80cm is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer which has also been reactive to heavy loads like avalanches in motion stepping down, cornice failures, or explosives. Both layers have the potential for wide propagations and very large avalanches are possible.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">3 to 10 cm lie above a hard crust created by barely freezing temperatures Saturday night. Below this crust 15 to 60cm of moist rain soaked snow can be found. Below this you'll find the mid-March crust/facet complex which is consistently down 40 to 70cm. Continued mild conditions are likely helping to strengthen the bond at this interface.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Sustained warm temperatures are helping to rapidly settle the snowpack at and below treeline. Ongoing SW winds have likely left lingering wind slabs on north through east facing features. The mid-March rain crust is down 30-60cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack. There is potential for these layers to wake up with sustained warming and/or significant rain. Recent cornice growth has been reported and these cornices may become fragile with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Extended warmth has made the entire snowpack isothermal below treeline. Treeline has a similar situation except for 2200-2300m in true north aspects where the heat hasn't completely cooked the snowpack. The alpine has had significant freeze/thaw cycles on all aspects except true north. The deeper layers likely remain untouched by the warm air and are still considered a winter snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 20 cm of dense storm snow overlies a variety of crusty old surfaces. Weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack may include hard crusts and/or facet crystals, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of these layers. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Unpredictable, full-depth glide avalanches are also a concern on low elevation slopes with smooth ground cover (grassy slopes, rock slabs, etc.) where large cracks have formed from the snowpack slipping on the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20cm of recent snow overlies a wet layer or a crust that formed on Friday when it rained into the alpine. This new snow is moist to around 2300m. In the alpine, strong winds have redistributed the new snow and wind slabs can be expected in leeward terrain features. Several persistent weak layers may exist in the upper 1m of the snowpack. The mid-March crust/facet layer is down around 60cm is the biggest concern. Just below this layer is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer which may also still be reactive in isolated areas. These layers have the potential for wide propagations and very large avalanches remain possible.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Locally heavy rain fell Saturday to about 1400m. This resulted in 5 to 15cm of moist snow coming to rest on the older saturated snow. Moving into Sunday cloud cover and strong SW winds put the breaks on warmth induced avalanche activity. The snowpack is isothermal below 1600m. Upper elevations probably are not far off with the exception of high north facing features. The mid-March rain crust is down 50-70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up given enough sustained warming and/or rain. Recent conditions have been favorable for cornice growth, large and vulnerable cornices hang precipitously in the balance over many alpine features.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">This region is dealing with a very serious persistent slab problem that is currently being subjected to significant additional loading by new snow and/or rain. Depending on how much recent snow has fallen, a facet/crust persistent weak layer buried mid-March lies anywhere from 50-150 cm below the surface. This interface has been incredibly volatile recently and remains sensitive to both human and natural triggering, especially where the slab is thinner. Recent compression tests have produced sudden planar failures at this interface. At lower elevations, rain has saturated the snowpack. Layers below the critical mid-March interface are generally considered to be well-settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">30-50 cm of recent heavy storm snow and, in windy areas, thick wind slabs are poorly bonded to crusts and other slippery previous snow surfaces. In particular, a layer of surface hoar that was buried around 25 March and is now buried around 40-60 cm below the surface. This layer has been responsible for recent avalanche activity and whumpfs have been reported on northerly aspects in the alpine and at treeline. Deeper in the snowpack, a hard crust with weak facets, buried early March, may be found over a metre down, particularly in northern parts of the region. Although reports suggest this deeper persistent weakness has gained strength, I'd still be wary of the possibility of isolated large avalanches on steep, unsupported slopes, especially if temperatures increase, or if solar radiation is strong. On sun-exposed slopes and at lower elevations, the snowpack is likely in a spring melt-freeze cycle. The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20cm of recent snow overlies a wet layer or a crust that formed on Friday when it rained into the alpine. This new snow is moist to around 2000m. In the alpine, strong winds have redistributed the new snow and wind slabs can be expected in leeward terrain features. Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper 1m of the snowpack and remain a serious concern. The mid-March crust/facet layer is down around 60cm and remains reactive to light triggers. Down around 80-100cm is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer which has also been reactive to heavy loads like avalanches in motion stepping down, cornice failures, or explosives. Both layers have the potential for wide propagations and very large avalanches are possible.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces are highly variable at the moment. Diurnal temperature swings have promoted a melt-freeze cycle on sun-exposed slopes in the alpine, and on all aspects at lower elevations. Cold night time temperatures have likely contributed to surface faceting, especially on sheltered north facing terrain where the snow may be loose and unconsolidated. Surface hoar development may also be occurring in shaded terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">About 20cm below the surface you may find a thin crust that was likely formed by rain early in the last storm. In some areas, this crust is reported to bond poorly with the overlying snow, and is widespread to at least 1200m. Snowpack tests suggest that this layer is reactive but there may not be enough of an overlying slab yet to create an avalanche problem. The late January crust/facet interface can be found around 100cm below the surface. This layer has been dormant but could wake-up with substantial warming or heavy loading. A cornice failure or an avalanche in motion may have the potential to step down to this layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Up to 30cm of recent snowfall overlies a rain crust that was buried on March 28th. Reports suggest this crust exists up to about 2100m. Strong southwest winds have shifted these new accumulations into wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain, while rain has saturated the snowpack below about 1600m. The most critical snowpack layer in the region is a facet/crust interface which lies anywhere from 50-100 cm below the surface. This persistent weak layer (which is most prominent in the north of the region) was responsible for several naturally triggered avalanches to size 3 over the past week, and continues to produce sudden snowpack test results. Although the likelihood of triggering this layer has decreased somewhat, avalanches failing at this layer may not be survivable. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">At lower elevations, rain has saturated the snowpack. Layers below the critical mid-March interface are generally considered to be well-settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-40cm of heavy storm snow overlies a thick rain crust that formed last Friday when it rained into the alpine. A new surface crust is expected to be widespread on Wednesday after freezing levels drop Tuesday overnight. On Monday, moist snow was being reported to well over 2000m so the crust will likely extend well into the alpine. In the high alpine, strong winds have redistributed the new snow and wind slabs can be expected in leeward terrain features. Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper 1m of the snowpack and remain a concern. The mid-March crust/facet layer is down around 60cm and remains reactive to light triggers. Down 80-100cm is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer which has also been reactive to heavy loads like avalanches in motion stepping down, cornice failures, or explosives. Both layers have the potential for wide propagations and very large avalanches are possible.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">20-40cm of heavy storm snow overlies a thick rain crust that formed last Friday when it rained into the alpine. A new surface crust is expected to be widespread on Wednesday after freezing levels drop Tuesday overnight. On Monday, moist snow was being reported to around 2600m in the south of the region and 2100m in the north so the crust will likely extend well into the alpine. In the high alpine, strong winds have redistributed the new snow and wind slabs can be expected in leeward terrain features. Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper 1m of the snowpack and remain a concern. The mid-March crust/facet layer is down around 60cm and remains reactive to light triggers. Down around 80cm is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer which has also been reactive to heavy loads like avalanches in motion stepping down, cornice failures, or explosives. Both layers have the potential for wide propagations and very large avalanches are possible.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Monday night brought the best re-freeze in recent memory which probably formed a surface crust. 3 - 10 cm of moist snow lie between this surface crust and the March 24th crust that is up to 20cm thick. Below this crust 15 to 60cm of moist rain soaked snow can be found which all rests on the mid-March crust/facet complex. It looks like we'll be into a more spring like melt-freeze cycle for the forecasting period which should start to tighten up the upper snowpack. The mid and lower snowpack are already strong and well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Monday night brought the first good overnight refreeze in recent memory which likely resulted in a short lived surface crust. A few good overnight re-freezes could really help the currently sloppy snowpack. The snowpack is reportedly isothermal as high as 2000m at this point and even the highest elevations are probably not far off. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a large cornice fall, sustained warming and or a significant rain event. Recent conditions have been favorable for cornice growth, large and vulnerable cornices hang precariously in the balance over many alpine features.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A very light freeze occurred overnight at valley bottom, but treeline elevations remained above freezing through the night. Conditions are isothermal for much of the snowpack below 2300m. Crusts are also found at higher elevations on solar aspects, and these are breaking down during sunny periods and on very warm days. Isolated pockets of wind slab are found in alpine areas, particularly in lee and cross-loaded gully features. At upper elevations the basal weaknesses have been unaffected by the recent warm conditions and can still be triggered in steep and shallow snowpack regions.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The few reports we've received indicate conditions are highly variable across the region. Approximately 15-30 cm of dense storm snow overlies a variety of crusty old surfaces. Weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack may include hard crusts and/or facet crystals, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of these layers. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Unpredictable, full-depth glide avalanches are also a concern on low elevation slopes with smooth ground cover (grassy slopes, rock slabs, etc.) where large cracks have formed from the snowpack slipping on the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-30cm of heavy storm snow overlies a thick rain crust that formed last Friday when it rained into the alpine. A new surface crust is expected to be widespread on Wednesday after freezing levels drop Tuesday overnight. On Monday, moist snow was being reported to around 2500m so the crust will likely extend well into the alpine. In the high alpine, strong winds have redistributed the new snow and wind slabs can be expected in leeward terrain features. Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper 1m of the snowpack and remain a concern. In the north of the region, the mid-March crust/facet layer is down 40-60cm and remains a concern. Just below this layer is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer which may also still be reactive in isolated areas. These layers have the potential for wide propagations and large avalanches remain possible.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Monday night brought the first good overnight refreeze in recent memory which likely resulted in a short lived surface crust. A few good overnight re-freezes could really help the currently sloppy snowpack. The snowpack is reportedly isothermal as high as 2000m at this point and even the highest elevations are probably not far off. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up given enough sustained warming and/or rain. Recent conditions have been favorable for cornice growth, large and vulnerable cornices hang precariously in the balance over many alpine features.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">About 40cm of recent snowfall overlies a rain crust that was buried on March 28th. Reports suggest this crust exists up to at least 2200m. Strong southwest winds have shifted these new accumulations into dense wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain, while rain has saturated the snowpack below about 1800m. The most critical snowpack layer in the region is a facet/crust interface which lies anywhere from 50-150 cm below the surface. This persistent weak layer was responsible for several natural avalanches to size 3.5 over the past week, and continues to produce sudden snowpack test results. Although the likelihood of triggering has decreased somewhat, avalanches failing at this layer may not be survivable. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">At lower elevations, rain has saturated the snowpack. Layers below the critical mid-March interface are generally considered to be well-settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Up to 45cm of new snow has fallen since the weekend. During this period, ridge top winds were generally moderate to strong from the southwest. Dense storm slabs now exist at higher elevations and are expected to be reactive in lee terrain. Below about 1500m, surfaces are reported to be moist or wet.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">A layer of surface hoar that was buried around March 25 is now around 40-75 cm below the surface. There is some uncertainty regarding the current reactivity and distribution of this layer, although avalanche activity and whumpfs were reported prior to the weekend on northerly aspects in the alpine and at treeline, and touchy conditions are still being reported in the north of the region. I'd maintain a cautious approach to terrain selection as avalanches at this interface could be large and destructive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555"> The mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found, particularly on shallow alpine slopes in the north of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-40cm of heavy storm snow overlies a thick rain crust that formed last Friday when it rained into the alpine. A new surface crust is expected to be widespread on Wednesday after freezing levels drop Tuesday overnight. On Monday, moist snow was being reported to well over 2000m so the crust will likely extend well into the alpine. In the high alpine, strong winds have redistributed the new snow and wind slabs can be expected in leeward terrain features. Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper 1m of the snowpack and remain a concern. The mid-March crust/facet layer is down around 60cm and remains reactive to light triggers. Down 80-100cm is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer which has also been reactive to heavy loads like avalanches in motion stepping down, cornice failures, or explosives. Both layers have the potential for wide propagations and very large avalanches are possible.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Another 10-20 cm of low density storm snow adds to the 30 cm of recent moist snow capped by a thin crust, that overlies a rain crust buried last Saturday. Reports suggest this crust exists up to about 2100m. West through southwesterly winds have shifted these new accumulations into touchy wind slabs in exposed terrain. A facet/crust persistent weakness buried mid-March is down approximately 50-100 cm and recently produced moderate sudden results in snowpack tests where it was found down 55 cm near the Duffey Lake Road. This remains the chief concern amongst avalanche professionals in the region due to it's potential for very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper snowpack likely contains multiple new crust layers. The most prominent of these new crusts is a thick rain crust down 20-40cm that formed last Friday when it rained into the alpine. Another crust likely exists near the surface but may be buried under 5-15cm of dry snow that fell on Tuesday after the temperatures dropped. These near surface crust layers likely extend well into the alpine. In the high alpine, strong winds have redistributed the new snow and wind slabs can be expected in leeward terrain features. Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper 1m of the snowpack and remain a concern. The mid-March crust/facet layer is down around 60cm and has been reactive to light triggers recently. Down around 80-100cm is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer which has also been reactive to heavy loads like avalanches in motion stepping down, cornice failures, or explosives. Both layers have the potential for wide propagations and very large avalanches are still possible.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The upper snowpack likely contains multiple new crust layers. The most prominent of these new crusts is likely a thick rain crust down 20-40cm that formed last Friday when it rained into the alpine. Another crust likely exists near the surface but may be buried under 5-15cm of dry snow that fell on Tuesday after the temperatures dropped. These near surface crust layers likely extend well into the alpine. In the high alpine, strong winds have redistributed the new snow and wind slabs can be expected in leeward terrain features. Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper 1m of the snowpack and remain a concern. The mid-March crust/facet layer is down around 60cm and has been reactive to light triggers recently. Down around 80cm is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer which has also been reactive to heavy loads like avalanches in motion stepping down, cornice failures, or explosives. Both layers have the potential for wide propagations and very large avalanches are still possible.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region experienced it's second overnight temperature recovery in a row Tuesday night. This time the night brought freezing temperatures that much closer to the valley floor; an overnight low of -2c was recorded at 850m. This resulted in the formation of a surface crust that was already reported as being supportive Monday. This crusts sits on top of 3 to 10cm of moist snow which overlies the March 24th crust that is up to 20cm thick. Below this crust there is 15 to 60cm of snow that is likely still moist from the previous rain event. This moist snow is reportedly bonding well to the mid-March crust/facet complex. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Both Monday and Tuesday brought good overnight temperature recovery to the region with temps getting down to +0.8c at 960m. These colder temps are forming a surface crust that should become supportive if it isn't already. On Wednesday ridge-top transport of snow was observed which is likely resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine. The snowpack is reportedly isothermal as high as 2000m at this point and even the highest elevations are probably not far off. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 15-30 cm of dense storm snow overlies a variety of crusty old surfaces. Recent strong winds have scoured windward slopes and loaded leeward slopes below ridgecrests and behind terrain features. Persistent weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack may include hard crusts and/or facet crystals, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of these layers. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Unpredictable, full-depth glide avalanches are also a concern on low elevation slopes with smooth ground cover (grassy slopes, rock slabs, etc.) where large cracks have formed from the snowpack slipping on the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper snowpack likely contains multiple new crust layers. The most prominent of these new crusts is a thick rain crust down 20-30cm that formed last Friday when it rained into the alpine. Another crust likely exists near the surface but may be buried under 5-10cm of dry snow that fell on Tuesday after the temperatures dropped. These near surface crust layers likely extend well into the alpine. In the high alpine, strong winds have redistributed the new snow and wind slabs can be expected in leeward terrain features. Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper 1m of the snowpack and remain a concern. In the north of the region, the mid-March crust/facet layer is down 40-60cm and remains an isolated concern. Just below this layer is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer which may also still be reactive in isolated areas. Both layers have the potential for wide propagations and large avalanches are still possible.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Both Monday and Tuesday brought good overnight temperature recovery to the region with temps getting down to +0.8c at 960m. These colder temps are forming a surface crust that should become supportive if it isn't already. On Wednesday ridge-top transport of snow was observed which is likely resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine. The snowpack is reportedly isothermal as high as 2000m at this point and even the highest elevations are probably not far off. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Another 5-20 cm of low density storm snow adds to the 40 cm of recent moist snow capped by a thin crust, that overlies a rain crust buried last Saturday. Reports suggest this crust exists up to at least 2200m. Strong southwest winds have shifted these new accumulations into touchy wind slabs in exposed terrain. A facet/crust persistent weakness buried mid-March is down approximately 70-130 cm and is still producing hard but sudden results in snowpack tests. This remains the chief concern amongst avalanche professionals in the region due to it's potential for very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Another 10-20 cm brings recent settled storm snow totals up to 50 cm overlying a variety of old snow surfaces including surface hoar. There is some uncertainty regarding the distribution of this buried surface hoar layer, although touchy conditions are being reported in the north of the region. Strong winds have significantly redistributed the storm snow into deep wind slabs on northwest through northeast aspects.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper snowpack likely contains multiple new crust layers. The most prominent of these new crusts is a thick rain crust down 20-40cm that formed last Friday when it rained into the alpine. Another crust likely exists near the surface but may be buried under 5-15cm of dry snow that fell on Tuesday after the temperatures dropped. These near surface crust layers likely extend well into the alpine. In the high alpine, strong winds have redistributed the new snow and wind slabs can be expected in leeward terrain features. Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper 1m of the snowpack and remain a concern. The mid-March crust/facet layer is down around 60cm and has been reactive to light triggers recently. Down around 80-100cm is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer which has also been reactive to heavy loads like avalanches in motion stepping down, cornice failures, or explosives. Both layers have the potential for wide propagations and very large avalanches are still possible.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">20-30 cm of low density storm snow is sitting on a strong and supportive rain crust buried last Saturday that extends as high as 2100m. West through southwesterly winds have shifted these new accumulations into touchy wind slabs in exposed terrain. A facet/crust persistent weakness buried mid-March is down approximately 50-100 cm and recently produced moderate sudden results in snowpack tests where it was found down 55 cm near the Duffey Lake Road. This remains the chief concern amongst avalanche professionals in the region due to it's potential for very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">10-20 cm dry convective snow has been shifted by NW winds into wind slabs on lee slopes in the alpine. These overlie a recently formed crust which varies in thickness with elevation. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper 1m of the snowpack and remain a concern. The mid-March crust/facet layer is down around 60 cm and has been reactive to light triggers recently. Down around 80-100 cm is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer which has also been reactive to heavy loads like avalanches in motion stepping down, cornice failures, or explosives. Both layers have the potential for wide propagations and very large avalanches are still possible.</span><span class="s_71516F31" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_71516F31">10-20 cm dry convective snow was shifted by NW winds into wind slabs on lee slopes in the alpine. These overlie a recently formed crust which varies in thickness with elevation. Below about 2000 m, loose moist snow makes up much of the snowpack underneath a surface crust. Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper metre of the snowpack which remain a concern. The mid-March crust/facet layer is down around 60 cm and has been reactive to light triggers recently. Down around 80 cm is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer which has also been reactive to heavy loads like avalanches in motion stepping down, cornice failures, or explosives. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Generally light amounts (1-10cm) of new snow overlie a supportive melt-freeze crust. These accumulations have been blown around by variable winds and new wind slabs may exist on a variety of aspects. In general, the upper snowpack is a mix of settled storm snow, moist snow and hard crusts. The mid-March crust/facet complex is buried up to 150 cm below the surface. This layer is generally considered dormant as long as cooler temperatures prevail. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Observations have been extremely limited, although I expect light amounts of low-density snow overlie a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust,. Gusty winds may have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-15cm of snow is overlying the 0327 interface at 2200m and above.  There was also surprisingly little wind affect despite strong winds earlier in the week.  Field teams on Thursday were in the Turbine canyon area and found a generally well settled snowpack above 2200m.  In the top 30cm of the snowpack there are a series of crusts from last weeks heat.  No shears were observed on these crusts but that may change when we get a large load of new snow like we usually do in the spring.  The crust remained intact throughout the day on Thursday as temperatures remained cool.  At lower elevations, when the crust breaks down, the snowpack is purely isothermal.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 15-30 cm of dense storm snow overlies a variety of crusty old surfaces. Recent strong winds have scoured windward slopes and loaded leeward slopes below ridgecrests and behind terrain features. Persistent weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack may include hard crusts and/or facet crystals, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of these layers. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Unpredictable, full-depth glide avalanches are also a concern on low elevation slopes with smooth ground cover (grassy slopes, rock slabs, etc.) where large cracks have formed from the snowpack slipping on the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Recent 10-25 cm snow was shifted by variable strong winds into wind slabs on lee slopes above about 2000 m. Cornices are large and touchy in some spots. The new snow sits over various crusts which formed recently. Low elevations sport an isothermal snowpack, which may now be capped by a refrozen crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper 1m of the snowpack and remain a concern. In the north of the region, the mid-March crust/facet layer is down 40-60cm and remains an isolated concern. Just below this layer is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer, which may also still be reactive in isolated areas. Both layers have the potential for wide propagations and large avalanches are still possible.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">About 10cm of low-density snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust,. Gusty winds have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Up to 25 cm of low density storm snow is sitting on a thin breakable crust that caps 30-40 cm of recent moist snow on rain crust buried last Saturday. Reports suggest this 5 cm thick solid rain crust exists up to at least 2200m. Strong southwest winds have shifted these new accumulations into touchy wind slabs in exposed terrain. A facet/crust persistent weakness buried mid-March is down approximately 70-130 cm and is still producing hard but sudden results in snowpack tests. This remains the chief concern amongst avalanche professionals in the region due to it's potential for very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Around 50-70 cm of recent settled storm snow is bonding poorly to a variety of old snow surfaces including surface hoar and facets buried on March 25th. This weakness is very touchy with a high propensity for propagating fractures, especially where buried surface hoar is the culprit. This is certainly the case in the northern parts of the region, but given the seriousness of the problem it's best to dig down and investigate for yourself if you are uncertain. Weaknesses have also been found within the recent storm snow with snowpack tests producing moderate sudden results down approximately 30 and 40 cm. The early March facet/crust persistent weakness is now down around a metre and unreactive with snowpack tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_71516F31">10-20 cm dry convective snow has been shifted by NW winds into wind slabs on lee slopes in the alpine. These overlie a recently formed crust which varies in thickness with elevation. Below about 2000 m, loose moist snow makes up much of the snowpack underneath a surface crust. Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper 1m of the snowpack and remain a concern. The mid-March crust/facet layer is down around 60cm and has been reactive to light triggers recently. Down around 80cm is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer which has also been reactive to heavy loads like avalanches in motion stepping down, cornice failures, or explosives. Both layers have the potential for wide propagations and very large avalanches are still possible. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">20-30 cm of low density storm snow is sitting on a strong and supportive rain crust that was buried last Saturday and extends as high as 2100m. West through southwesterly winds have shifted these new accumulations into touchy wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. A facet/crust persistent weakness that was buried in mid-March is now approximately 50-100 cm down. In recent snowpack tests, it was found down 55 cm near the Duffey Lake Road and produced moderate sudden results. This remains the chief concern amongst avalanche professionals in the region because of it's potential for very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Recent squally snow showers have brought 10-25 cm of snow, which has been shifted into wind slabs. This new snow sits above a crust which varies in thickness with elevation. Cornices are large and should be given a respectful berth.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Two crust/facet interfaces, formed in March and February, sit about 80-120 cm deep in the snowpack. These weaknesses are becoming more stubborn to trigger, but still react in snowpack tests and have potential for wide propagations and very large avalanches if triggered. Most likely trigger spots would be thin snowpack areas, or with a large load like a cornice fall.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Basal facets are on operators' list of concerns. Deep snowpack issues sometimes wake up in the spring, so should not be forgotten.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_71516F31">10-20 cm recent dry convective snow was shifted by NW winds into wind slabs on lee slopes in the alpine. These overlie a recently formed crust which varies in thickness with elevation. Below about 2000 m, loose moist snow makes up much of the snowpack underneath a surface crust. Persistent weak layers in the upper snowpack remain a concern. The mid-March crust/facet layer is down around 60 cm. Down around 80 cm is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer. Both of these layers are slowly improving in strength, although it&nbsp; may still be possible to trigger one of these, causing a very large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Generally light amounts (1-10cm) of new snow overlie a supportive melt-freeze crust. At higher elevations these accumulations have been blown around by variable winds and new wind slabs may exist on a variety of aspects. The mid-March crust/facet complex is buried around 50cm below the surface. This layer is generally considered dormant as long as cooler temperatures prevail. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Observations have been extremely limited, although I expect light amounts of low-density snow overlie a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust,. Gusty winds may have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 2200m the snowpack has recovered from the extended thaw last week. Crusts are prevalent all the way up to the alpine right now. The alpine region reportedly has some good skiing in sheltered north aspects. Windslabs are present in specific areas 2400m and above.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 15-30 cm of dense storm snow overlies a variety of crusty old surfaces. Recent strong winds have scoured windward slopes and loaded leeward slopes below ridge crests and behind terrain features. Persistent weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack may include hard crusts and/or facet crystals, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of these layers. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Unpredictable, full-depth glide avalanches are also a concern on low elevation slopes with smooth ground cover (grassy slopes, rock slabs, etc.) where large cracks have formed from the snowpack slipping on the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Recent 10-25 cm snow was shifted by variable strong winds into wind slabs on lee slopes above about 2000 m. Cornices are large and touchy in some spots. The new snow sits over various crusts which formed recently. Low elevations sport an isothermal snowpack, which is now be capped by a refrozen crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Persistent weak layers in the upper snowpack remain a concern. In the north of the region, the mid-March crust/facet layer is down 40-60cm. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer, down about 80 cm, may also still be reactive in isolated areas. Weak layers which formed earlier in the winter are also a concern in certain spots. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">About 10cm of low-density snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust,. Gusty ridge top winds have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Up to 25 cm of low density storm snow is sitting on a thin breakable crust that caps 30-40 cm of recent moist snow on rain crust buried last Saturday. Reports suggest this 5 cm thick solid rain crust exists up to at least 2200m. Strong southwest winds have shifted these new accumulations into touchy wind slabs in exposed terrain. A facet/crust persistent weakness buried mid-March is down approximately 70-130 cm and is still producing hard but sudden results in snowpack tests. This remains the chief concern amongst avalanche professionals in the region due to it's potential for very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555"> 50-70 cm of recent settled storm snow is bonding poorly to a variety of old snow surfaces including surface hoar and facets buried on March 25th. This weakness is very touchy with a high propensity for propagating fractures, especially where buried surface hoar exists. The problem seems more touchy in the northern part of the region, but has been reported throughout the northwest coastal area. Weaknesses have also been found within the recent storm snow with snowpack tests producing moderate sudden results down approximately 30 and 40 cm. The early March facet/crust persistent weakness is now down around a metre and appears unreactive with snowpack tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_71516F31">10-20 cm dry convective snow has been shifted by NW winds into wind slabs on lee slopes in the alpine. These overlie a recently formed crust which varies in thickness with elevation. Below about 2000 m, loose moist snow makes up much of the snowpack underneath a surface crust. Several persistent weak layers exist in the upper 1m of the snowpack and remain a concern. The mid-March crust/facet layer is down around 60cm and has been reactive to light triggers recently. Down around 80cm is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer which has also been reactive to heavy loads like avalanches in motion stepping down, cornice failures, or explosives. Both layers have the potential for wide propagations and very large avalanches are still possible. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces are highly variable at the moment. Diurnal temperature swings have promoted a melt-freeze cycle on sun-exposed slopes in the alpine, and on all aspects at lower elevations. Cold night time temperatures have likely contributed to surface faceting, especially on sheltered north facing terrain where the snow may be loose and unconsolidated. Surface hoar development may also be occurring in shaded terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 20 and 30cm below the surface, you may find reactive surface hoar. The distribution of this layer is quite spotty, although it seems to be more prominent on north to northeast facing alpine terrain on the west side of White Pass. In this part of the region it has recently produced whumpfing, cracking and a couple of large avalanches. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The late January crust/facet interface can be found around 100cm below the surface. This layer has been dormant, but could wake-up with substantial warming or by a large trigger such as a cornice fall.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">20-30 cm of low density storm snow is sitting on a strong and supportive rain crust that was buried last Saturday and extends as high as 2100m. West through southwesterly winds have shifted these new accumulations into touchy wind slabs in exposed lee terrain, especially high NE aspects. A facet/crust persistent weakness that was buried in mid-March is now approximately 50-100 cm down. In recent snowpack tests, it was found down 55 cm near the Duffey Lake Road and produced moderate sudden results. This remains the chief concern amongst avalanche professionals in the region because of it's potential for very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Recent squally snow showers have brought 10-25 cm of snow, which has been shifted into wind slabs. This new snow sits above a crust which varies in thickness with elevation. Cornices are large and should be given a respectful berth. Sun is likely to destabilize new snow and cornices.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Two crust/facet interfaces, formed in March and February, sit about 80-120 cm deep in the snowpack. These weaknesses are becoming more stubborn to trigger, but still react in snowpack tests and have potential for wide propagations and very large avalanches if triggered. Most likely trigger spots would be thin snowpack areas, or triggering with a large load like a cornice fall.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Basal facets are on operators' list of concerns. Deep snowpack issues sometimes wake up in the spring, so should not be forgotten.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Up to 20 cm dry snow may be hiding previously formed wind slabs on slopes lee to the NW. These overlie a crust which varies in thickness with elevation. Sun may destabilise new snow and cornices. Below about 2000 m, loose moist snow makes up much of the snowpack underneath a surface crust. Persistent weak layers in the upper snowpack remain a lingering concern. The mid-March crust/facet layer is down around 60 cm. Down around 80 cm is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer. Both of these layers are slowly improving in strength, although it may still be possible to trigger one of these, causing a very large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20cm of new snow overlies a thick supportive melt-freeze crust. At higher elevations these accumulations have been blown around by variable winds and new wind slabs may exist on a variety of aspects. The mid-March crust/facet complex is buried around 50cm below the surface. This layer is generally considered dormant while the cooler temperatures prevail. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-15cm of recent snowfall overlies a widespread supportive melt-freeze crust. Gusty winds have likely redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 15-30 cm of dense storm snow overlies a variety of old surfaces. Recent strong winds have scoured windward slopes and loaded lee slopes. Persistent weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack may include hard crusts and/or facets, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of these layers. At the base of the snowpack, weak facets may be found. Cornices are large and potentially fragile. Unpredictable, full-depth glide avalanches are also a concern on low elevation slopes with smooth ground cover (grassy slopes, rock slabs, etc.) where large cracks have formed from the snowpack slipping on the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Recent 10-25 cm snow was shifted by variable strong winds into wind slabs on lee slopes above about 2000 m. Cornices are large and touchy in some spots. The new snow sits over a crust which is generally becoming more supportive. Low elevations sport an isothermal snowpack, which is now capped by a refrozen crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Persistent weak layers in the upper snowpack remain a lingering concern, although they seem to be slowly gaining strength. In the north of the region, the mid-March crust/facet layer is down 40-60cm. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer, down about 80 cm, may also still be reactive in isolated areas. Weak layers which formed earlier in the winter are also a concern in certain spots. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-15cm of low-density snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust. Gusty ridge top winds have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Up to 50cm of recent storm snow is sitting on a thin breakable crust that caps recent moist snow on rain crust buried last Saturday. Reports suggest this 5 cm thick solid rain crust exists up to at least 2200m. Strong southwest winds may have shifted these new accumulations into touchy wind slabs in exposed terrain. A facet/crust persistent weakness buried mid-March is down approximately 70-130 cm and is still producing hard but sudden results in snowpack tests. This remains the chief concern amongst avalanche professionals in the region due to it's potential for very large avalanches. Cornices are now large and a cornice failure might trigger a large destructive avalanche. Solar aspects will become active with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555"> 45-70 cm of recent settled storm snow is bonding slowly to a variety of old snow surfaces including a layer of surface hoar and facets buried on March 25th. This weakness, now down approximately 40 to 60cm is very touchy with a high propensity for propagating fractures, especially where the buried surface hoar exists. The problems seems more touchy in the northern part of the region, but has been reported throughout the northwest coastal area. Weaknesses have also been found within the recent storm snow with snowpack tests producing moderate sudden results in the top 20cm. The early March facet/crust persistent weakness is now down around a metre and appears unreactive with snowpack tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Up to 20 cm dry snow may be hiding previously formed wind slabs on slopes lee to the NW. These overlie a crust which varies in thickness with elevation. Below about 2000 m, loose moist snow makes up much of the snowpack underneath a surface crust. Persistent weak layers in the upper snowpack remain a concern. The mid-March crust/facet layer is down around 60 cm. Down around 80 cm is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer. Both of these layers are slowly improving in strength, although may still be possible to trigger one of these, causing a very large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">20-30 cm of low density storm snow is sitting on a strong and supportive rain crust that was buried last Saturday and extends as high as 2100m. West through southwesterly winds have shifted these new accumulations into touchy wind slabs in exposed lee terrain, especially high NE aspects. A facet/crust persistent weakness that was buried in mid-March is now approximately 50-100 cm down. In recent snowpack tests, it was found down 55 cm near the Duffey Lake Road and produced moderate sudden results. This remains a serious concern in the region because of it's potential for very large avalanches. Cornices are now large and mature and may collapse with warming and spring-like temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent squally snow showers have brought 15-30 cm of snow, which has been shifted into wind slabs. This new snow sits above a crust which varies in thickness with elevation. Cornices are large and vulnerable.  </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two crust/facet interfaces, formed in March and February, sit about 80-120 cm deep in the snowpack. These weaknesses are becoming more stubborn to trigger, but still react in snowpack tests indicating they still have the potential for wide propagation resulting in very large avalanches if triggered. Basal facets are currently dormant but may wake up with sustained warm temperatures.</span><span class="s_1681A555" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20cm of dry snow may be hiding previously formed wind slabs on upper elevation slopes. These overlie a crust which varies in thickness with elevation. Sun may destabilize new snow and cornices. Below about 2000 m, loose moist snow makes up much of the snowpack underneath a surface crust. Persistent weak layers in the upper snowpack remain a lingering concern. The mid-March crust/facet layer is down around 60 cm. Down around 80 cm is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer. Both of these layers are slowly improving in strength, although it may still be possible to trigger one of these, causing a very large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Melt-freeze surface conditions exist on sun-exposed slopes.  On shaded slopes, 10-20cm of new snow overlies a thick supportive melt-freeze crust. At higher elevations these accumulations have been blown around by variable winds and new wind slabs may exist on a variety of aspects. The mid-March crust/facet complex is buried around 50cm below the surface. This layer is generally considered dormant while the cooler temperatures prevail. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15cm of recent snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust. Ongoing moderate-strong winds have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. The winds on Monday are forecast to be from an easterly direction so reverse wind loading can be expected and wind slabs may exist on a variety of aspects. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">20-30cm recent HN24 (24 hour snowfall total)&nbsp; with very little wind affect.  This new snow is overlying a variety of other surface from crusts (on most aspects below 2200m and southern aspects up to the peaks) and cold dry powder snow on northern alpine aspects.  Moist snow in the afternoon on solar aspects and on all aspects below 1900m.  New snow sluffs easily from steeper terrain.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent storm snow brings the total for the last few precipitation events to 50cm in some parts of the forecast area. This accumulated storm snow is sitting on a variety of old crusty surfaces.  In addition, recent winds have scoured windward slopes and loaded lee features. Persistent weaknesses buried in the upper snowpack include hard crusts and/or facets, although not much is known about the reactivity or spatial distribution of these layers. At the base of the snowpack, especially in areas of shallow snow, weak facets may be found. Cornices are now large and potentially fragile.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent 10 to 25cm of storm snow was shifted by variable strong winds into wind slabs on lee slopes above 2000m. Cornices are large and touchy in some spots. The new snow sits over a crust which is generally becoming more supportive. Low elevations sport an isothermal snowpack, which is now capped by a refrozen crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Persistent weak layers in the upper snowpack remain a lingering concern, although they seem to be slowly gaining strength. In the north of the region, the mid-March crust/facet layer is down 40-60cm. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer, down about 80 cm, may also still be reactive in isolated areas. Weak layers which formed earlier in the winter are also a concern in certain spots. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-15cm of recent snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust. Ongoing moderate-strong winds have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. The winds on Monday are forecast to be from an easterly direction so reverse wind loading can be expected and wind slabs may exist on a variety of aspects. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Up to 50cm of recent storm snow is sitting on a crust from earlier in the week. Reports suggest this 5 cm thick solid rain crust exists up to at least 2200m. Recent southwest winds have shifted new accumulations into touchy wind slabs in lee terrain. A facet/crust persistent weakness buried mid-March is down approximately 70-130 cm and is still producing hard but sudden results in snowpack tests. This remains a serious in the region due to it's potential to produce very large avalanches. Cornices are now large and a cornice fall might trigger a large destructive avalanche. Solar aspects are now becoming active with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Recent storm snow varies across the forecast area, with the biggest accumulations near the coast. With warming temperatures the storm snow is bonding slowly to the variety of old snow surfaces including a layer of surface hoar and facets buried on March 25th. This weakness, now down approximately 40 to 60cm has been touchy with a high propensity for propagating fractures. The problems seems more touchy in the northern part of the region, but has been reported throughout the northwest coastal area. Weaknesses have also been found within the recent storm snow with snowpack tests producing moderate sudden results in the top 20 to 40cm. The early March facet/crust persistent weakness is now down around a metre and appears unreactive with snowpack tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20cm of dry snow may be hiding previously formed wind slabs at upper elevations. These overlie a crust which varies in thickness with elevation. Below about 2000m, loose moist snow makes up much of the snowpack underneath a surface crust. Persistent weak layers in the upper snowpack remain a concern. The mid-March crust/facet layer is down around 60 cm. Down around 80 cm is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer. Both of these layers are slowly improving in strength, although may still be possible to trigger one of these, causing a very large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">20-30 cm of low density storm snow is sitting on a strong and supportive rain crust that was buried last Saturday and extends as high as 2100m. West through southwesterly winds have shifted these new accumulations into wind slabs in lee terrain, especially high NE aspects. A facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-March is now approximately 50-100 cm down. It was found down 55 cm near the Duffey Lake Road, and produced moderate sudden results. This remains a serious concern in the region because of it's potential for very large avalanches. Cornices are now large and mature and may collapse with warming and spring-like temperatures. Moist snow has been reported on all aspects up to 1800m</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent convective snow showers have brought 15-30 cm of new snow. This snow remains dry on high elevation polar aspects but is quickly turning moist everywhere else. Cool night time temperatures are likely creating a thin surface crust. Moist snow exists underneath this most recent storm snow in most of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two significant persistent weak layers composed of crust and facets exist in the snowpack. Mid-March is down 40 to 80cm below the surface and Mid-February is down 80 to 130cm. Avalanche activity on these weak layers has tapered off, but snowpack tests indicate that these layers may still be sensitive to triggering. Down at the bottom of the snowpack a weak layer of basal facets exists. Large loads like cornice/icefall or even sustained warming could initiate an avalanche on this very deeply buried weak layer. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20cm of dry snow may be hiding previously formed wind slabs on upper elevation slopes. These overlie a crust which varies in thickness with elevation. Sun may destabilize new snow and cornices. Below about 2000 m, loose moist snow makes up much of the snowpack underneath a surface crust. Persistent weak layers in the upper snowpack remain a lingering concern. The mid-March crust/facet layer is down around 60 cm. Down around 80 cm is the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer. Both of these layers are slowly improving in strength, although it may still be possible to trigger one of these, causing a very large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Melt-freeze surface conditions exist on sun-exposed slopes. On shaded slopes, 10-20cm of recent snow overlies a thick supportive melt-freeze crust. At higher elevations these accumulations have been blown around by variable winds and thin wind slabs may exist on a variety of aspects. The mid-March crust/facet complex is buried around 50cm below the surface. This layer is generally considered dormant while the cooler temperatures prevail. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20cm of recent snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust. Recent strong winds may have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The recent storm snow has settled out to between 25 and 30cm at treeline elevations. This sits on a wide variety of previous surfaces including crusts in many locations. Field teams observed planar shears in the moderate range below the recent storm snow in snowpack tests today. Soft wind slabs are present in isolated alpine terrain, particularly in lee and cross-loaded features. Solar aspects have a new sun crust on the surface up to at least 2700m. These crusts remained frozen today due to cloudy skies and cool temperatures, but any input of solar radiation was triggering loose wet slides and producing moist snow yesterday.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent storm snow brings the total for the last few precipitation events to 50cm in some parts of the forecast area. This accumulated storm snow is sitting on a variety of old crusty surfaces. In addition, recent winds have scoured windward slopes and loaded lee features. A crust with surface hoar buried on March 25th has been identified as a potential problem in parts of the forecast region, but appears to be unreactive at this time.&nbsp; At the base of the snowpack, especially in areas of shallow snow, weak facets may be found. Cornices are now large and potentially fragile, and solar aspects are becoming active in the late afternoons.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent 10 to 25cm of storm snow was shifted by variable strong winds into wind slabs on lee slopes above 2000m. These wind slabs are probably growing old and tired. Cornices are large and touchy in some spots. The new snow sits over a crust which is generally becoming more supportive. Low elevations sport an isothermal snowpack, which is now capped by a refrozen crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Persistent weak layers in the upper snowpack remain a lingering concern, although they seem to be slowly gaining strength. In the north of the region, the mid-March crust/facet layer is down 40-60cm. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer, down about 80 cm, may also still be reactive in isolated areas. Weak layers which formed earlier in the winter are also a concern in certain spots. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-20cm of recent snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust. Recent strong winds may have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Recent storm snow is sitting on a variety of surfaces including a 5 cm thick rain crust that exists up to at 2200m.  Recent southwest winds have shifted new accumulations into wind slabs in lee terrain.  A facet/crust layer buried in mid-March is down approximately 70-130 cm and is still producing hard but sudden results in snowpack tests. This remains a serious concern in the region due to it's potential to produce very large avalanches. Cornices are also a concern these days.  A cornice failure may trigger a large destructive avalanche.  Solar aspects are now becoming active with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Recent storm snow varies across the forecast area, with the biggest accumulations near the coast. With warm temperatures the storm snow is bonding to the variety of old snow surfaces including a layer of surface hoar and facets buried on March 25th. This weakness, now down approximately 40 to 60cm has the potential for propagating over large areas. The problems seems more touchy in the northern part of the region, but has been reported throughout the northwest coastal area. Weaknesses have also been found within the recent storm snow with tests producing easy to moderate sudden results in the top 20 to 40cm. The early March facet/crust persistent weakness is now down over a metre and produces hard, sudden planar results in snowpack tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent convective snow showers have brought 10-30 cm of new snow which may be hiding old wind slabs at upper elevations. Below about 2100m, this snow rests on the supportive late-March crust. The recent snow remains dry on high elevation polar aspects but is quickly turning moist everywhere else. Moist snow underneath the late-March crust is ubiquitous in most of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two significant persistent weak layers composed of crust and facets exist in the snowpack. Mid-March is down 40 to 80cm below the surface and Mid-February is down 80 to 140cm. Observations indicate that there is significant faceting occurring between the two crusts. While avalanche activity on these weak layers has tapered off snowpack tests indicate that these layers may still be sensitive to triggering. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces have been reported to be highly variable. Melt-freeze crusts may exist on sun exposed slopes and on lower elevation slopes. Near-surface faceting may be occurring and new surface hoar growth is expected to be fairly widespread. Dry surface snow can be found on north aspects at higher elevations and wind affected snow can be expected in exposed alpine terrain. These variable surfaces are expected to create a poor bond with the upcoming storm snow. Down 20-30cm below the surface may be a layer of surface hoar. The distribution of this layer is quite spotty, although it seems to be more prominent on north to northeast facing alpine terrain on the west side of White Pass. In this part of the region, isolated large avalanches have released on this layer recently. The late January crust/facet interface can be found around 100cm below the surface. This layer has been dormant, but could wake-up with substantial warming or by a large trigger such as a cornice fall.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">On shady slopes, 20-30 cm of low density storm snow sits on a strong and supportive rain crust that was buried last Saturday and extends as high as 2100m. Previous west-southwesterly winds have created thin new wind slabs in lee terrain, especially high N aspects. Expect an ongoing melt-freeze cycle on sun-exposed slopes. A facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-March is now approximately 50-100 cm down. Recently it was found down 55 cm near the Duffey Lake Road, and produced moderate sudden results. This remains a concern in the region because of it's potential for very large avalanches. Cornices are now large and mature and may collapse with daytime warming and intense sunshine. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface hoar is beginning to form on top of the 15-30cm of new snow that fell last weekend. This snow remains dry on high elevation polar aspects but is quickly turning moist everywhere else.  Moist snow exists underneath this most recent storm snow in most of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two significant persistent weak layers composed of crust and facets exist in the snowpack. Mid-March is down 40 to 80cm below the surface and Mid-February is down 80 to 200cm. Avalanche activity on these weak layers has tapered off, but snowpack tests indicate that these layers may still be sensitive to triggering. Down at the bottom of the snowpack a weak layer of basal facets exists. Large loads like cornice/ice fall or even sustained warming could initiate an avalanche on this very deeply buried weak layer. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface faceting is beginning to work on the 15 to 45 cm generated by convective snow fall over the weekend. This snow remains dry on high elevation north facing features, but is moist almost everywhere else. Just below this snow you'll find tired old wind slabs at upper elevations and the supportive late-March crust that is thought to exist up to around 2100m. Moist snow underneath the late-March crust is ubiquitous in most of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two significant persistent weak layers composed of crust and facets exist in the snowpack. Mid-March is down 40 to 80cm below the surface and Mid-February is down 80 to 140cm. Observations indicate that there is significant faceting occurring between the two crusts. While avalanche activity on these weak layers has tapered off snowpack tests indicate that these layers may still be sensitive to triggering. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Melt-freeze surface conditions exist on sun-exposed slopes. On shaded slopes, 10-30cm of recent snow overlies a thick supportive melt-freeze crust. At higher elevations these accumulations have been blown around by variable winds and thin wind slabs may exist on a variety of aspects. The mid-March crust/facet complex is buried around 50cm below the surface. This layer is generally considered dormant, although it could be reactivated in isolated terrain by warm temperatures forecast for the week. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-30cm of recent snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust. Recent strong winds may have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The new snow from the week-end is hanging in there on polar aspects. Amounts vary with altitude. The alpine has as much as 30cm's in places and treeline has 15-20 on average. Solar aspects and valley bottoms have seen significant heat and settlement, storm snow amounts are shrinking rapidly. Up to treeline, all aspects have a partially refrozen midpack that is supportive. The new snow sits directly on  top of this crust and is bonding reasonably well. The alpine still has a winter snowpack in most places with either moist snow, or low density storm snow on top. Aspect plays a huge role in what you can expect. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 50 cm of recent storm snow is sitting on a variety of old crusty surfaces. You may still find dry powder on higher north aspects, but any sun exposed slope will likely be in a melt-freeze cycle. In addition, recent winds have scoured windward slopes and loaded lee features. A crust with surface hoar buried on March 25th has been identified as a potential problem in parts of the forecast region, but appears to be unreactive at this time.At the base of the snowpack, especially in areas of shallow snow, weak facets may be found. Cornices are now large and potentially fragile, and solar aspects are becoming active in the late afternoons.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent 10 to 25cm of storm snow was shifted by variable strong winds into wind slabs on lee slopes above 2000m. These wind slabs are probably growing old and tired. Cornices are large and touchy in some spots. The new snow sits over a crust which is generally becoming more supportive. Low elevations sport an isothermal snowpack, which is now capped by a refrozen crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Persistent weak layers in the upper snowpack remain a lingering concern, although they seem to be slowly gaining strength. In the north of the region, the mid-March crust/facet layer is down 40-60cm. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer, down about 80 cm, may also still be reactive in isolated areas. Weak layers which formed earlier in the winter are also a concern in certain spots. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Look for a revised snowpack description tomorrow. (April 8th)</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-20cm of recent snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust. Recent strong winds may have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Older dry powder (up to 25 cm) can still be found on north facing or shady slopes above 1800-2000 m. Previous southwest winds may have blown dry snow into wind slabs in lee terrain. Expect an ongoing melt-freeze cycle on all sun-exposed slopes. A facet/crust layer buried in mid-March is down approximately 70-130 cm and is still producing hard but sudden results in snowpack tests. This remains a concern in the region due to it's potential to produce very large avalanches. Cornices are also a concern these days. A cornice failure may trigger a large destructive avalanche. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent storm snow accumulations vary across the region, with the greatest amounts near the coast. The storm snow sits on a variety of old snow surfaces including a layer of surface hoar and facets buried on March 25th. This weakness, now down approximately 40 to 60cm has the potential for propagating over large areas. The problem seems more touchy in the northern part of the region, but has been reported throughout the northwest coastal area. The early March facet/crust persistent weakness is now down over a metre and produces hard, sudden planar results in snowpack tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface faceting is beginning to work on the 10 to 45 cm generated by convective snow fall over the weekend. This snow remains dry on high elevation north facing features, but is moist almost everywhere else. Just below this snow you'll find tired old wind slabs at upper elevations and the supportive late-March crust that is thought to exist up to around 2100m. Moist snow underneath the late-March crust is ubiquitous in most of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two significant persistent weak layers composed of crust and facets exist in the snowpack. Mid-March is down 40 to 80cm below the surface and Mid-February is down 80 to 140cm. Observations indicate that there is significant faceting occurring between the two crusts. While avalanche activity on these weak layers has tapered off snowpack tests indicate that these layers may still be sensitive to triggering. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">On shady slopes, 15-25 cm of cold low-density snow sits on a strong and supportive rain crust that was buried last Saturday and extends as high as 2100m. Expect an ongoing melt-freeze cycle on sun-exposed slopes. A facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-March is now approximately 50-100 cm down. Recently it was found down 55 cm near the Duffey Lake Road, and produced moderate sudden results. This remains a concern in the region because of it's potential for very large avalanches. Cornices are now large and mature and may collapse with daytime warming and intense sunshine. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface hoar is beginning to form on top of the 15-30cm of new snow that fell last weekend. This snow remains dry on high elevation polar aspects but is quickly turning moist everywhere else. Moist snow exists underneath this most recent storm snow in most of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two significant persistent weak layers composed of crust and facets exist in the snowpack. Mid-March is down 40 to 80cm below the surface and Mid-February is down 80 to 200cm. Avalanche activity on these weak layers has tapered off, but snowpack tests indicate that these layers may still be sensitive to triggering. Down at the bottom of the snowpack a weak layer of basal facets exists. Large loads like cornice/ice fall or even sustained warming could initiate an avalanche on this very deeply buried weak layer. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface faceting is beginning to work on the 15 to 45 cm generated by convective snow fall over the weekend. This snow remains dry on high elevation north facing features, but is moist almost everywhere else. Just below this snow you'll find tired old wind slabs at upper elevations and the supportive late-March crust that is thought to exist up to around 2100m. Moist snow underneath the late-March crust is ubiquitous in most of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two significant persistent weak layers composed of crust and facets exist in the snowpack. Mid-March is down 40 to 80cm below the surface and Mid-February is down 80 to 140cm. Observations indicate that there is significant faceting occurring between the two crusts. While avalanche activity on these weak layers has tapered off snowpack tests indicate that these layers may still be sensitive to triggering. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Melt-freeze surface conditions exist on sun-exposed slopes. On shaded slopes, 10-20cm of recent snow overlies a thick supportive melt-freeze crust. At higher elevations these accumulations may have been blown around by variable winds and thin wind slabs may exist on a variety of aspects. The mid-March crust/facet complex is buried around 50cm below the surface. This layer is generally considered dormant, although it could be reactivated in isolated terrain by warm temperatures forecast for the week. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-20cm of recent snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust. In some areas, winds may have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Polar aspects continue to hold up to 30cm of low density snow. Isolated wind effect and small pockets of wind slab are found in alpine areas immediately below ridgecrest. Moist snow on solar aspects up to mountaintop and on all aspects below 2100m by midday.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">You may still find dry powder on higher north aspects, but any sun exposed slope will likely be in a melt-freeze cycle. Recent winds have scoured windward slopes and loaded lee features. A crust with surface hoar buried on March 25th, down around 50 cm, has been identified as a potential problem in parts of the forecast region, but its sensitively and distribution are largely unknown. At the base of the snowpack, especially in areas of shallow snow, weak facets may be found. Cornices are now large and potentially fragile, and solar aspects are becoming active in the late afternoons.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface faceting is beginning to work on the 10 to 25cm cm generated by convective snow fall over the weekend. The atmosphere has been unusually calm and wind effect is very isolated. This snow remains dry on high elevation north facing features, but is moist almost everywhere else. Just below this snow you may find tired old wind slabs at upper elevations and the late-March crust. This crust is becoming breakable around 2000m. Moist snow underneath the late-March crust is ubiquitous in most of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Persistent weak layers in the mid-pack remain a lingering concern, although they seem to have gone dormant for the time being. In the north of the region, the mid-March crust/facet layer is down 40-60cm and the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is down about 80 cm. While weak layers formed earlier in the winter remain intact, they too are dormant at this time.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-20cm of recent snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust. In some areas, winds may have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Older dry powder (up to 25 cm) can still be found on north facing or shady slopes above 1800-2000 m. Previous southwest winds may have blown dry snow into wind slabs in lee terrain. Expect an ongoing melt-freeze cycle on all sun-exposed slopes. A facet/crust layer buried in mid-March is down approximately 70-130 cm and is still producing hard but sudden results in snowpack tests. This remains a concern in the region due to it's potential to produce very large avalanches. Cornices are also a concern these days. A cornice failure may trigger a large destructive avalanche. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface varies from dry faceted powder and/or surface hoar on shady slopes, to moist snow or a sun crust on sunny slopes. In some places down-flowing winds have created thin wind slabs in lee features lower down the mountainside. Approximately 40-70 cm of snow sits above the March 25th surface hoar layer. This interface seems much touchier in the northern part of the region, but has been reported throughout the northwest coastal area. The early March facet/crust persistent weakness is now down over a metre and produces hard, sudden planar results in snowpack tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface faceting is beginning to work on the 10 to 45 cm generated by convective snow fall over the weekend. This snow remains dry on high elevation north facing features, but is moist almost everywhere else. Just below this snow you'll find tired old wind slabs at upper elevations and the supportive late-March crust that is thought to exist up to around 2100m. Moist snow underneath the late-March crust is ubiquitous in most of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two significant persistent weak layers composed of crust and facets exist in the snowpack. Mid-March is down 40 to 80cm below the surface and Mid-February is down 80 to 140cm. Observations indicate that there is significant faceting occurring between the two crusts. While avalanche activity on these weak layers has tapered off snowpack tests indicate that these layers may still be sensitive to triggering. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">On shady slopes, 15-25 cm of cold low-density snow sits on a strong and supportive rain crust that was buried last Saturday and extends as high as 2100m. Expect an ongoing melt-freeze cycle on sun-exposed slopes. A facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-March is now approximately 50-100 cm down. Recently it was found down 55 cm near the Duffey Lake Road, and produced moderate sudden results. This remains a concern in the region because of it's potential for very large avalanches. Cornices are now large and mature and may collapse with daytime warming and intense sunshine. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The current surface consists of surface facets and surface hoar. Below this is the 15-30cm of new snow that fell last weekend. This snow remains dry on high elevation polar aspects but has turned moist on east and west facing aspects. South facing features are moving into the spring corn cycle. Moist snow exists underneath this most recent storm snow in most of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two significant persistent weak layers composed of crust and facets exist in the snowpack. Although they appear to have gone dormant for the time being, we will continue to monitor them closely. Mid-March is down 40 to 80cm below the surface and Mid-February is down 80 to 200cm. Down at the bottom of the snowpack a weak layer of basal facets exists. Large loads like cornice/ice fall or even sustained warming could initiate an avalanche on this very deeply buried weak layer. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The current surface consists of surface facets and surface hoar. Below this is the 10 to 45cm of snow that fell last weekend. This snow remains dry on high elevation polar aspects but has turned moist on east and west facing aspects and south facing features are moving into the spring corn cycle. Just below this snow you'll the supportive late-March crust that is thought to exist up to around 2100m. Moist snow underneath the late-March crust is ubiquitous in most of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two significant persistent weak layers composed of crust and facets exist in the snowpack. Although they appear to have gone dormant for the time being, we will continue to monitor them closely. Mid-March is down 40 to 80cm below the surface and Mid-February is down 80 to 140cm. Observations indicate that there is significant faceting occurring between the two crusts. While an avalanche failing at either of these interfaces is unlikely, it may still be possible on steep unsupported alpine features.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Melt-freeze surface conditions exist on sun-exposed slopes. On shaded slopes, 10-20cm of recent snow overlies a thick supportive melt-freeze crust. At higher elevations these accumulations may have been blown around by variable winds and thin wind slabs may exist on a variety of aspects. The mid-March crust/facet complex is buried around 50cm below the surface. This layer is generally considered dormant, although it could be reactivated in isolated terrain by prolonged warm temperatures. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-20cm of recent snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust. In some areas, winds may have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Temperature, Aspect and time of day are all relevant at this time.  The quality of the freeze overngiht will play a large role in regards to stability.  When the snowpack is in its frozen state, the avalanche danger is relatively low-moderate.  As it begins to melt, it will become less stable and eventually, the danger may increase to high.  Solar aspects will see the biggest changes, especially in steeper, thin, rocky terrain.  Northern aspects still have dry powder snow and a generally winter snowpack.  Evaluate the terrain and overhead hazard as you travel.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">You may still find dry powder on higher north aspects, but any sun exposed slope will likely have been through a melt-freeze cycle. Recent winds have scoured windward slopes and loaded lee features. A crust with surface hoar buried on March 25th, down around 50 cm, has been identified as a potential problem in parts of the forecast region, but its sensitively and distribution are largely unknown. At the base of the snowpack, especially in areas of shallow snow, weak facets may be found. Cornices are now large and potentially fragile, and solar aspects are becoming active in the late afternoons. Spring is on the way !</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface faceting is beginning to work on the 10 to 25cm cm generated by convective snow fall last weekend. The atmosphere has been unusually calm and wind effect is very isolated. This snow remains dry on north facing features above 2300m while corn is starting to form to ridge-top on south facing aspects. Moist snow is reported everywhere else. Just below this snow you will likely find the the late-March crust which is supportive to around 2000m. Moist snow underneath the late-March crust is ubiquitous in most of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Persistent weak layers in the mid-pack remain a lingering concern, although they seem to have gone dormant for the time being. In the north of the region, the mid-March crust/facet layer is down 40-60cm and the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is down about 80 cm. While weak layers formed earlier in the winter remain intact, they too are dormant at this time.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-20cm of recent snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust. In some areas, winds may have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Older dry powder (up to 25 cm) can still be found on north facing or shady slopes above 1800-2000 m. Previous southwest winds may have blown dry snow into wind slabs in lee terrain. Expect an ongoing melt-freeze cycle on all sun-exposed slopes. A facet/crust layer buried in mid-March is down approximately 70-130 cm and is still producing hard but sudden results in snowpack tests. This remains a concern in the region due to it's potential to produce very large avalanches. Cornices are also a concern these days. A cornice failure may trigger a large destructive avalanche. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface varies from dry faceted powder and/or surface hoar on alpine shaded slopes, to moist snow or a sun crust on sunny slopes. In some places down-flowing winds have created thin wind slabs in lee features lower down the mountainside. Approximately 40-70 cm of snow sits above the March 25th surface hoar layer. This interface seems much touchier in the northern part of the region, but has been reported throughout the northwest coastal area. The early March facet/crust persistent weakness is now down over a metre and produces hard, sudden planar results in snowpack tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The current surface consists of surface facets and surface hoar. Below this is the 10 to 45cm of new snow that fell last weekend. This snow remains dry on high elevation polar aspects but has turned moist on east and west facing aspects and south facing features are moving into the spring corn cycle. Just below this snow you'll the supportive late-March crust that is thought to exist up to around 2100m. Moist snow underneath the late-March crust is ubiquitous in most of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two significant persistent weak layers composed of crust and facets exist in the snowpack. Although they appear to have gone dormant for the time being, we will continue to monitor them closely. Mid-March is down 40 to 80cm below the surface and Mid-February is down 80 to 140cm. Observations indicate that there is significant faceting occurring between the two crusts. While an avalanche failing at either of these interfaces is unlikely, it may be possible on steep unsupported alpine features.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5 to 15cm of incoming precipitation will fall on a variety of crusts and old surfaces including surface hoar and facets  that formed in sheltered locations during the recent clear weather. Moderate to strong south west winds will redistribute the storm snow into wind slabs on the lee sides of ridge tops. </span><span class="s_B5B45E27">A facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-March is now approximately 50-100 cm down. Recently it was found down 55 cm near the Duffey Lake Road, and produced moderate sudden results. This remains a concern in the region because of it's potential for very large avalanches. Cornices are now large and mature and may collapse with increased loading, possibly triggering the deeply buried weak layer. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The current surface consists of surface facets and surface hoar. Below this is the 15-30cm of new snow that fell last weekend. This snow remains dry on high elevation polar aspects but has turned moist on east and west facing aspects. South facing features are moving into the spring corn cycle. Moist snow exists underneath this most recent storm snow in most of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two significant persistent weak layers composed of crust and facets exist in the snowpack. Although they appear to have gone dormant for the time being, we will continue to monitor them closely. Mid-March is down 40 to 80cm below the surface and Mid-February is down 80 to 200cm. Down at the bottom of the snowpack a weak layer of basal facets exists. Large loads like cornice/ice fall or even sustained warming could initiate an avalanche on this very deeply buried weak layer. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The current surface consists of surface facets and surface hoar. Below this is the 10 to 45cm of snow that fell last weekend. This snow remains dry on high elevation polar aspects but has turned moist on east and west facing aspects and south facing features are moving into the spring corn cycle. Just below this snow you'll the supportive late-March crust that is thought to exist up to around 2100m. Moist snow underneath the late-March crust is ubiquitous in most of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two significant persistent weak layers composed of crust and facets exist in the snowpack. Although they appear to have gone dormant for the time being, we will continue to monitor them closely. Mid-March is down 40 to 80cm below the surface and Mid-February is down 80 to 140cm. Observations indicate that there is significant faceting occurring between the two crusts. While an avalanche failing at either of these interfaces is unlikely, it may still be possible on steep unsupported alpine features.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Melt-freeze surface conditions exist on sun-exposed slopes. On shaded slopes, 10-20cm of recent snow overlies a thick supportive melt-freeze crust. At higher elevations these accumulations may have been blown around by variable winds and thin wind slabs may exist on a variety of aspects. The mid-March crust/facet complex is buried around 50cm below the surface. This layer is generally considered dormant, although it could be reactivated in isolated terrain by prolonged warm temperatures. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-20cm of recent snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust. In some areas, winds may have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moderate to strong winds are now scouring windward slopes and loading lee features. A crust with surface hoar buried on March 25th is still considered a potential problem in parts of the forecast region and has been most reactive, recently, in the north part of the region.This may come back to life with the new snow and wind loading.  Cornices are now large and may collapse with increased load from the storm. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface faceting is beginning to work on the 10 to 25cm cm generated by convective snow fall last weekend. The atmosphere has been unusually calm and wind effect is very isolated. This snow remains dry on north facing features above 2300m while corn is starting to form to ridge-top on south facing aspects. Moist snow is reported everywhere else. Just below this snow you will likely find the the late-March crust which is supportive to around 2000m. Moist snow underneath the late-March crust is ubiquitous in most of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Persistent weak layers in the mid-pack remain a lingering concern, although they seem to have gone dormant for the time being. In the north of the region, the mid-March crust/facet layer is down 40-60cm and the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is down about 80 cm. While weak layers formed earlier in the winter remain intact, they too are dormant at this time.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-20cm of recent snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust. In some areas, winds may have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">20 to 30cm of incoming precipitation will fall on a variety of crusts and old surfaces including surface hoar and facets in sheltered locations from the recent clear weather. Moderate to strong south west winds will redistribute the storm snow into wind slabs on the lee sides of ridge tops. A facet/crust layer buried in mid-March has been producing hard and sudden results in snowpack tests. This remains a concern in the region due to it's potential to produce very large avalanches. Cornices are also a concern these days. A cornice failure may trigger a large destructive avalanche. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow will be redistributed by strong south west winds into wind slabs on lee slopes. The March 25th surface hoar / crust layer may now become reactive with the new snow loading This interface has been more reactive recently in the northern part of the region, but has been reported throughout the northwest coastal area. The earlier March facet/crust persistent weakness is now down over a metre and has been producing hard, sudden planar results in snowpack tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The current surface consists of surface facets and surface hoar. Below this is the 10 to 45cm of new snow that fell last weekend. This snow remains dry on high elevation polar aspects but has turned moist on east and west facing aspects and south facing features are moving into the spring corn cycle. Just below this snow you'll the supportive late-March crust that is thought to exist up to around 2100m. Moist snow underneath the late-March crust is ubiquitous in most of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two significant persistent weak layers composed of crust and facets exist in the snowpack. Although they appear to have gone dormant for the time being, we will continue to monitor them closely. Mid-March is down 40 to 80cm below the surface and Mid-February is down 80 to 140cm. Observations indicate that there is significant faceting occurring between the two crusts. While an avalanche failing at either of these interfaces is unlikely, it may be possible on steep unsupported alpine features.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Around 40-45 cm of new snow arrived with fairly mild temperatures, which helped it to bond at low elevations. In the alpine, light to moderate south-westerly winds are likely to have created wind slabs on lee and cross-loaded slopes. Snowfall continues! If winds increase, wind slabs may develop quickly.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">This new snow overlies a couple of upper snowpack weaknesses. Crusts which formed during last week's sun may act as sliding layers for the new snow. A layer of buried surface hoar has the potential to be a volatile interface. Its distribution seems to be variable, but it may now be buried down about 70 cm and in a prime range for human triggering where it is present. Have a dig and investigate your local snowpack before venturing into exposed terrain. Read more about its distribution here: http://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/yukon.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A deeper crust/facet interface, formed in January, is generally now considered dormant. However, it may still be possible to affect this layer from thin snowpack areas, or with a large trigger like cornice fall or a surface avalanche stepping down. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20 to 30cm of storm snow now rests on a variety of crusts and old surfaces including surface hoar and facets that formed in sheltered locations during the recent clear weather. Moderate to strong south west winds are redistributing the storm snow into wind slabs on the lee sides of ridge tops. </span><span class="s_B5B45E27">A facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-March is now approximately 50-100 cm down.  This remains a concern in the region because of it's potential for very large avalanches. Cornices are now large and mature and may collapse with increased loading, possibly triggering the deeply buried weak layer. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region picked up around 5 cm of snow Friday night accompanied by strong SW winds burying the old surface which consists of facets, surface hoar and crust. Prior to Friday nights storm the 15 to 30cm that fell the weekend of April 4th remained dry on high elevation polar aspects but had turned moist on east and west facing aspects. South facing features were moving into the spring corn cycle. Much of the snowpack has been reported as isothermal at mid and lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two significant persistent weak layers composed of crust and facets exist in the snowpack. Although they appear to have gone dormant for the time being, we will continue to monitor them closely. Mid-March is down 40 to 80cm below the surface and Mid-February is down 80 to 200cm. Down at the bottom of the snowpack a weak layer of basal facets exists. Large loads like cornice/ice fall or even sustained warming could initiate an avalanche on this very deeply buried weak layer. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region picked up around 5 to 20cm of snow Friday night accompanied by strong SW winds burying the old surface which consists of facets, surface hoar and crust. Prior to Friday nights storm the 10 to 45cm that fell the weekend of April 4th remained dry on high elevation polar aspects but had turned moist on east and west facing aspects. South facing features were moving into the spring corn cycle. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Down 15 to 65cm you will find the supportive late-March crust that is thought to exist up to around 2100m. Moist snow underneath the late-March crust is ubiquitous in most of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two significant persistent weak layers composed of crust and facets exist in the snowpack. Although they appear to have gone dormant for the time being, we will continue to monitor them closely. Mid-March is down 50 to 100cm below the surface and Mid-February is down 90 to 150cm. Observations indicate that there is significant faceting occurring between the two crusts. While an avalanche failing at either of these interfaces is unlikely, it may be possible on steep unsupported alpine features.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Melt-freeze surface conditions exist on sun-exposed slopes. On shaded slopes, 10-20cm of recent snow overlies a thick supportive melt-freeze crust. At higher elevations these accumulations may have been blown around by variable winds and thin wind slabs may exist on a variety of aspects. The mid-March crust/facet complex is buried around 50cm below the surface. This layer is generally considered dormant, although it could be reactivated in isolated terrain by prolonged warm temperatures. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 20cm of recent snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust on higher shady slopes, while melt-freeze conditions are more likely on sun-exposed and lower elevation slopes. In some areas, winds may have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Over the past 24hrs up to 15cm of new snow has fallen with moderate NW winds.  This new snow will form thin new storm slabs and bury the previous windslabs that we were talking about.  Cornices are also large and there have been reported failures of late with the large loads triggering slabs on the underlying slopes.  The basal facets have not been active in some time but as temperatures warm up, we may start to see them become more active. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Temperature, Aspect and time of day are all relevant at this time. The quality of the freeze overngiht will play a large role in regards to stability. When the snowpack is in its frozen state, the avalanche danger is relatively low-moderate. As it begins to melt, it will become less stable and eventually, the danger may increase to high. Solar aspects will see the biggest changes, especially in steeper, thin, rocky terrain. Northern aspects still have dry powder snow and a generally winter snowpack. Evaluate the terrain and overhead hazard as you travel. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">To review common spring avalanche problems go </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://www.avalanche.ca/fxresources/spring_ovw.pdf" target="_blank"><span class="s_9255B882">here</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></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_3FE45715">Moderate to strong winds are scouring exposed alpine slopes and loading lee features. In some parts of the region, surface hoar and facetting occurred on protected, high, north facing alpine and treeline slopes during the last spell of clear weather.&nbsp; These facets may now be getting buried with the new snow and wind loading.&nbsp; A crust with surface hoar buried on March 25th is still considered a potential problem in parts of the forecast region but has only been reactive recently in the north part of the region. This may come back to life with the new snow and wind loading. Cornices are now large and may collapse with increased load from the storm. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region picked up around 5 to 15cm of snow Friday night accompanied by strong SW winds burying the old surface which consists of facets, surface hoar and crust. Prior to Friday nights storm the 10 to 25cm that fell the weekend of April 4th remained dry on north facing features above 2300m while corn was starting to form to ridge top on south facing aspects. East and west facing features had turned moist.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Down 15 to 40cm you will find the supportive late-March crust that is thought to exist up to around 2100m. Moist snow underneath the late-March crust is ubiquitous in most of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Persistent weak layers in the mid-pack remain a lingering concern, although they seem to have gone dormant for the time being. In the north of the region, the mid-March crust/facet layer is down 45 to 75cm and the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is down 80 to 90cm. While weak layers formed earlier in the winter remain intact, they too are dormant at this time.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-20cm of recent snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust. In some areas, winds may have redistributed the surface snow resulting in wind slab formation in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">20cm of recent precipitation on a variety of crusts and old surfaces. Surface hoar and facets in sheltered locations from the recent clear weather. Moderate to strong south west winds will redistribute the storm snow into wind slabs on the lee sides of ridge tops. A facet/crust layer buried in mid-March has been producing hard and sudden results in snowpack tests. This remains a concern in the region due to it's potential to produce very large avalanches. Cornices are also a concern these days. A cornice failure may trigger a large destructive avalanche. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow is being redistributed by strong south west winds into wind slabs on lee slopes. Reports of activity on the March 25th surface hoar / crust layer have diminished, but is still worth remembering. This interface was more reactive recently in the northern part of the region, but had been reported throughout the northwest coastal area and may reappear as a problem given the right conditions. For the most part, the chief concern is wind slabs over a variety of recent surfaces, crusts, facets and surface hoar that formed in in sheltered places during the last spell of clear cold weather. Large ripe cornices are also of concern with additional loading, especially when the sun and warm temperatures come back.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region picked up 5 to 20cm of snow Friday night accompanied by strong SW winds burying the old surface which consists of surface facets, surface hoar and crust. Prior to Friday nights storm the 10 to 45cm that fell the weekend of April 4th remained dry on high elevation polar aspects but had turned moist on east and west facing aspects. South facing features were moving into the spring corn cycle. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Down 15 to 65cm you will find the supportive late-March crust that is thought to exist up to around 2100m. Moist snow underneath the late-March crust is ubiquitous in most of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two significant persistent weak layers composed of crust and facets exist in the snowpack. Although they appear to have gone dormant for the time being, we will continue to monitor them closely. Mid-March is down 50 to 100cm below the surface and Mid-February is down 90 to 150cm. Observations indicate that there is significant faceting occurring between the two crusts. While an avalanche failing at either of these interfaces is unlikely, it may be possible on steep unsupported alpine features.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30 to 50cm of recent storm snow now rests on a variety of crusts and old surfaces including surface hoar and facets that formed in sheltered locations during the recent clear weather. Moderate to strong south west winds are redistributing the storm snow into wind slabs on the lee sides of ridge tops. </span><span class="s_B5B45E27">A facet/crust layer that was buried in mid-March is now approximately 50-100 cm down. This remains a concern in the region because of it's potential for very large avalanches. Cornices are now large and mature and may collapse with increased loading, possibly triggering the deeply buried weak layer. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent observations have been limited but up to 30cm of recent snowfall is expected to overlie a weak layer that was buried on Friday. This weak layer typically consists of surface hoar and/or facets overlying a melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere except high elevation north-facing terrain. In exposed alpine terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed the recent storm snow forming wind slabs in leeward features. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. There are three dormant persistent weak layers that we are continuing to track. The late-March crust is down 30-70cm and was reactive last week during the warm period. The mid-March and mid-February layers are typically down between 60 and 100cm and have been dormant for a couple weeks. These layers have the potential to wake up with sustained warming, a significant rain event, and/or a big cornice fall.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-30cm of recent snowfall overlies a weak layer that was buried on Friday. This weak layer typically consists of surface hoar and/or facets overlying a melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere except high elevation north-facing terrain. In exposed alpine terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed the recent storm snow forming thicker wind slabs in leeward features. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. There are three dormant persistent weak layers that we are continuing to track. The late-March crust is down 30-70cm and was reactive last week during the warm period. The mid-March and mid-February layers are typically down between 60 and 100cm and have been dormant for several weeks. These layers have the potential to wake up with sustained warming, a significant rain event, and/or a big cornice fall.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Melt-freeze surface conditions exist on sun-exposed slopes. On shaded slopes, 10-20cm of recent snow overlies a thick supportive melt-freeze crust. At higher elevations these accumulations have been blown into  thin wind slabs, primarily on N-NE aspects. The mid-March crust/facet complex is buried around 50cm below the surface. This layer is generally considered dormant, although it could be reactivated in isolated terrain by prolonged warm temperatures. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 20cm of recent snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust on higher shady slopes, while melt-freeze conditions are more likely on sun-exposed and lower elevation slopes. Moderate and gusty winds have created fresh wind slabs in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 30cm of recent storm snow has fallen.  Winds have increased into the moderate range out of the SW and as a result we are seeing new wind slabs develop in open wind affected terrain.  Field tests were showing these slabs to be about 30cm thick and despite them not being reactive in areas that we traveled on Sunday we believe that in more open areas along ridgelines and in gullied terrain, there is a potential for human triggering.  The sun didn't shine on Sunday at all, in fact it was a rather wintery day, but if the sun does come out its important to remember that stability will decrease quickly.  Avalanche danger at this time of year is highly variable based upon aspect, temperatures, solar radiation input as well as time of day.  Cornices are also growing with the input of new snow and moderate winds.  New load and warm temps can cause these cornices to fail so limit exposure time around this type of problem. Keep an eye on these factors as you travel throughout the mountains.  To review common spring avalanche problems click </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://www.avalanche.ca/fxresources/spring_sc1.pdf" target="_blank"><span class="s_9255B882">here</span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B">.  This is the scenario that we are in at this time. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">What new snow we have received has been blown into wind slabs on exposed lee slopes. The main concerns right now are wind slabs over a variety of surfaces that include crusts, facets and surface hoar that formed in in sheltered places during the last spell of clear cool&nbsp; weather.  Large ripe cornices are also of concern and will be a problem with additional loading, especially when the sun and warm temperatures come back. &nbsp; The March 25th crust with facets appears to be inactive, but is worth&nbsp; keeping in mind.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the north of the region, 25-40cm of recent snowfall overlies a weak layer that was buried on Friday. This weak layer typically consists of surface hoar and/or facets overlying a melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere except high elevation north-facing terrain. In exposed alpine terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed the recent storm snow forming thicker wind slabs in leeward features. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. There are three dormant persistent weak layers that we are continuing to track. The late-March crust is down 30-60cm and was reactive last week during the warm period. The mid-March and mid-February layers are typically down between 50 and 80cm and have been dormant for several weeks. These layers have the potential to wake up with sustained warming, a significant rain event, and/or a big cornice fall.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">On higher shady slopes, 10-20cm of recent snow overlies a widespread and supportive melt-freeze crust, while melt-freeze conditions are likely on sun-exposed and low elevation slopes. Winds may have created wind slabs in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. The mid-March rain crust is down 35 to 70cm and has shown a good bond with snow above. Old persistent weak layers are still intact in the mid and lower snowpack and there may be potential for these layers to wake up with a big cornice fall, sustained warming and/or a significant rain event. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Up to 25cm of recent precipitation on a variety of crusts and old surfaces. Surface hoar and facets may remain in some sheltered locations from the recent clear weather. Moderate to strong south west winds have redistributed the storm snow into wind slabs on the lee sides of ridge tops. A facet/crust layer buried in mid-March has been producing hard and sudden results in snowpack tests. This remains a concern in the region due to it's potential to produce very large avalanches. Cornices are also a concern these days. A cornice failure may trigger a large destructive avalanche. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Convective flurries can quickly deposit relatively large amounts of precipitation in a short period with spring weather.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow is being redistributed by strong south west winds into wind slabs on lee slopes. Reports of activity on the March 25th surface hoar / crust layer have diminished, but is still worth remembering. This interface was more reactive recently in the northern part of the region, but had been reported throughout the northwest coastal area and may reappear as a problem given the right conditions.  For the most part, the chief concern&nbsp; right now is wind slabs over a variety of recent surfaces, crusts, facets and surface hoar that formed in in sheltered places during the last spell of clear cold weather.  Large ripe cornices are also of concern with additional loading, especially when the sun and warm temperatures come back.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-40cm of recent snowfall overlies a weak layer that was buried on Friday. This weak layer typically consists of surface hoar and/or facets overlying a melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere except high elevation north-facing terrain. In exposed alpine terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed the recent storm snow forming thicker wind slabs in leeward features. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. There are three dormant persistent weak layers that we are continuing to track. The late-March crust is down 30-70cm and was reactive last week during the warm period. The mid-March and mid-February layers are typically down between 60 and 100cm and have been dormant for several weeks. These layers have the potential to wake up with sustained warming, a significant rain event, and/or a big cornice fall.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Anywhere from 30 to 50 cm of recent storm snow sits on a variety of old surfaces including crusts, surface hoar and facets that were buried April 10</span><sup><span class="s_1681A555">th</span></sup><span class="s_1681A555">. Moderate to strong south west winds are redistributing the storm snow into wind slabs on leeward slopes and terrain features.  The mid-March persistent weak layer of facets on a crust is now approximately 50-100 cm down.  This remains a concern in the region due to its potential to produce very large avalanches. There may be a low probability of triggering this layer, however; if it is triggered the consequence would be high. Large looming cornices may become weak with solar radiation and daytime warming. If a cornice fails it could trigger a large avalanche from the slope below. </span><span class="s_B5B45E27" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent observations have been limited and some of this discussion is extrapolated from the North Columbia region where conditions are expected to be similar. Around 30-40cm of recent snowfall overlies a weak layer that was buried on Friday. This weak layer typically consists of surface hoar and facets overlying a melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere except high elevation north-facing terrain. In exposed alpine terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed the recent storm snow forming thicker wind slabs in leeward features. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. There are three dormant persistent weak layers that we are continuing to track. The late-March crust is down 50-70cm and was reactive last week during the warm period. The mid-March and mid-February layers are typically down between 70 and 100cm and have been dormant for several weeks. These layers have the potential to wake up with sustained warming, a significant rain event, and/or a big cornice fall.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-60cm of recent snowfall overlies a weak layer that was buried on Friday. This weak layer typically consists of surface hoar and facets overlying a melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere except high elevation north-facing terrain. Recent snowfall amounts are highest in the north of the region and taper off to south. In exposed alpine terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed the recent storm snow forming thicker wind slabs in leeward features. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. There are three dormant persistent weak layers that we are continuing to track. The late-March crust is down 50-70cm and was reactive last week during the warm period. The mid-March and mid-February layers are typically down between 70 and 100cm and have been dormant for several weeks. These layers have the potential to wake up with sustained warming, a significant rain event, and/or a big cornice fall.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">We are no longer receiving consistent avalanche and snowpack observations from the region, making it impossible to issue avalanche forecasts with accurate danger ratings. To assist with your backcountry travel planning we’ve produced blog posts describing four common spring scenarios. It’s up to you to decide which of the scenarios applies to your situation. Each scenario has specific weather, snowpack, and avalanche characteristics. And each requires a different approach in terms of risk management. Click the link in the bulletin headline for more information on these different spring scenarios.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">We are no longer receiving consistent avalanche and snowpack observations from the region, making it impossible to issue avalanche forecasts with accurate danger ratings. To assist with your backcountry travel planning we’ve produced blog posts describing four common spring scenarios. It’s up to you to decide which of the scenarios applies to your situation. Each scenario has specific weather, snowpack, and avalanche characteristics. And each requires a different approach in terms of risk management. Click the link in the bulletin headline for more information on these different spring scenarios.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Storm snow amounts vary with altitude and aspect. At treeline there is 30-40cm of new snow sitting on top of the midpack crusts. Within this storm snow there is a distinct windslab. Tests today had an easy shear down 12-15cm's. This surface wind slab problem is generally widespread, however the density is variable. Wind transport has been significant at all elevations. Alpine transport is ongoing with prevailing winds from the west. Localized wind patterns have created widespread windslabs in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">What new snow we have received has been blown into wind slabs on exposed lee slopes. The main concerns right now are wind slabs over a variety of surfaces that include crusts, facets and surface hoar that formed in in sheltered places during the last spell of clear cool weather. Large ripe cornices are also of concern and will be a problem with additional loading, especially when the sun and warm temperatures come back. The March 25th crust with facets appears to be inactive, but is worthkeeping on the radar with forecast snow and wind.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the north of the region, 20-60cm of recent snowfall overlies a weak layer that was buried on Friday. This weak layer typically consists of surface hoar and facets overlying a melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere except high elevation north-facing terrain. In exposed alpine terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed the recent storm snow forming thicker wind slabs in leeward features. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. There are three dormant persistent weak layers that we are continuing to track. The late-March crust is down 50-70cm and was reactive last week during the warm period. The mid-March and mid-February layers are typically down between 70 and 100cm and have been dormant for several weeks. These layers have the potential to wake up with sustained warming, a significant rain event, and/or a big cornice fall.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">We are no longer receiving consistent avalanche and snowpack observations from the region, making it impossible to issue avalanche forecasts with accurate danger ratings. To assist with your backcountry travel planning we’ve produced blog posts describing four common spring scenarios. It’s up to you to decide which of the scenarios applies to your situation. Each scenario has specific weather, snowpack, and avalanche characteristics. And each requires a different approach in terms of risk management. Click the link in the bulletin headline for more information on these different spring scenarios.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Up to 25 cm of recent storm snow sits on a variety of old snow surfaces including crusts, facets and spotty surface hoar which was buried on April 10</span><sup><span class="s_1681A555">th</span></sup><span class="s_1681A555">. This interface has shown a poor bond and has been reactive to human triggers remotely. Moderate to strong south west winds has redistributed the recent storm snow into wind slabs on leeward slopes and terrain features.  The mid-March persistent weak interface has been producing hard but sudden planar results in snowpack tests. This remains a concern in the region due to its potential to produce very large avalanches. There may be a low probability of triggering this layer, however; if it is triggered the consequence would be high. Large looming cornices may become weak with solar radiation and daytime warming. If a cornice fails it could trigger a large avalanche from the slope below. </span><span class="s_B5B45E27" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At upper elevations 25- 40 cm of recent low density storm snow has been redistributed by strong south west winds into wind slabs on lee slopes. With recent changing winds from the NE, you may find some reverse loaded pockets in unsuspecting places. The lack of bond between the new wind slabs and storm slabs over the older snow surfaces buried on April 9 th (surface hoar, crusts and facets) are the primary concerns. The March 25th surface hoar / crust layer is reportedly unreactive, however; with the new load of wind and snow this should remain on your radar as it may re-awaken, initiating very-large and destructive avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">40-60cm of recent snowfall overlies a weak layer that was buried on Friday. This weak layer typically consists of surface hoar and facets overlying a melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere except high elevation north-facing terrain. In exposed alpine terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed the recent storm snow forming thicker wind slabs in leeward features. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. There are three dormant persistent weak layers that we are continuing to track. The late-March crust is down 50-70cm and was reactive last week during the warm period. The mid-March and mid-February layers are typically down between 70 and 100cm and have been dormant for several weeks. These layers have the potential to wake up with sustained warming, a significant rain event, and/or a big cornice fall.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Over the past few days around 40-50 cm of new snow arrived with fairly mild temperatures. In the alpine and all open areas, moderate or strong winds have resulted in widespread wind affect and wind slab formation on lee and cross-loaded slopes. This new snow overlies a couple of upper snowpack weaknesses. Crusts which formed during last week's sun may act as sliding layers for the new snow. A layer of buried surface hoar has the potential to be a volatile interface. Its distribution seems to be variable, but it may now be buried down about 70-100 cm. Have a dig and investigate your local snowpack before venturing into exposed terrain. Read more about its distribution here: http://www.avalanche.ca/blogs/yukon. A deeper crust/facet interface, formed in January, is generally now considered dormant. However, it may still be possible to affect this layer from thin snowpack areas, or with a large trigger like cornice fall or a surface avalanche stepping down.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Anywhere from 20 to 50 cm of recent storm snow sits on a variety of old surfaces including crusts, surface hoar and facets that were buried April 10th. Moderate to strong south west winds are redistributing the storm snow into wind slabs on leeward slopes and terrain features. The mid-March persistent weak layer of facets on a crust is now approximately 50-100 cm down. This remains a concern in the region due to its potential to produce very large avalanches. There may be a low probability of triggering this layer, however; if it is triggered the consequence would be high. Large looming cornices may become weak with solar radiation and daytime warming. If a cornice fails it could trigger a large avalanche from the slope below.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent observations have been limited and some of this discussion is extrapolated from the North Columbia region where conditions are expected to be similar. Around 30-40cm of recent snowfall overlies a weak layer that was buried on Friday. This weak layer typically consists of surface hoar and facets overlying a melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere except high elevation north-facing terrain. In exposed alpine terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed the recent storm snow forming thicker wind slabs in leeward features. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. There are three dormant persistent weak layers that we are continuing to track. The late-March crust is down 50-70cm and was reactive last week during the warm period. The mid-March and mid-February layers are typically down between 70 and 100cm and have been dormant for several weeks. These layers have the potential to wake up with sustained warming, a significant rain event, and/or a big cornice fall.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-60cm of recent snowfall overlies a weak layer that was buried on Friday. This weak layer typically consists of surface hoar and facets overlying a melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere except high elevation north-facing terrain. Recent snowfall amounts are highest in the north of the region and taper off to south. In exposed alpine terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed the recent storm snow forming thicker wind slabs in leeward features. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. There are three dormant persistent weak layers that we are continuing to track. The late-March crust is down 50-70cm and was reactive last week during the warm period. The mid-March and mid-February layers are typically down between 70 and 100cm and have been dormant for several weeks. These layers have the potential to wake up with sustained warming, a significant rain event, and/or a big cornice fall.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Recent storm snow has likely formed touchy storm slabs. Strong westerly winds have redistributed this new snow and has formed wind slabs on leeward slopes and behind terrain features. The lack of bond between the new wind slabs and storm slabs over the older snow surfaces buried on April 9 th (surface hoar, crusts and facets) are the primary concern. The March 25th surface hoar / crust layer is reportedly unreactive, however; with the new load of wind and snow this should remain on your radar as it may re-awaken, initiating very-large and destructive avalanches. Large ripe cornices are also of concern and will be a problem with additional loading, especially when the sun and warm temperatures come back. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the north of the region, 20-60cm of recent snowfall overlies a weak layer that was buried on Friday. This weak layer typically consists of surface hoar and facets overlying a melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere except high elevation north-facing terrain. In exposed alpine terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed the recent storm snow forming thicker wind slabs in leeward features. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. There are three dormant persistent weak layers that we are continuing to track. The late-March crust is down 50-70cm and was reactive last week during the warm period. The mid-March and mid-February layers are typically down between 70 and 100cm and have been dormant for several weeks. These layers have the potential to wake up with sustained warming, a significant rain event, and/or a big cornice fall.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Upper elevations have received 25-40 cm of recent storm snow. The new snow sits on a variety of old snow surfaces including crusts, facets and spotty surface hoar which was buried on April 10th. This interface has shown a poor bond and has been reactive naturally and to human triggers. Moderate to strong south west winds has redistributed the recent storm snow into wind slabs on leeward slopes and behind terrain features. The mid-March persistent weak interface has been producing hard but sudden planar results in snowpack tests. This remains a concern in the region. There may be a low probability of triggering this layer, however; if it is triggered the consequence would be high. Large looming cornices may become weak with solar radiation and daytime warming. If a cornice fails it could trigger a large avalanche from the slope below.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At upper elevations 25- 40 cm of recent storm snow has blanketed the region. The new snow has been redistributed by strong south-west winds into wind slabs on leeward slopes and terrain features. With recent changing winds from the NE, you may find some reverse loaded pockets in unsuspecting places. The lack of bond between the new wind slabs and storm slabs over the older snow surfaces buried on April 9 th (surface hoar, crusts and facets) is the primary concern. The March 25th surface hoar / crust layer is reportedly unreactive, however; with the new load of wind and snow this should remain on your radar as it may re-awaken, initiating very-large and destructive avalanches. Moist- rain soaked snow exists at lower elevations. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">40-60cm of recent snowfall overlies a weak layer that was buried on Friday. This weak layer typically consists of surface hoar and facets overlying a melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere except high elevation north-facing terrain. In exposed alpine terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed the recent storm snow forming thicker wind slabs in leeward features. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. There are three dormant persistent weak layers that we are continuing to track. The late-March crust is down 50-70cm and was reactive last week during the warm period. The mid-March and mid-February layers are typically down between 70 and 100cm and have been dormant for several weeks. These layers have the potential to wake up with sustained warming, a significant rain event, and/or a big cornice fall.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Anywhere from 20 to 50 cm of recent storm snow sits on a variety of old surfaces including crusts, surface hoar and facets that were buried April 10th. Moderate to strong south west winds are redistributing the storm snow into wind slabs on leeward slopes and terrain features. The mid-March persistent weak layer of facets on a crust is now approximately 50-100 cm down. This remains a concern in the region due to its potential to produce very large avalanches. There may be a low probability of triggering this layer, however; if it is triggered the consequence would be high. Large looming cornices may become weak with solar radiation and daytime warming. If a cornice fails it could trigger a large avalanche from the slope below.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent obs have been limited and some of this discussion is extrapolated from the North Columbia region where conditions are expected to be similar. The sun on Wednesday is expected to have melted the snow surface at lower elevations and on sun-exposed slopes into the alpine. A new surface crust is expected form as temperatures drop overnight. Around 30-40cm of recent snowfall overlies a weak layer that was buried on Friday. This weak layer typically consists of surface hoar and facets overlying a melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere except high elevation north-facing terrain. In exposed alpine terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed the recent storm snow forming thicker wind slabs in leeward features. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. There are three dormant persistent weak layers that we are continuing to track. The late-March crust is down 50-70cm and was reactive last week during the warm period. The mid-Mar and mid-Feb layers are typically down between 70 and 100cm and have been dormant for several weeks. These layers have the potential to wake up with sustained warming, a significant rain event, and/or a big cornice fall.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The sun on Wednesday is expected to have melted the snow surface at lower elevations and on sun-exposed slopes into the alpine. A new surface crust is expected form as temperatures drop overnight. 20-60cm of recent snowfall overlies a weak layer that was buried on Friday. This weak layer typically consists of surface hoar and facets overlying a melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere except high elevation north-facing terrain. Recent snowfall amounts are highest in the north of the region and taper off to south. In exposed alpine terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed the recent storm snow forming thicker wind slabs in leeward features. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. There are three dormant persistent weak layers that we are continuing to track. The late-March crust is down 50-70cm and was reactive last week during the warm period. The mid-March and mid-February layers are typically down between 70 and 100cm and have been dormant for several weeks. These layers have the potential to wake up with sustained warming, a significant rain event, and/or a big cornice fall. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">We are no longer receiving consistent avalanche and snowpack observations from the region, making it impossible to issue avalanche forecasts with accurate danger ratings. To assist with your backcountry travel planning we've produced blog posts describing four common spring scenarios. It's up to you to decide which of the scenarios applies to your situation. Each scenario has specific weather, snowpack, and avalanche characteristics. And each requires a different approach in terms of risk management. Click the link in the bulletin headline for more information on these different spring scenarios.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">We are no longer receiving consistent avalanche and snowpack observations from the region, making it impossible to issue avalanche forecasts with accurate danger ratings. To assist with your backcountry travel planning we've produced blog posts describing four common spring scenarios. It's up to you to decide which of the scenarios applies to your situation. Each scenario has specific weather, snowpack, and avalanche characteristics. And each requires a different approach in terms of risk management. Click the link in the bulletin headline for more information on these different spring scenarios.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">5-10 cm's came in from the last storm. This snow was very low density and easily blown around by the winds. There was significant recovery/refreezing last night which help up for most of the day. Windslabs start to appear at treeline and continue all the way up to the alpine. In the alpine, cornices have grown significantly. A few collapses were witnessed today, but no slabs were initiated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Even though the North Shore Mountains recently received fresh snow, this snow will vanish as fast as it appeared with current warm temperatures and sunshine. The snowpack is currently well below the seasonal average and below the threshold depth for avalanches. The threshold snow depth before avalanches can start is generally about 30 cm for smooth ground (e.g. rock slabs, grass, or fine scree), 60 cm on average in open slopes at treeline and above, and 120 cm on very rough ground with boulders and large stumps. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent storm snow has likely formed touchy storm slabs. Strong westerly winds have redistributed this new snow and has formed wind slabs on leeward slopes and behind terrain features. The lack of bond between the new wind slabs and storm slabs over the older snow surfaces buried on April 9 th (surface hoar, crusts and facets) are the primary concern. The March 25th surface hoar / crust layer is reportedly unreactive, however; with the new load of wind and snow this should remain on your radar as it may re-awaken, initiating very-large and destructive avalanches. Large ripe cornices are also of concern and will be a problem with additional loading, especially when the sun shines through with rising freezing levels.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The sun on Wednesday is expected to have melted the snow surface at lower elevations and on sun-exposed slopes into the alpine. A new surface crust is expected form as temperatures drop overnight. </span><span class="s_3FE45715">In the north of the region, 20-60cm of recent snowfall overlies a weak layer that was buried on Friday. This weak layer typically consists of surface hoar and facets overlying a melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere except high elevation north-facing terrain. In exposed alpine terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed the recent storm snow forming thicker wind slabs in leeward features. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. There are three dormant persistent weak layers that we are continuing to track. The late-March crust is down 50-70cm and was reactive last week during the warm period. The mid-March and mid-February layers are typically down between 70 and 100cm and have been dormant for several weeks. These layers have the potential to wake up with sustained warming, a significant rain event, and/or a big cornice fall.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">We are no longer receiving consistent avalanche and snowpack observations from the region, making it impossible to issue avalanche forecasts with accurate danger ratings. To assist with your backcountry travel planning we've produced blog posts describing four common spring scenarios. It's up to you to decide which of the scenarios applies to your situation. Each scenario has specific weather, snowpack, and avalanche characteristics. And each requires a different approach in terms of risk management. Click the link in the bulletin headline for more information on these different spring scenarios.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_B5B45E27">Upper elevations have received 25-40 cm of recent storm snow. The new snow sits on a variety of old snow surfaces including crusts, facets and spotty surface hoar which was buried on April 10th. This interface has shown a poor bond and has been reactive naturally and to human triggers. Moderate to strong south west winds has redistributed the recent storm snow into wind slabs on leeward slopes and behind terrain features. The mid-March persistent weak layer is down 100-150 cm and has been producing hard but sudden planar results in snowpack tests. This remains a concern in the region. There may be a low probability of triggering this layer, however; if it is triggered the consequence would be high. Large looming cornices may become weak with solar radiation and daytime warming. If a cornice fails it could trigger a large avalanche from the slope below.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">At upper elevations 25- 50 cm of recent storm snow has blanketed the region. The new snow has been redistributed by strong south-west winds into wind slabs on leeward slopes and terrain features. The lack of bond between the new wind slabs and storm slabs over the older snow surfaces buried on April 9 th (surface hoar, crusts and facets) is the primary concern. The March 25th persistent surface hoar / crust layer is reportedly unreactive, however; with the new load of wind and snow this should remain on your radar as it may re-awaken, initiating very-large and destructive avalanches. Moist- rain soaked snow exists at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The sun on Wednesday is expected to have melted the snow surface at lower elevations and on sun-exposed slopes into the alpine. A new surface crust is expected form as temperatures drop overnight. 40-60cm of recent snowfall overlies a weak layer that was buried on Friday. This weak layer typically consists of surface hoar and facets overlying a melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere except high elevation north-facing terrain. In exposed alpine terrain, strong SW winds have redistributed the recent storm snow forming thicker wind slabs in leeward features. Large cornices exist in the alpine and may become weak with daytime warming. There are three dormant persistent weak layers that we are continuing to track. The late-March crust is down 50-70cm and was reactive last week during the warm period. The mid-March and mid-February layers are typically down between 70 and 100cm and have been dormant for several weeks. These layers have the potential to wake up with sustained warming, a significant rain event, and/or a big cornice fall.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowpack observations have been very limited. Initial reports suggest there is enough snow above around 1700 m for avalanches to occur. Terrain below treeline is reported to be below threshold for avalanche activity. Current surfaces are a mix of stubborn wind slabs and crusts in exposed higher elevation terrain, and loose faceted snow and surface hoar in more sheltered areas. About 15 cm below the surface you may find a thick rain crust which exists up to at least treeline elevation. Where it exists, this crust has added strength to the current snowpack. That said, the combination of a crust, facets and surface hoar could prove to be a significant weak layer when it finally snows again. In general there is a lot of uncertainty regarding snowpack structure throughout the region. I would dig down and test for weak layers before committing to any steeper lines.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At treeline elevations, the snowpack appears to typically be 1-1.5m deep. Current snow surfaces are a mixed bag and likely include a mix of stubborn wind slabs, crusts well defined at upper elevations especially on southerly aspects, loose faceted snow and surface hoar in sheltered areas. In some parts of the region a thick hard crust is reported to exist between 15 and 25cm below the surface. For the time being, this hard crust is likely adding significant strength to the snowpack. That said, the combination of facets and surface hoar overlying a hard crust could become a reactive weak layer when it gets buried by new snow, and new snow its on its way. There is also a thick crust from early-November in the middle of the snowpack. The limited reports we have received suggest that this crust is well bonded but you should investigate the snowpack in your local area before committing yourself to avalanche terrain. In general, there is a lot of uncertainty regarding snowpack structure throughout the region. If you have any observations to share, please submit them to our Mountain Information Network.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Our relatively young snowpack is already quite complicated. Northerly winds associated with last weeks outbreak of Arctic air stripped many south facing features near ridgecrest. As a result, tired old wind slabs have been reported on north facing features at and above treeline. The cold air and associated inversion created trophy surface hoar that seems to average around 20mm in size and can be found from creek bottom up to around 1800m. Sun and above freezing alpine temperatures were also part of the last week, so you're likely to find a suncrust on solar aspects (south and west) at and above treeline. The three different November surface hoar interfaces that we were previously concerned about seem to be a thing of the past and are not producing any activity. Its thought that there is a crust/facet interface on or just above the ground on high elevation north facing features, but the lack of observations surrounding this interface make us think that this is a very isolated problem, and it has likely become inactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowpack observations have been very limited as the season commences. Initial reports suggest there is enough snow above around 1700 m for avalanches to occur. Terrain below treeline is reported to be below threshold for avalanche activity. Current surfaces are likely a mix of stubborn wind slabs and crusts in exposed higher elevation terrain, and loose faceted snow and surface hoar in more sheltered areas. About 15-25 cm below the surface you may find a thick rain crust which exists up to at least treeline elevation. Where it exists, this crust has added strength to the current snowpack. That said, the combination of a crust, facets and surface hoar could prove to be a significant weak layer when it finally snows again. In general there is a lot of uncertainty regarding snowpack structure throughout the region. I would dig down and test for weak layers before committing to any steeper lines.</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">Our relatively young snowpack is already quite complicated. Northerly winds associated with last weeks outbreak of Arctic air stripped many south facing features near ridgecrest. As a result, tired old wind slabs have been reported on north facing features at and above treeline. The cold air and associated inversion created trophy surface hoar that seems to average around 20mm in size and can be found from creek bottom up to around 1800m. Sun and above freezing alpine temperatures were also part of the last week, so you're likely to find a suncrust on solar aspects (south and west) at and above treeline. The three different November surface hoar interfaces that we were previously concerned about seem to be a thing of the past and are not producing any activity. Its thought that there is a crust/facet interface on or just above the ground on high elevation north facing features, but the lack of observations surrounding this interface make us think that this is a very isolated problem, and it has likely become inactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Our relatively young snowpack is already quite complicated. Northerly winds associated with last weeks outbreak of Arctic air stripped many south facing features near ridgecrest. As a result, tired old wind slabs have been reported on north facing features at and above treeline. The cold air and associated inversion created trophy surface hoar that seems to average around 20mm in size and can be found from creek bottom up to around 1800m. Sun and above freezing alpine temperatures were also part of the last week, so you're likely to find a suncrust on solar aspects (south and west) at and above treeline. The three different November surface hoar interfaces that we were previously concerned about seem to be a thing of the past and are not producing any activity. Its thought that there is a crust/facet interface on or just above the ground on high elevation north facing features, but the lack of observations surrounding this interface make us think that this is a very isolated problem, and it has likely become inactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Our relatively young snowpack is already quite complicated. Northerly winds associated with last weeks outbreak of Arctic air stripped many south facing features near ridgecrest. As a result, tired old wind slabs have been reported on north facing features at and above treeline. The cold air and associated inversion created trophy surface hoar that seems to average around 20mm in size and can be found from creek bottom up to around 1800m. Sun and above freezing alpine temperatures were also part of the last week, so you're likely to find a suncrust on solar aspects (south and west) at and above treeline. The three different November surface hoar interfaces that we were previously concerned about seem to be a thing of the past and are not producing any activity. Its thought that there is a crust/facet interface on or just above the ground on high elevation north facing features, but the lack of observations surrounding this interface make us think that this is a very isolated problem, and it has likely become inactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow amounts are possible (10-35 cm) over 1200 m. If this precip falls as snow expect to find storm and wind slabs. The new snow will likely have a poor bond to the old snow surfaces, especially where crusts exist. The snowpack below is reportedly well-settled at the highest elevations. The average snowpack depth at these elevations range anywhere from 50-70 cm deep. Snow depths decrease dramatically with elevation loss. Watch for wet snow at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack is highly variable across different aspects and elevations. So far, we only have limited information from the field. Initial reports suggest that there is around 150 cm at 2000 m. Recent winds have scoured exposed slopes, and left variable wind slabs and crusts. In some places, a crust/facet interface or surface hoar can be found in the upper snowpack. At high elevations, a crust which formed early season may exist near the base of the snowpack. The new storm snow may not bond well to the mix of old surfaces left behind after the recent high pressure. Buried surface hoar may be found below the new storm snow at lower elevations, or in areas where the recent temperature inversion was not strong enough to melt it. </span><span class="s_1681A555" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast storm snow is likely to build slabs, which may bond poorly to the current cornucopia of surfaces including hard slabs, crusts, facets and large surface hoar crystals. The snowpack is highly variable across different aspects and elevations. There is anywhere from 30-150 cm on the ground. Previous northerly outflow winds scoured upwind slopes back to a firm crust, and created wind slabs on lee aspects, which are gradually gaining strength. Shallow snowpack areas may be rotten (facetted). </span><span class="s_1681A555" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below you can see a description of the &quot;foundation&quot; of the snowpack, everything is about to change with a series of snow and wind events forecast over the next few days. Forecast storm snow is likely to build slabs, which may bond poorly to the current cornucopia of surfaces including hard slabs, crusts, facets and surface hoar. The snowpack is highly variable across different aspects and elevations. There is anywhere from 30-150 cm on the ground. Previous northerly outflow winds scoured upwind slopes back to a firm crust, and created wind slabs on lee aspects, which are gradually gaining strength. Shallow snowpack areas are rotten (facetted). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">So far, we only have limited information from the field. Initial reports suggest that there is little snow below treeline. Recent outflow winds created variable wind slabs and crusts at higher elevations. </span><span class="s_DDF6C5E8">Incoming snow may bond poorly to this concoction of surfaces. </span><span class="s_1681A555">In some places, a crust, surface hoar or facets can be found in the upper snowpack. A persistent weak layer exists at the base of the snowpack in the north of the region, however I am not sure how widespread this is. Information is limited - share yours through the Mountain Information Network.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Surface facetting is ongoing. Right now the top 20cm is noticeably weaker than it was a week ago. Of special note is the surface hoar. During today's snow study mission we visited a number of sites. All areas had surface hoar, and in a few places it reached 60-80mm in size! The midpack is still well settled and strong. The deep, basal layers are hanging in there with a a strong bond between snow grains. Compression tests had no failures at any profile location. The only exception to the well settled snowpack is in shallow areas. In these places the entire snowpack is weak and facetted with no prominent layers. Snow heights are: </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Burstall Pass:74</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Burstall Parking:62</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Dog Leg shoulder (treeline):75</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Variable surfaces in the alpine from scoured and stiff windslab to isolated melt-freeze crust can be found. This is now being covered by the dusting of overnight snow. There is a melt-freeze crust from November 18th that sits under 5-30cm of snow. There is facetted snow on either side of this crust. The shears associated with this layer have become harder to produce lately. There are also reports of buried surface hoar close to ground in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Our relatively young snowpack is already quite complicated.  Tuesday night's storm brought 5 to 10 cm that is likely being formed into small storm slabs.  Previous to this, northerly winds associated with last weeks outbreak of Arctic air stripped many south facing features down to rock near ridge crest. As a result, wind slabs that have now grown old and tired were reported on north facing features at and above treeline. The cold air and associated inversion created surface facets and the well reported trophy sized surface hoar that averages 20mm in size and can be found from creek bottom up to around 1800m. Sun and above freezing alpine temperatures were also part of the last week of wonky November weather, so you'll find a suncrust at and above treeline just under the new storm snow on solar aspects. The three different November surface hoar interfaces that we were previously concerned about seem to be a thing of the past. It's thought that there is also a crust/facet interface on or just above the ground on high elevation north facing features, but this interface is likely very isolated and is probably inactive at this time.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Our relatively young snowpack is already quite complicated. Tuesday night's storm brought 1 to 5 cm that is likely being formed into small storm slabs. Previous to this, northerly winds associated with last weeks outbreak of Arctic air stripped many south facing features down to rock near ridge crest. As a result, wind slabs that have now grown old and tired were reported on north facing features at and above treeline. The cold air and associated inversion created surface facets and the well reported trophy sized surface hoar that averages 20mm in size and can be found from creek bottom up to around 1800m. Sun and above freezing alpine temperatures were also part of the last week of wonky November weather, so you'll find a suncrust at and above treeline just under the new storm snow on solar aspects. The three different November surface hoar interfaces that we were previously concerned about seem to be a thing of the past. It's thought that there is also a crust/facet interface on or just above the ground on high elevation north facing features, but this interface is likely very isolated and is probably inactive at this time.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Our relatively young snowpack is already quite complicated. Tuesday night's storm brought 5 to 15 cm that is likely being formed into small storm slabs. Previous to this, northerly winds associated with last weeks outbreak of Arctic air stripped many south facing features down to rock near ridge crest. As a result, wind slabs that have now grown old and tired were reported on north facing features at and above treeline. The cold air and associated inversion created surface facets and the well reported trophy sized surface hoar that averages 20mm in size and can be found from creek bottom up to around 1800m. Sun and above freezing alpine temperatures were also part of the last week of wonky November weather, so you'll find a suncrust at and above treeline just under the new storm snow on solar aspects. The three different November surface hoar interfaces that we were previously concerned about seem to be a thing of the past. It's thought that there is also a crust/facet interface on or just above the ground on high elevation north facing features, but this interface is likely very isolated and is probably inactive at this time.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most of this heavy precip will fall as rain, however; in areas that may be higher then 1300 m it could turn to snow forming new storm and wind slabs. The new snow will likely have a poor bond to the old snow surfaces, especially where crusts exist. The snowpack below is reportedly well-settled at the highest elevations. The average snowpack depth around 1400 m range anywhere from 50-70 cm deep. Snow depths decrease dramatically with elevation loss. Watch for loose wet snow at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 10 cm of new low density snow has buried old snow surfaces which comprise of stubborn wind slabs, crusts well defined at upper elevations especially on southerly aspects, loose faceted snow and surface hoar in sheltered areas. The new snow likely has a poor bond to the old snow. In some parts of the region a thick hard crust is reported to exist between 15 and 25cm below the surface. For the time being, this hard crust is likely adding significant strength to the snowpack. That said, the combination of facets and surface hoar overlying a hard crust could become a reactive weak layer when it gets buried by new snow, and new snow it’s on its way. There is also a thick crust from early-November in the middle of the snowpack. The limited reports we have received suggest that this crust is well bonded but you should investigate the snowpack in your local area before committing yourself to avalanche terrain.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowpack observations have been very limited as the season commences. Initial reports suggest there is enough snow above around 1700 m for avalanches to occur. Terrain below treeline is reported to be below threshold for avalanche activity. Current surfaces are likely a mix of stubborn wind slabs and crusts in exposed higher elevation terrain, and loose faceted snow and surface hoar in more sheltered areas. About 15-25 cm below the surface you may find a thick rain crust which exists up to at least treeline elevation. Where it exists, this crust has added strength to the current snowpack. That said, the combination of a crust, facets and surface hoar could prove to be a significant weak layer when it finally snows again. In general there is a lot of uncertainty regarding snowpack structure throughout the region. I would dig down and test for weak layers before committing to any steeper lines.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack is highly variable across different aspects and elevations. So far, we only have limited information from the field. Initial reports suggest that there is around 150 cm at 2000 m. Recent winds have scoured exposed slopes, and left variable wind slabs and crusts. In some places, a crust/facet interface or surface hoar can be found in the upper snowpack. At high elevations, a crust which formed early season may exist near the base of the snowpack. The new storm snow may not bond well to the mix of old surfaces left behind after the recent high pressure. Buried surface hoar may be found below the new storm snow at lower elevations, or in areas where the recent temperature inversion was not strong enough to melt it. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowpack observations have been very limited. Initial reports suggest there is enough snow above 1700 m for avalanches to occur. Terrain below treeline is reported to be below threshold for avalanche activity. Current surfaces are a mix of stubborn wind slabs and crusts in exposed higher elevation terrain, and loose faceted snow and surface hoar in more sheltered areas. About 15 cm below the surface you may find a thick rain crust which exists up to at least treeline elevation. Where it exists, this crust has added strength to the current snowpack. That said, the combination of a crust, facets and surface hoar could prove to be a significant weak layer when it finally snows again. In general there is a lot of uncertainty regarding snowpack structure throughout the region. I would dig down and test for weak layers before committing to any steeper lines.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below you can see a description of the &quot;foundation&quot; of the snowpack, everything is about to change with a series of snow and wind events forecast over the next few days. Forecast storm snow is likely to build slabs, which may bond poorly to the current surfaces including hard slabs, crusts, facets and surface hoar. The snowpack is highly variable across different aspects and elevations. There is anywhere from 30-150 cm on the ground. Previous northerly outflow winds scoured upwind slopes back to a firm crust, and created wind slabs on lee aspects, which are gradually gaining strength. Shallow snowpack areas are rotten (facetted). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below you can see a description of the &quot;foundation&quot; of the snowpack, everything is about to change with a series of snow and wind events forecast over the next few days. Forecast storm snow is likely to build slabs, which may bond poorly to the current surfaces including hard slabs, crusts, facets and surface hoar. The snowpack is highly variable across different aspects and elevations. There is anywhere from 30-150 cm on the ground. Previous northerly outflow winds scoured upwind slopes back to a firm crust, and created wind slabs on lee aspects, which are gradually gaining strength. Shallow snowpack areas are rotten (facetted). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In general, the early season snowpack is shallow and weak. Developing storm slabs are sitting on a mix of crusts and weak facetted crystals or surface hoar in some parts of the region. The southwest of the region sounds like it has the most snow, and probably the most wind with the new snow. We have some reports of a weak facetted base layer in the north of the region where recent temperatures were quite cold during the arctic outbreak. If you get out into the mountains, please submit your observations using the Mountain Information Network.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Surface facetting continues. Sun crusts are present on steep solar aspects. Surface hoar has been observed in sheltered areas below treeline, but some surface hoar growth has also been found into the Alpine. Wind slabs continue to be widespread at upper elevations. Several recent snow profiles indicate that there is not yet a persistent weak layer in the snowpack (but the winter is young!).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> There is 7cm of new snow sitting over variable old surfaces in the alpine. A melt-freeze crust can be found 10-40cm below the surface and varies in thickness. Shears associated with this layer has tightened up significantly over the past week. There has also been surface hoar found just above the ground in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Our relatively young snowpack is already quite complicated. Tuesday night's storm brought 5 to 10 cm that is likely being formed into small storm slabs. Previous to this, northerly winds associated with last weeks outbreak of Arctic air stripped many south facing features down to rock near ridge crest. As a result, wind slabs that have now grown old and tired were reported on north facing features at and above treeline. The cold air and associated inversion created surface facets and the well reported trophy sized surface hoar that averages 20mm in size and can be found from creek bottom up to around 1800m. Sun and above freezing alpine temperatures were also part of the last week of wonky November weather, so you'll find a suncrust at and above treeline just under the new storm snow on solar aspects. The three different November surface hoar interfaces that we were previously concerned about seem to be a thing of the past. It's thought that there is also a crust/facet interface on or just above the ground on high elevation north facing features, but this interface is likely very isolated and is probably inactive at this time.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Moist new snow is being rapidly loaded into start zones above 1800 meters over a variety of crusts, a variable windslab and small loose granular crystals. This ongoing accumulation will result in deep moist slabs above treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Recent light snow is building up over a variety of old surfaces including wind-stripped north aspects, hard wind slabs, facets, sun crusts and/or large-sized surface hoar. Of most immediate concern is a crust/surface hoar interface that may become super-reactive with enough new snow load. Reports suggest that the surface hoar exists up to about 1800 m and the crust maybe found on all aspects. I certainly wouldn't rule out the possibility of weak interfaces (especially crusts) at higher elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Deeper in the snowpack, surface hoar interfaces that were key players in November seem to be inactive. In the highest and shadiest spots, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground, but is not generally considered a major concern at this time.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Recent snow (around 25 cm at the time of writing) is building up over a variety of old surfaces including wind-stripped north aspects, hard wind slabs, facets, sun crusts and/or large-sized surface hoar. Of most immediate concern is a crust/surface hoar interface that is already super-reactive. Reports suggest that the surface hoar exists up to about 2000 m and the crust maybe found on all aspects. I certainly wouldn't rule out the possibility of weak interfaces at higher elevations, especially as crusts exist well into the alpine. Storm slabs are likely to develop all over the place with winds and temperature changes affecting the new snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Deeper in the snowpack, surface hoar interfaces that were key players in November seem to be inactive. In the highest and shadiest spots, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground, but is not generally considered a major concern at this time.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is a great deal of variability in the region. The Duffey Lake area has received the most snow and rain during the recent storm, and it has also had the highest freezing levels. The Coquihalla has a shallower snowpack with slightly cooler temperatures. Storm slabs of varying depths are developing above a mixture of old surfaces left behind after the recent high pressure. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Recent snow (around 30 cm at the time of writing) is building up over a variety of old surfaces including wind-stripped north aspects, hard wind slabs, facets, sun crusts and/or large-sized surface hoar. Of most immediate concern is a crust/surface hoar interface that is already super-reactive, with shooting cracks already observed. Reports suggest that the surface hoar exists up to about 2000 m and the crust maybe found on all aspects. I certainly wouldn't rule out the possibility of weak interfaces at higher elevations. Storm slabs are likely to develop all over the place with winds and temperature changes affecting the new snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Deeper in the snowpack, surface hoar interfaces that were key players in November seem to be inactive. In the highest and shadiest spots, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground, but is not generally considered a major concern at this time.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Recent snow (around 15-20 cm at the time of writing) is building up over a variety of old surfaces including wind-stripped north aspects, hard wind slabs, facets, sun crusts and/or large-sized surface hoar. Of most immediate concern is a crust/surface hoar interface that is already super-reactive. Reports suggest that the surface hoar exists up to about 2000 m and the crust maybe found on all aspects. I certainly wouldn't rule out the possibility of weak interfaces at higher elevations. Storm slabs are likely to develop all over the place with winds and temperature changes affecting the new snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Deeper in the snowpack, surface hoar interfaces that were key players in November seem to be inactive. In the highest and shadiest spots, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground, but is not generally considered a major concern at this time.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy rain up to about 1800 metres during the day has soaked the early season snowpack. Storm slabs have developed in the alpine above a mix of crusts, and old wind hammered surfaces. There has been a lot of change in a short period of time, and this is always a stress on a snowpack, especially a thin early season snowpack. Yesterday we still had a report of buried surface hoar at treeline, and facets found below and above a crust that was buried just below the developing storm slab. Forecast heavy precipitation should help to settle out and bond weak layers in the long term, but conservative terrain use is recommended in the short term.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 10 cm of recent low density snow sits on the surface, or has been sluffing from steeper terrain features. The new snow sits on a variety of older snow surfaces which comprise of stubborn wind slabs and crusts in exposed higher elevation terrain, and loose faceted snow and surface hoar in more sheltered areas. Above treeline 100-150 cm of snow sits on the ground, while below treeline you may only find 40-90 cm. Several rain crust layers exist within the snowpack, one down approximately 30-60 cm (mid-November) and another down 10-25 cm depending on elevation. Snowpack test results have shown easy shears, failing in a facet layer below the crust. Definitely something to keep an eye on when we receive more load. Where this crust exists, it has added strength to the current snowpack. In general there is a lot of uncertainty regarding snowpack structure throughout the region</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowpack observations are limited. Above 2000 m reports suggest that the average height of snow is 100-150 cm and reaches the threshold for avalanches to occur. Below, there is anywhere from 70-100 cm. Current snow surfaces are a mix of stubborn wind slabs and crusts in exposed higher elevation terrain, and loose faceted snow and surface hoar in more sheltered areas. The mid-November melt-freeze crust is sandwiched between thicker slabs approximately 30-50 cm down. Below 2000 m 20-40 cm of faceted snow sits above the melt freeze crust. That said, the combination of a crust, facets and surface hoar could prove to be a significant weak layer when it finally snows again. In general there is a lot of uncertainty regarding snowpack structure throughout the region. I would dig down and test for weak layers before committing to any steeper lines.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-35 cm of storm snow has buried old snow surfaces which comprise of stubborn wind slabs, crusts well defined at upper elevations especially on southerly aspects, loose faceted snow and surface hoar in sheltered areas. The new snow likely has a poor bond to the old snow and things may become electric once they reach threshold. 20-35 cm below the new snow sits a thick hard crust. For the time being, this hard crust is likely adding significant strength to the snowpack below, however may be a perfect sliding layer for the snow above. Something to keep an eye on as we keep loading with subsequent storms. There is also a thick crust from early-November in the middle of the snowpack. In general there is a lot of uncertainty regarding snowpack structure throughout the region and you should investigate the snowpack in your local area before committing yourself to avalanche terrain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most of this heavy precip fell as rain. Snow surfaces have become wet and saturated. The snowpack below is reportedly well-settled at the highest elevations. The average snowpack depth around 1400 m range anywhere from 50-70 cm deep. Snow depths decrease dramatically with elevation loss. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In general, the early season snowpack is shallow and weak. Developing storm slabs are sitting on a mix of crusts and weak facetted crystals or surface hoar in some parts of the region. The southwest of the region sounds like it has the most snow, and probably the most wind with the new snow. We have some reports of a weak facetted base layer in the north of the region where recent temperatures were quite cold during the arctic outbreak. If you get out into the mountains, please submit your observations using the Mountain Information Network.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A report from Shames on Wednesday states that the freezing level was about 850 metres elevation with 10-15 cm of new snow at treeline and 15-20 cm at the ridge. Providing good quality skiing in well consolidated snow above a non breakable crust. The regional snowpack is highly variable across different aspects and elevations. So far, we only have limited information from the field. Initial reports suggest that there is around 150 cm at 2000 m. Recent winds have scoured exposed slopes, and left variable wind slabs and crusts. In some places, a crust/facet interface or surface hoar can be found in the upper snowpack. At high elevations, a crust which formed early season may exist near the base of the snowpack. The new storm snow may not bond well to the mix of old surfaces left behind after the recent high pressure. Buried surface hoar may be found below the new storm snow at lower elevations, or in areas where the recent temperature inversion was not strong enough to melt it. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 18 cm of recent low density snow sits on the surface, or has been sluffing from steeper terrain features. The new snow sits on a variety of older snow surfaces which comprise of stubborn wind slabs and crusts in exposed higher elevation terrain, and loose faceted snow and surface hoar in more sheltered areas. Above treeline 100-150 cm of snow sits on the ground, while below treeline you may only find 40-90 cm. Several rain crust layers exist within the snowpack, one down approximately 30-60 cm (mid-November) and another down 10-25 cm depending on elevation. Snowpack test results have shown easy shears, failing in a facet layer below the crust. Definitely something to keep an eye on when we receive more load. Where this crust exists, it has added strength to the current snowpack. In general there is a lot of uncertainty regarding snowpack structure throughout the region</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">5-20 cm recent snow has fallen over a variety of old surfaces including wind-stripped north aspects, hard wind slabs, facets, sun crusts and/or large-sized surface hoar. Of most immediate concern is a crust/surface hoar interface that is already super-reactive. Reports suggest that the surface hoar exists up to about 2000 m and the crust maybe found on all aspects. I wouldn't rule out the possibility of weak interfaces at higher elevations, especially crusts. Strong southerly winds are transporting snow onto lee slopes and creating deep wind slabs. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Deeper in the snowpack, surface hoar interfaces that were key players in November seem to be inactive. In the highest and shadiest spots, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Around 20-30 cm recent snow has fallen over a variety of old surfaces including wind-stripped north aspects, hard wind slabs, facets, sun crusts and/or large-sized surface hoar. Of most immediate concern is a crust/surface hoar interface that is already super-reactive. Reports suggest that the surface hoar exists up to about 2000 m and the crust maybe found on all aspects. I wouldn't rule out the possibility of weak interfaces at higher elevations, especially crusts. Strong southerly winds are transporting snow onto lee slopes and creating deep wind slabs. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Deeper in the snowpack, surface hoar interfaces that were key players in November seem to be inactive. In the highest and shadiest spots, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 8cm of new snow over the past 24hrs through convective squalls.  This new snow is overlying a variety of snow surface including sun crusts on solar aspects and surface hoar in lower elevations and on more northern aspects.  This new snow was being moved around by moderate to strong SW winds building new thin windslabs. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces have become wet and saturated, then re-freeze as freezing levels fall between storms. Below the surface the snowpack below is reportedly well-settled at the highest elevations. The average snowpack depth around 1400 m range anywhere from 50-70 cm deep. Snow depths decrease dramatically with elevation loss. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 40 cm of storm snow has buried old snow surfaces which comprise of stubborn wind slabs, crusts well defined at upper elevations especially on southerly aspects, loose faceted snow and surface hoar in sheltered areas. The new snow likely has a poor bond to the old snow. In some parts of the region a thick hard crust is reported to exist between 20 and 55 cm below the surface. For the time being, this hard crust is likely adding significant strength to the snowpack. That said, the combination of facets and surface hoar overlying a hard crust could become a reactive weak layer when it gets buried by new snow, and new snow its on its way. There is also another thick crust from early-November deeper in the snowpack. The limited reports we have received suggest that this crust is well bonded but you should investigate the snowpack in your local area before committing yourself to avalanche terrain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Significant amounts of new snow fell above 1800 meters yesterday. This moist snow fell with moderate to strong winds likely resulting in significant soft slab formation and cornice growth. Temperatures dropped overnight which should help settle down the new snow instability, but the shear volume of snow means that it could take a while before the slab settles down.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is a great deal of variability in the region. The Duffey Lake area has received the most snow and rain during the recent storms, and it has also had the highest freezing levels. The Coquihalla has a shallower snowpack with slightly cooler temperatures. Storm slabs of varying depths are developing above a mixture of old surfaces left behind after the recent high pressure. We have not had many observations from this region, if you are out in the mountains please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Up to 40 cm recent snow has fallen over a variety of old surfaces including wind-stripped north aspects, hard wind slabs, facets, sun crusts and/or large-sized surface hoar. Of most immediate concern is a crust/surface hoar interface that is already super-reactive. Reports suggest that the surface hoar exists up to about 2000 m and the crust maybe found on all aspects. I wouldn't rule out the possibility of weak interfaces at higher elevations, especially crusts. Strong southerly winds are transporting snow onto lee slopes and creating deep wind slabs. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Deeper in the snowpack, surface hoar interfaces that were key players in November seem to be inactive. In the highest and shadiest spots, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Around 30 cm recent snow has fallen over a variety of old surfaces including wind-stripped north aspects, hard wind slabs, facets, sun crusts and/or large-sized surface hoar. Of most immediate concern is a crust/surface hoar interface that is already super-reactive. Reports suggest that the surface hoar exists up to about 2000 m and the crust maybe found on all aspects. I wouldn't rule out the possibility of weak interfaces at higher elevations, especially crusts. Strong southerly winds are transporting snow onto lee slopes and creating deep wind slabs. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Deeper in the snowpack, surface hoar interfaces that were key players in November seem to be inactive. In the highest and shadiest spots, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Deep storm slabs have developed in the alpine and at treeline above old wind crusts, melt-freeze crusts, and weak facetted crystals in some areas. Shallow facetted areas at treeline may now be buried by 70-100 cm of wind transported new snow. Cooler temperatures have re-frozen the moist or wet snow at lower elevations into a solid base layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In general, the early season snowpack is shallow and weak. Developing storm slabs are sitting on a mix of crusts and weak facetted crystals or surface hoar in some parts of the region. The southwest of the region sounds like it has the most snow, and probably the most wind with the new snow. We have some reports of a weak facetted base layer in the north of the region where recent temperatures were quite cold during the arctic outbreak. If you get out into the mountains, please submit your observations using the Mountain Information Network.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of recent storm snow sits on the surface or has been sluffing from steeper terrain features. The new snow sits on a variety of older snow surfaces which comprise of stubborn wind slabs and crusts in exposed higher elevation terrain, and loose faceted snow and surface hoar in more sheltered areas. Above treeline 100-150 cm of snow sits on the ground, while below treeline you may only find 40-90 cm. Several rain crust layers exist within the snowpack, one down approximately 30-60 cm (mid-November) and another down 10-25 cm depending on elevation. Snowpack test results have shown easy shears, failing in a facet layer below the crust. Definitely something to keep an eye on when we receive more load. Where this crust exists, it has added strength to the current snowpack. In general there is a lot of uncertainty regarding snowpack structure throughout the region</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A MIN report from Shames on Thursday describes 8-12 cm soft wind slabs at 1300 metres on southerly aspects that were not well bonded to the underlying crust. The distribution of surface hoar left after the recent clear weather is our biggest knowledge gap. New storm slabs are widespread and variable in depth. The north of the region has more snow than the south and the temperatures in the north have been cooler with lower freezing levels. If you any observations please submit them to the Mountain information Network (MIN) at www.avalanche.ca</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Easy shears have been observed in decomposing new snow at 2250 meters. The interface between the temperature affected surface buried on December 2nd and Wednesday's new snow is still listed as active. Cooling temperatures following the warm weather settled the snowpack below 2200 meters.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Thin windslabs have formed on north through east aspects with the small amount of new snow we received on Friday (8cm). The snowpack throughout the region is generally very well settled with no deeper instabilities to speak of through the midpack and at the base of the snowpack as well.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack varies widely across the forecast region. The Duffey Lake area has received the most snow as well as the most rain during the recent storms, and also experienced the highest freezing levels. The Coquihalla has a shallower snowpack with slightly cooler temperatures. Storm slabs of varying depths are developing above a mixture of old surfaces left behind after the recent  high pressure.  We have not had many observations from this region but generally warm temperatures should contribute to a well settled snowpack, if you are out in the mountains please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 50 cm of storm snow now rests on a variety of old snow surfaces including stubborn wind slabs, crusts at upper elevations (especially on southerly aspects), loose faceted snow and surface hoar in sheltered areas. In some parts of the region a thick hard crust is reported to exist between 30 and 60 cm below the surface. For the time being, this hard crust is likely adding significant strength to the snowpack. That said, the combination of facets and surface hoar overlying a hard crust could become a reactive weak layer as more and more weight is added to it. There is also a thick crust from early-November deeper in the snowpack. The limited observations we have suggest that this crust is well bonded, but more data is needed before we write it off.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10 cm of new snow fell Friday night. This snow should be saturated by rain by Saturday evening. This continues the trend of snow surfaces becoming wet and saturated between bursts of cooler storms. Below the surface the snowpack is reportedly well-settled at the highest elevations. The average snowpack depth around 1400m ranges from 50 to 70 cm. Snow depths decrease dramatically with elevation loss. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Saturday night's snowfall will add to the existing 30-40 cm of recent storm snow that overlays a variety of old surfaces which include wind scoured north aspects, sugary facets, sun crusts, and/or large-sized surface hoar. The primary concern is the surface hoar which sits on top of a sun crust on solar aspects. Reports suggest that the surface hoar exists up to approximately 1800 m on all aspects.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 to 25cm of recent low density storm snow sits on the surface, or has been sluffing from steeper terrain features. The new snow sits on a variety of older snow surfaces which consist of stubborn wind slabs and crusts in exposed higher elevation terrain, and loose faceted snow and surface hoar in more sheltered areas. Above treeline 100-150 cm of snow sits on the ground, while below treeline you may only find 40-90 cm. Several rain crust layers exist within the snowpack, one down approximately 30-60 cm (mid-November) and another down 10-25 cm depending on elevation. Snowpack test results have shown easy shears, failing in a facet layer below the crust. Definitely something to keep an eye on when we receive more load. Where this crust exists, it has added strength to the current snowpack. In general there is a lot of uncertainty regarding snowpack structure throughout the region</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of recent storm snow sits on the surface and has been sluffing from steeper terrain features. The new snow sits on a variety of older snow surfaces which comprise of stubborn wind slabs and crusts in exposed higher elevation terrain, and loose faceted snow and surface hoar in more sheltered areas. Above treeline 100-150 cm of snow sits on the ground, while below treeline you may only find 40-90 cm. Several rain crust layers exist within the snowpack, one down approximately 30-60 cm (mid-November) and another down 10-25 cm depending on elevation. Snowpack test results have shown easy shears, failing in a facet layer below the crust. Definitely something to keep an eye on when we receive more load. Where this crust exists, it has added strength to the current snowpack. In general there is a lot of uncertainty regarding snowpack structure throughout the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new overnight snowfall will fall on top of around 40cm of recent storm snow. This storm slab sits over a variety of old surfaces including wind-stripped north aspects, hard wind slabs, facets, sun crusts and/or large-sized surface hoar. Of most immediate concern is a crust/surface hoar interface that is already super-reactive. Reports suggest that the surface hoar exists as high as 2000m and the crust may be found on all aspects. I would not rule out the possibility of weak interfaces at higher elevations, especially sun crusts and facets. Strong SW winds are creating thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and treeline elevations. Deeper in the snowpack, surface hoar interfaces that were key players in November have been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new overnight snowfall will fall on top of around 30cm of recent storm snow. This storm slab sits over a variety of old surfaces including wind-stripped north aspects, hard wind slabs, facets, sun crusts and/or large-sized surface hoar. Of most immediate concern is a crust/surface hoar interface that is already super-reactive. Reports suggest that the surface hoar exists as high as 2000m and the crust may be found on all aspects. I would not rule out the possibility of weak interfaces at higher elevations, especially sun crusts and facets. Strong SW winds are creating thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and treeline elevations. Deeper in the snowpack, surface hoar interfaces that were key players in November have been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Deep storm slabs have developed in the alpine and at treeline above a variety of old surfaces that includes wind crusts, melt-freeze crusts, and weak facetted crystals in some areas. Shallow facetted areas at treeline may now be buried by 70-100 cm of wind transported new snow. Cooler temperatures have re-frozen the moist or wet snow at lower elevations into a solid base layer.</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">In general, the early season snowpack is shallow and weak. Developing storm slabs are sitting on a mix of crusts and weak facetted crystals or surface hoar in some parts of the region. The southwest of the region sounds like it has the most snow, and probably the most wind with the new snow. We have some reports of a weak facetted base layer in the north of the region where recent temperatures were quite cold during the arctic outbreak. If you get out into the mountains, please submit your observations using the Mountain Information Network.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent MIN reports speak of storm slabs on lee slopes, with wet heavy snow below 850 metres. The distribution of surface hoar left after the recent clear weather is our biggest knowledge gap. New storm slabs are widespread and variable in depth. The north of the region has more snow than the south and the temperatures in the north have been cooler with lower freezing levels. If you any observations please submit them to the Mountain information Network (MIN) at www.avalanche.ca</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_3FE45715">The new overnight snowfall will fall on top of around 10-20cm of recent storm snow. This storm slab sits over a variety of old surfaces including wind-stripped north aspects, hard wind slabs, facets, sun crusts and/or large-sized surface hoar. Of most immediate concern is a crust/surface hoar interface that is already super-reactive. Reports suggest that the surface hoar exists as high as 2000m and the crust may be found on all aspects. I would not rule out the possibility of weak interfaces at higher elevations, especially sun crusts and facets. Strong SW winds are creating thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and treeline elevations. Deeper in the snowpack, surface hoar interfaces that were key players in November have been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Wind affected storm snow will continue to load over melt freeze crusts and old wind slabs. Shears within the storm snow have varied from very easy to hard depending on elevation, with the touchiest snow being above 2200 meters.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new overnight snowfall will fall on top of around 50-80cm of recent storm snow. This storm slab sits over a variety of old surfaces including wind-stripped north aspects, hard wind slabs, facets, sun crusts and/or large-sized surface hoar. Of most immediate concern is a crust/surface hoar interface that is highly reactive. Reports suggest that the surface hoar exists as high as 2000m. Strong SW winds are creating thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and treeline elevations. Deeper in the snowpack, surface hoar interfaces that were key players in November have been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new overnight snowfall will fall on top of around 40-60cm of recent storm snow. This storm slab sits over a variety of old surfaces including wind-stripped north aspects, hard wind slabs, facets, sun crusts and/or large-sized surface hoar. Of most immediate concern is a crust/surface hoar interface that is highly reactive. Reports suggest that the surface hoar exists as high as 2000m. Strong SW winds are creating thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and treeline elevations. Deeper in the snowpack, surface hoar interfaces that were key players in November have been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow depth in the region is between 100 and 160cm. In the last few days the successive storms have laid down 30 to 60cm of storm snow. This storm snow rests on a variety of old surface including loose faceted snow, the well advertised early-December surface hoar in sheltered locations at and below treeline, and a crust at upper elevations (especially on southerly aspects). The mid-November crust is just under the new storm snow and quite robust. It's been reported as being 1 to 8cm in thickness.&nbsp; A human triggered avalanche Sunday ran on this crust and we suspect it's just starting to wake up.&nbsp; The next few days should tell us a lot about this interface.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Conditions are looking pretty lean in the Lizard Range at the moment. Around 20 cm of snow has fallen in the last week accompanied by strong SW winds. Below the new snow you'll find the old surface which consists of crust above treeline and a combination of loose faceted snow/surface hoar at and below treeline. Total snow depth above treeline is between 100 and 150cm. Below treeline depths reportedly drop off quickly. Several rain crust layers exist within the snowpack; the late-November crust is 10 to 25cm below the surface and the mid-November crust should be 30 to 60cm below the surface. Snowpack tests have shown easy shears failing in a facet layer below the mid-November crust. We're receiving very little information from the region, so please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Conditions are looking pretty lean in the South Rockies at the moment. Around 20 cm of snow has fallen in the last week accompanied by strong SW winds. Below the new snow you'll find the old surface which consists of crust above treeline and a combination of loose faceted snow/surface hoar at and below treeline. Total snow depth above treeline is between 100 and 150cm. Below treeline depths reportedly drop off quickly. Several rain crust layers exist within the snowpack; the late-November crust is 10 to 25cm below the surface and the mid-November crust should be 30 to 60cm below the surface. Snowpack tests have shown easy shears failing in a facet layer below the mid-November crust. We're receiving very little information from the region, so please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Deep storm slabs are developing in the alpine and at treeline above a variety of old surfaces that includes wind crusts, melt-freeze crusts, and weak facetted crystals in some areas. Shallow facetted areas at treeline may now be buried by over a metre of wind transported new snow. Moist or wet snow at lower elevations is most likely settling into into a solid base layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 50 cm of recent storm snow overlies the Dec 1st. interface. The distribution of surface hoar left after the recent clear, cold weather is our biggest knowledge gap. New storm slabs are widespread and variable in depth. The north of the region has more snow than the south and the temperatures in the north have been cooler with lower freezing levels. If you any observations please submit them to the Mountain information Network (MIN) at www.avalanche.ca</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack varies widely across the forecast region. The Duffey Lake area has received the most snow, and the most rain during the recent storms, as well as the highest freezing levels. The Coquihalla has a shallower snowpack with slightly cooler temperatures. Storm slabs of varying depths are developing above a mixture of old surfaces left behind after the recent high pressure. We have not had many observations from this region but generally speaking, warm temperatures should contribute to a well settled snowpack, if you are out in the mountains please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20cm of new snow Sunday morning brings recent storm snow totals to 40-60cm. This storm slab sits over a variety of old surfaces, including wind-stripped north aspects, hard wind slabs, facets, sun crusts and/or large-sized surface hoar. The weakest of these interfaces is a layer of surface hoar which can be found below approximately 1800m on all aspects. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled. However, 120-150cm down, a surface hoar interface that was formed in November has been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Very little change out there these days.  The strong chinook flow has continued to batter the snowpack in all open areas.  I believe in some areas even dirt and rock are being moved around...  Sun crusts on the solar aspects and facets and surface hoar on the more northern aspects where it hasnt been beaten down by the winds...  When we do get some new now (expected later in the week) we are likely to have a few layer in the snowpack that will be an issue. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy rain Saturday and Sunday has saturated the entire snowpack.  This continues the trend of snow surfaces becoming wet and saturated between bursts of cooler storms. Below the surface the snowpack is reportedly well-settled at the highest elevations. The average snowpack depth around 1400m ranges from 50 to 70 cm. Snow depths decrease dramatically with elevation loss. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new overnight snowfall will fall on top of around 25-50cm of recent storm snow. This storm slab sits over a variety of old surfaces including wind-stripped north aspects, hard wind slabs, facets, sun crusts and/or large-sized surface hoar. Of most immediate concern is a crust/surface hoar interface that is highly reactive. Reports suggest that the surface hoar exists as high as 2000m and is largest below 1700m. Strong SW winds are creating thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and treeline elevations. Deeper in the snowpack, surface hoar interfaces that were key players in November have been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In general, the early season snowpack is shallow and weak. The recent storm slabs are sitting on a mix of crusts and weak facetted crystals or surface hoar in some parts of the region. The southwest of the region sounds like it has the most snow, and probably the most wind with the new snow. We have some reports of a weak facetted base layer in the north of the region where recent temperatures were quite cold during the arctic outbreak. If you get out into the mountains, please submit your observations using the Mountain Information Network.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">We're still dealing with a limited set of observations and it sounds like there is quite a lot of variability across the region. It's been snowing hard above 1500m forming deep storm slabs at tree-line and in the alpine. The new snow is sitting on a supportive mid-pack in the Duffy whereas pre-storm reports from the Coquihalla described a shallower early season snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Up to 70 cm of new storm snow may now overlie a variety of old surfaces including crusts, facets and surface hoar.  The distribution of surface hoar is definitely my biggest knowledge gap, although it has been reported well into the alpine in the Bear Pass.</span><span class="s_1681A555" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">New snow is falling on a variety of old surfaces including a crust at lower elevations and south facing slopes, or facets and surface hoar on cooler shaded features.  The distribution of surface hoar is definitely our biggest knowledge gap.  Bellow this we're still dealing with a thin early season snowpack.</span><span class="s_1681A555" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy rain Saturday, Sunday &amp; Monday has likely saturated the entire snowpack. This continues the trend of snow surfaces becoming wet and saturated between bursts of cooler storms. The average snowpack depth around 1400m ranges from 50 to 70 cm. Snow depths decrease dramatically with elevation loss. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snowfall continues to add to a storm slab that is typically around 60-90cm thick. This storm slab sits over the early-Dec interface which consists of large surface hoar below 1800m, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, old wind affected surfaces above treeline, and possibly faceted surfaces in some areas. This interface is becoming highly unstable in parts of the region and should be treated with the utmost respect until the new snow has had time to stabilize. Strong SW winds continue to build thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Deeper in the snowpack, the surface hoar interface from early November have been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snowfall continues to add to a storm slab that is typically around 30-60cm thick. This storm slab sits over the early-Dec interface which consists of large surface hoar below 1800m, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, old wind affected surfaces above treeline, and possibly faceted surfaces in some areas. This interface is becoming highly unstable in parts of the region and should be treated with the utmost respect until the new snow has had time to stabilize. Strong SW winds continue to build thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Deeper in the snowpack, the surface hoar interface from early November have been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Conditions are looking pretty lean in the Lizard Range at the moment. Around 35 cm of snow has fallen in the last week accompanied by strong SW winds. Below the new snow you'll find the old surface which consists of crust above treeline and a combination of loose faceted snow/surface hoar at and below treeline. Total snow depth above treeline is between 100 and 160cm. Below treeline depths reportedly drop off quickly. Several rain crust layers exist within the snowpack; the late-November crust is 15 to 35cm below the surface and the mid-November crust should be 30 to 70cm below the surface. Snowpack tests have shown easy shears failing in a facet layer below the mid-November crust. We're receiving very little information from the region, so please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Total snow depth in the region is between 100 and 175cm. Since Thursday December 3rd the storms have been impacting the region one after another. Total snowfall from these storms is between 30 and 70cm. This storm snow rests on a variety of old surface including loose faceted snow, the well advertised early-December surface hoar in sheltered locations at and below treeline, and a crust at upper elevations (especially on southerly aspects). The mid-November crust is just under the new storm snow and quite robust. It's been reported as being 1 to 8cm in thickness. A human triggered avalanche Sunday ran on this crust and we suspect it's just starting to wake up. The next few days should tell us a lot about this interface.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">It's been snowing hard above 1500m where deep storm slabs are developing. In addition, extreme southwesterly winds have produced even deeper winds slabs that I expect extend well into lee features both in the alpine and at tree-line. Below tree-line snow depths are still below threshold for avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snowfall continues to add to a storm slab that is typically around 50-80cm thick. This storm slab sits over the early-Dec interface which consists of large surface hoar below 1800m, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, old wind affected surfaces above treeline, and possibly faceted surfaces in some areas. This interface is becoming highly unstable in parts of the region and should be treated with the utmost respect until the new snow has had time to stabilize. Strong SW winds continue to build thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Deeper in the snowpack, the surface hoar interface from early November have been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snowfall continues to add to a storm slab that is typically around 50-80cm thick. This storm slab sits over the early-Dec interface which consists of large surface hoar below 1800m, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, old wind affected surfaces above treeline, and possibly faceted surfaces in some areas. This interface is becoming highly unstable in parts of the region and should be treated with the utmost respect until the new snow has had time to stabilize. Strong SW winds continue to build thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Deeper in the snowpack, the surface hoar interface from early November have been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Conditions are looking pretty lean in the South Rockies at the moment. Around 30 cm of snow has fallen in the last week accompanied by strong SW winds. Below the new snow you'll find the old surface which consists of crust above treeline and a combination of loose faceted snow/surface hoar at and below treeline. Total snow depth above treeline is between 100 and 150cm. Below treeline depths reportedly drop off quickly. Several rain crust layers exist within the snowpack; the late-November crust is 10 to 25cm below the surface and the mid-November crust should be 30 to 60cm below the surface. Snowpack tests have shown easy shears failing in a facet layer below the mid-November crust. We're receiving very little information from the region, so please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Wind affected storm snow will continue to load over melt freeze crusts and old wind slabs.  Loading is extremely variable due to the strong overnight winds and the crust is still exposed on some windward slopes. Warmish overnight temperatures will have made for good cornice growth.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">5 to10cm of new snow has fallen in the past 24 hours with strong SW winds and generally warm temperatures. Between 10 and 20cm of snow now covers the Dec 4th interface of surface hoar, sun crust and facets, and the bond at this interface appears poor. Thin wind slabs have formed in Alpine and Treeline areas on lee and cross-loaded features, and further wind slab development will continue as the storm is expected to bring more snow and strong/extreme winds over the next 24 to 48 hours. The snowpack remains supportive to skier traffic above  approximately 1900m, but below this ski penetration is to ground.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Current snow depths:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Burstall = 74cm</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Mud Lake = 62cm</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Wind affected storm snow with rising freezing levels will continue to load above tree line. Loading is extremely variable due to strong southerly winds while exposed ridge tops remain scoured on windward slopes. Forecasted steady snowfall and rising temperatures will make for good cornice growth. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 15cm of new snow has fallen in the past 24hrs together with strong/extreme SW winds. This brings total snow overlying the Dec 4th layer to 20 to 40cm, and much more in lee features at ridge-top. The Dec 4th layer has developed into a critical weak layer. It consists of surface hoar crystals (some as large as 40mm) in sheltered areas below 2100m, sun crust on solar aspects, and facets in most other areas. This layer was reactive in field tests in the &quot;easy&quot; range today and forecasters observed cracking around their skis, all of which indicate a high likelihood of human triggering. Due to persistently strong SW winds over the past 48hrs, storm slab development has occurred in Alpine and Treeline areas on lee and cross-loaded features. The current and forecasted weather will lead to continued slab formation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Heavy rain has saturated the entire snowpack on all but the highest peaks. The average snowpack depth around 1400m ranges from 50 to 70 cm. Snow depths decrease dramatically with elevation loss.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Continued snowfall brings total treeline snowpack depths to around a metre, with even more in the alpine, but it diminishes quickly below treeline.  Recent storm and wind slabs are bonding poorly to old snow surfaces including crusts, and/or a combination of facets and buried surface hoar. The early December surface is likely a crust down around 30-50cm. Below that a thick layer of facets is probably bonding poorly to the thick mid-November crust. We're receiving very little information from the region, so please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sustained snowfall continues to load the old snow surface from late November, which may be getting down close to a metre at treeline elevations. These fresh storm and wind slabs are bonding poorly to a variety of weaknesses including crusts, facets and buried surface hoar. The most critical of these is the buried surface hoar, which has the potential for remote triggering, wide propagations and prolonged sensitivity to triggers. It is likely lurking in most sheltered areas treeline and below and has been spotted well into the alpine in Bear Pass. Deeper in the snowpack, weak crusts and facets near the ground maintain the possibility of step-down deep slab triggering.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Continued snowfall brings total treeline snowpack depths to 150-200cm. 50-100cm of storm snow since early December is bonding poorly to a variety of old surfaces including facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust at upper elevations (especially on southerly aspects). The most critical of these is the buried surface hoar, which has the potential for remote triggering, extensive releases and prolonged sensitivity to triggers. It is likely lurking in most sheltered areas treeline and below. The thick mid-November crust is just under this weakness.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Tuesday, freezing levels climbed to around 2000m and rain likely soaked the snow surface creating upside-down conditions at lower elevations. At higher elevations where the precipitation fell as snow, it is continuing to add to a storm slab that is typically around 60-100cm thick. This storm slab sits over the early-Dec interface which consists of large surface hoar below 1800m, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, old wind affected surfaces above treeline, and possibly faceted surfaces in some areas. This interface appears to be quite variable throughout the region and information on this layer has been limited, so treat the layer with extra respect until more info is available and give the storm snow time to stabilize. Strong SW winds continue to build thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Deeper in the snowpack, the surface hoar interface from early November have been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">It's been snowing hard above 2200m where deep storm slabs are developing. At lower elevations heavy rain has saturated the snowpack. In addition, strong southwesterly winds have loaded snow well into lee features both in the alpine and at tree-line. Below tree-line snow depths are probably still below threshold for avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">We're still dealing with a limited set of observations and it sounds like there is quite a lot of variability across the region. It's been snowing hard above 2200m where deep storm slabs are developing. At lower elevations heavy rain has saturated the snowpack. Strong southwesterly winds have loaded lee features at ridge top. The new snow is sitting on a supportive mid-pack in the Duffy whereas pre-storm reports from the Coquihalla described a shallower early season snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Fresh storm and wind slabs are bonding poorly to a variety of old snow surfaces including a crust at lower elevations and south facing slopes, and/or facets and surface hoar on cooler shaded slopes. The most critical of these is the buried surface hoar, which has the potential for remote triggering, wide propagations and prolonged sensitivity to triggers. It is likely lurking on cooler shaded slopes. Recent snowpack tests gave easy to moderate results within the recent storm snow on a treeline slope. Check out the Mountain Information Network for more information.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Continued snowfall brings total treeline snowpack depths to over a metre, with even more in the alpine, but the snowpack diminishes quickly below treeline. Recent storm and wind slabs are bonding poorly to old snow surfaces including crusts, and/or a combination of facets and buried surface hoar. The early December surface is primarily being reported as an ice lens down 30-50cm. Below that a thick layer of facets is bonding poorly to the more robust 10-15cm thick mid-November crust. We're receiving very little information from the region, so please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Tuesday, freezing levels climbed to around 2000m and rain likely soaked the snow surface creating upside-down conditions at lower elevations. At higher elevations where the precipitation fell as snow, it is continuing to add to a storm slab that is typically around 40-80cm thick. This storm slab sits over the early-Dec interface which consists of large surface hoar below 1800m, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, old wind affected surfaces above treeline, and possibly faceted surfaces in some areas. This interface appears to be quite variable throughout the region and information on this layer has been limited, so treat the layer with extra respect until more info is available and give the storm snow time to stabilize. Strong SW winds continue to build thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Deeper in the snowpack, the surface hoar interface from early November have been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Tuesday, freezing levels climbed to around 1800m and rain likely soaked the snow surface creating upside-down conditions at lower elevations. At higher elevations where the precipitation fell as snow, it is continuing to add to a storm slab that is typically around 60-100cm thick. This storm slab sits over the early-Dec interface which consists of large surface hoar below 1800m, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, old wind affected surfaces above treeline, and possibly faceted surfaces in some areas. This interface appears to be quite variable throughout the region and information on this layer has been limited, so treat the layer with extra respect until more info is available and give the storm snow time to stabilize. Strong SW winds continue to build thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Deeper in the snowpack, the surface hoar interface from early November have been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Tuesday, freezing levels climbed to around 2000m and rain likely soaked the snow surface creating upside-down conditions at lower elevations. At higher elevations where the precipitation fell as snow, it is continuing to add to a storm slab that is typically around 60-100cm thick. This storm slab sits over the early-Dec interface which consists of large surface hoar below 1800m, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, old wind affected surfaces above treeline, and possibly faceted surfaces in some areas. This interface appears to be quite variable throughout the region and information on this layer has been limited, so treat the layer with extra respect until more info is available and given the storm snow time to stabilize. Strong SW winds continue to build thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Deeper in the snowpack, the surface hoar interface from early November have been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Freezing levels dropped late yesterday after briefly rising to 2100m. Light density snow from last night now overlies a supportive crust at 2000m. Easy shears were observed at and within yesterday's storm snow. High winds yesterday will have made for an extremely variable snowpack distribution and new cornice growth.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the past week, 60-100cm of storm snow has typically accumulated in the region. On Tuesday, rain affected the snow surface as high as 2000m but new snow has subsequently fallen as low as 1500m. The storm slab sits over the early-Dec interface which consists of large surface hoar below 1800m, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, old wind affected surfaces above treeline, and possibly faceted surfaces in some areas. This interface appears to be quite variable throughout the region and information on this layer has been limited, so treat the layer with extra respect until more info is available and give the storm snow extra time to stabilize. Recent strong SW winds have built thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Deeper in the snowpack, the surface hoar interface from early November has been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy rain melted away the snow at lower elevations, but it's expected to fall again. Total snow depth near the peaks is likely not much more than 50cm, but that's sufficient for avalanches, especially on rock slabs and heather slopes.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">As much as 100cm of new snow has fallen at upper elevations since the weekend. At lower elevations heavy rain on Tuesday probably formed a new crust that is now buried as deep as 30cm. Strong southerly winds have loaded lee features at ridge-top. The new snow is sitting on a supportive mid-pack in the Duffy whereas pre-storm reports from the Coquihalla described a shallower early season snowpack.</span><span class="s_1681A555"> </span><span class="s_A8FEC758">Below tree-line snow depths are probably still below threshold for avalanches although I expect we'll be crossing that line soon.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy rain to treeline elevations and wet snow above saturated and loaded the upper snowpack, forming a new crust which now has light amounts of fresh snow on top. Weaknesses linger within the recent snow as well as at old snow surface interfaces, which consists of facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust at upper elevations (especially on southerly aspects). The most critical of these is surface hoar buried early December (now likely down 50-100cm), which has the potential for remote triggering, extensive releases and prolonged sensitivity to triggers. It is likely lurking in most sheltered areas treeline and below. The thick mid-November crust is just under this weakness.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the past week, 60-100cm of storm snow has typically accumulated in the region. On Tuesday, rain affected the snow surface as high as 2000m but new snow has subsequently fallen as low as 1500m. The storm slab sits over the early-Dec interface which consists of large surface hoar below 1800m, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, old wind affected surfaces above treeline, and possibly faceted surfaces in some areas. This interface appears to be quite variable throughout the region and information on this layer has been limited, so treat the layer with extra respect until more info is available and give the storm snow extra time to stabilize. Recent strong SW winds have built thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Deeper in the snowpack, the surface hoar interface from early November has been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">12 to 15cm of new snow in the past 24hrs brings storm snow totals up to 35 to 45cm. The Dec 4th interface of surface hoar, sun crust and facets is very sensitive to snowpack stability tests indicating a high likelihood of human triggering. Storm slabs sitting on the Dec 4th interface are found in lee and cross-loaded terrain at Treeline and above.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_A8FEC758">As much as 100cm of new snow have fallen at upper elevations since the weekend. At lower elevations heavy rain on Tuesday probably formed a new crust that is now buried as deep as 30cm. Strong southwesterly winds have loaded lee features at ridgetop. Below tree-line snow depths are probably still below threshold for avalanches although I expect we'll be crossing that line soon.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Continued snowfall brings total treeline snowpack depths close to a metre and a half, with probably much more in the alpine, but the snowpack diminishes quickly below treeline. Heavy rain to treeline elevations and wet snow above saturated and overloaded the upper snowpack, forming a new crust which now has light amounts of fresh snow on top. Weaknesses linger within the recent snow as well as at old snow surface interfaces, which consist of crusts, and/or a combination of facets and buried surface hoar. The early December surface is primarily being reported as an ice lens likely now down 50-75cm. Below that a thick layer of facets is bonding poorly to the more robust 10-15cm thick mid-November crust.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_DDF6C5E8">By my reckoning up to 60cm of new snow has fallen since the weekend with the area around Smithers receiving the greatest amounts. Unfortunately, heavy rain fell below 1500m and probably formed a rain crust that can be found just below the surface at lower elevations. At higher elevations the new snow sits on a layer of surface hoar, which has the potential for remote triggering, wide propagations and prolonged sensitivity to triggers. It has been reported lurking in most sheltered areas at tree-line and below, although I suspect that it may exist well into the alpine.</span><span class="s_1681A555"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the past week, 50-80cm of storm snow has typically accumulated in the region. On Tuesday, rain affected the snow surface as high as 2000m but new snow has subsequently fallen as low as 1500m. The storm slab sits over the early-Dec interface which consists of large surface hoar below 1800m, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, old wind affected surfaces above treeline, and possibly faceted surfaces in some areas. This interface appears to be quite variable throughout the region and information on this layer has been limited, so treat the layer with extra respect until more info is available and give the storm snow extra time to stabilize. Recent strong SW winds have built thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Deeper in the snowpack, the surface hoar interface from early November has been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Continued snowfall brings total treeline snowpack depths to around a metre, with even more in the alpine, but it diminishes quickly below treeline. Recent storm and wind slabs, probably 30-50 cm thick, are bonding poorly to the old snow surface buried early December,  which is probably a crust and/or a combination of facets and buried surface hoar. Below that a thick layer of facets is probably bonding poorly to the thick mid-November crust. We're receiving very little information from the region, so please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Fresh storm and wind slabs are apparently bonding poorly to a variety of weak layers down between 70cm and 1m. The most worrying of these is a layer of surface hoar, which has the potential for remote triggering and wide propagations. It is likely to be lurking in most sheltered areas at tree-line and below although it has been spotted well into the alpine in Bear Pass.&nbsp; Below 1500m heavy rains may have formed a new crust.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the past week, 60-100cm of storm snow has typically accumulated in the region. On Tuesday, rain affected the snow surface as high as 1800m but new snow has subsequently fallen as low as 1500m. The storm slab sits over the early-Dec interface which consists of large surface hoar below 1800m, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, old wind affected surfaces above treeline, and possibly faceted surfaces in some areas. This interface appears to be quite variable throughout the region and information on this layer has been limited, so treat the layer with extra respect until more info is available and give the storm snow extra time to stabilize. Recent strong SW winds have built thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Deeper in the snowpack, the surface hoar interface from early November has been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Strong winds from the south west yesterday resulted in extremely variable redistribution of the storm snow, as well as new cornice growth. The rain crust that formed on Tuesday is supportive to at least 2180m.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Over a meter of snow has fallen in the high alpine in the last week.  Southwesterly winds are loading lee features in the alpine.  A rain crust can be found in the upper snowpack up to 2200m.  Below tree-line snow depths are probably still below threshold for avalanches although I expect we'll be crossing that line some time by the end of the forecast period.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy rain saturated and melted the entire snowpack, but snow is starting to fall again, at least at upper elevations. Total snow depth near the peaks is likely not much more than 60cm, but that's sufficient for avalanches, especially on rock slabs and heather slopes.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the past week, 60-100cm of storm snow has typically accumulated in the region. On Tuesday, rain affected the snow surface as high as 2000m but new snow has subsequently fallen as low as 1500m. The storm slab sits over the early-Dec interface which consists of large surface hoar below 1800m, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, old wind affected surfaces above treeline, and possibly faceted surfaces in some areas. This interface appears to be quite variable throughout the region and information on this layer has been limited, so treat the layer with extra respect until more info is available and give the storm snow extra time to stabilize. Recent strong SW winds have built thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Deeper in the snowpack, the surface hoar interface from early November has been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the past week, 50-80cm of storm snow has typically accumulated in the region. On Tuesday, rain affected the snow surface as high as 2000m but new snow has subsequently fallen as low as 1500m. The storm slab sits over the early-Dec interface which consists of large surface hoar below 1800m, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, old wind affected surfaces above treeline, and possibly faceted surfaces in some areas. This interface appears to be quite variable throughout the region and information on this layer has been limited, so treat the layer with extra respect until more info is available and give the storm snow extra time to stabilize. Recent strong SW winds have built thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Deeper in the snowpack, the surface hoar interface from early November has been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Up to 60cms of settled snow now sits upon a layer of buried surface hoar.  This layer has the potential for remote triggering and wide propagations.  It is likely to be lurking in most sheltered areas at tree-line although I suspect it extends well into the alpine.  Variable winds are loading lee features. Below 1500m heavy rains have likely saturated the snow pack and may have formed a new rain crust. </span><span class="s_1681A555" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the past week, 60-100cm of storm snow has typically accumulated in the region. On Tuesday, rain affected the snow surface as high as 2000m but new snow has subsequently fallen as low as 1500m. The storm slab sits over the early-Dec interface which consists of large surface hoar below 1800m, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, old wind affected surfaces above treeline, and possibly faceted surfaces in some areas. This interface appears to be quite variable throughout the region and information on this layer has been limited, so treat the layer with extra respect until more info is available and give the storm snow extra time to stabilize. Recent strong SW winds have built thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Deeper in the snowpack, the surface hoar interface from early November has been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the past week, 60-100cm of storm snow has typically accumulated in the region. On Tuesday, rain affected the snow surface as high as 1800m but new snow has subsequently fallen as low as 1500m. The storm slab sits over the early-Dec interface which consists of large surface hoar below 1800m, sun crusts on south-facing slopes, old wind affected surfaces above treeline, and possibly faceted surfaces in some areas. This interface appears to be quite variable throughout the region and information on this layer has been limited, so treat the layer with extra respect until more info is available and give the storm snow extra time to stabilize. Recent strong SW winds have built thick wind slabs in leeward features at alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Deeper in the snowpack, the surface hoar interface from early November has been dormant but still may wake up with heavy loading or smaller avalanches stepping down. On very high northern aspects, a crust/facet interface may be found near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Continued snowfall brings total treeline snowpack depths close to a metre and a half, with probably much more in the alpine, but the snowpack diminishes quickly below treeline. Heavy rain to treeline elevations and wet snow above saturated and overloaded the upper snowpack, forming a new crust which now has light amounts of fresh snow on top. Weaknesses linger within the recent snow as well as at old snow surface interfaces, which consist of crusts, and/or a combination of facets and buried surface hoar. The early December surface is primarily being reported as an ice lens likely now down 50-75cm. Below that a thick layer of facets is bonding poorly to the more robust 10-15cm thick mid-November crust.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_DDF6C5E8">Up to a meter of settled snow now sits upon a layer of buried surface hoar.  This layer has the potential for remote triggering and wide propagations.  It is likely to be lurking in most sheltered areas at tree-line although it has been spotted well into the alpine in Bear Pass. Southwesterly winds are loading lee features. Below 1500m heavy rains have likely saturated the snow pack and may have formed a new rain crust</span><span class="s_1681A555" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Storm slabs are present in lee and cross-loaded terrain at Treeline and above. These slabs sit on the Dec 4th weak layer (consists of surface hoar, sun crust or facets) down 35 to 45cm, and still appear to be sensitive to triggering. The distribution and fracture potential of the Dec 4th weak layer is highly variable. Some cornice growth has occurred in typical locations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Over a meter of new snow has fallen in the high alpine since the weekend. Bellow 2200m the more recent storm snow overlies a saturated snowpack and perhaps a fresh rain crust.  Southwesterly winds are loading lee features at ridgetop. Below tree-line snow depths are probably still below threshold for avalanches although I expect we may be crossing that line soon.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent heavy rain to treeline elevations and wet snow above saturated and loaded the upper snowpack, forming a thick crust which now has up to 20cm fresh snow on top (with perhaps a thin crust within it). Weaknesses linger within the recent snow as well as at deeper old snow surface interfaces, which consists of facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust at upper elevations (especially on southerly aspects). The most critical of these is surface hoar buried early December (now likely down 50-100cm), which has the potential for remote triggering, extensive releases and prolonged sensitivity to triggers. It is likely lurking in most sheltered areas treeline and below. The thick mid-November crust is just under this weakness.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Continued snowfall brings total treeline snowpack depths to over a metre, with even more in the alpine, but it diminishes quickly below treeline. Recent storm and wind slabs, probably 40-70 cm thick, are bonding poorly to the old snow surface buried early December, which is probably a crust and/or a combination of facets and buried surface hoar. Below that a thick layer of facets is probably bonding poorly to the thick mid-November crust. We're receiving very little information from the region, so please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Continued snowfall brings total treeline snowpack depths to over a metre, with even more in the alpine, but it diminishes quickly below around 1700m. Recent rain created a near surface crust as high as 1800m (or higher in the southern part of the region). Above that elevation, storm and wind slabs are bonding poorly to the old snow surface buried early December, which is probably a crust and/or a combination of facets and buried surface hoar now down around 40-60cm in sheltered treeline areas. The buried surface hoar may be well preserved in sheltered areas, creating particularly touchy slabs with the potential for remote triggering, extensive releases and prolonged sensitivity to triggering. Below that a thick weak layer of facets may be lurking around the thick mid-November crust.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Continued snowfall brings total treeline snowpack depths close to a metre and a half, with probably much more in the alpine, but the snowpack diminishes quickly below treeline. Heavy rain to treeline elevations and wet snow above saturated and overloaded the upper snowpack, forming a new crust which now has 40-50cm of fresh snow on top. Weaknesses linger within the recent snow as well as at old snow surface interfaces, which consist of crusts, and/or a combination of facets and buried surface hoar. The early December surface is primarily being reported as an ice lens likely now down 50-75cm, but weak buried surface hoar may be lingering on sheltered slopes treeline and below, creating slabs with potential for remote triggering, extensive propagation and prolonged sensitivity to triggers.. Below that a thick layer of facets is bonding poorly to the more robust 10-15cm thick mid-November crust.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy rain saturated and melted the entire snowpack, but snow is starting to fall again, at least at upper elevations. Total snow depth near the peaks is almost a metre, which is sufficient for avalanches, especially on rock slabs and heather slopes.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent heavy rain to treeline elevations and wet snow above saturated and loaded the upper snowpack, forming a thick crust which now has up to 20-25cm of fresh snow on top (with perhaps a thin crust within it). Weaknesses linger within the recent snow as well as at deeper old snow surface interfaces, which consists of facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust at upper elevations (especially on southerly aspects). The most critical of these is surface hoar buried early December (now likely down 50-100cm), which has the potential for remote triggering, extensive releases and prolonged sensitivity to triggers. It is likely lurking in most sheltered areas treeline and below. The thick mid-November crust is just under this weakness.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Almost a meter and a half of new snow has fallen in the high alpine over the last week. Predominantly southerly winds are loading lee features in the alpine and at tree line. Freezing levels rose early in the week and a rain crust can be found in the upper snowpack up to 2200m. In sheltered terrain around tree-line this crust is now buried by about 40cm of dry, low density snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A string of storms that began on December 2nd has produced 70 - 130cm of storm snow in the mountains of the North Columbia. You may find a brittle crust about 20 cm below the snow surface as high as 2000m that was formed by rain and warm temperatures last Tuesday. Below all the new snow lies the early December persistent weak layer. This weak layer manifests as an old sun crust on due south facing features in the alpine, and large grained surface hoar below 1800m and small facets in isolated pockets. The surface hoar is the major player and it's been most reactive below treeline between 1400 and 1800m. Recent winds out of the southwest have formed wind slabs on lee features that are mainly confined to the alpine, but you may find the odd fresh wind slab at treeline too. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A string of storms that began on December 2nd has produced 70 - 110cm of storm snow in the South Columbias. You may find a brittle crust about 20 cm below the snow surface as high as 2000m that was formed by rain and warm temperatures last Tuesday. Below all the new snow lies the early December persistent weak layer. This weak layer manifests as an old sun crust on due south facing features in the alpine, and large grained surface hoar below 1800m and small facets in isolated pockets. The surface hoar is the major player and it's been most reactive below treeline between 1400 and 1800m. Recent winds out of the southwest have formed wind slabs on lee features that are mainly confined to the alpine, but you may find the odd fresh wind slab at treeline too. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In sheltered terrain at and below tree line elevations there is 38cm of low density storm snow resting on a rain crust that formed on Tuesday. Much deeper pockets of storm snow will be found in wind-loaded Northerly terrain in the alpine. The crust is strong and supportive up to about 2000m, diminishing in thickness and in strength by 2200m. Easy shears were observed within the storm snow layers and on the underlying crust in wind affected alpine terrain yesterday, but the storm snow layers became loose and unconsolidated in more sheltered terrain closer to tree line elevations. Similar snowpack conditions are expected with the additional 18cm of low density snow that fell last night.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Within the region we had another 3-5cm dusting overnight. This puts the Dec 4 surface hoar layer down 30cm on average (treeline &amp; below). Below treeline this surface hoar layer is easily found in many open areas. Areas exposed to wind and/or sun don't seem to have as much of it. At treeline, the surface hoar is best described as &quot;spotty&quot;. Some sheltered areas have it standing up, while other exposed areas have it laying flat and bonded to the neighboring layers. Up to 2160m, there were only soft slabs lingering from the wind event. Within the recent storm snow, stability tests showed a couple shears, but nothing too serious or long term. The alpine still has evidence of a natural cycle taking place over the last few days. Recently formed windslabs are present in the alpine as well. These are suspected to be touchy in nature.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Almost a meter and a half of new snow has fallen in the high alpine over the last week with predominantly southerly winds loading lee features in the alpine and at tree line. Freezing levels rose briefly and saturated snow is being reported bellow tree-line. In sheltered terrain at upper elevations you can find almost 40cm of dry snow overlying a rain crust. This curst extends up to 2000m north of Pemberton and to 2200m along the Coquihalla.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Up to a meter of settled snow fell in the last week which may be sitting upon a layer of buried surface hoar. This layer has the potential for remote triggering and wide propagations. It is likely to be lurking on sheltered north facing slopes at or just below tree-line although it has been spotted well into the alpine in Bear Pass. Strong north through easterly winds overnight on Thursday have reverse loaded lee features. Low, below tree-line elevations may still be bellow threshold for avalanches in many places.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_DDF6C5E8">By my reckoning up to 30cm of new snow has fallen in the last week. This means that as much as 60cms of settled snow may now sit on a layer of buried surface hoar. I'm unsure about how widespread this layer is; I suspect that it is most likely to be found lurking on sheltered north facing slopes at tree-line and just below, although it is possible that in some areas it may extend into the alpine. Easterly winds have reverse loaded lee feature.&nbsp; Lower below tree-line elevations may still be below the threshold for avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A string of storms that began on December 2nd has produced 70 - 130cm of storm snow in the Cariboos. You may find a brittle crust about 20 cm below the snow surface as high as 2000m that was formed by rain and warm temperatures last Tuesday. Below all the new snow lies the early December persistent weak layer. This weak layer manifests as an old sun crust on due south facing features in the alpine, large grained surface hoar below 1800m and small facets in isolated pockets. The surface hoar is the major player and it's been most reactive below treeline between 1400 and 1800m. Recent winds out of the southwest have formed wind slabs on lee features that are mainly confined to the alpine, but you may find the odd fresh wind slab at treeline too. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A string of storms that began on December 2nd has produced 35 to 80cm of storm snow in the Purcells. You may find a brittle crust about 20 cm below the snow surface as high as 2000m that was formed by rain and warm temperatures last Tuesday. Below all the new snow lies the early December persistent weak layer. This weak layer manifests as an old sun crust on due south facing features in the alpine, and large grained surface hoar below 1800m and small facets in isolated pockets. The surface hoar is the major player and it's been most reactive below treeline between 1400 and 1800m. Recent winds out of the southwest have formed wind slabs on lee features that are mainly confined to the alpine, but you may find the odd fresh wind slab at treeline too. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Lots going on in the snowpack right now.  Below 2100m the Dec 4th surface hoar persistent weak layer is down 30-40cm down and is being found in most areas.... but not all.  This later is up to 20mm big in some places so being curious about the snowpack, digging and looking for this layer is important.  It is failing easily in snowpack tests in sheltered terrain.  As you transition into Alpine areas, the surface hoar problem decreases and the main concern becomes windslabs in the upper snowpack. These slabs are not widespread as of yet, but that can all change when the winds increase as they always do.  Seems so weird to us to have a midpack thats strength...</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Continued snowfall brings total treeline snowpack depths to over 1m, with even more in the alpine, but it diminishes quickly below around 1700m. Recent rain created a near surface crust as high as 1800m (or higher in the southern part of the region). Above that elevation, storm and wind slabs are bonding poorly to the old snow surface buried early December, which is probably a crust and/or a combination of facets and buried surface hoar now down around 40-60cm in sheltered treeline areas. The buried surface hoar may be well preserved in sheltered areas, creating particularly touchy slabs with the potential for remote triggering, extensive releases and prolonged sensitivity to triggering. Below that a thick weak layer of facets may be lurking around the thick mid-November crust.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Continued snowfall brings total treeline snowpack depths close to 1.5m, with probably much more in the alpine, but the snowpack diminishes quickly below treeline. Heavy rain to treeline elevations and wet snow at higher elevations saturated and overloaded the upper snowpack, forming a new crust which now has 40-50cm of recent snow on top. Weaknesses linger within the recent snow as well as at old snow surface interfaces, which consist of crusts, and/or a combination of facets and buried surface hoar. The early December interface is primarily being reported as an ice lens likely now down 50-75cm, but weak buried surface hoar may be lingering on sheltered slopes at treeline and below, creating slabs with potential for remote triggering, extensive propagation and prolonged sensitivity to triggers. Below that a thick layer of facets is bonding poorly to the more robust 10-15cm thick mid-November crust.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent heavy rain to treeline elevations and wet snow at higher elevations has saturated and loaded the upper snowpack, forming a thick crust which now has up to 20-25cm of fresh snow on top (with perhaps a thin crust within it). Weaknesses linger within the recent snow as well as at deeper old snow surface interfaces, which consists of facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust at upper elevations (especially on southerly aspects). The most critical of these weak layers is surface hoar buried early December (now down 70-100cm), which has the potential for remote triggering, extensive releases and prolonged sensitivity to triggers. It is likely lurking in most sheltered areas treeline and below. The thick mid-November crust is just under this weak surface hoar layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A string of storms between December 2nd and December 11th produced 35 - 80cm of storm snow in the Purcells which is settling out at all elevations. You may find a brittle crust about 10 to 20cm below the snow surface as high as 2000m that was formed by rain and warm temperatures last Tuesday. Below all the new snow lies the early December persistent weak layer. This weak layer manifests as an old sun crust on due south facing features in the alpine, large grained surface hoar below 1800m and small facets in isolated pockets. The surface hoar is the major player and it's been most reactive below treeline between 1400 and 1800m. Recent winds out of the south and southwest have formed wind slabs on lee features that are mainly confined to the alpine, but you may find the odd fresh wind slab at treeline too. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">As much as 60cms of settled snow may now sit on a layer of buried surface hoar, although I'm unsure of the layer's reactivity and spatial distribution. I'd dig down and test for this potentially weak layer before committing to any steep lines, especially on sheltered north facing slopes at tree-line and just below. Recently formed wind slabs are reported to exist at alpine elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Lower below tree-line elevations may still be below threshold for avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A string of storms between December 2nd and December 11th produced 70 - 130cm of storm snow in the Cariboos which is settling out at all elevations. You may find a brittle crust about 10 to 30cm below the snow surface as high as 2000m that was formed by rain and warm temperatures last Tuesday. Below all the new snow lies the early December persistent weak layer. This weak layer manifests as an old sun crust on due south facing features in the alpine, large grained surface hoar below 1800m and small facets in isolated pockets. The surface hoar is the major player and it's been most reactive below treeline between 1400 and 1800m. Recent winds out of the south and southwest have formed wind slabs on lee features that are mainly confined to the alpine, but you may find the odd fresh wind slab at treeline too. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_A8FEC758">By Sunday morning I would expect up to 50cm of new snow to have fallen. Strong southwest winds will have redistributed the new snow into much deeper and potentially reactive storm slabs in lee terrain. This new snow will add to the 150cm of recent storm snow that has fallen in the high alpine over the last week. A hard rain crust can be found in the upper snowpack up to the 2200m elevation. Recent tests suggest an improving bond at this interface; however, I'd dig and test this layer before committing to any steeper lines.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">By Sunday morning I would expect up to 40cm of new snow to have fallen. Strong southwest winds will have redistributed the new snow into much deeper and potentially reactive storm slabs in lee terrain. These new accumulations will add to the 150cm of recent storm snow that has fallen in the high alpine over the last week. A hard rain crust can be found in the upper snowpack up to the 2200m elevation. Recent tests suggest an improving bond at this interface; however, I'd dig and test this layer before committing to any steeper lines.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In sheltered terrain at treeline and below there is 38cm of low density storm snow resting on a rain crust that formed December 8th.  In the alpine on northerly aspects there are much deeper pockets of wind transported snow.  The crust is losing strength at all elevations, and at 1650m., is no longer supportive with a foot penetration test. The storm snow is settling and the bond to the crust is improving. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy rain saturated and melted the entire snowpack last week. The new snowfall will sit over this wet snow.  Total snow depth near the peaks is around a metre, which is sufficient for avalanches, especially on rock slabs and heather slopes.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A string of storms between December 2nd and December 11th produced 70 - 110cm of storm snow in the South Columbias which is settling settling out at all elevations. You may find a brittle crust about 10 to 30cm below the snow surface as high as 2000m that was formed by rain and warm temperatures last Tuesday. Below all the new snow lies the early December persistent weak layer. This weak layer manifests as an old sun crust on due south facing features in the alpine, large grained surface hoar below 1800m and small facets in isolated pockets. The surface hoar is the major player and it's been most reactive below treeline between 1400 and 1800m. Recent winds out of the south and southwest have formed wind slabs on lee features that are mainly confined to the alpine, but you may find the odd fresh wind slab at treeline too. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Up to a meter of settled snow may be sitting upon a weak layer of buried surface hoar. In some areas, this layer may be primed for human triggering and wide propagations while in other areas it is non-existent or has gained significant strength. Due to the variable nature of this weak layer, I'd dig down to test for it before committing to any steep lines. I'd also be increasingly cautious on sheltered slopes at or below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Strong north through easterly winds have been responsible for a recent reverse-loading pattern, and wind slabs may still be sensitive to human triggering on lee features. Low-elevation slopes below treeline may still be bellow threshold for avalanches in many places.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A string of storms between December 2nd and December 11th produced 70 - 130cm of storm snow in the North Columbias which is settling out at all elevations. You may find a brittle crust about 10 to 30cm below the snow surface as high as 2000m that was formed by rain and warm temperatures last Tuesday. Below all the new snow lies the early December persistent weak layer. This weak layer manifests as an old sun crust on due south facing features in the alpine, large grained surface hoar below 1800m and small facets in isolated pockets. The surface hoar is the major player and it's been most reactive below treeline between 1400 and 1800m. Recent winds out of the south and southwest have formed wind slabs on lee features that are mainly confined to the alpine, but you may find the odd fresh wind slab at treeline too. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In sheltered terrain at treeline and below there is about 60 cm of low density storm snow resting on a rain crust that formed December 8th. In the alpine there have been very strong SE winds during the day yesterday and during the overnightperiod, so you can expect to find lots of loading on lee and crossloaded aspects. The crust is losing strength at all elevations, and at 1650m., is no longer supportive with a foot penetration test. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Up to 45cm of new snow has be shifted by strong southerly winds into much deeper and potentially reactive storm slabs in lee terrain. Below 1800m, reports suggest there is much less wind effect and therefore less cohesion in the newly formed slab.</span></p><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Below 2200m, a hard rain crust can be found approximately 120cm below the surface. Recent tests suggest an improving bond at this interface. That said, in some areas the crust may remain reactive for some time after weaknesses within the storm snow have strengthened. I'd dig and test this layer before committing to any steeper exposed lines.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A string of storms between December 2nd and December 13th produced 35 to 80cm of storm snow in the Purcells which is settling out at all elevations. You may find a brittle thin crust about 10 to 30cm below the snow surface as high as 1800m that was formed by rain and warm temperatures on December 8th. The early December persistent weak layer can be found down 30 to 70cm below the surface. This weak layer manifests as an old sun crust on due south facing features in the alpine, large grained surface hoar below 1800m and small facets in isolated pockets. The surface hoar has been the primary concern lately, especially below treeline between 1400m and 1800m. Recent test results on this interface have been widely variable. &quot;Resistant planar,&quot; &quot;sudden collapse&quot; and even &quot;no result&quot; have been reported from test profiles as recently as Dec. 13th. All the variation in trigger sensitivity makes this layer tricky to manage. Recent winds out of the south, SW and most recently SE have formed wind slabs on lee features that are mainly confined to the alpine, but you may find the odd fresh wind slab at treeline too. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10cm of new snow overnight from convective flurries. Winds have remained light and as a result, there has been little snow redistribution and slab development except in the Alpine along immediate lee features such as ridge lines and cross-loaded terrain. Dec 4th persistent weak layer down 50-60cm at Treeline and is producing shears in the Moderate to Hard range. Dec 4th surface hoar was found up to 2300m in areas observed today but believe that this is not widespread, as we have previously only found it at 2100m and below.</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">10-30cm of recent snowfall sits over a thick rain crust. This crust is being reported as high as 2400m. At treeline elevation this crust is thick and supportive, and should be capping any deeper weaknesses. The weak layer from early December has recently become inactive, likely due to all the moisture in the snowpack. The mid and lower snowpack is reported to be moist or wet to the ground at treeline elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The series of storms last week produced 70-90cm of new snow in the region.  A rain crust which formed during the middle of the storm is now down 40-60cm and has become the primary layer of concern during the weekend storm.  The early December interface is primarily being reported as an ice lens but surface hoar and facets both may exist in isolated areas.  This layer is typically down 70-90cm.  Around 20-30cm below this interface is a rain crust from mid-Nov with a thick layer of facets below it.  Both the early-Dec and mid-Nov layers have become dormant and are likely being capped at treeline and below by the more recent rain crust layer.  However, these layers may still be reactive to heavy triggers such as cornices, explosives, or smaller avalanches stepping down. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Up to 25cm of new snow has be shifted by southerly winds into deeper and potentially reactive storm slabs in lee terrain. At lower elevations, reports suggest there is much less wind effect and therefore less cohesion in the newly formed slab. A hard rain crust can be found in the upper snowpack up to the 2200m elevation. Recent tests suggest an improving bond at this interface; however, I'd dig and test this layer before committing to any steeper lines.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy snowfall over the weekend (50-80cm) is burying a heavily rain saturated snowpack from last weeks rainfall. Prior to the storm there was roughly 1m of snow at treeline elevations but tapered off to near zero at parking lot elevations. The new snow is reported to be moist or wet below 1200-1300m.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A string of storms between December 2nd and December 13th produced 80 to 150cm of storm snow in the Cariboos which is settling out at all elevations. You may find a brittle thin crust about 15 to 50cm below the snow surface as high as 1800m that was formed by rain and warm temperatures on December 8th. Below all the new snow lies the early December persistent weak layer. This weak layer manifests as an old sun crust on due south facing features in the alpine, large grained surface hoar below 1800m and small facets in isolated pockets. The surface hoar has been the primary concern lately, especially below treeline between 1400m and 1800m. Test profiles have been producing moderate resistant planar results on the surface hoar which suggests that it's becoming less sensitive to human triggering. Recent winds out of the south and southwest have formed wind slabs on lee features that are mainly confined to the alpine, but you may find the odd fresh wind slab at treeline too. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A string of storms between December 2nd and December 13th produced 60 to 150cm of storm snow in the North Columbias which is settling out at all elevations. You may find a brittle thin crust about 15 to 40cm below the snow surface as high as 1800m that was formed by rain and warm temperatures on December 8th. Below all the settled storm snow lies the early December persistent weak layer. This weak layer manifests as an old sun crust on due south facing features in the alpine, large grained surface hoar below 1800m and small facets in isolated pockets. The surface hoar has been the primary concern lately, especially below treeline between 1400m and 1800m. Recent test results on this interface have been widely variable. Sudden Planar, Resistant Planar and Sudden Collapse results have been reported as recently as Dec. 13th. All the variation in trigger sensitivity makes this layer tricky to manage. Recent winds out of the south and southwest have formed wind slabs on lee features that are mainly confined to the alpine, but you may find the odd fresh wind slab at treeline too. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled.</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 string of storms between December 2nd and December 13th produced 80 to 130cm of storm snow in the South Columbias which is settling out at all elevations. You may find a brittle thin crust about 15 to 40cm below the snow surface as high as 1800m that was formed by rain and warm temperatures on December 8th. The early December persistent weak layer can be found down 70 to 120cm below the surface. This weak layer manifests as an old sun crust on due south facing features in the alpine, large grained surface hoar below 1800m and small facets in isolated pockets. The surface hoar has been the primary concern lately, especially below treeline between 1400m and 1800m. Recent test results on this interface have been widely variable. Sudden Planar, Resistant Planar and Sudden Collapse results have been reported as recently as Dec. 13th. All the variation in trigger sensitivity makes this layer tricky to manage. Recent winds out of the south, SW and most recently SE have formed wind slabs on lee features that are mainly confined to the alpine, but you may find the odd fresh wind slab at treeline too. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Up to a meter of settled snow may be sitting upon a weak layer of buried surface hoar. In some areas, this layer may be primed for human triggering and wide propagations while in other areas it is non-existent or has gained significant strength. Due to the variable nature of this weak layer, I'd dig down to test for it before committing to any steep lines. I'd also be increasingly cautious on sheltered slopes at or below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Strong north through easterly winds have been responsible for a recent reverse-loading pattern, and wind slabs may still be sensitive to human triggering on lee features. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The series of storms last week produced 70-90cm of new snow in the region. A rain crust which formed during the middle of the storm is now down 40-60cm and has become the primary layer of concern during the weekend storm. The early December interface consists of crust, surface hoar, and/or facets and is typically down 70-90cm. Around 20-30cm below this interface is a rain crust from mid-Nov with a thick layer of facets below it. Both the early-Dec and mid-Nov layers have become dormant and are likely being capped at treeline and below by the more recent rain crust layer. However, these layers may still be reactive to heavy triggers such as cornices, explosives, or smaller avalanches stepping down.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">A dusting of new snow exists on the surface. Up to 60cm below that, you may find a layer of buried surface hoar, although I'm unsure of the layer's reactivity and spatial distribution. I'd dig down and test for this potentially weak layer before committing to any steep lines, especially on sheltered north facing slopes at tree-line and just below. Recently formed wind slabs are reported to exist at alpine elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Lower below tree-line elevations may still be below threshold for avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In sheltered terrain at treeline and below there is about 50 cm of low density storm snow resting on a rain crust that formed December 9th. Outflow winds overnight will have redistributed cold, dry snow onto the scoured south facing slopes and pressed the usual lee slopes. The crust is losing strength at all elevations, and at 1650m., is no longer supportive with a foot penetration test. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy snowfall over the weekend (50-90cm) built short-lived storm slabs, especially on northerly aspects. The snow came in moist and dense, and is reported to be bonding well with the underlying snowpack. Snow depths are reported to be around 220 cm at upper elevations (around 1400 m) and around 50 cm at lower elevations (around 900 m). The snowpack below the recent storm snow is well consolidated and stable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_CDCF4B37">Between 35 to 80cm of snow fell last week in the Purcells. You may find a thin crust about 10 to 30cm below the snow surface as high as 1800m. Below the new snow lies the early December persistent weak layer. This layer may be found as either an old sun crust on south facing features in the alpine, or as large grained surface hoar and small facets in isolated pockets especially between 1400m and 1800m. Recent test results on this interface have been widely variable. &quot;Resistant planar,&quot; &quot;sudden collapse&quot; and even &quot;no result&quot; have been reported from test profiles as recently as Dec. 13th. All the variation in trigger sensitivity makes this layer tricky to manage. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled although a basal weakness may be lurking on high elevation alpine features.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AD4A7DB8">Between 80 to 130cm of snow fell last week in the South Columbias. You may find a thin crust about 15 to 40cm below the snow surface as high as 1800m. Below the new snow lies the early December persistent weak layer. This layer may be found as either an old sun crust on south facing features in the alpine, or as large grained surface hoar and small facets in isolated pockets bellow treeline, especially between 1400m and 1800m. Recent test results on this interface have been widely variable. Sudden planar, resistant planar and sudden collapse results have been reported from snow pit tests on the surface hoar as recently as December 13th. Recent winds out of the south have formed wind slabs on lee features that are mainly confined to the alpine, but you may find the odd fresh wind slab at tree-line too. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The series of storms last week produced 70-90cm of new snow in the region. A rain crust which formed during the middle of the storm is now down 40-60cm and has become the primary layer of concern during the weekend storm. The early December interface consists of crust, surface hoar, and/or facets and is typically down 70-90cm. Around 20-30cm below this interface is a rain crust from mid-Nov with a thick layer of facets below it. Both the early-Dec and mid-Nov layers have become dormant and are likely being capped at treeline and below by the more recent rain crust layer. However, these layers may still be reactive to heavy triggers such as cornices, explosives, or smaller avalanches stepping down.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3428770D">Between 60 to 150cm of snow fell last week in the North Columbias. You may find a thin crust about 15 to 40cm below the snow surface as high as 1800m. Below the new snow lies the early December persistent weak layer. This layer may be found as either an old sun crust on south facing features in the alpine, or as large grained surface hoar and small facets in isolated pockets especially between 1400m and 1800m. Recent test results on this interface have been widely variable. Sudden planar, resistant planar and sudden collapse results have been reported on the surface hoar as recently as December 13th. Recent winds out of the south have formed wind slabs on lee features that are mainly confined to the alpine, but you may find the odd fresh wind slab at tree-line too. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Up to 15cm of new snow and strong westerly winds on Monday night are expected to form new wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. Up to a meter below the surface you may find a weak layer of buried surface hoar. In some areas, this layer may be primed for human triggering and wide propagations while in other areas it is non-existent or has gained significant strength. Due to the variable nature of this weak layer, I'd dig down to test for it before committing to any steep lines. I'd also be increasingly cautious on sheltered slopes at or below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Light amounts of new snow forecast for Monday night will likely be redistributed by extreme westerly winds into new wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. The few reports we've received suggest the height of snow at treeline is approximately 100cm. According to these reports, the mid-snowpack is mainly comprised of older settled storm snow, while weak facets exist at or near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Surface faceting due to cool overnight temps. Recent storm snow is settling and exhibiting very little wind effect in most locations. Wind slabs are evident in some Alpine features, but these seem specific to certain drainages. The Feb 4th Persistent Weak Layer remains the principle concern in the snowpack and is buried up to 65cm at Treeline. Shear tests at this interface persist in the moderate range, but significant variability in the distribution and character of this interface exists through the forecast region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AD4A7DB8">Between 80 to 150cm of snow fell last week in the Cariboos. You may find a thin crust about 15 to 50cm below the snow surface as high as 1800m. Below the new snow lies the early December persistent weak layer. This layer may be found as either an old sun crust on south facing features in the alpine, or as large surface hoar and/or small facets in isolated pockets below treeline, especially between 1400m and 1800m. Recent test results on this interface have been widely variable. Sudden planar, resistant planar and sudden collapse results have been reported on the surface hoar as recently as December 13th. Recent winds out of the south have formed wind slabs on lee features that are mainly confined to the alpine, but you may find the odd fresh wind slab at tree-line too. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The series of storms last week produced 70-90cm of new snow in the region. A rain crust which formed during the middle of the storm is now down 40-60cm and has become the primary layer of concern during the weekend storm. The early December interface is primarily being reported as an ice lens but surface hoar and facets both may exist in isolated areas. This layer is typically down 70-90cm. Around 20-30cm below this interface is a rain crust from mid-Nov with a thick layer of facets below it. Both the early-Dec and mid-Nov layers have become dormant and are likely being capped at treeline and below by the more recent rain crust layer. However, these layers may still be reactive to heavy triggers such as cornices, explosives, or smaller avalanches stepping down. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-50 cm recent snowfall sits over a thick rain crust. Reports indicate wind loading occurred on north aspects during the storm and then subsequently on southern aspects as the wind shifted around to the north. The crust in the upper snowpack can be found as high as 2400m. At treeline elevation it is thick and supportive, and should be capping any deeper weaknesses. The weak layer from early December has recently become inactive, likely due to all the moisture in the snowpack and subsequent settlement and re-freezing.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_A8FEC758">40-50cm of snow from last weekend's storm was shifted by strong winds into much deeper deposits in high elevation lee terrain. In the Coquihalla area, reports suggest weak surface hoar may exist below the recent storm snow, although there is some uncertainty as to its distribution and reactivity</span></p><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Below 2200m, a hard rain crust can be found approximately 100cm below the surface. Avalanches failing below this crust are unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_A8FEC758">5-10cm of low-density snow overlies 40-50cm of snow from last weekend's storm. These storm accumulations were shifted by strong winds into much deeper deposits in high elevation lee terrain. Below 1800m, there was much less wind effect and therefore less cohesion in the newly formed slab.</span></p><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Below 2200m, a hard rain crust can be found approximately 120cm below the surface. Recent tests suggest an improving bond at this interface. That said, in some areas the crust may remain reactive for some time after weaknesses within the storm snow have strengthened. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The upper snowpack continues to settle and strengthen. Cold temperatures have kept the surface layers dry and soft. There is 30-100cm of storm snow sitting over a rain crust from December 8th depending on elevation and aspect. The crust is weakening below treeline and where it is near or at the surface at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The series of storms last week produced 70-90cm of new snow in the region. A rain crust which formed during the middle of the storm is now down 40-60cm and has become the primary layer of concern during the weekend storm. The early December interface consists of crust, surface hoar, and/or facets and is typically down 70-90cm. Around 20-30cm below this interface is a rain crust from mid-Nov with a thick layer of facets below it. Both the early-Dec and mid-Nov layers have become dormant and are likely being capped at treeline and below by the more recent rain crust layer. However, these layers may still be reactive to heavy triggers such as cornices, explosives, or smaller avalanches stepping down.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The series of storms last week produced 70-90cm of new snow in the region. A rain crust which formed during the middle of the storm is now down 40-60cm and has become the primary layer of concern during the weekend storm. The early December interface is primarily being reported as an ice lens but surface hoar and facets both may exist in isolated areas. This layer is typically down 70-90cm. Around 20-30cm below this interface is a rain crust from mid-Nov with a thick layer of facets below it. Both the early-Dec and mid-Nov layers have become dormant and are likely being capped at treeline and below by the more recent rain crust layer. However, these layers may still be reactive to heavy triggers such as cornices, explosives, or smaller avalanches stepping down. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-50 cm recent snowfall sits over a thick rain crust. Reports indicate wind loading occurred on north aspects during the storm and then subsequently on southern aspects as the wind shifted around to the north. The crust in the upper snowpack can be found as high as 2400m. At treeline elevation it is thick and supportive, and should be capping any deeper weaknesses. The weak layer from early December has recently become inactive, likely due to all the moisture in the snowpack and subsequent settlement and re-freezing.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy snowfall over the weekend (50-90cm) built short-lived storm slabs, especially on northerly aspects. The snow came in moist and dense, and is reported to be bonding well with the underlying snowpack. Snow depths are reported to be around 220 cm at upper elevations (around 1400 m) and around 50 cm at lower elevations (around 900 m). The snowpack below the recent storm snow is well consolidated and stable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AD4A7DB8">There is apparently very little wind effect in the alpine. About 15 to 40cm of snow now sits above a crust that extends up to 1800m. The early December persistent weak layer can now be found down 30-80cm. This layer can be found as an old sun crust on solar aspects in the alpine, or as large grained surface hoar and small facets in isolated pockets bellow treeline. It is mainly a problem between 1400m and 1800m, although it may extend higher in the south of Invermere. Snow pit tests on this interface have been widely variable; producing sudden planar, resistant planar and sudden collapse results. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be mainly well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AD4A7DB8">Up to 10 cm of new snow fell on Monday. There is apparently very little wind effect in the alpine.   About 15 to 40cm of snow now sits above a crust that extends up to 1800m. The early December persistent weak layer can now be found down 40-120cm. This layer can be found old sun crust on solar aspects in the alpine, or as large grained surface hoar and small facets in isolated pockets bellow tree-line especially between 1400m and 1800m. Snow pit tests on this interface have been widely variable; producing “sudden planar”, “resistant planar” and “sudden collapse” results. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled.</span><span class="s_AD4A7DB8" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AD4A7DB8">Up to 10 cm of new snow fell on Monday. There is apparently very little wind effect in the alpine. About 15 to 40cm of snow now sits above a crust that extends up to 1800m. The early December persistent weak layer can now be found down 40 to 120cm. This layer can be found as an old sun crust on solar aspects in the alpine, or as large grained surface hoar and small facets in isolated pockets bellow tree-line, especially between 1400m and 1800m. Snow pit tests on this interface have been widely variable; producing sudden planar, resistant planar and sudden collapse results. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_A8FEC758">On Tuesday, 5-10cm of low-density snow was redistributed by winds into new wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. These new wind slabs overlie 40-50cm of storm snow from last weekend. Limited observations suggest the recent storm snow has gained considerable strength, although I'd continue to be wary of lingering pockets of wind slab on high elevation, wind-loaded slopes. On steep, south-facing terrain you may find a sun crust from solar warming on Monday. </span></p><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Below 2200m, a hard rain crust can be found approximately 120cm below the surface. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_A8FEC758">40-50cm of snow from last weekend's storm was shifted by strong winds into much deeper deposits in high elevation lee terrain. In the Coquihalla area, reports suggest weak surface hoar may exist below the recent storm snow, although there is some uncertainty as to its distribution and reactivity. This interface may be something to keep an eye on as the overlying slab gets deeper and gains cohesion.</span></p><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_A8FEC758">You'll likely find a hard rain crust buried approximately 100cm below the surface. This rain crust extends up to about 2000m. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A surprising lack of wind affect at lower elevations right now. At valley bottom, the surface hoar layer is down 30cm's and at the moment is unreactive(no slab present). At treeline, the surface snow is showing signs of surface faceting and still no windslab. A test pit at 2350m had the Dec 4th interface down 40cm's and not reactive. Its important to note that the Dec 4th interface is a variety of different surfaces. Its currently either a crust, flattened surface hoar or a combination of both. In this pit, we did have a moderate shear just above the Dec 4th. This layer appeared to be a fine layer of broken grains. The alpine has some wind affect in some areas, but overall it is still soft and lacking a wide spread slab problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snow depths: Mud Lake 75, Burstall Pass 94, Aster Lake 84 &amp; Dog Leg 110</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Remote weather stations indicate 5-12cm of new snow fell on Monday night. These new accumulations were likely redistributed by strong winds into new wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. The few reports we've received suggest the height of snow at treeline is approximately 100cm. According to these reports, the mid-snowpack is mainly comprised of older settled storm snow, while weak facets exist at or near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">On Monday night, between 18cm (in the north) and 26cm (in the south) of new snow and strong variable winds formed new wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. Below the new snow, you may find a layer of surface hoar. I'd keep an eye on this layer as the overlying slab gets deeper and gains cohesion. Up to a meter below the surface you may find another layer of buried surface hoar. In some areas, this layer may be sensitive to human triggering and wide propagations while in other areas it is non-existent or has gained significant strength. Due to the variable nature of this weak layer, I'd dig down to test for it before committing to any steep lines on slopes at or below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AD4A7DB8">Another 5-15 cm of new snow fell in the Cariboos on Monday. There is apparently minimal wind effect in the alpine. In some places a thin crust can be found down about 20 to 45cm on all aspects as high as 1800m. Below this, down 80 to 130cm, the early December persistent weak layer is lurking. This layer can be found as a crust on solar aspects in the alpine and at tree-line. Below tree-line it has been showing up as isolated pockets of large surface hoar and/or small facets especially between 1400 and 1800m. Snow pit tests on this interface have been widely variable producing sudden planar, resistant planar and sudden collapse results. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Moderate outflow winds will likely have created thin wind slab on variable surfaces on Southerly aspects. North slopes will be pressed and/or etched. Storm shears in the upper snowpack continue to tighten.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Light winds have prevailed this week and so very little wind effect. Colder temperatures are creating some recrystallization of the surface snow into facets and some smaller 2-3mm surface hoar has been noted at treeline elevations the past couple of days. Keep this in mind when more snow arrives accompanied by wind. The main issue with this snowpack at the moment is the Dec 4rd interface which is approximately 30-45 cms below the surface depending on elevation. Surface hoar and facets exist at this interface on the the north aspects (especially below 2300 meters) and temperature crusts and wind impacted surfaces everywhere else. The storm slab that sits on top of this interface is quite soft for the most part, so very little tension to initiate at the moment.&nbsp; In the higher alpine elevations, more snow and wind effect has been observed and these are the places where the Dec 4th layer will be more sensitive to triggering.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AD4A7DB8">It sounds like good riding conditions out there with mainly low density snow on the surface. There is some localized wind effect in the new snow at ridgeline. About 15 to 40cm of snow sits above a crust that extends up to 1800m. The early December persistent weak layer can now be found down 30-80cm.  This layer can be found as an old sun crust on solar aspects in the alpine, or as large grained surface hoar and small facets in isolated pockets bellow treeline.  The surface hoar is mainly a problem between 1400m and 1800m, although it may extend higher in the south of </span><span class="s_1681A555">Invermere. </span><span class="s_AD4A7DB8">Snow pit tests on this interface have been widely variable; producing a mixture of sudden and resistant failures or no results. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be mainly well settled.</span><span class="s_AD4A7DB8" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Shallow early season snowpack with 60 cm at treeline in drier areas like Babine Mountain and 100 cm at treeline in more westerly areas like Ashman. Both Tsai creek and Shedin creek snow pillows are well below average and very close to historical minimums. Shallow usually means weak, and cooler temperatures over a shallow and weak snowpack may mean a chance of facetted crystals near the ground.  There may be some lingering surface hoar down 20-30 cm in some areas and I suspect that new surface hoar may be primed for burial by the forecast snow on Thursday.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Tuesday, 5-10cm of low-density snow was redistributed by winds into new wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. These new wind slabs overlie 40-50cm of storm snow from last weekend. Limited observations suggest the recent storm snow has gained considerable strength, although I'd continue to be wary of lingering pockets of wind slab on high elevation, wind-loaded slopes. On steep, south-facing terrain you may find a sun crust from solar warming on Monday. </span></p><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below 2200m, a hard rain crust can be found approximately 120cm below the surface. </span><span class="s_A8FEC758" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">40-50cm of snow from last weekend's storm was shifted by strong winds into much deeper deposits in high elevation lee terrain. In the Coquihalla area, reports suggest weak surface hoar may exist below the recent storm snow, although there is some uncertainty as to its distribution and reactivity. This interface may be something to keep an eye on as the overlying slab gets deeper and gains cohesion. You'll likely find a hard rain crust buried approximately 100cm below the surface. This rain crust extends up to about 2000m. </span><span class="s_A8FEC758" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AD4A7DB8">Up to 10 cm of new snow fell on Monday. There is apparently very little wind effect in the alpine. About 15 to 40cm of snow now sits above a crust that extends up to 1800m. The early December persistent weak layer can now be found down 40 to 120cm. This layer can be found as an old sun crust on solar aspects in the alpine, or as large grained surface hoar and small facets in isolated pockets bellow tree-line, especially between 1400m and 1800m. Snow pit tests on this interface have been widely variable; producing sudden planar, resistant planar and sudden collapse results. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3428770D">It sounds like good riding conditions out there. There is some localized wind effect in the new snow at ridgeline. Bellow treeline a layer of surface hoar can be found buried down 80 to 130cm. It is of greatest concern in open features such as cut blocks and old burns at elevations between 1400 and 1800m. Snow pit tests on this interface have been widely variable producing sudden planar, resistant planar and sudden collapse results. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are reported to be mainly well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light new snow has fallen on last weekend's moist heavy dump give 5-10 cm of low density snow on top of a generally well consolidated and stable snowpack. Snow depths are reported to be around 220 cm at upper elevations (around 1400 m) and around 50 cm at lower elevations (around 900 m).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The series of recent storms has left us with around 40-60 cm new snow sitting on a firm rain crust. For the most part, the new snow has bonded well to this rain crust, although potentially unstable wind slabs could exist where wind-pressed snow rests directly on a slippery crust below. A previous weak layer from early December consists of crust, surface hoar, and/or facets and is typically down 70-90cm. Around 20-30cm below this interface is a rain crust from mid-Nov with a thick layer of facets below it. Both the early-Dec and mid-Nov layers have become dormant and are likely being capped at treeline and below by the more recent rain crust layer. However, these layers may still be reactive to heavy triggers such as cornices, explosives, or smaller avalanches stepping down.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent light snowfall has added around 10 cm or so to the previous storm's 20-50. This puts around 30-60 cm recent snow sitting above a thick rain crust. Reports indicate wind loading occurred on north aspects during the storm and then subsequently on southern aspects as the wind shifted around to the north. The crust in the upper snowpack can be found as high as 2400m. At treeline elevation it is thick and supportive, and should be capping any deeper weaknesses. The weak layer from early December has recently become inactive, likely due to all the moisture in the snowpack and subsequent settlement and re-freezing.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Outflow winds were limited on Wednesday to below 400 metres and did not transport much snow or destroy new surface hoar. The surface hoar layers are getting difficult to track by name, so lets talk about them by burial date. There is a new surface hoar layer developing now that has not been buried yet, but that should happen tonight. The forecast new snow and wind are expected to add to the load above the December 14th surface hoar (151214 SH) which was reported to give easy compression test results today with a sudden planar fracture character (CTE SP). This means that as a slab develops above this layer, it may allow for long fracture propagations resulting in larger avalanches. At this time there is 15-25 cm above the 151214 layer in the Shames area. The early December layer buried on the 1st or 2nd (151201 SH) is now down a metre or so depending on your area. This layers distribution is variable. In some areas, this layer may be sensitive to human triggering and wide propagations while in other areas it is non-existent or has gained significant strength. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AD4A7DB8">It sounds like good riding conditions out there with mainly low density snow on the surface and very little wind effect in the alpine. About 30 to 80cm of snow now sits above a crust that extends up to 1800m. The early December persistent weak layer can now be found down 40-160cm.  This layer can be found as an old sun crust on solar aspects in the alpine, or as large grained surface hoar and small facets in isolated pockets bellow tree-line.  The surface hoar is mainly a concern between 1400m and 1800m although it may extend higher than this in the south of the region.  Snow pit tests on this interface have been widely variable; producing a mixture of sudden and resistant failures or no results. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be mainly well settled.</span><span class="s_AD4A7DB8" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The series of recent storms has left us with around 40-60 cm new snow sitting on a firm rain crust. In sheltered areas, the new snow appears to have bonded well to this rain crust, but in exposed areas, potentially unstable wind slabs could exist where wind-pressed snow now rests above the slippery rain crust below. A previous weak layer from early December is primarily being reported as an ice lens but surface hoar and facets both may exist in isolated areas. This layer is typically down 70-90cm. Around 20-30cm below this interface is a rain crust from mid-Nov with a thick layer of facets below it. Both the early-Dec and mid-Nov layers have become dormant and are likely being capped at treeline and below by the more recent rain crust layer. However, these layers may still be reactive to heavy triggers such as cornices, explosives, or smaller avalanches stepping down. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The upper snowpack continues to settle and strengthen. Cold temperatures have kept the surface layers dry and soft. A brief period of North winds on Tuesday night formed pockets of wind slab along ridge lines in the alpine. A layer of surface hoar at tree-line and may become an issue as it is gradually buried by&nbsp; the forecast new snow. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Not a lot of change in the last 24hrs. Below treeline, the dec 4th surface hoar layer is down 30cm on average and still not producing avalanches of any character. The cold weather pattern is promoting surface faceting, which is keeping the surface snow loose. At treeline, the Dec 4th interface continues to be the layer to watch. We are seeing occasional shears within the top 40cm, but nothing consistent enough to suggest a widespread avalanche problem. The alpine has windslabs present near ridges and crossloaded terrain. Overall, we've seen about 2cm's of snowpack settlement throughout the forecast region. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Shallow early season snowpack with 60 cm at treeline in drier areas like Babine Mountain and 100 cm at treeline in more westerly areas like Ashman. Both Tsai creek and Shedin creek snow pillows are well below average and very close to historical minimums. Shallow usually means weak, and cooler temperatures over a shallow and weak snowpack may mean a chance of facetted crystals near the ground. There may be some lingering surface hoar down 20-30 cm in some areas and I suspect that new surface hoar may be primed for burial by the forecast snow on Thursday.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new storm is expected to develop widespread storm slabs above the old surface of loose snow at treeline and wind affected snow in the alpine. Northerly winds transported some snow on Wednesday into soft wind slabs on lee aspects. There were some reports of easy test results between the wind slab and the old storm snow below. These new wind slabs overlie 40-50cm of storm snow from last weekend. Limited observations suggest the recent storm snow has gained considerable strength, although I'd continue to be wary of lingering pockets of wind slab on high elevation, wind-loaded slopes. On steep, south-facing terrain you may find a sun crust from solar warming on Monday. Below 2200m, a hard rain crust can be found approximately 120cm below the surface. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow and wind should develop new storm slabs over the 40-50cm of snow from last weekend's storm. The old surface is a mix of loose snow, wind slabs, and surface hoar in isolated areas. In the Coquihalla area, reports suggest weak surface hoar may exist below the recent storm snow, although there is some uncertainty as to its distribution and reactivity. This interface may be something to keep an eye on as the overlying slab gets deeper and gains cohesion. You'll likely find a hard rain crust buried approximately 100cm below the surface. This rain crust extends up to about 2000m. There is about 200 cm at 1800 metres in the Coquihalla. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds moved into the south of the region on Thursday ahead of the forecast storm. Outflow winds were limited on Wednesday to below 400 metres and did not transport much snow or destroy new surface hoar. The surface hoar layers are getting difficult to track by name, so lets talk about them by burial date. There is a new surface hoar layer developing now that has not been buried yet, but that should happen tonight. The forecast new snow and wind are expected to add to the load above the December 14th surface hoar (151214 SH) which was reported to give easy compression test results today with a sudden planar fracture character (CTE SP). This means that as a slab develops above this layer, it may allow for long fracture propagations resulting in larger avalanches. At this time there is 15-25 cm above the 151214 layer in the Shames area. The early December layer buried on the 1st or 2nd (151201 SH) is now down a metre or so depending on your area. This layers distribution is variable. In some areas, this layer may be sensitive to human triggering and wide propagations while in other areas it is non-existent or has gained significant strength. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_69982360">Reports indicate that up to 10cm of new snow now cover a new layer of surface hoar that can be founding on all aspects in protected areas. Recent winds have been highly variable and may have formed fresh wind slabs on both north and south aspects. A crust can be found in the upper meter of the snowpack as high as 2400m. At tree-line elevation this crust is thick and supportive, and should be capping any deeper weaknesses.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AD4A7DB8">It sounds like good riding conditions out there with mainly low density snow on the surface. There is some localized wind effect in the new snow at ridgeline. About 15 to 40cm of snow sits above a crust that extends up to 1800m. The early December persistent weak layer can now be found down 30-80cm.  This layer can be found as an old sun crust on solar aspects in the alpine, or as large grained surface hoar and small facets in isolated pockets bellow treeline.  The surface hoar is mainly a problem between 1400m and 1800m, although it may extend higher in the south of </span><span class="s_1681A555">Invermere. </span><span class="s_AD4A7DB8">Snow pit tests on this interface have been widely variable; producing a mixture of sudden and resistant failures or no results. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be mainly well settled.</span><span class="s_AD4A7DB8" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The series of recent storms has left us with around 40-60 cm new snow sitting on a firm rain crust. For the most part, the new snow has bonded well to this rain crust, although potentially unstable wind slabs could exist where wind-pressed snow rests directly on a slippery crust below. A previous weak layer from early December consists of crust, surface hoar, and/or facets and is typically down 70-90cm. Around 20-30cm below this interface is a rain crust from mid-Nov with a thick layer of facets below it. Both the early-Dec and mid-Nov layers have become dormant and are likely being capped at treeline and below by the more recent rain crust layer. However, these layers may still be reactive to heavy triggers such as cornices, explosives, or smaller avalanches stepping down.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3428770D">It sounds like good riding conditions out there. Recent variable winds have produced small wind slabs on both south and north aspects. Below tree-line a layer of surface hoar can be found buried down 80 to 130cm. It is of greatest concern in open features such as cut blocks and old burns, at elevations between 1400 and 1800m. Snow pit tests on this interface have been widely variable producing sudden planar, resistant planar and sudden collapse results. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be mainly well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AD4A7DB8">It sounds like good riding conditions out there with mainly low density snow on the surface. Recent variable winds have produced small wind slabs on both south and north aspects. About 30 to 80cm of snow now sits above a crust that extends up to 1800m. The early December persistent weak layer can now be found down 40 to 120cm. This layer can be found as an old sun crust on solar aspects in the alpine, or as large grained surface hoar and small facets in isolated pockets below tree-line, especially between 1400m and 1800m. Snow pit tests on this interface have been widely variable; producing a mixture of sudden and resistant failures or no results. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be mainly well settled.</span><span class="s_AD4A7DB8" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AD4A7DB8">It sounds like good riding conditions out there with mainly low density snow on the surface. Recent variable winds have produced small wind slabs on both south and north aspects. About 30 to 80cm of snow now sits above a crust that extends up to 1800m. The early December persistent weak layer can now be found down 40 to 120cm. This layer can be found as an old sun crust on solar aspects in the alpine, or as large grained surface hoar and small facets in isolated pockets below tree-line, especially between 1400m and 1800m. Snow pit tests on this interface have been widely variable; producing a mixture of sudden and resistant failures or no results. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be mainly well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Low freezing levels have allowed&nbsp; dry light new snow to accumulate above last weekends heavy snowfall. The mid pack is well consolidated and stable. Snow depths are reported to be around 220 cm at upper elevations (around 1400 m) and around 50 cm at lower elevations (around 900 m).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The series of recent storms has left us with around 40-60 cm new snow sitting on a firm rain crust. In sheltered areas, the new snow appears to have bonded well to this rain crust, but in exposed areas, potentially unstable wind slabs could exist where wind-pressed snow now rests above the slippery rain crust below. A previous weak layer from early December is primarily being reported as an ice lens but surface hoar and facets both may exist in isolated areas. This layer is typically down 70-90cm. Around 20-30cm below this interface is a rain crust from mid-Nov with a thick layer of facets below it. Both the early-Dec and mid-Nov layers have become dormant and are likely being capped at treeline and below by the more recent rain crust layer. However, these layers may still be reactive to heavy triggers such as cornices, explosives, or smaller avalanches stepping down. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">21 cm's of new snow has been loaded into lee start zones over settled snow and areas of wind slab, especially near ridge lines. A rain crust buried on December 8th is 50-100 cm's below the surface in lee areas and seems to be unreactive for now. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AD4A7DB8">New snow combined with moderate southwest winds have formed fresh soft slabs in lee features in the alpine and at tree-line. Between 80 and 150cm of snow now sits on an extensive persistent week layer. The form of this layer varies depending on aspect and elevation: it can be found as a crust on south facing slopes in the alpine, or as large grained surface hoar and facets below tree-line. The surface hoar is most widespread in an elevation band between 1400m and 1800m. Snow pit tests suggest that human triggering of this interface is still possible, although unlikely, and that if it does fail the overlying slab is stiff enough to propagate the failure over a large distance. Below this the snowpack is thought to be mainly well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">We didn't get the snow that was forecast, but we sure got the wind! Lots of wind transport today at all elevations. Below treeline saw some minor redistribution of the available snow, but not enough to create an avalanche problem. Small test profiles indicated the Dec 4th is down 30cm. The actual interface is still evident as a density change &amp; grain change. But as far as reactivity goes, the Dec 4th seems to be healed in all areas we dug. This doesn't mean the layer is not an issue, but it does suggest it isn't as big a problem anymore. Especially factoring the low density snow above it. Treeline has a very similar character. At upper treeline we did 3 different compression tests with no results on any layer. The Dec 4th interface is visible, but it doesn't seem to pose a threat at the moment. The alpine is a different story. The continuous, strong winds have created new wind slabs on almost all aspects. At the moment these slabs are thin and limited to areas directly below cliffs.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow continues to slowly build the load above buried weak layers. There is 15-25 cm above the December 17th (151217 SH) surface hoar, and 25-40 cm above the December 14th (151214 SH). At this time, the new snow continues to come in cold and dry and may not have the load needed to settle into a cohesive slab above these weak layers. The early December layer buried on the 1st or 2nd (151201 SH) is now down a metre or so depending on your area. This layers distribution is variable. In some areas, this layer may be sensitive to human triggering and wide propagations while in other areas it is non-existent or has gained significant strength.  Most of this information is coming from the Shames area or from commercial operations near Terrace. Conditions may be different close to Kitimat, where it looks like recent snowfall amounts may be a bit higher and temperatures a bit warmer. The north of the region has a shallow early season snowpack and may have weak facetted crystals near the ground due to cold temperatures over a thin snowpack. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">There was 15-20 cm of new snow on Friday morning available to be transported into windslabs by moderate southerly winds. These new storm and wind slabs may be sitting on a new layer of surface hoar that was buried on Thursday. The new storm snow is above 40-50 cm of snow from last week, that may also be sitting on a buried surface hoar layer.&nbsp; There is about 100 cm of settled snow above the December 8th melt-freeze crust.&nbsp; There is about 200 cm at 1800 metres in the Coquihalla. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">New storm snow was reported to be releasing very easily as loose dry above the old surface, and may be sitting on a new surface hoar layer buried on December 17th. The new snow came in a bit warmer at about -3 on top of the previous thin layer of cold snow at about -11 on Thursday, resulting in some surface slabbing and long propagations. Northerly winds transported some snow on Wednesday into soft wind slabs on lee aspects. There were some reports of easy test results between the wind slab and the old storm snow below. These new wind slabs overlie 40-50cm of storm snow from last weekend.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Low freezing levels have allowed dry light new snow to accumulate above last weekends heavy snowfall. The mid pack is well consolidated and stable. Snow depths are reported to be around 250 cm at upper elevations (around 1400 m) and around 75 cm at lower elevations (around 900 m).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_7D940460">Reports indicate that up to 20cm of new snow now covers a new layer of surface hoar that can be found on all aspects in protected areas. Recent winds have been highly variable and may have formed fresh wind slabs on both north and south aspects. A crust can be found in the upper meter of the snowpack as high as 2400m. At tree-line elevation this crust is thick and supportive, and should be capping any deeper weaknesses.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The series of recent storms has left us with around 40-60 cm new snow sitting on a firm rain crust. For the most part, the new snow has bonded well to this rain crust, although potentially unstable wind slabs could exist where wind-pressed snow rests directly on a slippery crust below. A previous weak layer from early December consists of crust, surface hoar, and/or facets and is typically down 70-90cm. Around 20-30cm below this interface is a rain crust from mid-Nov with a thick layer of facets below it. Both the early-Dec and mid-Nov layers have become dormant and are likely being capped at treeline and below by the more recent rain crust layer. However, these layers may still be reactive to heavy triggers such as cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AD4A7DB8">Up to 10cm of new snow on Friday combined with moderate southwest winds have formed fresh soft slabs in lee features in the alpine and at tree-line. The new snow may be sitting on a thin layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas at and below tree-line. Between 50 and 130cm of snow now sits on an extensive persistent week layer. The form of this layer varies depending on aspect and elevation: it can be found as a crust on south facing slopes in the alpine, or as large grained surface hoar and facets below tree-line. The surface hoar is most widespread in an elevation band between 1400m and 1800m. Snow pit tests suggest that human triggering of this interface is still possible, although unlikely, and that if it does fail the overlying slab is stiff enough to propagate the failure over a large distance. Below this the snowpack is thought to be mainly well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Hungry Hill near Houston has had close to 15 cm in the past 24 hours, and Hudson Bay Mtn reported 11 cm this morning. This will add to the early season snowpacks I had described earlier this weak. Shallow early season snowpack with 60 cm at treeline in drier areas like Babine Mountain and 100 cm at treeline in more westerly areas like Ashman. Both Tsai creek and Shedin creek snow pillows are well below average and very close to historical minimums. Shallow usually means weak, and cooler temperatures over a shallow and weak snowpack may mean a chance of facetted crystals near the ground. We had a report earlier in the week of hard wind slabs over weak basal facets in the east of the region. There may be some lingering surface hoar down 20-30 cm in some areas and I suspect that new surface hoar may be primed for burial by the forecast snow on Thursday.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The series of recent storms has left us with around 40-70 cm new snow sitting on a firm rain crust. In sheltered areas, the new snow appears to have bonded well to this rain crust, but in exposed areas, potentially unstable wind slabs could exist where wind-pressed snow now rests above the slippery rain crust below. A previous weak layer from early December is primarily being reported as an ice lens but surface hoar and facets both may exist in isolated areas. This layer is typically down 70-90cm. Around 20-30cm below this interface is a rain crust from mid-Nov with a thick layer of facets below it. Both the early-Dec and mid-Nov layers have become dormant and are likely being capped at treeline and below by the more recent rain crust layer. However, these layers may still be reactive to heavy triggers such as cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AD4A7DB8">New snow 15cm of new snow on Friday, combined with moderate southwest winds have formed fresh soft slabs in lee features in the alpine and at tree-line. Between 80 and 150cm of snow now sits on an extensive persistent week layer. The form of this layer varies depending on aspect and elevation: it can be found as a crust on south facing slopes in the alpine, or as large grained surface hoar and facets below tree-line. The surface hoar is most widespread in an elevation band between 1400m and 1800m. Snow pit tests suggest that human triggering of this interface is still possible, although unlikely, and that if it does fail the overlying slab is stiff enough to propagate the failure over a large distance. Below this the snowpack is thought to be mainly well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AD4A7DB8">Variable winds have produced localized wind effect in the new snow at ridgeline. About 15 to 40cm of snow sits above a crust that extends up to 1800m. A more extensive persistent week layer is buried between 30 and 80cm down. The form of this layer varies depending on aspect and elevation: it can be found as a crust on south facing slopes in the alpine, or as large grained surface hoar and facets below tree-line. The surface hoar is most widespread in an elevation band between 1400m and 1800m although it may extend higher south of Invermere. Snow pit tests suggest that human triggering of this interface is still possible, although unlikely. Below this the snowpack is thought to be mainly well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A trace of new snow overnight has not changed the conditions. Shallow early season conditions continue with 80-100 cm at treeline in the south and west of the region, and closer to 60 cm in the east. Stiff wind slabs have been reported above treeline in the lee of variable and changing winds. The winds were out of the northeast in areas under the influence of arctic air, and out of the south or southeast when the snow moved across from the coast. The surface hoar reported last week is variable in its distribution and may be hard to find. Weak basal layers may exist in shallow snowpacks that have experienced continuous cold temperatures.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3428770D">Steady flurries over the past few days and moderate southwest winds have formed fresh wind slabs in exposed lee features in the alpine and at treeline. Between 80 and 120cm below the surface you'll likely find a weak layer of well-developed surface hoar. This layer is most widespread and reactive at lower elevations (between 1400m and 1800m.) Snow pit tests suggest that human triggering of this interface is becoming unlikely. That said, if it does fail the overlying slab is stiff enough to propagate over a wide distance. Below this layer, the snowpack is thought to be generally strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Steady snowfall over the past few days and moderate southwest winds have formed fresh wind slabs in exposed lee features in the alpine and at treeline. Between 80 and 150cm below the surface you'll likely find a weak layer of well-developed surface hoar. This layer is most widespread and reactive at lower elevations (between 1400m and 1800m.) Snow pit tests suggest that human triggering of this interface is still possible, although unlikely. That said, if it does fail the overlying slab is stiff enough to propagate over a wide distance. Below this layer, the snowpack is thought to be generally strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Steady snowfall over the past few days and moderate southwest winds have formed fresh wind slabs in exposed lee features in the alpine and at treeline. Between 80 and 150cm below the surface you'll likely find a weak layer of well-developed surface hoar. This layer is most widespread and reactive at lower elevations (between 1400m and 1800m.) Snow pit tests suggest that human triggering of this interface is still possible, although unlikely. That said, if it does fail the overlying slab is stiff enough to propagate over a wide distance. Below this layer, the snowpack is thought to be generally strong and well-settled.</span><span class="s_AD4A7DB8" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_7D940460">Up to 30cm of new snow now covers the mid-December surface hoar. This surface hoar can be found on all aspects in protected areas. Moderate winds out of the S/SW have recently formed fresh wind slabs on lee features. A few different crusts can be found in the upper meter of the snowpack as high as 2400m. At tree-line elevation the December 8th crust is thick and supportive, and may be capping deeper weaknesses.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">8-12cm of new snow over the past 24hrs with generally very little wind.  We currently have two main concerns within the snowpack.  New windslabs that are building in Alpine areas as well as isolated areas at treeline and the Dec 3rd surface hoar/facet interface down 40-60cm.  The new windslabs are being found along ridgelines, and in gullied terrain in the alpine.  As of todays observations these slabs are only 10-15cm deep and in immediate lees but they were reactive to a skiers weight.  As they grow under the influence of new winds and more snow we can expect the problem to become more widespread so pay attention as you travel.  The other concern, the Dec 3rd layer hasn't produced any avalanches in some time but as we get more and more snow, this load may become reactive later in the season.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">Less new snow in the Duffy Lake area; 10 cm new on Friday with strong alpine winds building windslabs and cornices. There was 15-20 cm of new snow on Friday morning available to be transported into windslabs by moderate southerly winds. These new storm and wind slabs may be sitting on a new layer of surface hoar that was buried on Thursday. The new storm snow is above 40-50 cm of snow from last week, that may also be sitting on a buried surface hoar layer. There is about 100 cm of settled snow above the December 8th melt-freeze crust. There is about 200 cm at 1800 metres in the Coquihalla. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The freezing level has consistently been at 800m which is allowing for ongoing snowfall on the North Shore mountains. The new snow has been settling out quite quickly between the storm systems. The only layer of concern that we're aware of is the interface between the new and old snow, and this won't be a problem for long. Snow depths are reported to be around 250 cm at upper elevations (around 1400 m) and around 75 cm at lower elevations (around 900 m).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cold and dry new snow continues to fall in the region. Moderate to strong winds in the alpine have created pockets of windslab that may be up to a metre deep, but have not been propagating long fractures. There may be a slight change in the hardness of the snow down about 50 cm due to temperature changes of individual snowfalls. This may be the most likely depth for shears in snowpack tests. The December 8th crust is down about 100 cm and has been reported to be well bonded. The storm snow is the biggest problem at this time. It may be difficult to forecast when the incremental storm amounts combine to create enough loading over a weakness to result in large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">29 cm's of storm snow has been loaded into lee start zones over a mostly settled snowpack. Areas of wind slab have formed over low density new snow, especially near ridge lines. Wind loading is uneven throughout the alpine, ranging from a scoured to 50 cm soft slabs in sheltered areas. A rain crust buried on December 8th is 50-100 cm's below the surface and seems to be unreactive for now. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow continues to slowly build the load above buried weak layers. There is 15-25 cm above the December 17th (151217 SH) surface hoar, and 25-40 cm above the December 14th (151214 SH). At this time, the new snow continues to come in cold and dry and may not have the load needed to settle into a cohesive slab above these weak layers. The early December layer buried on the 1st or 2nd (151201 SH) is now down a metre or so depending on your area. This layers distribution is variable. In some areas, this layer may be sensitive to human triggering and wide propagations while in other areas it is non-existent or has gained significant strength. Most of this information is coming from the Shames area or from commercial operations near Terrace. Conditions may be different close to Kitimat, where it looks like recent snowfall amounts may be a bit higher and temperatures a bit warmer. The north of the region has a shallow early season snowpack and may have weak facetted crystals near the ground due to cold temperatures over a thin snowpack. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A8FEC758">Recently formed wind slabs can be found at treeline and in the alpine. Between 40 and 80cm below the surface you'll likely find a layer of weak buried surface hoar which is most prominent between 1400m and 1800m although it may extend higher in the mountains south of Invermere. Snow pit tests suggest that human triggering of this interface is becoming unlikely, although a release at this interface could be destructive in nature. Below this, the snowpack is thought to be mainly well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The series of recent storms has left us with 40 to 60cm of new snow sitting on the December 8th rain crust. For the most part, the new snow has bonded well to this rain crust. It is thought that this rain crust is &quot;capping&quot; the more deeply buried weak layers in the snowpack meaning that for the most part, the weight of riders isn't penetrating below this crust. A weak layer formed in the first few days of December consisting of crust, surface hoar, and/or facets can be found down 70-90cm. Around 20-30cm below this interface is a rain crust from mid-Nov with a thick layer of facets below it. While these two weak layers are thought to be &quot;capped&quot; in most locations, these layers may still be reactive to heavy triggers such as cornices, a rider hitting a big drop into a slope below, or a smaller avalanche in motion.</span></p>