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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow totals from the last pulse on Wednesday (140129) range from 5 - 20 cm with the greatest accumulations in the south of the region. This snow is faceting quickly in the cold temps. In wind exposed terrain, especially in the alpine, winds continue to form shallow wind slabs that are most prevalent immediately lee of ridgecrest.&nbsp; These variable wind slabs should stick around a bit longer than we're accustomed to as they are resting on a weak layer composed of large grained surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on open south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most of the snowpack is generally well consolidated. However, in thinner snowpack areas a facet/crust weakness may exist near the bottom of the snowpack. The depth of this layer makes human triggering unlikely, but the consequences of doing so could be disastrous. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">There's about 10cm of low density snow above re-frozen surface crusts. The current cold temperatures should develop a solid well settled snowpack, although some surface faceting is likely within the low density surface snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In most areas, a widespread weak layer is now buried by up to 10cm of new snow, but has yet to become a problem. This weak layer consists of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. This variable weak layer is expected to become a problem when/if it finally starts snowing again. The rest of the upper and mid-snowpack are generally well consolidated. A facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has gone dormant for now but may rear it's ugly head again in the future. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be very serious.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent and ongoing strong Easterly winds created windslabs on lee and cross-loaded features in the alpine and at treeline. The windslabs, in wind exposed areas or loose dry snow in sheltered areas, overlies well developed and widespread surface hoar or a crust on solar aspects.&nbsp; This combination has resulted in recent skier triggered avalanches up to size 2. Natural activity is less likely now but these 10-30 cm thick windslabs could still be triggered under the weight of a skier. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below this layer, you'll likely find about 10cm of faceted snow over older surface hoar and old, unreactive wind slabs. Mid-January’s prolonged warm temperatures have formed a strong and supportive midpack. Deeper persistent layers have become unlikely to trigger, although large and destructive avalanches are still possible in isolated terrain with the right input such as a cornice fall or a heavy load over a thin spot in steep terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper snowpack and snow surface are currently undergoing faceting due to the cold temperatures. Wind exposed areas are heavily scoured and leeward features may have a thin wind crust or small isolated wind slabs. Sun exposed slopes have a sun crust but this is reported to be breaking down with the ongoing surface faceting. In sheltered areas, several centimetres of dry snow may overlie a layer of surface hoar. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are well settled and there are currently no layers of concern. However, in thinner snowpack areas, a weak basal layer of facets or depth hoar may still be a concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper snowpack and snow surface are currently undergoing faceting due to the cold temperatures. Wind exposed areas are heavily scoured and leeward features may have a thin wind crust or small isolated wind slabs. Sun exposed slopes have a sun crust but this is reported to be breaking down with the ongoing surface faceting. In sheltered areas, several centimetres of dry snow may overlie a layer of surface hoar. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are well settled and there are currently no layers of concern. However, in thinner snowpack areas, a weak basal layer of facets or depth hoar may still be a concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Surface facetting taking place. Sun crusts are present at all elevations on solar aspects and are remaining frozen through the day due to frigid temperatures. Alpine and treeline areas are highly variable in snow cover and condition, but wind slabs dominate the landscape. Basal weaknesses remain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent N and NE winds have developed 10 to 40 cm thick windslabs on lee and cross-loaded alpine featured. In sheltered terrain, about 20 cm of dry light snow is sitting on a surface hoar layer, on old unreactive wind slabs or a melt-freeze crust on previously sun-exposed slopes. Cold temperatures are continuing to transform snow into </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://www.fsavalanche.org/encyclopedia/faceted_snow.htm" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">facets </span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">at the surface or all the way down to the ground where the snowpack is thinner. The deep persistent weak layers are not as much of a concern at this moment because of the relatively stable weather pattern.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent moderate Northerly winds have redistributed the surface snow into windslabs that could still be reactive to skier traffic, especially in the alpine on cross-loaded features. In sheltered areas, 30 cm of low density snow overlies the surface hoar layer buried on January 22nd or a crust on slopes that saw direct sun last week. In many areas the buried surface hoar sits over hard, unreactive buried wind slabs. The mid pack is now strong and well supported and deeper persistent weaknesses which formed early in the season have now become unlikely to trigger. </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">Snow surfaces are mostly very hard, from crust to old hard windslabs. Some softer surfaces might exist on shady aspects and where surface facetting has started breaking down the hard surfaces. Under exist a solid well settled snowpack. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The January 29th system left 10 - 20 cm of snowfall in it's wake with the greatest accumulations in the southern portion of the region. North winds redistributed the snow resulting in reverse loading of lee features in the alpine with reactive pockets of wind slab up to 40cm deep.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow and wind slabs rest on a significant weakness composed of of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. This variable weak layer is expected to become a problem when/if it finally starts snowing again. The rest of the upper and mid-snowpack are generally well consolidated.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In isolated areas where the snowpack is thinner or in steep rocky features a facet/crust weakness near the ground remains a concern. In most places the depth of this layer combined with the strength of the overlying slab makes triggering an avalanche unlikely. However, if you were unlucky enough to find a weak spot the consequences could be deadly serious.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Winds continue to form the 10 cm that fell on January 29th into thin touchy wind slabs. These wind slabs rest on a weak layer that consists of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. This variable weak layer is expected to become a problem when/if it finally starts snowing again. The rest of the upper and mid-snowpack are generally well consolidated. A facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has gone dormant for the most part, but we're still seeing an avalanche that goes deep every few days. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be very serious.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A small front came through the region on January 29th leaving up to 10 cm of snow in it's wake. In wind exposed terrain the new snow has been formed into small wind slabs by N/NW winds. The settled storm snow and fresh wind slabs rest on a weak layer that consists of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. This variable weak layer is expected to become a significant problem if/when it finally starts snowing again. The rest of the upper and mid-snowpack are generally well consolidated. A facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has gone dormant for now but may rear it's ugly head again in the future. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be very serious.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Thin windslabs may still exist in isolated leeward features on a variety of aspects at treeline and in the alpine while wind-exposed features have become heavily scoured. Recent cold temperatures and clear skies are causing faceting of the upper snowpack which should be causing the remaining wind slabs to break-down. In more sheltered areas, several centimetres of dry snow may overlie a melt-freeze crust, surface hoar, facets, or a combination of the above. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well consolidated and there are currently no layers of concern. However, weak basal facets may still be a concern in isolated areas, especially thin snowpack areas at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Thin windslabs may still exist in isolated leeward features on a variety of aspects at treeline and in the alpine while wind-exposed features have become heavily scoured. Recent cold temperatures and clear skies are causing faceting of the upper snowpack which should be causing the remaining wind slabs to break-down. In more sheltered areas, several centimetres of dry snow may overlie a melt-freeze crust, surface hoar, facets, or a combination of the above. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well consolidated and there are currently no layers of concern. However, weak basal facets may still be a concern in isolated areas, especially thin snowpack areas at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow totals from the last pulse on Wednesday (140129) range from 5 - 20 cm with the greatest accumulations in the south of the region. This snow is faceting quickly in the cold temps. In wind exposed terrain, especially in the alpine, winds continue to form shallow wind slabs that are most prevalent immediately lee of ridgecrest. These variable wind slabs should stick around a bit longer than we're accustomed to as they are resting on a weak layer composed of large grained surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on open south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most of the snowpack is generally well consolidated. However, in thinner snowpack areas a facet/crust weakness may exist near the bottom of the snowpack. The depth of this layer makes human triggering unlikely, but the consequences of doing so could be disastrous. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs 10-40cm thick have formed over the last few days in the alpine on various aspects. At treeline and below in sheltered areas approximately 5-15cm of light dry snow overlies a variety of old surfaces including surface hoar and/or a melt freeze crust on solar aspects. The cold temperatures continue to facet the near surface layers. This may improve the ski and sledding quality of the surface snow in the short term, however it also has the potential to create a weak layer if it is buried later in the season. The deep persistent layers of facets and depth hoar remain near the bottom of the snowpack and in shallow areas the entire snowpack consists of these weak crystals, which appear to have become less reactive with the current cold and static weather pattern. We expect that there has been little improvement in the bonding of these persistent weak layers during this cold period and they may still &quot;wake up&quot; (become reactive again) later in the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surface and upper snowpack conditions are quite variable but the common theme is that most areas are hard with very little ski penetration.  The snow surface may consist of any of the following: </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">(1) faceting snow (generally widespread due to current cold temperatures) </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">(2) hard wind scoured and pitted surfaces at higher elevations </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">(3) a thin wind crust or small isolated wind slabs on leeward or cross-loaded features</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">(4) surface hoar in wind-sheltered areas </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">(5) deteriorating crust at lower elevations</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are well settled and there are currently no layers of concern. However, in thinner snowpack areas, a weak basal layer of facets or depth hoar may still be a concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Winds formed the 10 cm that fell on January 29th into previously thin touchy wind slabs.&nbsp; These wind slabs rest on a weak layer that consists of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. This variable weak layer is expected to become a problem when/if it finally starts snowing again. The rest of the upper and mid-snowpack are generally well consolidated. A facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has gone dormant for the most part, but we're still the odd large avalanche in the region.&nbsp; The depth of this layer makes human triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be very serious.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">No change - surface facetting taking place.  Sun crusts are still present at all elevations on solar exposed aspects.  Terrain in the alpine and treeline elevation zones are highly variable with tregards to snowcover and conditon but wind slabs definitely dominate the landscape.  The deep basal weaknesses remain in place!</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow totals from a week ago ranged from 5-20 cm with the greatest accumulations in the south of the region. This snow is faceting quickly in the cold temps. In wind exposed terrain, especially in the alpine, winds continue to form shallow wind slabs that have recently been very easy to trigger by skiers. These variable wind slabs should stick around a bit longer than we're accustomed to as they are resting on a weak layer composed of large grained surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on open south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most of the snowpack is generally well consolidated. However, in thinner snowpack areas a facet/crust weakness and basal facets exist near or at the bottom of the snowpack. The depth of these layer makes human triggering unlikely, but the consequences of doing so could be disastrous. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A recent rain event has left the region with a widespread supportive melt freeze surface crust, which is faceting and becoming laminated during this cold weather. The recent clear weather has promoted surface hoar formation; however, it is likely only surviving the winds in isolated sheltered pockets.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In the White Pass and Powder Valley, a faceted upper snowpack with variable laminated crusts overlies a strong and well settled mid-pack. In the Wheaton Valley the snowpack is thin at best, and weak, faceted crystals exist throughout the pack. The main problem throughout the region is a deep persistent weak layer facets or depth hoar at the base of the snowpack. The thick stiff overlying slab is effectively &quot;bridging&quot; this basal weakness from external stress, making skier and sledder triggering unlikely; however, any activity at this interface would likely have nasty consequences. Triggering may be possible with a rapid temperature change or a heavy load in a steep, shallow start zone.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The surface of the snowpack at treeline is mostly very hard, from crust to old hard windslabs. 5-10 cm of dry snow can be found on top of this where it has been blown in. Underneath this exist a solid well settled snowpack. The greatest risk at this moment is the slippery surface on which a fall could have serious consequences especially on steep slopes where ground obstacles are present. The use of ski crampons is therefore highly recommended. The below treeline elevation band is below avalanche threshold.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surface and upper snowpack conditions are quite variable but the common theme is that most areas are hard with very little ski penetration.  The snow surface may consist of any of the following: </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">(1) faceting snow (generally widespread due to current cold temperatures) <br />(2) hard wind scoured and pitted surfaces at higher elevations <br />(3) a thin wind crust or small isolated wind slabs on leeward or cross-loaded features<br />(4) surface hoar in wind-sheltered areas <br />(5) deteriorating crust at lower elevations</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are well settled and there are currently no layers of concern. However, in thinner snowpack areas, a weak basal layer of facets or depth hoar may still be a concern.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surface and upper snowpack conditions are quite variable but the common theme is that most areas are hard with very little ski penetration. The snow surface may consist of any of the following: </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">(1) faceting snow (generally widespread due to current cold temperatures) </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">(2) hard wind scoured and pitted surfaces at higher elevations </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">(3) a thin wind crust or small isolated wind slabs on leeward or cross-loaded features</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">(4) surface hoar in wind-sheltered areas </span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">(5) Thin melt-freeze crust</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"><br /></span><span class="s_3FE45715">(6) late-January crust down around 10cm is breaking down with faceting</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are well settled and there are currently no layers of concern. However, in thinner snowpack areas, a weak basal layer of facets or depth hoar may still be a concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surface and upper snowpack conditions are quite variable but the common theme is that most areas are hard with very little ski penetration.  The snow surface may consist of any of the following: </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">(1) faceting snow (generally widespread due to current cold temperatures) <br />(2) hard wind scoured and pitted surfaces at higher elevations <br />(3) a thin wind crust or small isolated wind slabs on leeward or cross-loaded features<br />(4) surface hoar in wind-sheltered areas <br />(5) Thin melt-freeze crust<br />(6) late-January crust down around 10cm is breaking down with faceting</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are well settled and there are currently no layers of concern. However, in thinner snowpack areas, a weak basal layer of facets or depth hoar may still be a concern.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong E winds have scoured windward alpine faces and created hard windslabs on lee and cross-loaded features in the alpine and at treeline. The windslab problem is sticking around longer than usual because of the prolonged cold temperatures and because the windslabs are sitting on a widespread surface hoar layer or on a suncrust on S facing slopes. Hence, the windslabs or loose snow in sheltered terrain are still reactive to skier traffic. The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. Deeper persistent layers have become unlikely to trigger, although large and destructive avalanches are still possible in isolated terrain with the right input such as a cornice fall or a heavy load over a thin spot in steep terrain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A small front came through the region on January 29th leaving up to 10 cm of snow in it's wake. Outflow winds (out of the N/NW) have formed small wind slabs in wind exposed terrain at and above treeline. Well settled snow can be found in wind protected features. Below the wind slabs and settled storm snow a weak layer exists that consists of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. This variable weak layer is expected to become a significant problem if/when it finally starts snowing again. The rest of the upper and mid-snowpack are generally well consolidated. A facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has gone dormant for now but may rear it's ugly head again in the future. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be very serious.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent moderate N and E winds have redistributed the surface snow into windslabs that have been reactive to skier traffic, especially in the alpine on cross-loaded features. In sheltered areas, 30 cm of low density snow overlies the surface hoar layer buried on January 22nd or a crust on slopes that saw direct sun last week. In many areas the buried surface hoar sits over hard, unreactive buried wind slabs. The mid pack is now strong and well supported and deeper persistent weaknesses which formed early in the season have now become unlikely to trigger. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The January 29th system left 10 - 20 cm of snowfall in it's wake with the greatest accumulations in the southern portion of the region. North winds redistributed the snow resulting in reverse loading of lee features in the alpine with pockets of wind slab up to 40cm deep that are now pretty stubborn.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow and old wind slabs rest on a significant weakness composed of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. This variable weak layer is expected to become a problem when/if it finally starts snowing again. The rest of the upper and mid-snowpack are generally well consolidated.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In isolated areas where the snowpack is thinner or in steep rocky features a facet/crust weakness near the ground remains a concern. In most places the depth of this layer combined with the strength of the overlying slab makes triggering an avalanche unlikely. However, if you were unlucky enough to find a weak spot the consequences could be deadly serious.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">No change - surface facetting taking place. Sun crusts are still present at all elevations on solar exposed aspects. Terrain in the alpine and treeline elevation zones are highly variable with regards to snow cover and condition but wind slabs definitely dominate the landscape. The deep basal weaknesses remain in place and in fact is weakening gradually under the influence of the continued cold temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The surface of the snowpack at treeline is mostly very hard, from crust to old hard windslabs. 5-10 cm of dry snow can be found on top of this where it has been blown in. Under exist a solid well settled snowpack. The greatest risk at this moment is the slippery surface on which a fall could have serious consequences especially on steep slopes where ground obstacles are present. The use of ski crampons is therefore highly recommended. The below treeline elevation band is below avalanche threshold. </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">A highly variable snowpack surface includes surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, and scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Remember to take stock of current surface conditions, especially crusts, surface hoar, and facets. Once buried buy a cohesive slab, surface hoar or a thin layer of facets sitting on a crust almost always becomes a weak layer for avalanches, and will often persist.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas, large surface hoar is growing on approximately 10cm of faceted old storm snow sitting on the late January crust, which is likely faceted and laminated and could have surface hoar on top. The entire snowpack is likely faceting to some degree, especially where it is shallow. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely, but triggering is only a concern in thin and variable snowpack areas with large triggers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A highly variable snowpack surface includes surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, and scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Remember to take stock of current surface conditions, especially crusts, surface hoar, and facets. Once buried buy a cohesive slab, surface hoar or a thin layer of facets sitting on a crust almost always becomes a weak layer for avalanches, and will often persist.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In sheltered areas, large surface hoar is growing on a few centimeters of faceted old storm snow sitting on the late January crust, which is likely faceted and laminated and could have surface hoar on top. The entire snowpack is likely faceting to some degree, especially where it is shallow. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely, but triggering is only a concern in thin and variable snowpack areas with large triggers. Cornices are also becoming brittle.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A quick hitting pulse produced 10 cm of snow on January 29th which was quickly formed into small slabs by winds largely dominated by northerly outflow. These wind slabs have grown stubborn in most of the region, but the problem has been surprisingly long lived due to the significant weakness that they rest upon. This weakness is composed of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. This variable weak layer is expected to become a problem early next week when precipitation once again graces the province. The rest of the snowpack is generally well consolidated.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has gone dormant for the most part, but we're still seeing an avalanche that goes deep every few days. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be very serious.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow totals from the last pulse on Wednesday (140129) range from 5 - 20 cm with the greatest accumulations in the south of the region. This snow is faceting quickly in the cold temps. In wind exposed terrain, especially in the alpine, winds continue to form shallow wind slabs that are most prevalent immediately lee of ridgecrest. These variable wind slabs should stick around a bit longer than we're accustomed to as they are resting on a weak layer composed of large grained surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on open south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most of the snowpack is generally well consolidated. However, in thinner snowpack areas a facet/crust weakness may exist near the bottom of the snowpack. The depth of this layer makes human triggering unlikely, but the consequences of doing so could be disastrous. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A highly variable snow surface includes surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, and scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Remember to take stock of current surface conditions if you're out in the mountains. Once buried by a cohesive slab, surface hoar or a thin layer of facets sitting on a crust almost always becomes a weak layer, and will often persist.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas, large surface hoar is growing on approximately 10cm of faceted old storm snow sitting on the late January crust, which is likely faceted and laminated and could have surface hoar on top. The entire snowpack is likely faceting to some degree, especially where it is shallow. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely, but triggering is only a concern in thin and variable snowpack areas with large triggers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A highly variable snow surface includes surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, and scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Remember to take stock of current surface conditions if you're out in the mountains. Once buried by a cohesive slab, surface hoar or a thin layer of facets sitting on a crust almost always becomes a weak layer, and will often persist.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas, large surface hoar is growing on approximately 10cm of faceted old storm snow sitting on the late January crust, which is likely faceted and laminated and could have surface hoar on top. The entire snowpack is likely faceting to some degree, especially where it is shallow. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely, but triggering is only a concern in thin and variable snowpack areas with large triggers.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs 10-40cm thick have formed over the last few days in the alpine on various aspects. At treeline and below in sheltered areas approximately 5-15cm of light dry snow overlies a variety of old surfaces including surface hoar and/or a melt freeze crust on solar aspects. The cold temperatures continue to facet the near surface layers. This may improve the ski and sledding quality of the surface snow in the short term, however it also has the potential to create a weak layer if it is buried later in the season. The deep persistent layers of facets and depth hoar remain near the bottom of the snowpack and in shallow areas the entire snowpack consists of these weak crystals, which appear to have become less reactive with the current cold and static weather pattern. We expect that there has been little improvement in the bonding of these persistent weak layers during this cold period and they may still &quot;wake up&quot; (become reactive again) later in the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent N and E wind event has redistributed the surface snow into windslabs that could still be reactive to skier traffic, especially in the alpine on cross-loaded features. In sheltered areas, 30 cm of low density snow overlies the surface hoar layer buried on January 22nd or a crust on slopes that saw direct sun last week. In many areas the buried surface hoar sits over hard, unreactive buried wind slabs. The mid pack is now strong and well supported and deeper persistent weaknesses which formed early in the season have now become unlikely to trigger. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong E winds have scoured windward alpine faces and created 10-30 cm thick hard windslabs on lee and cross-loaded features in the alpine and at treeline. The windslab problem is sticking around longer than usual because of the prolonged cold temperatures and because they are sitting on a widespread surface hoar layer or on a suncrust on S facing slopes. Hence, the windslabs or loose snow in sheltered terrain are still reactive to skier traffic. The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. Deeper persistent layers have become unlikely to trigger, although large and destructive avalanches are still possible in isolated terrain with the right input such as a cornice fall or a heavy load over a thin spot in steep terrain. At the surface of the snowpack, a new surface hoar layer is growing in sheltered areas and surface facetting continues. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A small front came through the region on January 29th leaving up to 10 cm of snow in it's wake. Outflow winds (out of the N/NW) have formed small wind slabs in wind exposed terrain at and above treeline. Well settled snow can be found in wind protected features. Below the wind slabs and settled storm snow a weak layer exists that consists of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. This variable weak layer is expected to become a significant problem if/when it finally starts snowing again. The rest of the upper and mid-snowpack are generally well consolidated. A facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has gone dormant for now but may rear it's ugly head again in the future. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be very serious.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The January 29th system left 10 - 20 cm of snowfall in it's wake with the greatest accumulations in the southern portion of the region. Winds largely dominated by northerly outflow formed pockets of wind slab up to 40cm deep immediately lee of ridgecrest, but they're mostly unreactive at this point.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Just underneath the settled storm snow and raggedy old wind slabs lies a significant weakness composed of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. This variable weak layer is expected to become a problem early next week when precipitation once again graces the province. The rest of the snowpack is generally well consolidated.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In isolated areas where the snowpack is thinner or in steep rocky features a facet/crust weakness near the ground remains a concern. In most places the depth of this layer combined with the strength of the overlying slab makes triggering an avalanche unlikely. However, if you were unlucky enough to find a weak spot the consequences could be deadly serious.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A highly variable snowpack surface includes surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, and scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Remember to take stock of current surface conditions, especially crusts, surface hoar, and facets. Once buried buy a cohesive slab, surface hoar or a thin layer of facets sitting on a crust almost always becomes a weak layer for avalanches, and will often persist.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas, large surface hoar is growing on approximately 10cm of faceted old storm snow sitting on the late January crust, which is likely faceted and laminated and could have surface hoar on top. The entire snowpack is likely faceting to some degree, especially where it is shallow. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely, but triggering is only a concern in thin and variable snowpack areas with large triggers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A highly variable snow surface includes surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, and scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Remember to take stock of current surface conditions if you're out in the mountains. Once buried by a cohesive slab, surface hoar or a thin layer of facets sitting on a crust almost always becomes a weak layer, and will often persist.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas, large surface hoar is growing on approximately 10cm of faceted old storm snow sitting on the late January crust, which is likely faceted and laminated and could have surface hoar on top. The entire snowpack is likely faceting to some degree, especially where it is shallow. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely, but triggering is only a concern in thin and variable snowpack areas with large triggers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The surface of the snowpack at treeline is mostly very hard, comprising crusts and old hard wind slabs. 5-10 cm of dry snow can be found on top of this where it has been lightly blown in. The mid and lower snowpack layers are well bonded. The greatest risk at this moment is the slippery surface on which a fall could have serious consequences especially on steep slopes where ground obstacles are present. The use of ski crampons is therefore highly recommended. The below treeline elevation band is below avalanche threshold. </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">Snow totals from the last pulse on Wednesday (140129) range from 5 - 20 cm with the greatest accumulations in the south of the region. This snow is faceting quickly in the cold temps. In wind exposed terrain, especially in the alpine, winds continue to form shallow wind slabs that are most prevalent immediately lee of ridgecrest. These variable wind slabs should stick around a bit longer than we're accustomed to as they are resting on a weak layer composed of large grained surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on open south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most of the snowpack is generally well consolidated. However, in thinner snowpack areas a facet/crust weakness may exist near the bottom of the snowpack. The depth of this layer makes human triggering unlikely, but the consequences of doing so could be disastrous. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A highly variable snow surface includes surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, and scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Remember to take stock of current surface conditions if you're out in the mountains. Once buried by a cohesive slab, surface hoar or a thin layer of facets sitting on a crust almost always becomes a weak layer, and will often persist.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas, large surface hoar is growing on approximately 10cm of faceted old storm snow sitting on the late January crust, which is likely faceted and laminated and could have surface hoar on top. The entire snowpack is likely faceting to some degree, especially where it is shallow. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely, but triggering is only a concern in thin and variable snowpack areas with large triggers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A highly variable snowpack surface includes surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, and scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Remember to take stock of current surface conditions, especially crusts, surface hoar, and facets. Once buried buy a cohesive slab, surface hoar or a thin layer of facets sitting on a crust almost always becomes a weak layer for avalanches, and will often persist.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In sheltered areas, large surface hoar is growing on a few centimeters of faceted old storm snow sitting on the late January crust, which is likely faceted and laminated and could have surface hoar on top. The entire snowpack is likely faceting to some degree, especially where it is shallow. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely, but triggering is only a concern in thin and variable snowpack areas with large triggers. Cornices are also becoming brittle.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The January 29th system left 10 - 20 cm of snowfall in it's wake with the greatest accumulations in the southern portion of the region. Winds largely dominated by northerly outflow formed pockets of wind slab up to 40cm deep immediately lee of ridgecrest, but they're mostly unreactive at this point.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Just underneath the settled storm snow and raggedy old wind slabs lies a significant weakness composed of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. This variable weak layer is expected to become a problem early next week when precipitation once again graces the province. The rest of the snowpack is generally well consolidated.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In isolated areas where the snowpack is thinner or in steep rocky features a facet/crust weakness near the ground remains a concern. In most places the depth of this layer combined with the strength of the overlying slab makes triggering an avalanche unlikely. However, if you were unlucky enough to find a weak spot the consequences could be deadly serious.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs 10-40cm thick have formed over the last few days in the alpine on various aspects. At treeline and below in sheltered areas approximately 5-15cm of light dry snow overlies a variety of old surfaces including surface hoar and/or a melt freeze crust on solar aspects. The cold temperatures continue to facet the near surface layers. This may improve the ski and sledding quality of the surface snow in the short term, however it also has the potential to create a weak layer if it is buried later in the season. The deep persistent layers of facets and depth hoar remain near the bottom of the snowpack and in shallow areas the entire snowpack consists of these weak crystals, which appear to have become less reactive with the current cold and static weather pattern. We expect that there has been little improvement in the bonding of these persistent weak layers during this cold period and they may still &quot;wake up&quot; (become reactive again) later in the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A quick hitting pulse produced 10 cm of snow on January 29th which was quickly formed into small slabs by winds largely dominated by northerly outflow. These wind slabs have are now old and tired in most of the region, but the problem has been surprisingly long lived due to the significant weakness that they rest upon. This weakness is composed of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. This variable weak layer is expected to become a problem early next week when precipitation once again graces the province. The rest of the snowpack is generally well consolidated.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has gone dormant for the most part, but we're still seeing an avalanche that goes deep every few days. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be very serious.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A small front came through the region on January 29th leaving around 10 cm of snow in it's wake. Outflow winds (out of the N/NW) have formed small wind slabs in wind exposed terrain at and above treeline. Well settled faceted snow can be found on the surface in wind protected features. Just below the surface a weak layer exists that consists of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. This variable weak layer is expected to become a significant problem early next week when it finally starts snowing again. The rest of the upper and mid-snowpack are generally well consolidated. A facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has gone dormant for now but may rear it's ugly head again in the future. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be very serious.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong E winds have scoured windward alpine faces and created 10-30 cm thick hard windslabs on lee and cross-loaded features in the alpine and at treeline. The windslab problem is sticking around longer than usual because of the prolonged cold temperatures and also because they are sitting on a widespread surface hoar layer (and/or a suncrust on S facing slopes). Hence, the windslabs or loose snow in sheltered terrain are still reactive to skier traffic. The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. Deeper persistent layers have become unlikely to trigger, although large and destructive avalanches are still possible in isolated terrain with the right input such as a cornice fall or a heavy load over a thin spot in steep terrain. At the surface of the snowpack, a new surface hoar layer is growing in sheltered areas and surface facetting continues. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs 10-40cm thick have formed over the last few days in the alpine on various aspects. At treeline and below in sheltered areas approximately 5-15cm of light dry snow overlies a variety of old surfaces including surface hoar and/or a melt freeze crust on solar aspects. The cold temperatures continue to facet the near surface layers. This may improve the ski and sledding quality of the surface snow in the short term, however it also has the potential to create a weak layer if it is buried later in the season. The deep persistent layers of facets and depth hoar remain near the bottom of the snowpack and in shallow areas the entire snowpack consists of these weak crystals, which appear to have become less reactive with the current cold and static weather pattern. We expect that there has been little improvement in the bonding of these persistent weak layers during this cold period and they may still &quot;wake up&quot; (become reactive again) later in the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">No snow now for almost a week. Below treeline the snowpack has lost considerable strength. In tight trees there is no structure and in more open areas, the midpack can support a skier...barely. Treeline is mostly supportive due to the hard slab that is present in any open terrain. In open areas exposed to wind, the hardslab is still quite stiff and ski penetration is nil. The density of this slab has not changed despite the extended cold. Fortunately the bridging of the midpack is still strong enough to keep the concern over the basal facets minimal. In the alpine the dusting we received awhile ago is still untouched by the wind. Lots of shallow dust on hard slab skiing to be had. The sun crust is still intact on S and SW aspects.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Not much is changing out there these days.  The upper snowpack is facetting under the influence of the cold temperatures and widespread hard slabs can be found in many areas.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Current snow surfaces include surface facets, patchy surface hoar, thin wind slabs, scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Recent cold temperatures have also continued to facet shallow snowpack areas, including rocky or shallow bed surfaces left exposed by the last avalanche cycle. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Once buried by the forecast storm snow, facets sitting on a hard surface or at ground level will most likely be the interface to watch.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is generally strong and well-settled; although basal facets remain on the radar as a low probability/ high consequence problem for some operators. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A highly variable snow surface includes surface facets, patchy surface hoar in sheltered areas, thin wind slabs, scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Once buried by the forecast storm snow, surface hoar or a thin layer of facets sitting on a hard surface will likely become a persistent weak layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some areas, but triggering is only a concern in thin and variable snowpack areas with large triggers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A highly variable snow surface includes surface facets, patchy surface hoar, thin wind slabs, scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Once buried by the forecast storm snow, surface hoar or a thin layer of facets sitting on a hard surface will likely become a persistent weak layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some areas, but triggering is only a concern in thin and variable snowpack areas with large triggers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A quick hitting pulse produced 10 cm of snow on January 29th which was quickly formed into small slabs by winds largely dominated by northerly outflow. These wind slabs have are now old and tired in most of the region, but the problem has been surprisingly long lived due to the significant weakness that they rest upon. This weakness is composed of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. This variable weak layer is expected to become a problem early this week when precipitation once again returns to the province. The rest of the snowpack is generally well consolidated.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has gone dormant for the most part, but we're still seeing an avalanche that goes deep every few days. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be very serious.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow should start falling tomorrow during the day, slowly adding load to the snowpack. The new snow will fall on a variety of weak layers such as surface facets, on a new surface hoar layer in sheltered areas, or on windslabs in the alpine. The bond of the new snow with these surfaces is expected to be poor. 15-30 cm below these layers exist another surface hoar or suncrust layer that was buried late in January. Recently this layer has not been very reactive and seems to be very localized, however, today's skier triggered avalanche shows that it is still present at treeline. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. Deeper persistent layers have been dormant, however they could wake up again if the forecasted light to moderate precipitation amounts ends up having more punch like it is often the case around Fernie.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow should start falling tomorrow during the day, slowly adding load to the snowpack. Avalanche conditions will aggravate during this bulletin period with the moderate to heavy forecasted load (possible total of 30 mm in water equivalent) and strong SW winds. The new snow will fall on a variety of weak layers such as surface facets, on a new surface hoar layer in sheltered areas, on a crust on solar aspects or on hard windslabs in the alpine. The bond of the new snow with these surfaces is expected to be poor. 10-30 cm below exist another surface hoar or suncrust layer that has been reactive to skier traffic even since it has been buried in late January. Keep in mind that the storm snow could remain unstable for a period longer than usual because of the persistent underlying surfaces. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. Deeper persistent layers have been dormant, however, they could wake up again with the large load forecasted. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Current snow surfaces include surface facets, patchy surface hoar, thin wind slabs, scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Recent cold temperatures have also continued to facet shallow snowpack areas, including rocky or shallow bed surfaces left exposed by the last avalanche cycle. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Once buried by the forecast storm snow, facets sitting on a hard surface or at ground level will most likely be the interface to watch.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is generally strong and well-settled; although basal facets remain on the radar as a low probability/ high consequence problem for some operators, particularly in the north of the region. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A small front came through the region on January 29th leaving around 10 cm of snow in it's wake. Outflow winds (out of the N/NW) have formed small wind slabs in wind exposed terrain at and above treeline. Well settled faceted snow can be found on the surface in wind protected features. Just below the surface a weak layer exists that consists of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. This variable weak layer is expected to become a significant problem this week as snow makes it's return to the province. The rest of the upper and mid-snowpack are generally well consolidated. A facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has gone dormant for now but may rear it's ugly head again in the future. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be very serious.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow totals from the last pulse on Wednesday (140129) range from 5 - 20 cm with the greatest accumulations in the south of the region. This snow is faceting quickly in the cold temps. In wind exposed terrain, especially in the alpine, winds continue to form shallow wind slabs that are most prevalent immediately lee of ridgecrest. These variable wind slabs should stick around a bit longer than we're accustomed to as they are resting on a weak layer composed of large grained surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on open south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most of the snowpack is generally well consolidated. However, in thinner snowpack areas a facet/crust weakness may exist near the bottom of the snowpack. The depth of this layer makes human triggering unlikely, but the consequences of doing so could be disastrous. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The January 29th system left 10 - 20 cm of snowfall in it's wake with the greatest accumulations in the southern portion of the region. Winds largely dominated by northerly outflow formed pockets of wind slab up to 40cm deep immediately lee of ridgecrest, but they're mostly unreactive at this point.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Just underneath the settled storm snow and raggedy old wind slabs lies a significant weakness composed of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. This variable weak layer is expected to become a problem early next week when precipitation once again graces the province. The rest of the snowpack is generally well consolidated.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In isolated areas where the snowpack is thinner or in steep rocky features a facet/crust weakness near the ground remains a concern. In most places the depth of this layer combined with the strength of the overlying slab makes triggering an avalanche unlikely. However, if you were unlucky enough to find a weak spot the consequences could be deadly serious.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow should start falling tomorrow during the day, slowly adding load to the snowpack. The new snow will fall on a variety of weak layers such as surface facets, on a new surface hoar layer in sheltered areas, or on 10-40 cm thick hard windslabs in the alpine. The bond of the new snow with these surfaces is expected to be poor. At treeline, 15 cm below these layers exist another surface hoar or suncrust layer that was buried late in January. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. Deeper persistent layers have been dormant, however they could wake up again if the forecasted light to moderate precipitation amounts end up having more punch.</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">20-30 cm of snow is expected to fall onto a crust or on 5-10 cm of very light dry snow at treeline. The bond of the new snow with these surfaces is expected to be poor. Avalanche conditions will aggravate during this bulletin period with the very heavy forecasted load (possible total of 75 mm in water equivalent) and strong SW winds. The below treeline elevation band is expected to reach threshold snowpack depths, however, avalanches are unlikely tomorrow as obstacles will still act as good anchors. </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">Strong SW winds today led to some redistribution of snow in high Alpine regions. Thin wind slabs are possible in immediate lee features on North through East aspects in the Alpine. Otherwise surface conditions include  surface hoar, facets, wind slab and sun crust. The mid pack remains supportive in most areas, but the basal weakness remains.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A supportive melt freeze surface crust is widespread throughout the region. The recent cold temperatures have promoted faceting of the upper snowpack and it now resembles a sandwich of facet and crust interfaces. The clear weather has also promoted surface hoar formation; however outflow winds have destroyed this surface layer in wind exposed locations, leaving it's distribution specific to sheltered alpine and treeline terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In the White Pass and Powder Valley, the faceted upper snowpack with variable laminated crusts overlies a strong and well settled mid-pack. In the Wheaton Valley the snowpack is thin at best. Weak, faceted crystals exist throughout the pack. The main problem throughout the region is a deep persistent weak layer of facets or depth hoar at the base of the snowpack. The thick stiff overlying slab is effectively &quot;bridging&quot; this basal weakness from external stress, making skier and sledder triggering unlikely; however, any activity at this interface would likely have nasty consequences. Triggering may be possible with a rapid temperature change or a heavy load (cornice failure) in a steep, shallow start zone.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A developing storm slab overlies a medley of old surfaces which include: weak surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, a scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Strong winds are likely shifting the new snow into stiff wind slabs in exposed terrain. As the new slab develops and gains cohesion, I would expect it to have a poor bond with any of these old surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some areas, but triggering is only a concern in thin and variable snowpack areas with large triggers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A developing storm slab overlies a medley of old surfaces which include: weak surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, a scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Strong winds are likely shifting the new snow into stiff wind slabs in exposed terrain. As the new slab develops and gains cohesion, I would expect it to have a poor bond with any of these old surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some areas, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Northerly outflow winds transformed the January 29th storm (10- 20cm) into pockets of wind slab up to 40cm deep immediately lee of ridgecrest.&nbsp; Surface hoar and surface facetting has occurred in sheltered locations above and below tree line leaving us with a weak surface to welcome the incoming new snowfall.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Just underneath the settled storm snow and raggedy old wind slabs lies a significant weakness composed of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. This variable weak layer is expected to become a problem early next week when precipitation once again graces the province. The rest of the snowpack is generally well consolidated.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In isolated areas where the snowpack is thinner or in steep rocky features a facet/crust weakness near the ground remains a concern. In most places the depth of this layer combined with the strength of the overlying slab makes triggering an avalanche unlikely. However, if you were unlucky enough to find a weak spot the consequences could be deadly serious.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The last recent snowfall, (Jan 29t) has facetted quickly in the cold temps. Surface hoar has formed as well in protected areas. In wind exposed terrain, especially in the alpine, winds continue to form shallow wind slabs that are most prevalent immediately lee of ridge crest. These variable wind slabs should stick around a bit longer than we're accustomed to as they are resting on a weak layer composed of large grained surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on open south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Most of the snowpack is generally well consolidated. However, in thinner snowpack areas a facet/crust weakness may exist near the bottom of the snowpack. The depth of this layer makes human triggering unlikely, but the consequences of doing so could be disastrous. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A developing storm slab overlies a medley of old surfaces which include: weak surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, a scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Strong winds are likely shifting the new snow into wind slabs in exposed terrain. As the new slab develops and gains cohesion, I would expect it to have a poor bond with any of these old surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in the north of the region, but triggering is only a concern in thin and variable snowpack areas with large triggers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10 cm of snow that fell on January 29th quickly formed into small slabs by northerly outflow winds except in protected areas. Facetting has occurred as a result of cold clear weather, and in some areas there is now a new layer of surface hoar.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The wind slabs now rest on significantly weak layers composed of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. These variable weak layers are expected to become a problem this week when precipitation once again returns to the province.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has gone dormant for the most part, but we're still seeing an avalanche that goes deep every few days. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be very serious.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Amounts of snow in the coming days along with forecast wind will change the snowpack that we now have. A small front came through the region on January 29th leaving around 10 cm of snow in it's wake. Outflow winds (out of the N/NW) have formed small wind slabs in wind exposed terrain at and above treeline. Well settled faceted snow and surface hoar can be found on the surface in wind protected features. Just below the surface a weak layer exists that consists of large surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), a sun crust on south facing slopes, faceted grains (in colder areas or areas with a thinner snowpack), or a combination of the above. This variable weak layer is expected to become a significant problem this week as snow makes it's return to the province. The rest of the upper and mid-snowpack are generally well consolidated. A facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has gone dormant for now but may rear it's ugly head again in the future. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be very serious.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The first pulse of precipitation has started adding load to the snowpack. With around 10-15 cm of new snow and strong SW winds on the underlying weak surfaces, natural avalanche activity will be possible especially on alpine and treeline slopes lee of winds.  The new snow will fall on a variety of weak layers such as surface facets, on a new surface hoar layer in sheltered areas, or on 10-40 cm thick hard windslabs in the alpine. The bond of the new snow with these surfaces is expected to be poor. Don't let the lust for powder get in the way of safe decision making. It is good time to make conservative terrain choices and to reduce your exposure to avalanche terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> At treeline, ~30 cm below the surface exist another surface hoar or suncrust layer that was buried late in January. The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. Deeper persistent layers have been dormant, however they could wake up again if the light to moderate precipitation amounts forecasted ends up having more punch.</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">First pulse of precipitation has started adding load to the snowpack. With around 10-15 cm of new snow and strong SW winds on the underlying weak surfaces, natural avalanche activity will be possible especially on alpine and treeline slopes lee of winds. The new snow is sitting on a variety of weak layers such as surface facets, on a new surface hoar layer in sheltered areas, on a crust on solar aspects or on hard windslabs in the alpine. 20-50 cm below the surface, exist another surface hoar or suncrust layer that has been reactive to skier traffic even since it has been buried in late January. Anticipate that there is a good chance that avalanches will step down to this deeper buried weak layer, resulting in bigger than expected storm avalanches. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. Deeper persistent layers have been dormant, however, they could wake up in the near future with the large load forecasted on Tuesday night.</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">By tomorrow, ~20-30 cm of snow will have buried a crust or the 5-10 cm of older very light dry snow at treeline. More snowfall and winds will keep loading slopes especially those lee of SW winds creating thick touchy windslabs. The bond of the new snow or new windslabs with the underlying surface is expected to be poor. This is a good time to make conservative terrain choices and take extra caution, like skiing one at a time from one safe spot to another or avoiding avalanche runout zones when snowshoeing. The below treeline elevation band is expected to have reached threshold snowpack depths. Loose avalanches in the new snow will be possible at the below treeline elevation band. Keep in mind that ground obstacles near the surface of the snow could aggravate the consequences of being caught in an avalanche. </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">A developing storm slab overlies a medley of old surfaces which include: weak surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, a scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Strong winds are likely shifting the new snow into stiff wind slabs in exposed terrain. As the new slab develops and gains cohesion, I would expect it to have a poor bond with any of these old surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The first pulse of precipitation has started adding load to the snowpack. With around 10-15 cm of new snow and strong SW winds on the underlying weak surfaces, natural avalanche activity will be possible especially on alpine and treeline slopes lee of winds. The new snow is sitting on a variety of weak layers such as surface facets, on a new surface hoar layer in sheltered areas, or on windslabs in the alpine. The bond of the new snow with these surfaces is expected to be poor. Don't let the powder excitement get in the way of safe decision making. It is good time to make conservative terrain choices and to reduce your exposure to avalanche terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">25-50 cm below these layers exist another surface hoar or suncrust layer that was buried late in January. Recently this layer has not been very reactive and seems to be very localised, however, yesterdays skier triggered avalanche proved that it is still present and triggerable at treeline.  </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. Deeper persistent layers have been dormant, however they could wake up again if the moderate precipitation amounts forecasted ends up having more punch like it is often the case around Fernie.</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">Highly variable new snow amounts (2 to 4cm in valley bottom, 10 to 15cm at Treeline) overlie a wide variety of previous surfaces which include sun crust, surface hoar, facets, wind slab and bare ground. Storm slabs are forming in the Alpine and open areas at Treeline. The mid pack remains strong in most areas and the basal facets persist.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new storm snow is sitting on a variety of old surfaces that include multiple layers of surface hoar, facetted snow from the past few weeks of cold clear weather, with some old suncrust on steep south facing slopes. Moderate temperatures in the forecast should help with bonding, but redistribution by strong ridge top winds will create wind slabs on lee slopes. These wind slabs will be a prime cause for concern for the near future. In some parts of the forecast area there exists areas of shallow snowpack that should be regarded as potential locations to trigger large destructive avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow has been falling on a variety of weak surfaces that include surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), facetted wind slabs from the recent cold clear arctic conditions, and there may still be sun crusts on some steep south facing slopes. These weak layers will be problematic for the near future and it will take time for the new snow to bond with the old surfaces. Significant weak layers of large surface hoar and facetted snow are now buried 10 to 30 cm below the new snow surface. These weak layers are expected to remain a problem for the foreseeable future. The rest of the snowpack is generally well consolidated. Forecast strong winds at ridge tops will redistribute the new snow and form wind slabs on lee slopes. A facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has gone dormant for the most part. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be very serious.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 15 and 30cm of new snow overlies a medley of old surfaces which include: weak surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, a scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Reports from the field indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Strong to extreme winds are shifting the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain. With more snow on the way, the reactivity and destructive potential of the developing storm slab should also increase. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A developing storm slab (15 to 20cm in the north/ closer to 50cm along the Coquihalla) overlies a medley of old surfaces which include: weak surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, a scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Reports from the field indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Strong to extreme winds are shifting the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain. With more snow on the way, the reactivity and destructive potential of the developing storm slab should also increase. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist, especially in the north of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The new snow has fallen on a variety of weak surfaces that include surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), facetted wind slabs from the recent cold clear arctic conditions, and sun crust on some steep south facing slopes. These weak layers will be problematic for the near future. It will take time for the new snow to bond with these old surfaces. Forecast strong winds at ridge tops will redistribute the new snow and form wind slabs on lee slopes. A facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has gone dormant for the most part, but we're still seeing an avalanche that goes deep every few days. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be very serious.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20cm of new snow overlies a medley of old surfaces which include: weak surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, a scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Reports from the field indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Strong winds are likely shifting the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain. With more snow on the way, the reactivity and destructive potential of the developing storm slab should also increase. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some areas, but triggering is only a concern in thin and variable snowpack areas with large triggers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20 cm of snow should fall tonight and tomorrow, adding to the 15-20 cm already fallen. Forecasted extreme winds from the southwest and then from the west overloading lee slopes would likely result in large avalanches in the alpine and at treeline. Rising temperatures during the day is also expected to weaken the snow on all aspects, at all elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow fell on a variety of weak layers such as surface facets, on a new surface hoar layer in sheltered areas, on a suncrust or on 10-40 cm thick hard windslabs in the alpine. The bond of the new snow with these surfaces is poor. Indeed, today's avalanche activity is a good signs of the unstable snowpack conditions. With more load, expect avalanche size and occurrences to increase. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At treeline, ~50 cm below the surface exist another surface hoar or suncrust layer that was buried late in January which could wake up with the loading. The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. Deeper persistent layers have been dormant, however they could also become active again with heavy load such as a cornice drop or large slab avalanche. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-30 cm of snow should fall tonight and tomorrow, adding to the 15-20 cm already fallen. Forecasted extreme winds from the southwest and then from the west overloading lee slopes would likely result in large avalanches in the alpine and at treeline. Rising temperatures during the day is also expected to weaken the snow on all aspects, at all elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Under is a variety of weak layers such as surface facets, on a new surface hoar layer in sheltered areas, or on windslabs in the alpine. The bond of the new snow with these surfaces is poor. Indeed, todays avalanche activity and very easy snowpack test results are good signs of the unstable snowpack conditions. With more load, expect avalanche size and occurrences to increase. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">50-70 cm below these layers exist another surface hoar or suncrust layer that was buried late in January. Recently this layer has been variably reactive and seems to be very localised, however, it could wake up in the near future with the increasing load. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. Deeper persistent layers have been dormant, however they could be triggered by large loads such as cornice drop or large slab avalanche. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">By tomorrow morning, around 50 cm of snow will have fallen on the weak surfaces that were formed during the recent drought. These surfaces include </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://www.fsavalanche.org/encyclopedia/surface_hoar.htm" target="_blank"><span class="s_9255B882">surface hoar </span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B">crystals and 5 cm of facets (sugary incohesive snow) over a crust.  This uncommon persistent buried weak layer for the North Shore is creating a very slippery surface on which the new snow is sliding easily. It is expected that the storm problem could persist for a longer period than usual because of the persistent nature of the underlying surface. Forecasted southwest and west winds will also keep loading lee alpine slopes creating thick touchy windslabs. Slab and loose avalanches will be possible at the below treeline area in the very dense and heavy snow. Keep in mind that ground obstacles near the surface of the snow could aggravate the consequences of being caught in an avalanche. This is a good time to make very conservative terrain choices and avoiding being exposed to avalanche runout zones.</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">15-20 cm of snow is expected to fall tonight and tomorrow adding to the 10-15 cm snow already fallen. Extreme winds from the southwest and then from the west will overload lee slopes likely producing large natural avalanches on east and northeast aspects in the alpine and at treeline. Rising temperatures during the day could also weaken the storm snow on all aspects, at all elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm snow is sitting on a variety of weak layers that formed during the recent cold snap; surface facets, a new surface hoar layer in sheltered areas, a crust on solar aspects or hard windslabs in the alpine. 30-50 cm below the surface, exist a surface hoar or suncrust layer that has been reactive to skier traffic even since it has been buried in late January. Anticipate that there is a good chance that avalanches will step down to this deeper buried weak layer, resulting in bigger than expected storm avalanches. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. Deeper persistent layers have been dormant, however, they could wake up in the near future with the increasing load.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow is falling on a variety of weak surfaces that include surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), facetted wind slabs from the recent cold clear arctic conditions, and there may still be sun crusts on some steep south facing slopes. These weak layers will be problematic for the near future. It will take time for the new snow to bond with these old surfaces. Forecast strong winds at ridge tops will redistribute the new snow and form wind slabs on lee slopes. A facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has gone dormant for the most part, but we're still seeing an avalanche that goes deep every few days. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be very serious.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 30 and 45cm of new snow overlies a medley of old surfaces which include: weak surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, a scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Reports from the field indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Strong winds are likely shifting the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain. With more snow on the way, the reactivity and destructive potential of the developing storm slab should also increase. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 35cm of recent storm snow has fallen at treeline elevations with variable winds that have been gusting into the moderate range.  This new snow is falling on a variety of snow surfaces from crusts on solar aspects to facets and surface hoar on more polar aspects.  Carefully evaluate this bond as we expect it to be very touchy in many areas. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 40 and 80cm of recent snowfall overlies a medley of old surfaces which include: weak surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, a scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Professionals are expressing particular concern for the combination of buried facets on a crust being unusually reactive at lower elevations. Reports of whumphing and widespread avalanche activity further indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Strong to extreme winds are shifting the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain. With forecast warming and more snow on the way, the reactivity and destructive potential of the new storm slab will likely increase.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Although basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in the north of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">~60 cm of snow has already fallen above 1200 meters and 20 cm more is expected early tomorrow. Strong southwest and extreme west winds will also contribute to add load to the snowpack on lee slopes. This new snow will have fallen on the weak surfaces that were formed during the recent drought. These surfaces include surface hoar crystals and 5 cm of facets (sugary incohesive snow) over a crust. This uncommon persistent buried weak layer for the North Shore is creating a very slippery surface on which the new snow is sliding easily. Indeed, recent natural avalanche activity, widespread whumphing and cracking and very easy snowpack test results are all obvious snowpack instability clues. It is expected that the storm problem could persist for a longer period than usual because of the persistent nature of the underlying surface. This is a good time to make very conservative terrain choices and avoiding being exposed to avalanche runout zones. Below 1100 m, most of the precipitation fell as wet snow or rain, which is contributing to the development of dense moist slabs which is sitting over a less dense 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_3FE45715">In some areas over 60cm of recent snowfall overlies a medley of old surfaces which include: weak surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, a scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Reports from the field indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces with accounts of whumfing and easy, sudden planar snowpack tests. Strong winds and slight warming have added cohesion to the new storm slab, and have shifted the new snow into deeper, destructive wind slabs in exposed terrain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 20 and 45cm of new snow overlies a medley of old surfaces which include: weak surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, a scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Reports from the field indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surface. Strong winds and slight warming have likely added cohesion to the new storm slab, and have shifted the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some areas, but triggering is only a concern in thin and variable snowpack areas with large triggers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 40 cm of storm snow is now sitting on a variety of old surfaces that include multiple layers of surface hoar, facetted snow from the past few weeks of cold clear weather, with some old sun crust on steep south facing slopes. Moderate temperatures in the forecast should help with bonding, but redistribution by strong ridge top winds will create wind slabs on lee slopes. These wind slabs will be a prime cause for concern for the near future. In some parts of the forecast area there exists areas of shallow snowpack that should be regarded as potential locations to trigger large destructive avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall amounts have varied greatly across the forecast region, but as much as 40 cm ( some areas may have received more..) of storm snow is now sitting on a variety of old surfaces that include multiple layers of surface hoar, facetted snow (from the past few weeks of cold clear weather)&nbsp; with some old sun crust on steep south facing slopes. Moderate temperatures in the forecast should help with bonding, but redistribution by strong ridge top winds will create wind slabs on lee slopes. These wind slabs will be a prime cause for concern for the near future. In some parts of the forecast area there exists a shallow snowpack that should be regarded as potential locations to trigger large destructive avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Some parts of the Purcells have received up to 40+cm of storm snow in the past 48 hrs on a variety of weak surfaces(surface hoar, facets, sun crust) These weak layers will be problematic for the near future and it will take time for the new snow to bond with the old surfaces. Significant weak layers of large surface hoar and facetted snow are now buried 10 to 30 cm below the new snow surface. These weak layers are expected to remain a problem for the foreseeable future. The rest of the snowpack is generally well consolidated. Forecast strong winds at ridge tops will redistribute the new snow and form wind slabs on lee slopes. A facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has gone dormant for the most part. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be very serious.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3E9DDEC3"><span class="s_DDF6C5E8">Precipitation amounts will vary across the region. Expect between 2-10 cm to fall on Thursday, with possibly more (up to 15cm) near Fernie and the Flathead adding to the 20-30cm of recent storm snow. This new storm snow has formed a slab due to warming temperatures and variable strong to extreme winds. This slab is likely to have poor bonds with underlying hard slabs in the alpine and facets or surface hoar in sheltered areas at treeline and below. At treeline, approximately 40 - 60 cm below the surface exists another surface hoar and/or sun crust layer, that was buried late in January which could become active. The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. Deeper persistent layers have been dormant, however they could wake-up with a heavy load such as a cornice drop or large slab avalanche. The recent avalanche activity is a sign of the unstable snowpack conditions. With more load from forecasted precipitation and wind, expect avalanche sizes and occurrences to increase.</span><span class="s_7D51BFE0" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">~20 cm of snow is expected to fall tonight and tomorrow adding to the ~35 cm snow already fallen. Forecasted strong to extreme winds from the southwest and then from the west overloading lee slopes would likely result in large avalanches in the alpine and at treeline. Rising temperatures during the day is also expected to weaken the snow on all aspects especially at treeline and below treeline.  </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Under is a variety of weak layers such as surface facets, on a new surface hoar layer in sheltered areas, or on windslabs in the alpine. The bond of the new snow with these surfaces is poor.  Indeed, recent avalanche activity and very easy snowpack test results are obvious instability clues.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">50-70 cm below these layers exist another surface hoar or suncrust layer that was buried late in January. Recently this layer has been variably reactive and seems to be very localised, however, it could wake up in the near future with the increasing load.  </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. Deeper persistent layers have been dormant, however they could be triggered by large loads such as cornice drop or large slab avalanche. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 50 and 80cm of recent snowfall overlies a medley of old surfaces which include: weak surface facets, surface hoar, thin wind slabs, a scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Professionals are expressing particular concern for the combination of buried facets on a crust being unusually reactive at lower elevations. Reports of whumphing and widespread avalanche activity further indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Strong to extreme winds are shifting the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain. With forecast warming and more snow on the way, the reactivity and destructive potential of the new storm slab will likely increase.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10 cm of new snow is expected tomorrow adding to the ~25 cm already fallen. Extreme winds will most likely overload lee slopes likely producing large natural avalanches on east and northeast aspects in the alpine and at treeline. Rising temperatures during the day could also weaken the storm snow on all aspects, at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm snow is sitting on a variety of weak layers that formed during the recent cold snap; surface facets, a new surface hoar layer on shady aspects, a crust on solar aspects or hard windslabs in the alpine. 30-50 cm below the surface, exists a surface hoar or suncrust layer has been reactive to skier traffic even since it has been buried in late January. Anticipate that there is a good chance that avalanches will step down to this deeper buried weak layer, resulting in bigger than expected storm avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. Deeper persistent layers have been dormant, however, they could wake up in the near future with the increasing load.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The new snow ( up to 50cm in some areas ) has fallen on a variety of weak surfaces that include surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), facetted wind slabs from the recent cold clear arctic conditions, and sun crust on some steep south facing slopes. These weak layers will be problematic for the near future. It will take time for the new snow to bond with these old surfaces. Forecast strong winds at ridge tops will redistribute the new snow and form wind slabs on lee slopes. A facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has gone dormant for the most part. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be very serious.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">At upper treeline elevations we have had 42cm's of snow in the last 48hrs. This new snow has come in two separate storm events. The upper snow pack has a storm weakness (storm shear) that is down about 20cm's (depending on the area). The upper layer is slightly stiffer (due to wind) which will create a short term avalanche problem in itself. A larger concern is the general storm interface down 42cm's. The quality of the bonding within these layers is spotty, and generally suspect. A related concern is in the thinner areas. Lots of whumphing and cracking where the base has no structure or support. The general summary is it is a very touchy upper snowpack sitting a weak facetted base. At lower elevations, the storm snow is less wind effected and generally bonding well to itself, and other layers. \ </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 55cm (in the north of the region) and 90cm (along the Coquihalla) of recent snowfall overlies a medley of old surfaces buried on February 10th. These layers include: weak surface facets, surface hoar, a scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Professionals are expressing particular concern for the combination of buried facets on a crust being unusually reactive at lower elevations. Reports of whumphing and widespread avalanche activity further indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Strong to extreme winds are shifting the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain. With forecast warming and more snow on the way, the reactivity and destructive potential of the new storm slab will likely increase.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Although basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in the north of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall amounts have varied greatly across the forecast region, but up to 80 cm ( some areas may have received more..) of storm snow is now sitting on a variety of old surfaces that include multiple layers of surface hoar, facetted snow (from the past few weeks of cold clear weather) with some old sun crust on steep south facing slopes. Moderate temperatures in the forecast should help with bonding, but redistribution by strong ridge top winds will create wind slabs on lee slopes. These wind slabs will be a prime cause for concern for the near future. In some parts of the forecast area there are shallow snowpack areas that should be regarded as potential locations to trigger large destructive avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The new snow ( up to 80cm in some areas ) has fallen on a variety of weak surfaces that include surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), facetted wind slabs from the recent cold clear arctic conditions, and sun crust on some steep south facing slopes. These weak layers will be problematic for the near future. It will take time for the new snow to bond with these old surfaces. Strong winds at ridge tops have redistributed the new snow and formed wind slabs on lee slopes. . Shallow snowpack areas may have a large layer of weak facetted snow at the base of the snowpack. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences could be quite serious. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Some parts of the Purcells have received up to 80cm of storm snow in the past 48 hrs. on a variety of weak surfaces(surface hoar, facets, sun crust) These weak layers will be problematic for the near future and it will take time for the new snow to bond with the old surfaces. Significant weak layers of large surface hoar and facetted snow are now buried 80 to 100cm below the new snow surface. These weak layers are expected to remain a problem for the foreseeable future. The rest of the snowpack is generally well consolidated. Forecast strong winds at ridge tops will redistribute the new snow and form wind slabs on lee slopes. A facet/crust weakness near the bottom of the snowpack has gone dormant for the most part. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences would be very serious.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 20 and 45cm of recent storm snow overlies a medley of old surfaces which include: weak surface facets, surface hoar, a scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Reports from the field indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. I would expect the developing storm slab to be mostly reactive in the deeper snowpack areas, or in exposed terrain where the new snow has been shifted into wind slabs. Forecast warming may also add cohesion to the slab contributing to its reactivity.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some areas, but triggering is only a concern in thin and variable snowpack areas with large triggers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Above 1000 m should see in the 25-30 cm of new snow tomorrow which will sit on the recent ~50 cm. Strong southwest and west winds will also contribute to add load to the snowpack on lee slopes. This new snow will have fallen on the recent storm snow which, in certain areas,&nbsp; is sitting on weak surfaces that were formed during the past drought/cold snap. These weak surfaces include surface hoar crystals and facets (sugary incohesive snow) over a crust. This uncommon persistent buried weak layer for the North Shore is creating a very slippery surface on which the new snow is sliding easily. Indeed, yesterday’s natural avalanche activity and today’s widespread whumphing and cracking and very easy snowpack test results are all obvious snowpack instability clues. This seems to be more of an issue in sheltered areas. Below 1100 m, most of the precipitation fell as wet snow or rain, which is contributing to the development of dense moist slabs which is sitting over a less dense 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_3FE45715">10-20 cm of new snow is expected to fall during the day tomorrow which will sit the recent ~30 cm. Moderate to strong winds will keep developing windslabs on lee slopes likely producing large natural avalanches on east and northeast aspects in the alpine and at treeline. Rising temperatures during the day could also promote slab formation and weaken the storm snow on all aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm snow is sitting on a variety of weak layers that formed during the recent cold snap; surface facets, a new surface hoar layer on shady aspects, a crust on solar aspects or hard windslabs in the alpine. 40-60 cm below the surface, exists a surface hoar or suncrust layer has been reactive to skier traffic even since it has been buried in late January. Natural and skier triggered avalanches have stepped down to this deeper buried weak layer in the recent avalanche cycle. This layer has now reached a critical load where big destructive avalanches can be easily triggered.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. Deeper persistent layers have been dormant, however, they could wake up in the near future with the increasing load.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 cm of new snow is expected to fall during the day tomorrow which will sit on the recent ~30 cm. Moderate to strong winds will continue developing windslabs on lee slopes, likely producing large natural avalanches on east and northeast aspects in the alpine. Rising temperatures during the day could also promote slab formation and weaken the storm snow on all aspects. The storm snow is sitting on a variety of weak layers including facets, a new surface hoar layer in sheltered areas, or on windslabs in the alpine. The bond of the new snow with these surfaces is poor. Indeed, recent avalanche activity and very easy snowpack test results are obvious snowpack instability clues. 50-70 cm down exists another surface hoar or suncrust layer that was buried late in January. Recently this layer has been variably reactive and seems to be very localized, however, it could wake up in the near future with the increasing load. The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. Deeper persistent layers have been dormant, however they could be triggered by large loads such as cornice drop or a large slab avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few cm of new snow are falling on top of an interesting old surface. In wind sheltered terrain at and above treeline surface hoar can be found on top of the widespread crust. Cold temperatures have weakened the crust at treeline, but it's still quite supportive in the alpine. Below this a series of facetted layers and laminated crusts exist.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the White Pass and Powder Valley, the faceted upper snowpack with variable laminated crusts overlies a strong and well settled mid-pack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the Wheaton Valley the snowpack is thin at best. Weak, faceted crystals exist throughout the pack. The main problem throughout the region is a deep persistent weak layer of facets or depth hoar at the base of the snowpack. The thick stiff overlying slab is effectively &quot;bridging&quot; this basal weakness from external stress, making skier and sledder triggering unlikely; however, any activity at this interface would likely have nasty consequences. Triggering may be possible with a rapid temperature change or a heavy load (cornice failure) in a steep, shallow start zone.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 70 cm of storm snow is now sitting on a variety of old surfaces that include multiple layers of surface hoar, facetted snow from the past few weeks of cold clear weather, with some old sun crust on steep south facing slopes. Moderate temperatures in the forecast should help with bonding, but redistribution by strong ridge top winds will create wind slabs on lee slopes. These wind slabs will be a prime cause for concern for the near future. In some parts of the forecast area there exists areas of shallow snowpack that should be regarded as potential locations to trigger large destructive avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3E9DDEC3"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecasted new snow amounts between 4-10 cm are expected to vary across the region with greater accumulations in the south. This precipitation will combine with the current 20-40cm of recent storm snow, creating slabs 25 to 80cm deep in the alpine and treeline, primarily in wind loaded start zones. Shifting winds between the north and south west have loaded various aspects at upper elevations, creating touchy wind slabs characterized by smooth pillow-like deposits of wind textured snow. Storm slabs may be easy to trigger due to poor bonds with underlying surfaces which include old hard slabs in the alpine, sun crusts, and several layers of facets and surface hoar in sheltered areas at treeline and below. The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. A deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack. With the forecasted precipitation and wind it may take a while to stabilize the snowpack so we can expect avalanche occurrences to continue over the next three days.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 60 and 100cm of recent snowfall overlies a medley of old surfaces which were buried on February 10th. These layers include: weak surface facets, surface hoar, a scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Professionals are expressing particular concern for the combination of buried facets on a crust being unusually reactive at treeline and below. Reports of whumphing and widespread avalanche activity further indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Strong to extreme winds are shifting the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain. With forecast warming and more snow on the way, the reactivity and destructive potential of the new storm slab will likely increase.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In many areas over 60cm of recent snowfall overlies a medley of old surfaces which include: weak surface facets, surface hoar, a scoured crust, or any combination thereof. Reports from the field indicate a very poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces with accounts of whumphing and easy, sudden planar snowpack tests. Strong winds and slight warming have added cohesion to the new storm slab, and have shifted the new snow into deeper, destructive wind slabs in exposed terrain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region has received between 20-45 cm of new snow which overlies a variety of old surfaces. These buried surfaces consist of weak surface facets, surface hoar (more predominant at treeline and below treeline elevations), a scoured crust, wind press, or any combination of these. Reports from the field indicate a very poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds and slight warming may have added cohesion to the new storm slab, and have shifted the new snow into deeper, and potentially destructive wind slabs in exposed terrain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent ~30 cm of storm snow has settled fast with mild temperatures creating a slab that is reactive to human triggering. Strong winds mostly from the southwest has also created windslabs on lee slopes in the alpine and immediate lee ridgetop at treeline. I suspect these windslabs will be prime for skier triggering tomorrow. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">40-60 cm below the surface, exists a surface hoar or suncrust layer has been reactive even since it has been buried in late January. Natural and skier triggered avalanches have stepped down to this deeper buried weak layer in the recent avalanche cycle. This layer has now reached a critical load where big destructive avalanches can be easily triggered.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. Deeper persistent layers have been dormant, however, they could be triggered by a load such as a cornice drop or a large slab avalanche.  </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In recent days many parts of the forecast area have received up to 90cm of snowfall. The combination of new snow, wind and moderate temperature have formed a cohesive and reactive storm slab with deeper, more destructive deposits developing in exposed lee terrain. Significant cornice development is expected to have occurred as well.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below the new snow is a mixed bag of surface hoar, facetted snow and other hard surfaces which formed during the previous cold clear weather. The bond between the new storm slab and these buried surfaces is weak with professional accounts of very easy snowpack test results and widespread destructive avalanche activity. Due to the persistent nature of these buried weaknesses, touchy conditions are likely to exist for some time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. Although basal facets are likely to exist in some areas, triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong ridge top winds have created wind slabs at tree line and above. These wind slabs will be a prime cause for concern for the near future. Snowfall amounts have varied greatly across the forecast region, but up to 80cm of storm snow is settling into a cohesive slab and now sitting on a variety of old surfaces that include multiple layers of surface hoar and facetted snow from the past few weeks of cold clear weather.&nbsp; Reports indicate very easy snowpack tests results and widespread large destructive avalanche activity.&nbsp; </span><span class="s_3FE45715">Due to the persistent nature of these buried weaknesses, touchy conditions are likely to exist for some time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. Although basal facets are likely to exist in some areas, triggering has now become unlikely.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent storm snow is settling fast with mild temperatures creating a slab that is reactive to human triggering. Switching strong winds has also contributed to add load to the snowpack on lee slopes. Under the ~60 cm of new snow is a weak facet and crust surface that was formed during the past drought/cold snap. This uncommon persistent buried weak layer for the North Shore is creating a very slippery surface on which the storm slab is sliding easily. There has been report of recent avalanches , whumphing and cracking and very easy snowpack test results which are all obvious snowpack instability clues. It is expected that the storm problem could persist for a longer period than usual because of the persistent nature of the underlying surface. Mid and lower snowpack is strong and well consolidated. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Strong winds at ridge tops have redistributed the new snow and formed wind slabs on lee slopes. The new snow ( up to 80cm in some areas ) has fallen on a variety of weak surfaces that include surface hoar (widespread in most sheltered and shaded areas at all elevations), and facetted wind slabs from the recent cold clear arctic conditions,  These weak layers will be problematic for the near future.  Shallow snowpack areas may have a large layer of weak facetted snow at the base of the snowpack. The depth of this layer makes triggering an avalanche unlikely but the consequences could be quite serious. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 60 and 100cm of recent snowfall overlies a variety of old snow surfaces which were buried on February 10th. These old surfaces consist of weak surface facets, surface hoar (more predominant at treeline and below treeline elevations), a scoured crust, wind press, or any combination of these. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Professionals are expressing particular concern for the combination of buried facets on a crust being unusually reactive at treeline and below. Reports of whumphing and widespread avalanche activity further indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong to extreme winds are shifting the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The Northern parts of the region have recently received up to 60 cm of new snow. The Southern areas have seen anywhere up to 100 cm. This new storm snow overlies a variety of old surfaces. These old surfaces consist of weak surface facets, surface hoar (more predominant at treeline and below treeline elevations), a scoured crust, wind press, or any combination of these. Professionals are expressing particular concern for the combination of buried facets on a crust being unusually reactive at lower elevations. Reports of whumphing and widespread avalanche activity further indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Strong to extreme winds are shifting the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Although basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in the north of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">Considerable snowfall accumulations of 45-60cm have been deposited over the last few days. South westerly winds have developed thick windslabs on north and east slopes at upper elevations and built up cornices. A widespread soft slab at all elevations is likely to be reactive to human triggering due to poor bonds with various underlying layers: including old windslabs, facets and surface hoar which are anywhere from 45 to 80 cm below the surface. These interfaces are reacting with sudden and easy results with good propagation potential in snowpack tests. These results and the recent avalanche activity indicate a hazardous upper snowpack which may take a while to stabilize. The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. A deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack like a cornice fall or large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_BB12189E">Over the last few days 30-50cm has been deposited across the region. South westerly winds have built reactive slabs 40- 80cm thick, on lee north and east aspects at upper elevations. Recent snowpack tests show sudden and easy results, indicating that storm slabs are not bonding well to underlying layers - these include; old hard slabs in the alpine, sun crusts, and several sandwiched layers of facets and surface hoar. The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. A deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 50cm of recent storm snow is now being redistributed by available winds and forming windslabs up to 70cm thick in all open areas. These new windslabs are overlying 10-15cm of weak facetted grains. Easy sheers are being found at this interface and numerous whumpfs and shooting cracks were being observed throughout the day. As soon as one transitions into wind affected terrain at treeline, the snowpack stability greatly deteriorates. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In recent days many parts of the forecast area have received up to 90cm of snowfall. The combination of new snow, wind and moderate temperature have formed a cohesive and reactive storm slab with deeper, more destructive deposits developing in exposed lee terrain. Significant cornice development is expected to have occurred as well.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below the new snow is a mixed bag of surface hoar, facetted snow and other hard surfaces which formed during the previous cold clear weather. The bond between the new storm slab and these buried surfaces is weak with professional accounts of very easy snowpack test results and widespread destructive avalanche activity. Due to the persistent nature of these buried weaknesses, touchy conditions are likely to exist for some time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. Although basal facets are likely to exist in some areas, triggering has now become unlikely.</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">Recently, the region has received 60cm or more of new snow. The recent snowfall overlies a variety of old surfaces which consist of weak surface facets, surface hoar (more predominant at treeline and below treeline elevations), a scoured crust, wind press, or any combination of these. Reports from the field indicate a very poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces with accounts of whumphing and easy, sudden planar snowpack tests at all elevation bands. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds and slight warming have added cohesion to the new storm slab, and have shifted the new snow into deeper, and potentially destructive wind slabs in exposed terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</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">Snowfall amounts have varied across the forecast region, but up to 100cm of storm snow is settling into a cohesive slab</span><span class="s_1681A555"> </span><span class="s_3FE45715">which is now typically 50-80cm thick. This slab is sitting on the weak Feb 9 interface which consists of multiple layers of surface hoar, faceted snow, and/or crusts from the past few weeks of cold clear weather. Reports indicate very easy snowpack tests results and widespread large destructive avalanche activity. Due to the persistent nature of these buried weaknesses, touchy conditions are likely to exist for some time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong ridge top winds have created wind slabs on leeward features at treeline and above. These wind slabs are the primary concern for the near future and strong-to-extreme forecast winds over the next few days are expected to add to this problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall amounts have varied across the forecast region, but up to 100cm of storm snow is settling into a cohesive slab</span><span class="s_1681A555"> </span><span class="s_3FE45715">which is now typically 50-80cm thick. This slab is sitting on the weak Feb 9 interface which consists of multiple layers of surface hoar, faceted snow, and/or crusts from the past few weeks of cold clear weather. Reports indicate very easy snowpack tests results and widespread large destructive avalanche activity. Due to the persistent nature of these buried weaknesses, touchy conditions are likely to exist for some time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong ridge top winds have created wind slabs on leeward features at treeline and above. These wind slabs are the primary concern for the near future and strong-to-extreme forecast winds over the next few days are expected to add to this problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span><span class="s_3FE45715">However, weak basal facets are likely to exist in some areas but triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_BB12189E">Over the last few days 30-50cm has been deposited across the region. South westerly winds have built reactive slabs 40- 80cm thick, on lee north and east aspects at upper elevations. Recent snowpack tests show sudden and easy results, indicating that storm slabs are not bonding well to underlying layers - these include; old hard slabs in the alpine, sun crusts, and several sandwiched layers of facets and surface hoar. The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. A deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall amounts have varied across the forecast region, but up to 90cm of storm snow is settling into a cohesive slab which is now typically 50-70cm thick. This slab is sitting on the weak Feb 9 interface which consists of multiple layers of surface hoar, faceted snow, and/or crusts from the past few weeks of cold clear weather. Reports indicate very easy snowpack tests results and widespread large destructive avalanche activity. Due to the persistent nature of these buried weaknesses, touchy conditions are likely to exist for some time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong ridge top winds have created wind slabs on leeward features at treeline and above. These wind slabs are the primary concern for the near future and strong-to-extreme forecast winds over the next few days are expected to add to this problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. However, weak basal facets are likely to exist in some areas but triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall amounts have varied across the forecast region, but up to 100cm of storm snow is settling into a cohesive slab which is now typically 50-80cm thick. This slab is sitting on the weak Feb 9 interface which consists of multiple layers of surface hoar, faceted snow, and/or crusts from the past few weeks of cold clear weather. Reports indicate very easy snowpack tests results and widespread large destructive avalanche activity. Due to the persistent nature of these buried weaknesses, touchy conditions are likely to exist for some time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong ridge top winds have created wind slabs on leeward features at treeline and above. These wind slabs are the primary concern for the near future and strong-to-extreme forecast winds over the next few days are expected to add to this problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-40 cm of recent storm snow has been transported into deep pockets of wind slab on North thru East aspects. Below the storm snow there is about 20 cm of snow from last week that buried the late January layer of crusts and/or facets and surface hoar. This persistent weak layer from Late January continues to be the sliding layer for natural and human triggered avalanches. The mid snowpack is well settled and strong. The deeply buried weak layers of early season facets and depth hoar have been dormant, but they may become reactive with the right combination of added load and warm temperatures. The forecast new snow and wind are expected to add to the load above the late January weak layer, and may result in avalanches running naturally or increased sensitivity to human triggers at this interface.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 80 and 140 cm of recent snowfall overlies a variety of old snow surfaces which were buried on February 10th. These old surfaces consist of weak surface facets, surface hoar (more predominant at treeline and below treeline elevations), a scoured crust, wind press, or any combination of these.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Professionals are expressing particular concern for the combination of buried facets on a crust being unusually reactive at treeline and below. Snowpack testing at these elevations are showing easy sudden planar results on the facet/crust combo buried down 45 cm. Reports of whumphing and widespread avalanche activity further indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong to extreme winds are shifting the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_12F53BB0"><span class="s_BB12189E">The region has received around 60-80cm of storm snow recently which overlies a variety of facets, surface hoar, crusts, hard windslabs, or any combination of these. Reports from the field indicate an extremely poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Snowpack tests at all elevation bands show large propagation potential, and easy, sudden planar results. Southwesterly winds have added cohesion to the new storm slab and created sensitive windslabs up to 1.5m+ thick in lee terrain. Cornices have likely grown and could be prone to failing over the next few days. The mid and lower snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist near the bottom of the snowpack in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span><span class="s_BB12189E" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The Northern parts of the region have recently received up to 70 cm of new storm snow and the Southern areas have seen anywhere up to 120 cm. This new storm snow overlies a variety of old surfaces consisting of surface facets, surface hoar (more predominant at treeline and below treeline elevations), a scoured crust, wind press, or any combination of these. Professionals are expressing particular concern for the combination of buried facets on a crust being unusually reactive at lower elevations. Reports of whumphing and widespread avalanche activity further indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong to extreme winds are shifting the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Although basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in the north of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Significantly more wind effect in the alpine today. Crossloading was evident in most alpine gullies as were some new cornices. The alpine storm slabs have matured into windslabs that will linger for some time. The underlying surface is a volatile mix of facets and surface hoar in isolated areas. At treeline, the storm snow has settled into cohesive slabs that now have enough stiffness to propagate and be a concern. Below treeline still has a remarkably weak base with difficult trail breaking at the lower elevations. The snowpack has kept its spooky, unsupported feel. Lots of cracking and whumphing in open areas at all elevation. Snowpack confidence is low at the moment and that confidence will disappear all together as new snow is added into the mix. Snow depths are 155@Burstall Pass and 102@Burstall Parking Lot. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region has received between 20-45 cm of new snow which overlies a variety of old surfaces. These buried surfaces consist of facets, surface hoar (more predominant at treeline and below treeline elevations), a scoured crust, wind press, or any combination of these. Reports from the field indicate a very poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds have likely added cohesion to the new storm slab, and have shifted the new snow into deeper wind slabs on lee slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">Considerable snowfall accumulations of 45-60cm have been deposited over the last few days. South westerly winds have developed thick windslabs on north and east slopes at upper elevations and built up cornices. A widespread soft slab at all elevations is likely to be reactive to human triggering due to poor bonds with various underlying layers: including old windslabs, facets and surface hoar which are anywhere from 45 to 80 cm below the surface. These interfaces are reacting with sudden and easy results with good propagation potential in snowpack tests. These results and the recent avalanche activity indicate a hazardous upper snowpack which may take a while to stabilize. The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. A deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack like a cornice fall or large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The 40-60 cm of recent storm snow has been reported to be settling and gaining strength quickly as we are accustomed to in this warm and wet climate. The unusual circumstance is that this recent storm snow is sitting on top of a mix of crusts and/or weak facetted crystals that developed during the cold weather at the beginning of the month. This persistent weak layer is providing a good sliding layer to produce avalanches of the recent storm snow. The forecast heavy snow fall over the next few days will add to the depth of the storm slab above this persistent weak layer. This problem may continue for days or even weeks. Mid and lower snowpack is strong and well consolidated. </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">Not much new snow overnight. Nearly 10cm's fell at Burstall Pass. The news of the day (and days to come) was the wind. The high winds were also variable in direction. What we're left with is a widespread windslab problem in the alpine. On some aspects the snow has been pressed into a cohesive layer, and other aspects the snow has been blown into a firm windslab. The contributing factor with the new avalanche problem is the facet/surface hoar/sun crust interface layer. On today's snow study trip we visited the Superslope area and had all possible combinations of these snow types as an interface layer. No combinations were bonding well with the new slabs. This bad combination is widespread at alpine and open areas at upper treeline elevations. Below treeline still had well preserved soft snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The storm was warmer than forecast and brought heavy rain all the way to ridge tops. The surface re-froze during the night developing a 2 cm melt-freeze crust that now has about 5 cm of new snow sitting above. There is a very weak interface below the melt-freeze crust that has not been reactive to ski cutting. The persistent weak layer of curst and facets that developed during the cold weather at the beginning of the month is now down about 70 cm and continues to produce moderate shears in snowpack tests. I don't want to call this PWL non-reactive until after the next few pulses of rain/snow show us how it will handle any added load.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall amounts have varied across the forecast region, but up to 100cm+ of storm snow is settling into a cohesive slab which is now typically 50-80cm thick. This slab is sitting on the weak Feb 9 interface which consists of multiple layers of surface hoar, faceted snow, and/or crusts from the past few weeks of cold clear weather. Reports indicate very easy snowpack tests results and widespread large destructive avalanche activity. Due to the persistent nature of these buried weaknesses, touchy conditions are likely to exist for some time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong ridge top winds have created wind slabs on leeward features at treeline and above. These wind slabs are the primary concern for the near future and strong forecast winds over the next few days are expected to add to this problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">40-50 cm of recent storm snow has been transported into deep pockets of wind slab on North thru East aspects. Below the storm snow there is about 20 cm of snow from last week that buried the late January layer of crusts and/or facets and surface hoar. This persistent weak layer from Late January continues to be the sliding layer for natural and human triggered avalanches. The mid snowpack is well settled and strong. The deeply buried weak layers of early season facets and depth hoar have been dormant, but they may become reactive with the right combination of added load and warm temperatures. The forecast new snow and wind are expected to add to the load above the late January weak layer, and may result in avalanches running naturally or increased sensitivity to human triggers at this interface.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">Incremental loading has developed a storm slab that is about 60 cm deep above the facet/surface hoar layer that was buried on February 10th. Strong winds have developed winds slabs that are 40-60 cm deep and there are also soft slabs 30-40 deep in sheltered areas. Forecast snow and wind are expected to continue to add to the load above the weak layers. Watch for increased sensitivity to human triggers, with long propagations and remote triggering becoming more of a concern with each incremental load. The deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack like a cornice fall or large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_BB12189E">A report from an open treeline area in Harvey Pass on Saturday showed the storm slab to be 50-65 cm of soft snow that was gaining cohesion; the ski penetration was only 15 cm. There is a very soft layer of facetted crystals below the storm slab that is not failing naturally, but is expected to become more unstable as the forecast new snow continues to add a load. Remote triggering by snowmobiles and skiers continues to be reported. The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. A deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall amounts have varied across the forecast region, but up to 100cm+ of storm snow is settling into a cohesive slab</span><span class="s_1681A555"> </span><span class="s_3FE45715">which is now typically 50-80cm thick. This slab is sitting on the weak Feb 9 interface which consists of multiple layers of surface hoar, faceted snow, and/or crusts from the past few weeks of cold clear weather. Reports indicate very easy snowpack tests results and widespread large destructive avalanche activity. Due to the persistent nature of these buried weaknesses, touchy conditions are likely to exist for some time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong ridge top winds have created wind slabs on leeward features at treeline and above. These wind slabs are the primary concern for the near future and strong forecast winds over the next few days are expected to add to this problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall amounts have varied across the forecast region, but up to 100cm+ of storm snow is settling into a cohesive slab</span><span class="s_1681A555"> </span><span class="s_3FE45715">which is now typically 50-80cm thick. This slab is sitting on the weak Feb 9 interface which consists of multiple layers of surface hoar, faceted snow, and/or crusts from the past few weeks of cold clear weather. Reports indicate very easy snowpack tests results and widespread large destructive avalanche activity. Due to the persistent nature of these buried weaknesses, touchy conditions are likely to exist for some time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong ridge top winds have created wind slabs on leeward features at treeline and above. These wind slabs are the primary concern for the near future and strong forecast winds over the next few days are expected to add to this problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. However, weak basal facets are likely to exist in some areas but triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall amounts have varied across the forecast region, but up to 100cm+ of storm snow is settling into a cohesive slab which is now typically 50-80cm thick. This slab is sitting on the weak Feb 9 interface which consists of multiple layers of surface hoar, faceted snow, and/or crusts from the past few weeks of cold clear weather. Reports indicate very easy snowpack tests results and widespread large destructive avalanche activity. Due to the persistent nature of these buried weaknesses, touchy conditions are likely to exist for some time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong ridge top winds have created wind slabs on leeward features at treeline and above. These wind slabs are the primary concern for the near future and strong-to-extreme forecast winds over the next few days are expected to add to this problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. However, weak basal facets are likely to exist in some areas but triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Another 30 cm fell overnight (with more in the forecast) adding to the storm snow amounts of up to 140 cm over the past several days. All of this storm snow is overlying a variety of old weak surfaces that developed during the past dry spell. They consist of weak facets, surface hoar, a scoured crust, wind press, or any combination of these. A poor bond exists to these old surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Particularly of concern is the combination of buried facets on a crust being unusually reactive at treeline and below. Avalanche activity, whumpfing and snowpack testing at these elevations are showing easy sudden planar results on the facet/crust combo. Strong to extreme winds are shifting the new snow into deeper, and destructive wind slabs on lee slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region has received between 30-55 cm of new snow which overlies a variety of old surfaces. These buried surfaces consist of weak surface facets, surface hoar (more predominant at treeline and below treeline elevations), a scoured crust, wind press, or any combination of these. Whumpfing, cracking and reports from the field indicate a very poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds and slight warming may have added cohesion to the new storm slab, and have shifted the new snow into deeper, and potentially destructive wind slabs in exposed terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The Northern parts of the region have recently received up to 90 cm of new storm snow and the Southern areas have seen anywhere up to 140 cm with more forecast. This new storm snow overlies a variety of old surfaces consisting of facets, surface hoar, a scoured crust, wind press, or any combination of these. Particularly of concern is the combination of buried facets on a crust being unusually reactive at treeline and below treeline elevations. Whumpfing and widespread avalanche activity further indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong to extreme winds are shifting the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs in leeward terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Although basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in the north of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the past week the region has received around 60-90cm of storm snow which overlies a variety of facets, surface hoar, crusts, hard wind press, or any combination of these. Widespread whumpfing, cracking, avalanche activity and remote triggering at all elevations indicate there is a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Snowpack tests show easy, sudden planar results good propagation propensity.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent Strong to extreme SE winds have built thick, touchy wind slabs on leeward terrain features and slopes.</span></p><p class="p_12F53BB0"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar still sit dormant at the bottom of the snowpack in some parts of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Several centimeters overnight with a few more through the day On Monday. A moderate to strong westerly flow insured windward slopes are being kept bare and lee aspects are receiving additional loading. Widespread wind slab conditions exist in in the alpine with similar but more sporadic conditions at treeline. These recently formed windslabs are sitting on a variety of old surface types including facets/suncrusts and in areas below treeline - surface hoar. None of these old surface layers are providing for a good bond between the old and new snow layers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Total storm snowfall amounts exceed over 1.5m during the past week and has settled into a storm slab with a typical thickness of 60-100cm. This storm slab is overlying a variety of old weak surfaces that developed during the past dry spell. They consist of weak facets, surface hoar, a scoured crust, wind press, or any combination of these. A poor bond exists to these old surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Particularly of concern is the combination of buried facets on a crust being unusually reactive at treeline and below. Avalanche activity, whumpfing and snowpack testing at these elevations are showing easy sudden planar results on the facet/crust combo. Strong to extreme winds are shifting the new snow into deeper, and destructive wind slabs on lee slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the last week, the Northern parts of the region have received over 1m of new snowfall and the Southern areas have seen over 1.5m. This snow has settled into storm slabs which are typically 50-70cm thick in the north and 80-120cm in the south. This storm slab overlies a variety of old surfaces consisting of facets, surface hoar, a scoured crust, wind press, or any combination of these. Particularly of concern is the combination of buried facets on a crust being unusually reactive at treeline and below treeline elevations. Whumpfing and widespread avalanche activity further indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong to extreme winds are shifting the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs in leeward terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Although basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in the north of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region has received between 30-55 cm of new snow which overlies a variety of old surfaces. These buried surfaces consist of weak surface facets, surface hoar (more predominant at treeline and below treeline elevations), a scoured crust, wind press, or any combination of these. Whumpfing, cracking and reports from the field indicate a very poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds and slight warming may have added cohesion to the new storm slab, and have shifted the new snow into deeper, and potentially destructive wind slabs in exposed terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_BB12189E">Another 20 cm of new snow has added to the recent storm slab that is now about 75 cm thick and is settling into a cohesive slab (one finger resistance). The layer of weak facetted (four finger resistance) snow that is below the storm slab has been reported as widespread on all aspects and at all elevations across the region. This is the classic firm slab over soft and weak layer that can allow for wide propagations and remote triggering. This problem may persist for days after the storm or even weeks. The next forecast storm on Tuesday night may overload the weakness and cause another natural avalanche cycle. Regardless, it will continue to load above the weak layer priming conditions for large slab avalanches. The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. A deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">30 cm of new snow overnight that was very dense with a ski penetration of only 5-10 cm and a foot penetration of about 50 cm. There are several crusts in the upper 100 cm. The crust down 30 cm is about 2 cm thick where the rain on snow event Sunday morning re-froze. There is another thin crust down 60 cm, and then the hard February 10th crust/facet layer down about 90 cm. Easy sudden planar shears just above the 30 cm deep crust and moderate sudden planar shears down 35 cm were found in snow profile tests near Cypress Mountain. The persistent weak layer of crust and facets that developed during the cold weather at the beginning of the month is now down about 90 cm. I don't want to call this PWL non-reactive until after the next few pulses of rain/snow show us how it will handle any added load.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-30 cm of new snow combined with strong Southwest winds overnight, brings the storm snow up to 50-80 cm. Below the storm snow there is about 20 cm of snow from last week that buried the late January layer of crusts and/or facets and surface hoar. This persistent weak layer from Late January continues to be the sliding layer for natural and human triggered avalanches. The mid snowpack is well settled and strong. The deeply buried weak layers of early season facets and depth hoar have been dormant, but they may become reactive with the right combination of added load and warm temperatures. The forecast new snow and wind are expected to add to the load above the late January weak layer, and may result in avalanches running naturally or increased sensitivity to human triggers at this interface.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm slab continues to develop with another 20-30 cm of new snow in the past 24 hours. There is a very easy shear down 15-20 cm within the storm snow that may step down once snow is in motion. Watch for increased sensitivity to human triggers, with long propagations and remote triggering becoming more of a concern with each incremental load. The deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack like a cornice fall or large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The never ending storm has produced 100 - 150 cm of total snowfall across the region which is settling into a cohesive slab that averages a meter in depth. This slab rests on a nasty persistent weak layer (Late Jan/Early Feb.) surface hoar/facet/crust combo that was formed during the month of cold clear weather. Field observations continue to report easily triggered sudden planar failures on this interface in snowpack tests. Natural avalanches have been widespread and destructive. The keyword in Persistent Weak Layer is </span><span class="s_6A269DDD">Persistent</span><span class="s_3FE45715">, I expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to due to the pervasive nature of this weakness. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Ongoing strong winds out of the SW and W have loaded lee aspects and affected the snow at all elevations, but the affect is most prevalent at and above treeline. More strong winds in the forecast are expected only to add to this problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-40cm of recent storm snow has fallen in the White Pass (perhaps even more south of the Alaskan border). The Powder Valley received 15-20cm of new snow over the weekend. The height of snow now sits at 170-180cm in the White Pass, 110cm in the Powder Valley and 60cm in the Wheaton Valley at treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The settling storm snow overlies the Feb 13 crust/facet/surface hoar layer. This complex layer of facets above and below a melt-freeze crust and in sheltered locations surface hoar above is creating touchy conditions, particularly in the southern portion of the region. The crust, which varies in thickness is down 30-50cm, but upwards of 100cm in wind loaded features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the White Pass, a thick and supportive mid-pack exists in most places. Moving north, the mid-pack becomes thinner and less supportive and effectively has less bridging ability. A thick layer of depth hoar and facets exists in the Powder Valley and Wheaton Valley. Although unlikely, this layer could be triggered by a heavy load (cornice failure), a surface slab avalanche (step down potential) in a steep, shallow start zone. Any avalanche involving this layer would have nasty consequences.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The never ending storm has produced 60 - 100 cm of total snowfall across the region which is settling into a cohesive slab that averages 45 - 80 cm in depth. This slab rests on a nasty persistent weak layer (Late Jan/Early Feb.) surface hoar/facet/crust combo that was formed during the month of cold clear weather. Professionals report numerous whumphs and significant propagation potential. Field observations continue to report easily triggered sudden planar failures on this interface in snowpack tests. Natural avalanches have been widespread and destructive. The keyword in Persistent Weak Layer is </span><span class="s_6A269DDD">Persistent</span><span class="s_3FE45715">, I expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to due to the pervasive nature of this weakness. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Ongoing strong winds out of the SW and W have loaded lee aspects and affected the snow at all elevations, but the affect is most prevalent at and above treeline. More strong winds in the forecast are expected only to add to this problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The never ending storm has produced 100 - 150 cm of total snowfall across the region which is settling into a cohesive slab that averages a meter in depth. This slab rests on a nasty persistent weak layer (Late Jan/Early Feb.) surface hoar/facet/crust combo that was formed during the month of cold clear weather. Field observations continue to report easily triggered sudden planar failures on this interface in snowpack tests. Natural avalanches have been widespread and destructive. The keyword in Persistent Weak Layer is </span><span class="s_6A269DDD">Persistent</span><span class="s_3FE45715">, I expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to due to the pervasive nature of this weakness. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Ongoing strong winds out of the SW and W have loaded lee aspects and affected the snow at all elevations, but the affect is most prevalent at and above treeline. More strong winds in the forecast are expected only to add to this problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the past week the parts of the region have received over 1.5m of cumulative snowfall which has settled into a slab with a typical thickness of 60-90cm. This storm slab overlies a variety of facets, surface hoar, crusts, hard wind press, or any combination of these. Widespread whumpfing, cracking, avalanche activity and remote triggering at all elevations indicate there is a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Snowpack tests show easy, sudden planar results good propagation propensity.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent Strong to extreme SE winds have built thick, touchy wind slabs on leeward terrain features and slopes.</span></p><p class="p_12F53BB0"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar still sit dormant at the bottom of the snowpack in some parts of the region but triggering this layer is generally unlikely. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The never ending storm has produced 60 - 120 cm of total snowfall across the region which is settling into a cohesive slab that averages 40 - 90 cm in depth. This slab rests on a nasty persistent weak layer (Late Jan/Early Feb.) surface hoar/facet/crust combo that was formed during the month of cold clear weather. Professionals report numerous whumphs and significant propagation potential. Field observations continue to report easily triggered sudden planar failures on this interface in snowpack tests. Natural avalanches have been widespread and destructive. The keyword in Persistent Weak Layer is Persistent, I expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to due to the pervasive nature of this weakness. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Ongoing strong winds out of the SW and W have loaded lee aspects and affected the snow at all elevations, but the affect is most prevalent at and above treeline. More strong winds in the forecast are expected only to add to this problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_BB12189E">Not much change, about 5-8 cm more snow added to the following comments. Another 20 cm of new snow has added to the recent storm slab that is now about 75 cm thick and is settling into a cohesive slab (one finger resistance). The layer of weak facetted (four finger resistance) snow that is below the storm slab has been reported as widespread on all aspects and at all elevations across the region. This is the classic firm slab over soft and weak layer that can allow for wide propagations and remote triggering. This problem may persist for days after the storm or even weeks. The next forecast storm on Tuesday night may overload the weakness and cause another natural avalanche cycle. Regardless, it will continue to load above the weak layer priming conditions for large slab avalanches. The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. A deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm slab continues to develop with another 10-15 cm of new snow in the past 24 hours. The recent storm slab is over a metre deep and continues to show sudden planar shears at the early February crust/facet interface. Watch for increased sensitivity to human triggers, with long propagations and remote triggering becoming more of a concern with each incremental load. The deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack like a cornice fall or large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm slab is now between 50-100 cm deep. Below the storm snow there is about 20 cm of snow from last week that buried the late January layer of crusts and/or facets and surface hoar. This persistent weak layer from Late January continues to be the sliding layer for natural and human triggered avalanches. The mid snowpack is well settled and strong. The deeply buried weak layers of early season facets and depth hoar have been dormant, but they may become reactive with the right combination of added load and warm temperatures. The forecast new snow and wind are expected to add to the load above the late January weak layer, and may result in avalanches running naturally or increased sensitivity to human triggers at this interface.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Another 20 cm of dense new snow has developed during the day combined with strong East-Southeast winds. This new snow is reported to be bonding well to yesterday's 30 cm of dense snow. There is a thin ice lens between the two layers of storm snow that has not been reactive at lower elevations, but may be triggered near the ridge tops. There are several crusts in the upper 100 cm. The crust down 40 cm is about 2 cm thick where the rain on snow event Sunday morning re-froze. There is another thin crust down 60-70 cm, and then the hard February 10th crust/facet layer down about 100 cm. Easy sudden planar shears just above the 30 cm deep crust and moderate sudden planar shears down 35 cm were found in snow profile tests near Cypress Mountain on Monday.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Parts of the forecast region have received over 1.5m of cumulative storm snow which has now settled into a slab with a typical thickness of 60-90cm. This storm slab overlies a variety of facets, surface hoar, crusts, hard wind press, or any combination of these. Widespread whumpfing, cracking, natural avalanche activity and remote triggering at all elevations  are a strong indication of poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Snowpack tests show easy, sudden planar results with good propagation propensity.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region has received between 35-65 cm of new snow which overlies a variety of old surfaces. These buried surfaces consist of weak surface facets, surface hoar (more predominant at tree line and below tree line elevations), a scoured crust, wind pressed snow, or any combination of these. Whumpfing, cracking and reports from the field indicate a very poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds and slight warming has added cohesion to the new storm slab, and has transported the new snow into deeper, potentially more destructive wind slabs on the lee side of ridge tops.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snowfall amounts exceed 1.75m during the past week and has now settled into a storm slab with a typical thickness of 60-100cm. The storm slab is overlying a variety of old weak surfaces that developed during the past cold,dry spell. It consists of weak facets, surface hoar, a scoured crust, wind pressed snow, or any combination of these. A poor bond exists between the storm slab and these old surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Of particular concern is the combination of buried facets on a crust being unusually reactive at tree line and below. Avalanche activity, whumpfing and snowpack tests at these elevations are showing easy sudden planar shear results on the facet/crust combo. Strong to extreme winds are redistributing the new snow into deeper, and denser wind slabs on lee slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the last week, the Northern parts of the region have received over 1m of new snowfall and the Southern areas have seen over 1.5m. This snow has settled into storm slabs which are typically 50-70cm thick in the north and 80-120cm in the south. This storm slab overlies a variety of old surfaces consisting of facets, surface hoar, a scoured crust, wind press, or any combination of these. Particularly of concern is the combination of buried facets on a crust being unusually reactive at treeline and below treeline elevations. Whumpfing and widespread avalanche activity further indicate a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong to extreme winds are shifting the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs in leeward terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Although basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in the north of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The never ending storm has produced 60 - 140 cm of total snowfall across the region which is settling into a cohesive slab that averages 45 - 80 cm in depth. This slab rests on a nasty persistent weak layer (Late Jan/Early Feb.) surface hoar/facet/crust combo that was formed during the month of cold clear weather. Large settlements / &quot;whoomphs&quot; have been reported at all elevations. Field observations continue to report easily triggered sudden planar failures on this interface in snowpack tests. Natural avalanches have been widespread and destructive. The persistent weak layer under all the storm snow is incredibly pervasive in the region. I expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. Ongoing strong winds out of the SW and W have loaded lee aspects and damaged snow at all elevations, but the effect is most prevalent at and above treeline. More strong winds in the forecast are expected only to add to this problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The never ending storm has produced 100 - 150 cm of total snowfall across the region which is settling into a cohesive slab that averages a meter in depth. This slab rests on a nasty persistent weak layer (Late Jan/Early Feb.) surface hoar/facet/crust combo that was formed during the month of cold clear weather. Field observations continue to report easily triggered sudden planar failures on this interface in snowpack tests. Large settlements / &quot;whoomphs&quot; have been reported at all elevations, even in previously skied terrain. Large natural avalanches have been widespread and destructive. The persistent weak layer under all the storm snow is incredibly pervasive in the region. I expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. Ongoing strong winds out of the SW and W have loaded lee aspects and damaged snow at all elevations, but the effect is most prevalent at and above treeline. More strong winds in the forecast are expected only to add to this problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The never ending storm has produced 60 - 120 cm of total snowfall across the region which is settling into a cohesive slab that averages a 40 - 90 cm in depth. This slab rests on a nasty persistent weak layer (Late Jan/Early Feb.) surface hoar/facet/crust combo that was formed during the month of cold clear weather. Field observations continue to report easily triggered sudden planar failures on this interface in snowpack tests. Large settlements / &quot;whoomphs&quot; have been reported at all elevations. Large natural avalanches have been widespread and destructive. The persistent weak layer under all the storm snow is incredibly pervasive in the region. I expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. Ongoing strong winds out of the SW and W have loaded lee aspects and damaged snow at all elevations, but the effect is most prevalent at and above treeline. More strong winds in the forecast are expected only to add to this problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Test profile on a north aspect at TL highlighted a prominent weakness at the interface between the old surface crust and the recent storm snow.  Compression tests showed easy to moderate results down 77cm.  Numerous large and small settlements observed at treeline on a variety of aspects.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The never ending storm has produced 100 - 150 cm of total snowfall across the region which is settling into a cohesive slab that averages a meter in depth. This slab rests on a nasty persistent weak layer (Late Jan/Early Feb.) surface hoar/facet/crust combo that was formed during the month of cold clear weather. Field observations continue to report easily triggered sudden planar failures on this interface in snowpack tests. Large settlements / &quot;whoomphs&quot; have been reported at all elevations, even in previously skied terrain. Large natural avalanches have been widespread and destructive. The persistent weak layer under all the storm snow is incredibly pervasive in the region. I expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. Ongoing strong winds out of the SW and W have loaded lee aspects and damaged snow at all elevations, but the effect is most prevalent at and above treeline. More strong winds in the forecast are expected only to add to this problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Light amounts of new snow in the last 24hrs has added some additional load to the snow pack. There are a variety of slabs in the upper pack that amount to a total depth of 40-60cm's. Given the slow bond with the Feb 11 interface, and persistent nature of the Feb 11th layer, the current windslabs are now being considered persistent slabs at alpine and treeline elevations. Below treeline, the upper snowpack lacks sufficient cohesion to be a significant avalanche concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_BB12189E">The recent storm snow slab is now close to a metre thick and continues to settle into a cohesive slab that has become more stiff as it settles (one finger resistance). The layer of weak facetted (four finger resistance) snow that is below the storm slab has been reported as widespread on all aspects and at all elevations across the region. This is the classic firm slab over soft and weak layer that can allow for wide propagations and remote triggering. This problem may persist for days after the storm or even weeks. Forecast new snow and continued strong winds are expected to overload the weakness and cause another natural avalanche cycle. Regardless, it will continue to load above the weak layer priming conditions for large slab avalanches. The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. A deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The recent storm snow has settled and bonded. Melt-freeze crusts have bridged the snowpack above the early February weak layer. The mid-pack is well settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Parts of the forecast region have received over 1.75m of cumulative storm snow which has now settled into a slab with a typical thickness of 60-90cm. This storm slab overlies a variety of facets, surface hoar, crusts, hard wind press, or any combination of these. Widespread whumpfing, cracking, natural avalanche activity and remote triggering at all elevations are a strong indication of poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Snowpack tests show easy, sudden collapse within the storm slab.  This storm slab problem will be with us for a long time as it is sitting on a large weak layer . Even when the ``whumping``stops,..it will still be dangerous, with potential for large, destructive avalanches. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region has received between 35-65 cm of new snow which overlies a variety of old surfaces. These buried surfaces consist of weak surface facets, surface hoar (more predominant at tree line and below tree line elevations), a scoured crust, wind pressed snow, or any combination of these. Whumpfing, cracking and reports from the field indicate a very poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Reports from the Hankin area on a NE facing slope &quot; 1300m show an ice crust down 50cm with facets above and below. A compression test easy @ 25cm and another down @48cm, sudden collapse ( Thanks BH!) </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds and slight warming has added cohesion to the new storm slab, and has transported the new snow into deeper, potentially more destructive wind slabs on the lee side of ridge tops.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the last week, the northern parts of the region have received over 1m of new snowfall and the Southern areas have seen over 1.5m. The Coquihalla has received over 45 cm of new snow in the past 24hrs with high winds, adding to the existing storm slab now 80 to 180cm deep in some parts of the region. In the southern portion of the region the slab sits on a crust/facet combination along with old wind slabs on lee slopes. In the northern part of the region one can add surface hoar to the crust/facet/slab combination. The storm slab seem to be unusually reactive at tree line and below tree line elevations. Whumpfing and widespread natural avalanche activity are a sign of a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Strong to extreme winds are redistributing the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs on the lee side of ridge tops.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Although basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in the north of the region, giving us a low probability, but high consequence of a large destructive avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snowfall amounts exceed 1.75m during the past week and has now settled into a storm slab with a typical thickness of 60-100cm. The storm slab is overlying a variety of old weak surfaces that developed during the past cold, dry spell. It consists of weak facets, surface hoar, a scoured crust, wind pressed snow, or any combination of these. A poor bond exists between the storm slab and these old surfaces. Much of the recent storm snow has been redistributed into wind slabs on lee slopes</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Of particular concern is the combination of buried facets on a crust that has been unusually reactive at tree line and below. Avalanche activity, whumpfing and snowpack tests at these elevations are showing easy sudden planar shear results on the facet/crust combo. Strong to extreme winds are redistributing the new snow into deeper, and denser wind slabs on lee slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but triggering has become unlikely. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm slab continues to develop with yet another 20 cm of new snow in the past 24 hours. The recent storm slab is over a metre deep and continues to show sudden planar shears at the early February crust/facet interface. Watch for increased sensitivity to human triggers, with long propagations and remote triggering becoming more of a concern with each incremental load. The deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack like a cornice fall or large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is over a metre of recent storm snow that is sitting on a weak layer that is a mixture of facets, surface hoar, and melt-freeze crusts. The weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects. The storm slab continues to settle and become more cohesive allowing for longer fracture propagations and remote triggering. This persistent weak layer is expected to be a concern for some time; at least through the weekend.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The never ending storm cycle has produced 120 - 175 cm of total snowfall across the region which is settling into a cohesive slab that averages a meter in depth. This slab rests on a nasty persistent weak layer (Late Jan/Early Feb.) surface hoar/facet/crust combo that was formed during the month of cold clear weather. Field observations continue to report easily triggered sudden planar failures on this interface in snowpack tests. Large settlements / &quot;whoomphs&quot; have been reported at all elevations, even in previously skied terrain. Large natural avalanches have been widespread and destructive. The persistent weak layer under all the storm snow is incredibly pervasive in the region. I expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. Ongoing strong winds out of the SW and W have loaded lee aspects and damaged snow at all elevations, but the effect is most prevalent at and above treeline. More strong winds in the forecast are expected only to add to this problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The never ending storm has produced 60 - 120 cm of total snowfall across the region which is settling into a cohesive slab that averages a 40 - 90 cm in depth. This slab rests on a nasty persistent weak layer (Late Jan/Early Feb.) surface hoar/facet/crust combo that was formed during the month of cold clear weather. Field observations continue to report easily triggered sudden planar failures on this interface in snowpack tests. Large settlements / &quot;whoomphs&quot; have been reported at all elevations. Large natural avalanches have been widespread and destructive. The persistent weak layer under all the storm snow is incredibly pervasive in the region. I expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. Ongoing strong winds out of the SW and W have loaded lee aspects and damaged snow at all elevations, but the effect is most prevalent at and above treeline. More strong winds in the forecast are expected only to add to this problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The never ending storm has produced 80 - 160 cm of total snowfall across the region which is settling into a cohesive slab that averages 45 - 80 cm in depth. This slab rests on a nasty persistent weak layer (Late Jan/Early Feb.) surface hoar/facet/crust combo that was formed during the month of cold clear weather. Large settlements / &quot;whoomphs&quot; have been reported at all elevations. Field observations continue to report easily triggered sudden planar failures on this interface in snowpack tests. Natural avalanches have been widespread and destructive. The persistent weak layer under all the storm snow is incredibly pervasive in the region. I expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. Ongoing strong winds out of the SW and W have loaded lee aspects and damaged snow at all elevations, but the effect is most prevalent at and above treeline. More strong winds in the forecast are expected only to add to this problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The never ending storm has produced 120 - 175 cm of total snowfall across the region which is settling into a cohesive slab that averages a meter in depth. This slab rests on a nasty persistent weak layer (Late Jan/Early Feb.) surface hoar/facet/crust combo that was formed during the month of cold clear weather. Field observations continue to report easily triggered sudden planar failures on this interface in snowpack tests. Large settlements / &quot;whoomphs&quot; have been reported at all elevations, even in previously skied terrain. Large natural avalanches have been widespread and destructive. The persistent weak layer under all the storm snow is incredibly pervasive in the region. I expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. Ongoing strong winds out of the SW and W have loaded lee aspects and damaged snow at all elevations, but the effect is most prevalent at and above treeline. More strong winds in the forecast are expected only to add to this problem.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is over a metre of recent storm snow that is sitting on a weak layer that is a mixture of facets, surface hoar, and melt-freeze crusts. The weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects. The storm slab continues to settle and become more cohesive allowing for longer fracture propagations and remote triggering. This persistent weak layer is expected to be a concern for some time; at least through the weekend.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 30 cm of light dry snow fell during the day Thursday. The new snow is sliding easily as loose snow sluffing in steep terrain, and was not triggering the storm slab or persistent weak layer. The recent storm slab is over a metre deep and continues to show sudden planar shears at the early February crust/facet interface. Watch for continued sensitivity to human triggers, with long propagations and remote triggering becoming more of a concern with each incremental load. The deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack like a cornice fall or large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New winds slabs will likely continue to build on lee slopes. Last weekend in the White Pass and South up to 40 cm of snow fell and Powder Valley received 15-20 cm. Snowpack depths at treeline  now sits near 180 cm in the White Pass, 110 cm in the Powder Valley and 60 cm in the Wheaton Valley. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow buried a complex mix of older snow surfaces including old wind press, crusts, facets, surface hoar or any combination of these. Most concerning is the layer of facets above and below the crust and in sheltered locations buried surface hoar that sits on the crust. This layer has been reactive with sudden planar results in recent snowpack tests. In the South, the weak layer has been particularly touchy. This is likely due to a thicker, more cohesive slab. On wind loaded slopes this layer could be buried up to a metre. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A supportive mid-pack exists in most places besides the North where it becomes thinner and may see less bridging. A thick layer of depth hoar and basal facets exists in the Powder Valley and Wheaton Valley. Although unlikely, this layer could be triggered by a heavy load in a steep, shallow start zone. Any avalanche involving this layer would have nasty consequences.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The never ending storm cycle has produced 60-120 cm of total snowfall across the region which is settling into a cohesive slab that averages 40-90 cm in thickness. This slab sits on a nasty persistent weak layer surface hoar/facet/crust combo that was formed during the month of cold dry weather. Field observers continue to report easily triggered sudden planar failures on this interface in snowpack tests. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations, even in previously skied terrain. Large natural avalanches have been widespread and destructive. We expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on leeward features in wind exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. In many areas, thick wind slabs may overlie the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The never ending storm cycle has produced 80-160 cm of total snowfall across the region which is settling into a cohesive slab that averages 45-80 cm in thickness. This slab sits on a nasty persistent weak layer surface hoar/facet/crust combo that was formed during the month of cold dry weather. Field observers continue to report easily triggered sudden planar failures on this interface in snowpack tests. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations, even in previously skied terrain. Large natural avalanches have been widespread and destructive. We expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on leeward features in wind exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. In many areas, thick wind slabs may overlie the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The recent storm snow has settled and bonded. Melt-freeze crusts have bridged the snowpack above the early February weak layer. The mid-pack is well settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snowfall amounts exceed 1.75m during the past week and has now settled into a storm slab with a typical thickness of 60-100cm. The storm slab is overlying a variety of old weak surfaces that developed during the past cold, dry spell. It consists of weak facets, surface hoar, a scoured crust, wind pressed snow, or any combination of these. A poor bond exists between the storm slab and these old surfaces. Much of the recent storm snow has been redistributed into wind slabs on lee slopes</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Of particular concern is the combination of buried facets on a crust that has been reactive at tree line and below. Avalanche activity, whumpfing and snowpack tests at these elevations are showing easy sudden planar shear results on the facet/crust combo. Strong to extreme winds are redistributing the new snow into deeper, and denser wind slabs on lee slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but skier triggering has become unlikely. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the last week, the northern parts of the region have received over 1m of new snowfall and the Southern areas have seen almost 2m. The Coquihalla has received 35 cm of new snow in the past 24hrs with high winds, adding to the existing storm slab now 80 to 180cm deep in some parts of the region. In the southern portion of the region the slab sits on a crust/facet combination along with old wind slabs on lee slopes. In the northern part of the region one can add surface hoar to the crust/facet/slab combination. The storm slab seem to be unusually reactive at tree line and below tree line elevations. Whumpfing and widespread natural avalanche activity are a sign of a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Strong to extreme winds are redistributing the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs on the lee side of ridge tops.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Although basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in the north of the region, giving us a low probability, but high consequence of a large destructive avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region has received between 35-90 cm of new snow, with more snow to the western part of the region, tapering of as you travel further east, now overlying a variety of old surfaces.  These buried surfaces consist of weak surface facets, surface hoar (more predominant at tree line and below tree line elevations), a scoured crust, wind pressed snow, or any combination of these left over from earlier weather. Whumpfing, cracking, and reports from the field indicate a very poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Reports from the Hankin area on a NE facing slope 1300m show an ice crust down 50cm with facets above and below. A compression test easy @ 25cm and another down @48cm, sudden collapse ( Thanks BH!) </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds and slight warming have added cohesion to the storm slab, and transported some of the new snow into deeper, and more destructive wind slabs on the lee side of ridge tops.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but skier triggering has become unlikely. A wind slab avalanche could step down to these basal facets and produce a large destructive avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Parts of the forecast region have received over 1.75m of cumulative storm snow which has now settled into a slab with a typical thickness of 60-90cm. This storm slab overlies a variety of facets, surface hoar, crusts, hard wind press, or any combination of these. Widespread whumpfing, cracking, natural avalanche activity and remote triggering at all elevations are a strong indication of poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Snowpack tests show easy, sudden collapse within the storm slab. </span><span class="s_42FC617C">This storm slab problem will be with us for a long time as it is sitting on a large weak layer </span><span class="s_3FE45715">. Even when the ``whumping``stops,..it will still be dangerous, with potential for large, destructive avalanches as the slab settles and gets denser.. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The never ending storm cycle has produced 120 - 180 cm of total snowfall across the region which is settling into a cohesive slab that averages 1m in thickness. This slab sits on a nasty persistent weak layer surface hoar/facet/crust combo that was formed during the month of cold clear weather. Field observers continue to report easily triggered sudden planar failures on this interface in snowpack tests. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations, even in previously skied terrain. Large natural avalanches have been widespread and destructive. We expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on leeward features in wind exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. In many areas, thick wind slabs may overlie the persistent weak layer creating the conditions for very large, destructive avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The never ending storm cycle has produced 120 - 180 cm of total snowfall across the region which is settling into a cohesive slab that averages 1m in thickness. This slab sits on a nasty persistent weak layer of surface hoar/facet/crust combo that was formed during the month of cold clear weather. Field observations continue to report easily triggered sudden planar failures on this interface in snowpack tests. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations, even in previously skied terrain. Large natural avalanches have been widespread and destructive. We expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on leeward features in wind exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. In many areas, thick wind slabs may overlie the persistent weak layer creating the conditions for very large, destructive avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The upper snowpack continues to settle but is still producing easy results down 40-60cm on the 0211 interface.  This interface is surface hoar in many areas below treeline and facets at treeline and above.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_BB12189E">The recent storm snow slab is now close to a metre thick and continues to settle into a cohesive slab that has become more stiff as it settles (one finger resistance). The layer of weak facetted (four finger resistance) snow that is below the storm slab has been reported as widespread on all aspects and at all elevations across the region. This is the classic firm slab over soft and weak layer that can allow for wide propagations and remote triggering. This problem may persist for days after the storm or even weeks. Forecast new snow and continued strong winds are expected to overload the weakness and cause another natural avalanche cycle. Regardless, it will continue to load above the weak layer priming conditions for large slab avalanches. The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. A deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Steady snow today on the Spray has currently left 4cm's (as of 3pm) with another 6 expected overnight. So far this new appears to be bonding well to the snow from last week. The snow from last week has either settled or been wind distributed to form a cohesive slab. The density of this slab increase with altitude and exposure to wind. The common theme at all elevations/aspects is the extremely poor bond with the snow underneath. Today marks the 7th day since the burial of the facets and there has been no improvement with the bond. On all of our field trips this week we have experienced LOTS of whumphing, cracking and even remote avalanches. The weak layer is made up of facets and in the odd place broken down surface hoar. One of the weaker snowpacks in recent memory. Snow depths are: Burstall Pass-165, Burstall Parking-118.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall amounts in the past week are more than 1metre and combined with previous snowfall, the storm slab thickness is 60-100cm. The storm slab is overlying a variety of old weak surfaces that developed during the past cold, dry spell. It consists of weak facets, surface hoar, a scoured crust, wind pressed snow, or any combination of these. A poor bond exists between the storm slab and these old surfaces. Much of the recent storm snow has been redistributed into wind slabs on lee slopes</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Of particular concern is the combination of buried facets on a crust that has been reactive at tree line and below. Avalanche activity, whumpfing and snowpack tests at these elevations are showing easy sudden planar shear results on the facet/crust combo. Strong to extreme winds are redistributing the new snow into deeper, and denser wind slabs on lee slopes increasing the possibility that an avalanche on these layers could be quite large and very destructive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but skier triggering has become unlikely. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region has received between 35-90 cm of new snow, with more snow to the western part of the region, tapering of as you travel further east, now overlying a variety of old surfaces. These buried surfaces consist of weak surface facets, surface hoar (more predominant at tree line and below tree line elevations), a scoured crust, wind pressed snow, or any combination of these left over from earlier weather. Whumpfing, cracking, and reports from the field indicate a very poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Reports from the Hankin area on a NE facing slope 1300m show an ice crust down 50cm with facets above and below. A compression test easy @ 25cm and another down @48cm, sudden collapse ( Thanks BH!) </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds and slight warming have added cohesion to the storm slab, and transported some of the new snow into deeper, and more destructive wind slabs on the lee side of ridge tops.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region, but skier triggering has become unlikely. A wind slab avalanche could step down to these basal facets and produce a large destructive avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Parts of the forecast region have received considerable snow in the past 10 days, now settling into a slab with a typical thickness of anywhere from 60-90cm. This storm slab overlies a variety of facets, surface hoar, crusts, hard wind pressed snow, or any combination of these. Widespread whumpfing, cracking, natural avalanche activity and remote triggering at all elevations are a strong indication of poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Snowpack tests show easy, sudden collapse within the storm slab. </span><span class="s_42FC617C">This storm slab problem will be with us for a long time as it is sitting on a large weak layer </span><span class="s_3FE45715">. Even when the ``whumpfing``stops,..it will still be dangerous, with potential for large, destructive avalanches as the slab settles and gets denser.. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Small pockets of wind slab may exist on leeward terrain features. The recent storm snow has settled and bonded. Melt-freeze crusts have bridged the snowpack above the early February weak layer. The mid-pack is well settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent ten-day storm has produced a cohesive slab that averages 40-90 cm in thickness. This slab sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 200m away which indicates a high likelihood of large propagations within the weak layer. We expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on leeward features in wind exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. In many areas, thick wind slabs may overlie the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent ten-day storm has produced a cohesive slab that averages 40-80 cm in thickness. This slab sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 200m away which indicates a high likelihood of large propagations within the weak layer. We expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on leeward features in wind exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. In many areas, thick wind slabs may overlie the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moderate to strong SW winds has loaded leeward and cross-loaded exposed slopes. There is over a metre of recent storm snow that is sitting on a weak layer that is a mixture of facets, surface hoar, melt-freeze crusts and any combination of these. The weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects and continued whumpfing and avalanche activity is reported. The storm slab continues to settle and become more cohesive allowing for longer fracture propagations and remote triggering. This persistent weak layer is expected to be a concern for some time; at least through the weekend.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recently, 30 cm on new storm snow fell adding to the storm slab that is over a metre thick. This slab is sitting on a persistent weak interface comprising of facets and a crust. It continues to show sudden planar shears at the persistent weak interface, and a high degree of sensitivity to rider triggers. Wide propagations and remote triggering remain a concern. With forecast sunny periods, solar aspects may see changes in the snow surfaces and reactivity. The deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack like a cornice fall or large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 15 cm of new snow fell on Friday, adding to the recent storm snow that is close to a metre thick. This slab continues to settle and become more cohesive, overlying a complex medley of persistent weak layers (mainly facets and some surface hoar). This weak layer is below the storm slab and widespread on all aspects and at all elevations across the region. This is the classic firm slab over soft and weak layer that allows for wide propagations and remote triggering. This problem may persist for days after the storm or even weeks. Wind loading and sunshine may cause another natural avalanche cycle on this layer. The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. A deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the last week, the northern parts of the region have received over 1m of new snowfall and the Southern areas have seen almost 2.5m. The Coquihalla has received another 45cm of new snow in the past 24hrs with high winds, adding to the existing storm slab now100 to 200cm deep in some parts of the region. In the southern portion of the region the slab sits on a crust/facet combination along with old wind slabs on lee slopes. In the northern part of the region one can add surface hoar to the crust/facet/slab combination. The storm slab seem to be unusually reactive at tree line and below tree line elevations. Whumpfing and widespread natural avalanche activity are a sign of a poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Strong to extreme winds are redistributing the new snow into deeper, reactive wind slabs on the lee side of ridge tops.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Although basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in the north of the region, giving us a low probability, but high consequence of a large destructive avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent ten-day storm has produced a cohesive slab that averages 1 m in thickness. This slab sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 200m away which indicates a high likelihood of large propagations within the weak layer. We expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on leeward features in wind exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. In many areas, thick wind slabs may overlie the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent ten-day storm has produced a cohesive slab that averages 1 m in thickness. This slab sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 200m away which indicates a high likelihood of large propagations within the weak layer. We expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on leeward features in wind exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. In many areas, thick wind slabs may overlie the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In the last week, the northern part of the region received over 1 m of new snowfall, while southern areas saw almost 2.5 m (and counting). Strong winds have created dense wind slabs on exposed lee slopes and in cross-loaded terrain features. In the southern portion of the region the new snow sits on a crust/facet combination along with old wind slabs on lee slopes. In the northern part of the region one can add surface hoar to the crust/facet/slab combination. Recent snowpack tests generally give moderate sudden &quot;pops or drops&quot; shears on this weakness and show potential for wide propagation. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Although basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in the north of the region, giving us a low probability, but high consequence of a large destructive avalanche. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent snowfall amounts vary considerably throughout the region. Some areas received as much as 45 cm of convective power flurries over the past couple days. The prominent mid February persistent weakness, consisting of surface hoar, facets, crust and/or wind pressed surfaces, is down 60-100 cm in the north and 120-160 cm in the south. Widespread whumpfing, cracking, natural avalanche activity and remote triggering at all elevations are a strong indication of poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Previous strong W-NW winds and forecast E-NE winds will likely create wind slabs on a variety of aspects in exposed terrain at all elevations. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The region received up to 90 cm in the western sections, tapering off as you travel further east (around 35-50 cm). This new snow overlies a variety of old surfaces including weak facets, surface hoar (more predominant at tree line and below tree line elevations), a scoured crust, wind pressed snow, or any combination of these. Whumpfing, cracking, and reports from the field indicate a very poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Recent snowpack tests give easy or moderate &quot;pops or drops&quot; shears on this persistent weakness and show potential for wide propagation. Recent strong winds have transported some of the new snow and formed dense wind slabs on a variety of aspects in exposed terrain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent ten-day storm has produced a cohesive slab that averages 40-90 cm in thickness. This slab sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 500m away which indicates a high likelihood of large propagations within the weak layer. We expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on leeward features in wind exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. In many areas, thick wind slabs may overlie the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Small pockets of wind slab may exist on leeward terrain features. Loose dry sluffing is expected from steeper terrain features. Melt-freeze crusts have bridged the snowpack above the early February weak layer. The mid-pack is well settled and strong. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent ten-day storm has produced a cohesive slab that averages 40-80 cm in thickness. This slab sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 500m away which indicates a high likelihood of large propagations within the weak layer. We expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on leeward features in wind exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. In many areas, thick wind slabs may overlie the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_BB12189E">The recent storm snow is up to a metre thick. This slab continues to settle and become more cohesive, overlying a complex medley of persistent weak layers (mainly facets and some surface hoar). This weak layer is below the storm slab and widespread on all aspects and at all elevations across the region. This is the classic firm slab over soft and weak layer that allows for wide propagations and remote triggering. This problem may persist for days after the storm or even weeks. Wind loading and sunshine may cause another natural avalanche cycle on this layer. The mid snowpack is strong and supportive. A deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moderate SW winds have loaded leeward and cross-loaded exposed slopes. Changing winds from the north may build fresh wind slabs on southerly slopes. There is over a metre of recent storm snow that is sitting on a weak layer that is a mixture of facets, surface hoar, melt-freeze crusts and any combination of these. The weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects and continued whumpfing and avalanche activity is reported. The storm slab continues to settle and become more cohesive allowing for longer fracture propagations and remote triggering from up to 200 m away, yikes! This persistent weak layer is expected to be a concern for some time; at all elevations and aspects. Treeline and below treeline is catching a lot of people by surprise. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The prominent mid-February weakness, which is primarily a facet/crust combo (with surface hoar in some areas), is now 70-150 cm deep depending on wind exposure. Recent snowpack tests give variable results on this layer, but some observers are still reporting sudden &quot;pops or drops&quot; shears and are experiencing significant whumpfing. Previous strong winds have created wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. Relatively thin wind slabs have the potential to trigger the deeper mid-Feb weakness. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar buried earlier in the season are likely to exist in some parts of the region; however, skier triggering has become unlikely. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent ten-day storm has produced a cohesive slab that averages 1 m in thickness. This slab sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 500m away which indicates a high likelihood of large propagations within the weak layer. We expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on leeward features in wind exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. In many areas, thick wind slabs may overlie the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent ten-day storm has produced a cohesive slab that averages 1 m in thickness. This slab sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 500m away which indicates a high likelihood of large propagations within the weak layer. We expect touchy conditions to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on leeward features in wind exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. In many areas, thick wind slabs may overlie the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recently, 30 cm on new storm snow fell adding to the storm slab that is over a metre thick. This slab is sitting on a persistent weak interface comprising of facets and a crust. It continues to show sudden planar shears at the persistent weak interface, and a high degree of sensitivity to rider triggers. Wide propagations and remote triggering remain a concern. With forecast sunny periods, solar aspects may see changes in the snow surfaces and reactivity. The deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack like a cornice fall or large avalanche. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Light amounts from last nights front had little overall impact in the snowpack. The storm snow from last week has settled a considerable amount at treeline and alpine elevations. The weak Feb 11 layer is still very evident as a sliding surface at all elevations. Moderate winds have made the surface windslabs a touch stiffer, however no failures on this interface were noted today. There was a better overall feel to the storm snow and Feb 11 interface, however whumphing was still noted on a number of occasions today.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The winds picked up a bit  today at ridgeline to alpine elevations. There was some slight wind effect at treeline, but only minor windslab development. Minor loose dry avalanches were noted out of steep cliff terrain. These will probably continue as the surface snow facets out and looses strength. Generally the upper snowpack seems to be settling reasonably well given the new snow from Friday and the cold temps. There was still whumphing and cracking in open at treeline and below. The midpack varies from a weak facetted pack to a very firm and supportive layer that dates back to a wind event in early January. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">20-30 cm of low density snow has fallen in the past 2 days with light winds forming fresh thin wind slabs near ridge crests. The prominent mid-February weakness, which is primarily a facet/crust combo (with surface hoar in some areas), is now 70-150 cm deep depending on wind exposure. Recent snowpack tests give variable results on this layer, but some observers are still reporting sudden &quot;pops or drops&quot; shears and are experiencing significant whumpfing. Previous strong winds have created wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. Relatively thin wind slabs have the potential to trigger the deeper mid-Feb weakness. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region; however, skier triggering has become unlikely. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-20 cm of low density new snow has fallen in the past couple days, accompanied by light to moderate winds. Previous strong winds created dense wind slabs on a variety of aspects and in cross-loaded terrain features. In the southern portion of the region up to 200 cm of settled storm snow sits on a crust/facet combination buried in mid February. In northern sections this weakness includes surface hoar and is generally down 60-100 cm. Recent snowpack tests indicate that this weak layer may be gaining strength, but professionals remain suspect. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. However, basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in the north of the region and still deserve respect on thin rocky alpine slopes.</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">Northerly outflow winds and picked up on Saturday resulting in reverse loading and cross loading in exposed terrain at all elevations and have scoured windward slopes. The prominent mid February persistent weakness (surface hoar, facets, crust and/or wind pressed surfaces) is down 60-100 cm in the north and 120-160 cm in the south. Widespread whumpfing, cracking, natural avalanche activity and remote triggering at all elevations are a strong indication of poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. In addition, snowpack tests give consistent easy to moderate &quot;pops or drops&quot; shears on the mid Feb layer. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region. Cornices are also large and may become weak if northerly winds start to undercut them. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Outflow winds picked late on Saturday and have likely resulted in reverse loading in exposed terrain. 35-90 cm of settled storm snow overlies a variety of old surfaces including weak facets, surface hoar (more predominant at tree line and below tree line elevations), a scoured crust, wind pressed snow, or any combination of these. Whumpfing, cracking, and reports from the field indicate a very poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Recent snowpack tests give easy or moderate &quot;pops or drops&quot; shears on this persistent weakness and show potential for wide propagation. Recent strong winds have transported some of the new snow and formed dense wind slabs on a variety of aspects in exposed terrain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moderate SW winds have loaded leeward and cross-loaded exposed slopes. Changing winds from the north may build fresh wind slabs on southerly slopes. There is over a metre of recent storm snow that is sitting on a weak layer that is a mixture of facets, surface hoar, melt-freeze crusts and any combination of these. The weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects and continued whumpfing and avalanche activity is reported. The storm slab continues to settle and become more cohesive allowing for longer fracture propagations and remote triggering from up to 200 m away, yikes! This persistent weak layer is expected to be a concern for some time; at all elevations and aspects. Treeline and below treeline is catching a lot of people by surprise. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">With forecast sunny periods, solar aspects will likely become more reactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices loom over slopes and wind slabs are building on leeward aspects. The recent storm snow is up to a metre thick and remains touchy. This slab continues to settle and become more cohesive, overlying a complex medley of persistent weak layers (mainly facets and some surface hoar). The weak layers are widespread on all aspects and at all elevations across the region. This is the classic firm slab over weak layer that allows for wide propagations and remote triggering. This problem may persist for days or even weeks. The mid-pack is strong and supportive. A deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A cohesive slab with an average thickness of 1 m sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 500m away which indicates a high likelihood of large propagations within the weak layer. Touchy conditions are expected to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on leeward features in wind exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. In many wind loaded areas, a slab of up to 2 m thickness overlie the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the past couple of days 40-50 cm of new, low density storm snow fell over the North Shore Mountains. Storm slabs and loose dry sluffing likely exist and are easily triggered. Pockets of wind slab likely exist on leeward terrain features. Melt-freeze crusts have bridged the snowpack above the early February weak layer. The mid-pack is well settled and strong. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A cohesive slab with an average thickness of 1 m sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 500m away which indicates a high likelihood of large propagations within the weak layer. Touchy conditions are expected to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on leeward features in wind exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. In many wind loaded areas, a slab of up to 2 m thickness overlie the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A cohesive slab with an average thickness of 1 m sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 500m away which indicates a high likelihood of large propagations within the weak layer. Touchy conditions are expected to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on leeward features in wind exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. In many wind loaded areas, a slab of up to 2 m thickness overlie the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices loom on ridgelines and threaten the slopes below. Variable winds have transported some of the recent storm snow, building new wind slabs on leeward slopes. A persistent slab 100-150 cm thick sits on a weak interface comprising of facets and a crust. It continues to show sudden planar shears at the interface, and a high degree of sensitivity to rider triggers. Wide propagations and remote triggering remain a concern. With forecast sunny periods, solar aspects may see changes in the snow surfaces and reactivity. The deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack like a cornice fall or large avalanche.</span></p><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A cohesive slab with an average thickness of 1 m sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 500m away which indicates a high likelihood of large propagations within the weak layer. Touchy conditions are expected to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on leeward features in wind exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. In many wind loaded areas, a slab of up to 2 m thickness overlie the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-30 cm of cold low density new snow has fallen in the past couple days, accompanied by light to moderate W-NW winds. Older dense wind slabs may be lightly buried on a variety of aspects and in cross-loaded terrain features. In the southern portion of the region up to 200 cm of settled storm snow sits on a crust/facet combination buried in mid February. In northern sections this weakness includes surface hoar and is generally down 60-100 cm. Recent snowpack tests indicate that this weak layer may be gaining strength, but professionals remain suspect. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. However, basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in the north of the region and still deserve respect on thin rocky alpine slopes.</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">Strong N-SE outflow winds have resulted in reverse loading and cross loading in exposed terrain at all elevations, and have scoured exposed windward slopes. The prominent mid February persistent weakness (surface hoar, facets, crust and/or wind pressed surfaces) is down 60-100 cm in the north and 120-160 cm in the south. Snowpack tests are now giving moderate to hard &quot;pops or drops&quot; shears on this weakness, and several whumpfs are still being reported. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region. Cornices are also large and may become weak if northerly winds start to undercut them. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Outflow winds picked late on Saturday and have likely resulted in reverse loading in exposed terrain. 35-90 cm of settled storm snow overlies a variety of old surfaces including weak facets, surface hoar (more predominant at tree line and below tree line elevations), a scoured crust, wind pressed snow, or any combination of these. Whumpfing, cracking, and reports from the field indicate a very poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Recent snowpack tests give easy or moderate &quot;pops or drops&quot; shears on this persistent weakness and show potential for wide propagation. A lack of activity on this layer is likely because the overlying snow has not settled into a slab due to the recent cold temperatures. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the weekend the North Shore Mountains received 50-60cm of new, low density storm snow. With a rapid change in overnight freezing levels and forecast sunny skies the snowpack will deteriorate very quickly. The new storm snow will likely settle and gain cohesion; however, become unstable and reactive in the process.  Melt-freeze crusts exist below the recent storm snow and have generally bridged the snowpack above the early February weak layer. We did however receive a report of whumpfing and settlements in the Third Peak area near Mt. Seymore. This may suggest that the weak layer could possibly exist in some locations and should be avoided.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices loom on ridgelines and threaten the slopes below. Variable winds have transported some of the recent storm snow, building new wind slabs on leeward slopes. A persistent slab 100-150 cm thick sits on a weak interface comprising of facets and a crust. It continues to show sudden planar shears at the interface, and a high degree of sensitivity to rider triggers. Wide propagations and remote triggering remain a concern. With forecast sunny periods, solar aspects may see changes in the snow surfaces and reactivity. The deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack like a cornice fall or large avalanche.</span></p><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A cohesive slab with an average thickness of 1m sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 500m away which indicates a high likelihood of large propagations within the weak layer. Touchy conditions are expected to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on leeward features in wind exposed areas at treeline and in the alpine. In many wind loaded areas, a slab of up to 2 m thickness overlie the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices loom over slopes and wind slabs are building on leeward aspects. The recent storm snow is up to a metre thick and remains touchy. This slab continues to settle and become more cohesive, overlying a complex medley of persistent weak layers (mainly facets and some surface hoar). The weak layers are widespread on all aspects and at all elevations across the region. This is the classic firm slab over weak layer that allows for wide propagations and remote triggering. This problem may persist for days or even weeks. The mid-pack is strong and supportive. A deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A cohesive slab with an average thickness of 1m sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 500m away, indicating a high likelihood of large propagation within the weak layer. Touchy conditions are expected to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on lee features in wind exposed areas at treeline and above. In many wind loaded areas, a slab of up to 2 m thickness overlie the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent north winds have deposited wind slabs on south facing slopes. On the surface, a healthy layer of surface hoar and facets are growing in sheltered areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A crust, facet and surface hoar combo is down 30-40cm. Some snowpack and slope tests suggest there is a reasonable bond between the crust and overlying snow in certain areas. Having said that, recent small natural avalanches, reports of 'whumpfing' and sudden planner or 'pop' results in snowpack tests suggest this layer is quite reactive in other locations and deserves respect. This speaks to the variability in distribution of this problem. Suffice to say, anywhere there is a cohesive slab sitting over a preserved layer of surface hoar and/or facets, touchy conditions likely exist. This appears to be further south and in the alpine where more snow fell in the last storm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-pack is supportive but becomes thinner further north. A layer of depth hoar and basal facets exists in the Powder and Wheaton Valleys. This layer is becoming harder to trigger. However, given a heavy load in a steep, shallow start zone it may still be possible. If so, the result will likely be a surprisingly large, destructive avalanche.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">  </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555"> </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">Surface faceting. Variable wind effect Alpine and Treeline. The Feb 10th layer down an average of 60 to 80cm. Natural avalanche activity is declining, but human triggering remains touchy. Isolated whumpfing and cracking continues.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 50 cm of cold low density snow has fallen in the past few days, with light winds forming fresh thin wind slabs near ridge crests. The prominent mid-February weakness, which is primarily a facet/crust combo (with surface hoar in some areas), is now 80-160 cm deep depending on wind exposure. Recent snowpack tests give variable results on this layer, but some observers are still reporting sudden &quot;pops or drops&quot; shears and continue to experience whumpfs. Previous strong winds created wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain, which are now hidden by the dry new snow. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region; however, skier triggering has become unlikely. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Changing winds from the southwest-north may build fresh wind slabs on leeward slopes. Currently there is over a metre of recent storm snow that is sitting on a weak layer comprising of facets, surface hoar, melt-freeze crusts and any combination of these. The weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects and continued whumpfing and easy sudden planar snowpack test results are being reported. The storm slab continues to settle and become more cohesive allowing for longer fracture propagations and remote triggering from up to 200 m away, yikes! This persistent weak layer is expected to be a concern for some time; at all elevations and aspects. Treeline and below treeline elevations is catching many people by surprise.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">With forecast sunny periods, solar aspects will likely see some changes and become more reactive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A cohesive slab with an average thickness of 1 m sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 500m away which indicates a high likelihood of large propagation within the weak layer. Touchy conditions are expected to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. In some places, a slab of up to 2 m thickness overlies the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A cohesive slab with an average thickness of 1m sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 500m away which indicates a high likelihood of large propagation within the weak layer. Touchy conditions are expected to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on lee features in wind exposed areas at treeline and above. In many wind loaded areas, a slab of up to 2 m thickness overlies the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets and depth hoar have been noted in reports from some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the weekend the North Shore Mountains received up to 60cm of new, low density storm snow. With a sudden rise in temperature and sunny skies the new snow saw rapid settlement and has become moist/ wet, especially on southerly aspects.  Older melt-freeze crusts exist below the recent storm snow and have generally bridged the snowpack above the early February weak layer. We did however receive a report of whumpfing and settlements in the Third Peak area near Mt. Seymore. This may suggest that the weak layer could possibly exist in some isolated locations. I suspect after this warming period and settlement, any reminisce of a weak layer will be gone and not a concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A cohesive slab with an average thickness of 1.3m sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 500m away, indicating a high likelihood of large propagation within the weak layer. Touchy conditions are expected to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on lee features in wind exposed areas at tree line and above. In many wind loaded areas, a slab of up to 2 m thickness overlie the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A cohesive slab with an average thickness of 1metre sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 500m away which indicates the possibility of large propagation within the weak layer. Touchy conditions are expected to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on lee features in wind exposed areas at treeline and above. In many wind loaded areas, a slab of up to 2 m thickness overlie the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A cohesive slab with a thickness of up to 1.5m in some parts of the forecast area sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 500m away which indicates a high likelihood of wide-scale propagation within the weak layer. Touchy conditions are expected to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. Surface hoar is now forming in protected areas above and below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on lee features at tree line and above. In some places, this slab may be up to 2 m thick and overlies the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Strong N-SE outflow winds have resulted in reverse loading and cross loading in exposed terrain at all elevations, and have scoured exposed windward slopes. The prominent mid February persistent weakness (surface hoar, facets, crust and/or wind pressed surfaces) is down 60-100 cm in the north and 120-160 cm in the south. Snowpack tests are now giving moderate to hard &quot;pops or drops&quot; shears on this weakness, and several whumpfs are still being reported. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region. Cornices are also large and may become weak if northerly winds start to undercut them. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Outflow winds picked up late on Saturday and have likely resulted in reverse loading in exposed terrain. 35-90 cm of settled storm snow overlies a variety of old surfaces including weak facets, surface hoar (more predominant at tree line and below tree line elevations), a scoured crust, wind pressed snow, or any combination of these. Whumpfing, cracking, and reports from the field indicate a very poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Recent snowpack tests give easy or moderate &quot;pops or drops&quot; shears on this persistent weakness and show potential for wide propagation. A lack of activity on this layer is likely because the overlying snow has not settled into a slab due to the recent cold temperatures. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Changing winds from the southwest-north may build fresh wind slabs on leeward slopes and new surface hoar formation 5-10 mm has been noted. Currently there is over a metre of recent storm snow that is sitting on a weak layer comprising of facets, surface hoar, melt-freeze crusts and any combination of these. The weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects and continued whumpfing and easy sudden planar snowpack test results are being reported. The storm slab continues to settle and become more cohesive allowing for longer fracture propagations and remote triggering from up to 200 m away, yikes! This persistent weak layer is expected to be a concern for some time; at all elevations and aspects. Treeline and below treeline elevations is catching many people by surprise.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">With forecast sunny periods, solar aspects will likely see moist snow during the day, then forming a crust overnight.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices loom on ridgelines and threaten the slopes below. Variable winds have transported some of the recent storm snow, building new wind slabs on leeward slopes. With forecast sunny periods, solar aspects may become moist during the day then form a crust overnight. A persistent slab 100-150 cm thick sits on a weak interface comprising of facets and a crust. It continues to show sudden planar shears at the interface, and a high degree of sensitivity to rider triggers. Wide propagations and remote triggering remain a concern. The deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack like a cornice fall or large avalanche. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A cohesive slab with an average thickness of 1.3m sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 500m away which indicates a high likelihood of large propagation within the weak layer. Touchy conditions are expected to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on lee features in wind exposed areas at treeline and above. In many wind loaded areas, a slab of up to 2 m thickness overlies the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets and depth hoar have been noted in reports from some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Strong solar radiation quickly settled the 30-50 cm of recent cold low density new snow. Solar aspects becoming moist and then developing a thin melt-freeze crust during developing cloud in the afternoon. The prominent mid-February weakness, which is primarily a facet/crust combo (with surface hoar in some areas), is now 80-160 cm deep depending on wind exposure. Recent snowpack tests give variable results on this layer, but some observers are still reporting sudden &quot;pops or drops&quot; shears and continue to experience whumpfs. Previous strong winds created wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain, which are now hidden by the dry new snow. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region; however, skier triggering has become unlikely. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-30 cm of cold low density new snow has fallen in the past couple days, accompanied by light to moderate W-NW winds. Older dense wind slabs may be lightly buried on a variety of aspects and in cross-loaded terrain features. In the southern portion of the region up to 200 cm of settled storm snow sits on a crust/facet combination buried in mid February. In northern sections this weakness includes surface hoar and is generally down 60-100 cm. Recent snowpack tests indicate that this weak layer may be gaining strength, but professionals remain suspect. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. However, basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in the north of the region and still deserve respect on thin rocky alpine slopes.</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">Large cornices loom on ridgelines and threaten the slopes below. Variable winds have transported some of the recent storm snow, building new wind slabs on leeward slopes. A persistent slab 80-120 cm thick sits on a weak interface comprising of facets and a crust. It continues to show sudden planar shears at the interface, and a high degree of sensitivity to rider triggers. Wide propagations and remote triggering remain a concern. With forecast sunny periods, solar aspects may see moist snow surfaces which will then form a crust overnight. The deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack like a cornice fall or large avalanche. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Surface faceting. Variable wind effect Alpine. Between 40 and 70cm overlies the Feb 10th layer, and this interface is still producing moderate shears in compression tests. Along the continental divide the midpack remains supportive, but areas further east are much weaker. The basal facets and depth hoar are well pronounced, but are currently dormant with respect to avalanche activity and stability tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Strong solar radiation quickly settled the 30-50 cm of recent cold low density new snow. Solar aspects becoming moist and then developing a thin melt-freeze crust during developing cloud in the afternoon. The prominent mid-February weakness, which is primarily a facet/crust combo (with surface hoar in some areas), is now 80-160 cm deep depending on wind exposure. Recent snowpack tests give variable results on this layer, but some observers are still reporting sudden &quot;pops or drops&quot; shears and continue to experience whumpfs. Previous strong winds created wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain, which are now hidden by the dry new snow. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in some parts of the region; however, skier triggering has become unlikely. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Clear skies and cold temperatures combined with moderate Easterly or Northeasterly winds have developed new wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline. 35-90 cm of settled storm snow overlies a variety of old surfaces including weak facets, surface hoar (more predominant at tree line and below tree line elevations), a scoured crust, wind pressed snow, or any combination of these. Whumpfing, cracking, and reports from the field indicate a very poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Recent snowpack tests give easy or moderate &quot;pops or drops&quot; shears on this persistent weakness and show potential for wide propagation. A lack of activity on this layer is likely because the overlying snow has not settled into a slab due to the recent cold temperatures. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A dense slab with an average thickness of 1.5 metre sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is reactive even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches indicating the ability of this weak layer to fail and propagate over large distances. Touchy conditions are expected to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. Some Katabatic (down-flowing) winds slab formation is being reported as well.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds out of the SW through NW have created wind slabs on lee features in wind exposed areas at tree line and above. In many wind loaded areas, a slab of up to 2 m thickness overlies the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Moist snow on steep solar aspects. Surface facetting in protected areas. Snowpack settling. Wind effect Alpine and Treeline areas. Between 40 and 70cm overlies the Feb 10th layer. Moderate shears are found at this interface.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In the southern portion of the region up to 200 cm of settled storm snow sits on a crust/facet combination buried in mid February. In northern sections this weakness includes surface hoar and is generally down 60-100 cm. Recent snowpack tests indicate that this weak layer may be gaining strength, but professionals remain suspect. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. However, basal facets and depth hoar are likely to exist in the north of the region and still deserve respect on thin rocky alpine slopes.</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">Warm alpine temperatures and strong solar radiation have resulted in snowballing and moist or wet loose snow on steep Southerly aspects. Strong N-SE outflow winds have resulted in reverse loading and cross loading in exposed terrain at all elevations, and have scoured exposed windward slopes. The prominent mid February persistent weakness (surface hoar, facets, crust and/or wind pressed surfaces) is down 60-100 cm in the north and 120-160 cm in the south. Snowpack tests are now giving moderate to hard &quot;pops or drops&quot; shears on this weakness, and several whumpfs are still being reported. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region. Cornices are also large and may become weak if northerly winds start to undercut them. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A dense slab with an average thickness of 1.5 metre sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and continues to be reactive, even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches indicating the ability of failures in this weak layer to propagate over large distances. Touchy conditions are expected to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. Some Katabatic (down-flowing) winds slab formation is being reported as well.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In many wind loaded areas, wind slabs of up to 2m thick overly the persistent weak layer creating  ideal conditions for very large avalanches. Surface hoar and near-surface facetting is now being reported in protected areas above and below tree line.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets still exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Last weekend the North Shore Mountains received up to 60cm of new, low density storm snow. With a sudden rise in temperature and sunny skies the new snow saw rapid settlement and has become moist/wet, especially on southerly aspects. Older melt-freeze crusts exist below the recent storm snow and have generally bridged the snowpack above the early February weak layer. We did however receive a report of whumpfing and settlements in the Third Peak area near Mt. Seymour earlier in the week. This may suggest that the weak layer still exists in some isolated locations. We suspect after this warming period and settlement, any reminisce of a weak layer will be gone and not a concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A dense slab with an average thickness of 1.5 metre sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and continues to be reactive, even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. As well, we have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches indicating the ability of failures in this weak layer to propagate over large distances. Touchy conditions are expected to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. Some Katabatic (down-flowing) winds slab formation is being reported as well.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In many wind loaded areas, a slab of up to 2m thick overlies the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches. We are getting reports of surface hoar growth and near-surface facetting in protected areas above and below tree line.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A cohesive slab with an average thickness of 1.3m sits on a nasty persistent weak layer (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold, dry weather. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects, and is creating problems even in previously skied terrain. Large settlements and whumpfs have been reported at all elevations. We have received numerous reports of remotely-triggered avalanches from as far as 500m away which indicates a high likelihood of large propagation within the weak layer. Touchy conditions are expected to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> In many wind loaded areas, a slab of up to 2m thickness overlies the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets and depth hoar have been noted in reports from some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices loom on ridgelines and threaten the slopes below. Variable winds have transported some of the recent storm snow, building new wind slabs on leeward slopes. With forecast sunny periods, solar aspects may become moist during the day then form a crust overnight. A persistent slab 100-150 cm thick sits on a weak interface comprising of facets and a crust. It continues to show sudden planar shears at the interface, and a high degree of sensitivity to rider triggers. Wide propagations and remote triggering remain a concern. The deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack like a cornice fall or large avalanche. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices loom on ridgelines and threaten the slopes below. Variable winds have transported some of the recent storm snow, building new wind slabs on leeward slopes. A persistent slab 80-120 cm thick sits on a weak interface comprising of facets and a crust. It continues to show sudden planar shears at the interface, and a high degree of sensitivity to human triggers. Wide propagations and remote triggering remain a concern. With forecast sunny periods, solar aspects may see moist snow surfaces which will then form a crust overnight. The deep persistent layer of facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack has remained dormant to this point, but may become a concern with additional load and stress on the snowpack like a cornice fall or large avalanche. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The primary concern is an approximately 1m thick slab from the last series of storms that is sitting on a stubborn persistent weak layer consisting of facets, surface hoar, melt-freeze crusts, or any combination of these. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects. We have been receiving reports of whumpfing and easy sudden planar snowpack test results on this layer. The persistent slab continues to settle and become more cohesive allowing for larger fracture propagations and remote triggering from up to 200m away. This persistent weak layer is expected to be a concern for longer than we are used to. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable winds from the southwest through north have created touchy wind slabs on leeward slopes and cross-loaded features. In wind-loaded areas, slabs up to 2m thick may overly the persistent weak layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">With the current sunny and warm inversion conditions, solar aspects will likely see moist snow during the day, then forming a crust overnight. New surface hoar formation 5-10mm has been observed.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm slab (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed following the preceding month of cold, dry weather appears to be gaining strength with settlement and warm temperatures. The persistent weak layer remains widespread at all elevations and aspects, and although it is not as reactive as it has been, it's still a very real concern. Large settlements and whumpfs are still being reported. Remotely-triggered avalanches indicate the ability of this weak layer to fail and propagate over large distances. Touchy conditions are expected to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. Some Katabatic (down-flowing) winds slab formation is being reported as well.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In many wind loaded areas, a slab of up to 2m thick overlies the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches.  Winds changing to NE in the coming days may build wind slabs on SW and S slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Strong solar radiation and warm temperatures have resulted in moist surface snow on all but shaded North aspects. Moist or wet loose snow has been releasing naturally from steep Southerly aspects. The early February weak layer continues to give moderate to hard sudden planar shears in snow profile tests down 50-100 cm in the North and down 100-150 cm in the South. No recent reports of whumpfing or remote triggering on this weak layer of crusts and facets. Forecast strong Northeast outflow winds may continue to develop wind slabs in areas that still have snow available for transport. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region. Cornices are also large and may become weak if northerly winds start to undercut them. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Last weekend the North Shore Mountains received up to 60cm of new, low density storm snow. With several days of above-freezing temperatures and sunny skies the new snow saw rapid settlement and has become moist/wet, especially on southerly aspects. Older well-bonded melt-freeze crusts exist below the recent storm snow and have generally bridged the snowpack above the early February weak layer. We did however receive a report of whumpfing and settlements in the Third Peak area near Mt. Seymour earlier in the week. This may suggest that the weak layer still exists in some isolated locations. We suspect after this warming period and settlement, any reminisce of a weak layer will be gone and not a concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The primary concern remains a persistent slab 100-150 cm thick that sits on a stubborn persistent weak layer consisting of a crust, facets, and/or surface hoar. It continues to show sudden planar shears at the interface and a high degree of sensitivity to human triggers. Wide propagations and remote triggering remain a concern. Check out the </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/southrockies/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">South Rockies Blog</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for a video of a snowpack test on this layer. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable winds have transported some of the surface snow, building wind slabs on leeward slopes. Large cornices remain a concern along ridge lines and threaten the slopes below. </span></p><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">South facing slopes have formed a sun crust on the snow surface. New surface hoar formation up to 4mm and near-surface faceting are also being reported. A weakness at the base of the snowpack may still exist in isolated areas of the region but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Strong solar radiation and warm air trapped in the alpine have developed a melt-freeze crust on Southerly aspects and caused a great deal of settlement in the old storm slab above the early February weak layer. The February weak layer of crusts and facets has been reported to be rounding and bonding in areas where the old storm slab is 150 cm or deeper. Shallow snow pack areas where the old storm slab is closer to a metre or less continue to give sudden planar shears in snow profile tests. North aspects in the alpine may have had enough warming to settle the storm snow into a cohesive slab, but not enough to improve the weak layer bond. Big un-supported alpine North aspects are the most likely place to find a well preserved deeply buried February weak layer that may continue to allow for long propagations resulting in very large avalanches. </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 primary concern is a ~1m thick slab from the last series of storms that is sitting on a stubborn persistent weak layer consisting of facets, surface hoar, melt-freeze crusts, or any combination of these. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects. Recent test results are suggesting that the layer is still easy to trigger in some areas but may becoming harder to trigger in other areas. We are still receiving isolated reports of large settlements or whumpfing which suggests the layer still has the potential for large propagations. In many areas the layer has the potential to produce large, destructive avalanches. The phase we are now entering is referred to a 'low probability/high consequence' problem. Continue to use conservative terrain choices until you are sure the layer is no longer unstable in your local area. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable winds from the southwest through north have created touchy wind slabs on leeward slopes and cross-loaded features. In wind-loaded areas, slabs up to 2m thick may overlie the persistent weak layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On south aspects, a sun crust has formed on the surface. New surface hoar formation 5-10mm has been observed.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snowpack settling. Steep solar aspects now have a sun crust on the surface from the intense radiation yesterday. The Feb 10th layer down 35 to 70cm still produces moderate to hard results in compression tests. The midpack remains strong in areas near the divide, but it is weaker in areas further to the East. Isolated whumpfing and cracking continue to be observed.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface hoar and surface facets are growing in sheltered areas. A crust, facet and surface hoar combo is down 30-40cm. Some snowpack and slope tests suggest there is a reasonable bond between the crust and overlying snow in certain areas. Having said that, recent small natural avalanches suggest this persistent weak layer remains reactive particularly alpine areas in the southern side of White Pass (e.g. Taiya, Feather and Cleveland). Nonetheless, anywhere there is a cohesive slab sitting over a preserved layer of surface hoar and/or facets, touchy conditions likely exist.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-pack is supportive but becomes thinner further north. A layer of depth hoar and basal facets exists in the Powder and Wheaton Valleys. This layer is becoming harder to trigger. However, given a heavy load in a steep, shallow start zone it may still be possible. If so, the result will likely be a surprisingly large, destructive avalanche.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm slab of about 1 metre overlies a persistent weak layer, (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold dry weather. The storm slab appears to be gaining strength with settlement and warm temperatures but the persistent weak layer beneath it remains widespread at all elevations and aspects. Although this weak layer is not as reactive as it has been, it's still a very real concern. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface hoar and near surface facetting is occurring on protected/shaded aspects. solar aspects are moist to quite high elevations during the day, with sun crusts forming at night.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large settlements and whumpfs are still being reported indicating the ability of this weak layer to fail and propagate over large distances. Touchy conditions will remain in place for the near future. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">With the winds changing to north east, wind slab development at tree line may change to south east slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In many wind loaded areas, a slab of up to 1.5m thick overlies the persistent weak layer creating ideal conditions for very large avalanches. Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm slab overlies a persistent weak layer, (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold dry weather. The storm slab isnow gaining strength with settlement and warm temperatures but the persistent weak layer beneath it  remains widespread at all elevations and aspects. Although this weak layer is not as reactive as it has been, it's still a very real concern. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large settlements and whumpfs are still being reported indicating the ability of this weak layer to fail and propagate over large distances. Touchy conditions will remain in place for the near future. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Katabatic (down-flowing) winds slab formation is being reported as well. With the winds changing to north east, wind slab development at tree line may change to south east slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In many wind loaded areas, a slab of up to 2m thick overlies the persistent weak layer creating  ideal conditions for very large avalanches.  Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm slab of about 1 metre overlies a persistent weak layer, (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold dry weather. The storm slab appears to be gaining strength with settlement and warm temperatures but the persistent weak layer beneath it remains widespread at all elevations and aspects. Although this weak layer is not as reactive as it has been, it's still a very real concern. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface hoar and near surface facetting is occurring on protected/shaded aspects, and solar aspects are moist to quite high elevations during the day with sun crusts forming at night. Winds shifting from south west to north east will signal wind slab development on south east slopes when the arctic outflow arrives from the northeast.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large settlements and whumpfs are still being reported indicating the ability of this weak layer to fail. Remotely triggered avalanches tell us it has the ability to propagate over large distances. Touchy conditions will remain for the near future. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Clear skies and cold temperatures combined with moderate Easterly or Northeasterly winds have developed new wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline. 35-90 cm of settled storm snow overlies a variety of old surfaces including weak facets, surface hoar (more predominant at tree line and below tree line elevations), a scoured crust, wind pressed snow, or any combination of these. Whumpfing, cracking, and reports from the field indicate a very poor bond between the new snow and these old surfaces. Recent snowpack tests give easy or moderate &quot;pops or drops&quot; shears on this persistent weakness and show potential for wide propagation. A lack of activity on this layer is likely because the overlying snow has not settled into a slab due to the recent cold temperatures. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The primary concern remains a persistent slab 80-120 cm thick that sits on a stubborn persistent weak layer consisting of a crust, facets, and/or surface hoar. It continues to show sudden planar shears at the interface and a high degree of sensitivity to human triggers. Wide propagations and remote triggering remain a concern. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B">Check out the </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/southrockies/" target="_blank"><span class="s_9255B882">South Rockies Blog </span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B">for a video of a snowpack test on this layer. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable winds have transported some of the surface snow, building wind slabs on leeward slopes. Large cornices remain a concern along ridge lines and threaten the slopes below. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">South facing slopes have formed a sun crust on the snow surface. New surface hoar formation up to 4mm and near-surface faceting are also being reported. A weakness at the base of the snowpack may still exist in isolated areas of the region but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong solar radiation and warm air trapped in the alpine have developed a melt-freeze crust on Southerly aspects and caused a great deal of settlement in the old storm slab above the early February weak layer. The February weak layer of crusts and facets has been reported to be rounding and bonding in areas where the old storm slab is 200 cm or deeper ( there is between 2-3 metres of snow above the weak layer in the Coquihalla area). Shallow snow pack areas where the old storm slab is closer to a metre or less continue to give sudden planar shears in snow profile tests ( there is about 60-80 cm above the weak layer in the Duffey Lake area). North aspects in the alpine may have had enough warming to settle the storm snow into a cohesive slab, but not enough to improve the weak layer bond. Big un-supported alpine North aspects are the most likely place to find a well preserved deeply buried February weak layer that may continue to allow for long propagations resulting in very large avalanches.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Several days of sun and above-freezing temperatures have caused the surface of the snowpack to melt and there is now a surface crust which is especially predominant on south aspects.  This weather has caused good settlement of the snowpack and there are currently no active layers of concern. The weak layer from early February is now down over 1m and is generally well-bonded. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The primary concern is a persistent slab (typical thickness 50-90cm) from the last series of storms that is sitting on a stubborn persistent weak layer consisting of facets, surface hoar, melt-freeze crusts, or any combination of these. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects. Recent test results are suggesting that the layer is still easy to trigger in some areas but may becoming harder to trigger in other areas. We are still receiving isolated reports of large settlements or whumpfing which suggests the layer still has the potential for large propagations. In many areas the layer has the potential to produce large, destructive avalanches. The phase we are now entering is referred to a 'low probability/high consequence' problem. Continue to use conservative terrain choices until you are sure the layer is no longer unstable in your local area. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable winds from the southwest through north have created touchy wind slabs on leeward slopes and cross-loaded features. In wind-loaded areas, slabs up to 2m thick may overlie the persistent weak layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On south aspects, a sun crust has formed on the surface. New surface hoar formation 5-10mm has been observed.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm slab of about 1 metre overlies a persistent weak layer, (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold dry weather. The storm slab appears to be gaining strength with settlement and warm temperatures but the persistent weak layer beneath it remains widespread at all elevations and aspects. Although this weak layer is not as reactive as it has been, it's still a very real concern. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface hoar and near surface facetting is occurring on protected/shaded aspects, and solar aspects are moist to quite high elevations during the day with sun crusts forming at night. Winds shifting from south west to north east will signal wind slab development on south east slopes when the arctic outflow arrives from the northeast.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large settlements and whumpfs are still being reported indicating the ability of this weak layer to fail. Remotely triggered avalanches tell us it has the ability to propagate over large distances. Touchy conditions will remain for the near future. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cold air that moved down from the arctic has developed a melt-freeze crust on all aspects at lower elevations, and on all but Northerly aspects in the alpine. Recent very warm temperatures and periods of very strong solar radiation caused a great deal of settlement in the old storm slab above the early February weak layer. The February weak layer of crusts and facets has been reported to be rounding and bonding in areas where the old storm slab is 200 cm or deeper ( there is between 2-3 metres of snow above the weak layer in the Coquihalla area). Shallow snow pack areas where the old storm slab is closer to a metre or less continue to give sudden planar shears in snow profile tests ( there is about 60-80 cm above the weak layer in the Duffey Lake area). North aspects in the alpine may have had enough warming to settle the storm snow into a cohesive slab, but not enough to improve the weak layer bond. Big un-supported alpine North aspects are the most likely place to find a well preserved deeply buried February weak layer that may continue to allow for long propagations resulting in very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Strong solar radiation and warm temperatures have resulted in moist surface snow on all but shaded North aspects. Moist or wet loose snow has been releasing naturally from steep Southerly aspects. The early February weak layer continues to give moderate to hard sudden planar shears in snow profile tests down 50-100 cm in the North and down 100-150 cm in the South. No recent reports of whumpfing or remote triggering on this weak layer of crusts and facets. Forecast strong Northeast outflow winds may continue to develop wind slabs in areas that still have snow available for transport. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region. Cornices are also large and may become weak if northerly winds start to undercut them. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm slab overlies a persistent weak layer, (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold dry weather. This slab is now gaining strength with settlement and warm temperatures but don't let that fool you into making the wrong terrain choices. The persistent weak layer beneath it remains widespread at all elevations and aspects. Although this weak layer is not as reactive as it has been, it's still a very real concern. Large settlements and whumpfs are still being reported indicating the ability of this weak layer to fail and propagate over large distances. Difficult conditions will remain in place for the near future. Some south slopes have developed a crust from the warm temperatures and strong solar radiation.  Protected and shaded areas are now seeing surface hoar development and near-surface facetting. With the winds changing to north east, wind slab development at tree line may change to south east slopes. In many wind loaded areas, a slab of up to 2m thick overlies the persistent weak layer creating ideal conditions for very large avalanches. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm slab about 1.5 metres thick  overlies a persistent weak layer, (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed during the preceding month of cold dry weather. The storm slab appears to be gaining strength with settlement and warm temperatures but the persistent weak layer beneath it remains widespread at all elevations and aspects. Although this weak layer is not as reactive as it has been, it's still a very real concern. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface hoar and near surface facetting is occurring on protected/shaded aspects. solar aspects are moist to quite high elevations during the day, with sun crusts forming at night.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large settlements and whumpfs are still being reported indicating the ability of this weak layer to fail and propagate over large distances. Touchy conditions will remain in place for the near future. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">With the winds changing to north east, wind slab development at tree line may change to south east slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In many wind loaded areas, a slab of up to 1.5m thick overlies the persistent weak layer creating ideal conditions for very large avalanches. Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The primary concern remains a persistent slab 70-150 cm thick that sits on a stubborn persistent weak layer consisting of a crust, facets, and/or surface hoar. It continues to show sudden planar shears at the interface and a high degree of sensitivity to human triggers. Wide propagations and remote triggering remain a concern. Check out the </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/southrockies/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">South Rockies Blog</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for a new video discussing this layer and the current avalanche problem. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable winds have transported some of the surface snow, building wind slabs on leeward slopes. Large cornices remain a concern along ridge lines and threaten the slopes below. </span></p><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">South facing slopes have formed a sun crust on the snow surface. New surface hoar formation up to 4mm and near-surface faceting are also being reported. A weakness at the base of the snowpack may still exist in isolated areas of the region but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The winds have shifted in the last 24hrs signalling the arrival of the cold air. The alpine snowpack has noticeably more wind effect today than yesterday. The existing windslabs have not seen a significant change, but the alpine has isolated pockets of reverse loaded windslabs can be added to the list of potential trouble layers near the surface. The real story is still the Feb 10th layer and its tricky nature. In most places the bond has significantly improved, but in certain terrain features that bond can be easily broken. Its a tough layer to trust right now. Lately the Oct 1027 crust/depth hoar has fallen off the radar. Its is worth reiterating that the basal layers are still considered weak and remain on our radar. Especially as the upper layers settle, facet or blow away, potentially exposing weak and thin spots. We've seen settlement rates of 5-10 cm's in the snow depths.  Burstall Pass snow depth is 156cms.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cold arctic air has invaded the region creating a melt-freeze crust on all aspects at treeline and below, and on all but North aspects in the alpine. The recent very warm alpine temperatures and strong solar radiation caused a great deal of settlement in the old storm slab above the early February weak layer. The February weak layer of crusts and facets has been reported to be rounding and bonding in areas where the old storm slab is 150 cm or deeper. Shallow snow pack areas where the old storm slab is closer to a metre or less continue to give sudden planar shears in snow profile tests. North aspects in the alpine may have had enough warming to settle the storm snow into a cohesive slab, but not enough to improve the weak layer bond. Big un-supported alpine North aspects are the most likely place to find a well preserved deeply buried February weak layer that may continue to allow for long propagations resulting in very large avalanches. </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">The recent warm air over most of the forecast regions did not push into the Northwest Inland. Temperatures remained cool even with solar radiation, and now the temperatures have dropped to very cold with the influence of arctic air sliding down from the Northeast. The early February weak layer of facets, crusts, and surface hoar is buried down about 35-90 cm. The snow above the crust has been transported by Southwest winds and then reverse loaded by Easterly or Southeast winds. Cold temperatures have not settled the snow above the weak layer into a cohesive slab, and the cold has preserved the weak layer and associated crusts. I suspect that there will not be much change or improvement in the bonding of the late February snow to the crusts and facets. Snow pack tests may help to show when this layer demonstrates more resistance to added forces. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm slab (surface hoar/facet/crust combo) that was formed following the preceding month of cold, dry weather appears to be gaining strength with settlement and warm temperatures, but don't let that fool you into making the wrong terrain choices. The persistent weak layer remains widespread at all elevations and aspects, and although it is not as reactive as it has been, it's still a very real concern. Large settlements and whumpfs are still being reported. Remotely-triggered avalanches indicate the ability of this weak layer to fail and propagate over large distances. Tricky conditions are expected to remain in place longer than we're normally accustomed to. Some Katabatic (down-flowing) wind slab formation is being reported as well.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In many wind loaded areas, a slab of up to 2m thick overlies the persistent weak layer creating conditions for very large avalanches. Winds changing to NE in the coming days may build wind slabs on SW and S slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The primary concern remains a persistent slab that sits on a stubborn persistent weak layer consisting of a crust, facets, and/or surface hoar. The layer continues to show a high degree of sensitivity to human triggers. Wide propagations and remote triggering remain a concern. In the thinner snowpack areas such as the Crowsnest and northern Elk Valley, the slab is typically 30-60cm thick. In thicker areas such as the Flathead and around Fernie, the slab typically varies in thickness from 70-150cm. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B">Check out the </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/southrockies/" target="_blank"><span class="s_9255B882">South Rockies Blog </span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B">for a new video discussing the persistent weak layer and the current avalanche problem. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable winds have transported some of the surface snow, building wind slabs on leeward slopes. Large cornices remain a concern along ridge lines and threaten the slopes below. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">South facing slopes have formed a sun crust on the snow surface. New surface hoar formation up to 4mm and near-surface faceting are also being reported. A weakness at the base of the snowpack may still exist in isolated areas of the region but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Moderate winds in the alpine have continued to have an impact on the snow distribution. Of note was the new crossloading of east facing terrain at alpine and treeline elevations. Faceting within the surface layers has been the prevalent change in the snow pack lately. Windslabs have certainly begun to lose some structure on northern aspects. No dramatic change for the midpack or basal layers. Generally the travel is supportive below treeline and the bridging effect of the old wind layers is still evident at treeline elevations. The layers near the bottom are still weak, as they usually are this time of year.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces include well-settled powder, surface hoar in sheltered areas and a thin sun crust on solar aspects. Recent variable winds have also created wind pressing in exposed terrain, and thin wind slabs may be found in some alpine features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The big news remains a mix of weak surfaces which were buried between the end of January and the beginning of February. This persistent interface lies between 50 and 120cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with ongoing reports of human triggering and sudden snowpack test results. This low probability/high consequence scenario is tricky to manage as the warning signs may not be obvious. It's all about terrain choice. Put the odds in your favour by avoiding steep, unsupported slopes, areas with a thin or variable snowpack, or terrain with a significant overhead hazard.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Several days of sun and above-freezing temperatures have caused the surface of the snowpack to melt and there is now a surface crust which is especially predominant on south aspects. This weather has caused good settlement of the snowpack and there are currently no active layers of concern. The weak layer from early February is now down over 1m and is generally well-bonded expect isolated north aspects at upper elevations where it is still reacting to snowpack tests.  It is generally deep enough that triggering is unlikely but use caution in thin areas where triggering may still be possible.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snowfall on Sunday combined with moderate-strong winds will create wind slabs first. Wind slabs on specific leeward features will likely be the primary problem on Sunday. Once we get enough snow, more widespread storm slab activity can be expected, likely on Monday. This new snow overlies a hard crust and which may cause avalanches to run further than normally expected. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces include well-settled powder, surface hoar in sheltered areas and a thin sun crust on solar aspects. Recent variable winds have also created wind pressing in exposed terrain, and thin wind slabs may be found in some alpine features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The big news remains a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 70 and 120cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with ongoing reports of remote-triggering and sudden snowpack test results. This low probability/high consequence scenario is tricky to manage as the warning signs may not be obvious. It's all about terrain choice. Put the odds in your favour by avoiding steep, unsupported slopes, areas with a thin or variable snowpack, or terrain with a significant overhead hazard</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The primary concern remains a persistent slab 70-150 cm thick that sits on a stubborn persistent weak layer consisting of a crust, facets, and/or surface hoar. It continues to show sudden planar shears at the interface and a high degree of sensitivity to human triggers, especially in thinner snowpack areas.&nbsp; Check out the </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/southrockies/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">South Rockies Blog</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for a new video discussing this layer and the current avalanche problem. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Northern winds have transported some of the surface snow, building wind slabs on leeward slopes. Strong forecast SW winds should build new wind slabs starting Sunday.  Touchy cornices remain a concern along ridge lines and threaten the slopes below. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">South facing slopes have recently formed a sun crust at the snow surface. New surface hoar formation up to 4mm and near-surface faceting are also being reported.  </span></p><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weakness at the base of the snowpack may still exist in isolated areas of the region but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cold arctic air has developed melt-freeze crusts on all aspects at lower elevations, and all but North aspects in the alpine. No recent reports of whumpfing or remote triggering on this weak layer of crusts and facets. Forecast strong Northeast outflow winds may continue to develop wind slabs in areas that still have snow available for transport. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region. Cornices are also large and may become weak if northerly winds start to undercut them. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The primary concern is a persistent slab (typical thickness 50-90cm) from the last series of storms that is sitting on a stubborn persistent weak layer consisting of facets, surface hoar, melt-freeze crusts, or any combination of these. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects. Recent test results are suggesting that the layer is still easy to trigger in some areas but may becoming harder to trigger in other areas. We are still receiving isolated reports of large settlements or whumpfing which suggests the layer still has the potential for large propagations. In many areas the layer has the potential to produce large, destructive avalanches. The phase we are now entering is referred to a 'low probability/high consequence' problem. Continue to use conservative terrain choices until you are sure the layer is no longer unstable in your local area. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong forecast winds from the SW are expected to create touchy new wind slabs on leeward slopes and cross-loaded features. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On south aspects, a sun crust has formed on the surface. New surface hoar formation up to 10mm and near-surface faceting have been observed.  The new storm snow will overlie these layers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The recent warm air over most of the forecast regions did not push into the Northwest Inland. Temperatures remained cool even with solar radiation, and now the temperatures have dropped to very cold with the influence of arctic air sliding down from the Northeast. The early February weak layer of facets, crusts, and surface hoar is buried down about 35-90 cm. The snow above the crust has been transported by Southwest winds and then reverse loaded by Easterly or Southeast winds. Cold temperatures have not settled the snow above the weak layer into a cohesive slab, and the cold has preserved the weak layer and associated crusts. I suspect that there will not be much change or improvement in the bonding of the late February snow to the crusts and facets. Snow pack tests may help to show when this layer demonstrates more resistance to added forces. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cold arctic air has invaded the region creating a melt-freeze crust on all aspects at treeline and below, and on all but North aspects in the alpine. The recent very warm alpine temperatures and strong solar radiation caused a great deal of settlement in the old storm slab above the early February weak layer. The February weak layer of crusts and facets has been reported to be rounding and bonding in areas where the old storm slab is 150 cm or deeper. Shallow snow pack areas where the old storm slab is closer to a metre or less continue to give sudden planar shears in snow profile tests. North aspects in the alpine may have had enough warming to settle the storm snow into a cohesive slab, but not enough to improve the weak layer bond. Big un-supported alpine North aspects are the most likely place to find a well preserved deeply buried February weak layer that may continue to allow for long propagations resulting in very large avalanches. </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">Snow surfaces include well-settled powder, surface hoar in sheltered areas and a thin sun crust on solar aspects. Recent variable winds have also created wind pressing in exposed terrain, and thin wind slabs may be found in some alpine features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The big news remains a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies on average a metre below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with ongoing reports of remote-triggering and sudden snowpack test result results. This low probability/high consequence scenario is tricky to manage as the warning signs may not be as obvious. It's all about terrain choice. Put the odds in your favour by avoiding steep, unsupported slopes, areas with a thin or variable snowpack, or terrain with a significant overhead hazard</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cold air that moved down from the arctic has developed a melt-freeze crust on all aspects at lower elevations, and on all but Northerly aspects in the alpine. Recent very warm temperatures and periods of very strong solar radiation caused a great deal of settlement in the old storm slab above the early February weak layer. The February weak layer of crusts and facets has been reported to be rounding and bonding in areas where the old storm slab is 200 cm or deeper ( there is between 2-3 metres of snow above the weak layer in the Coquihalla area). Shallow snow pack areas where the old storm slab is closer to a metre or less continue to give sudden planar shears in snow profile tests ( there is about 60-80 cm above the weak layer in the Duffey Lake area). North aspects in the alpine may have had enough warming to settle the storm snow into a cohesive slab, but not enough to improve the weak layer bond. Big un-supported alpine North aspects are the most likely place to find a well preserved deeply buried February weak layer that may continue to allow for long propagations resulting in very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow surfaces include well-settled powder, surface hoar in sheltered areas and a thin sun crust on solar aspects. Recent variable winds have also created wind pressing in exposed terrain, and thin wind slabs may be found in some alpine features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The big news remains a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 70 and 120cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with ongoing reports of remote-triggering and sudden snowpack test results. This low probability/high consequence scenario is tricky to manage as the warning signs may not be obvious. It's all about terrain choice. Put the odds in your favour by avoiding steep, unsupported slopes, areas with a thin or variable snowpack, or terrain with a significant overhead hazard</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cold dry new snow has started to bury the recently formed melt-freeze crusts and surface facets that developed over the last few cold days. The melt-freeze crusts were found on all aspects at treeline and below, and on all but North aspects in the alpine. The very warm alpine temperatures and strong solar radiation from last week caused a great deal of settlement in the old storm slab above the early February weak layer. The February weak layer of crusts and facets has been reported to be rounding and bonding in areas where the old storm slab is 150 cm or deeper. Shallow snow pack areas where the old storm slab is closer to a metre or less continue to give sudden planar shears in snow profile tests. North aspects in the alpine may have had enough warming to settle the storm snow into a cohesive slab, but not enough to improve the weak layer bond. Big un-supported alpine North aspects are the most likely place to find a well preserved deeply buried February weak layer that may continue to allow for long propagations resulting in very large avalanches. </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">A developing storm slab overlies surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and touchy thin wind slabs in exposed terrain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The big news remains a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 70 and 120cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although avalanche activity has generally tapered-off at this interface, large destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with ongoing reports of remote-triggering, &quot;whumpfing&quot; and sudden snowpack test results. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snowfall combined with moderate-strong winds will create wind slabs in leeward terrain features first. Once we get enough snow, more widespread storm slab activity can be expected. This new snow overlies a hard crust and which may cause avalanches to run further than normally expected. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Several days of sun and above-freezing temperatures last week caused the surface of the snowpack to melt and create a surface crust which is especially predominant on sunny south aspects. This weather has caused good settlement of the snowpack and there are currently no active layers of concern. The weak layer from early February is now down well over 1m and is generally well-bonded expect isolated north aspects at upper elevations where it is still reacting to snowpack tests. It is generally deep enough that triggering is unlikely but use caution in thin areas where triggering may still be possible.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The primary concern remains a persistent slab 70-150 cm thick that sits on a stubborn persistent weak layer consisting of a crust, facets, and/or surface hoar. Check out the </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/southrockies/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">South Rockies Blog</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for a video discussing this layer and the current avalanche problem. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Northern winds at the end of last week created reverse-loaded wind slabs. Current SW winds are building new wind slabs on the opposite aspects in wind exposed terrain. Cornices remain a concern along ridge lines and threaten the slopes below. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snowfall is burying a weak layer consisting of surface hoar up to 4mm, near-surface facets, and/or a sun crust on south-facing slopes. </span></p><p class="p_3F50020"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weakness at the base of the snowpack may still exist in isolated areas of the region but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light amounts of new snow are expected to overlie weak surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and thin wind slabs in exposed terrain. These new accumulations are likely to be reactive as wind slab in pockets of exposed terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The big news remains a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies up to a metre below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with ongoing reports of rider-triggering and sudden snowpack test result results. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The primary concern is a persistent slab (typical thickness 50-90cm) from the last series of storms that is sitting on a stubborn persistent weak layer consisting of facets, surface hoar, melt-freeze crusts, or any combination of these. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects. Recent test results are suggesting that the layer is still easy to trigger in some areas but may becoming harder to trigger in other areas. We are still receiving isolated reports of large settlements or whumpfing which suggests the layer still has the potential for large propagations. In many areas the layer has the potential to produce large, destructive avalanches. The phase we are now entering is referred to a 'low probability/high consequence' problem. Continue to use conservative terrain choices until you are sure the layer is no longer unstable in your local area. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong forecast winds from the SW are expected to create touchy new wind slabs on leeward slopes and cross-loaded features.&nbsp; As more snow accumulates we can expect a more widespread storm slab.&nbsp; This slab sits on top of surface hoar up to 10mm, near-surface facets, and/or a sun crust on south facing slopes.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A developing storm slab overlies surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and touchy thin wind slabs in exposed terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The big news remains a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 70 and 120cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with ongoing reports of remote-triggering and sudden snowpack test results. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Surface faceting continues. Sun crust on steep solar aspects. Recent winds have created thin wind slabs in cross-loaded and reverse wind-loaded features at Treeline and above in the past 48hrs. The Feb 10th persistent weak layer continues to produce shears down 30 to 70cm. The midpack remains supportive near the divide, but is significantly weaker to the east side of the range and at lower elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cold dry snow has started to bury the melt-freeze crusts and surface facets that developed over the past few cold days. Melt-freeze crusts developed on all aspects at lower elevations, and on all but Northerly aspects in the alpine. Last weeks very warm temperatures and periods of very strong solar radiation caused a great deal of settlement in the old storm slab above the early February weak layer. The February weak layer of crusts and facets has been reported to be rounding and bonding in areas where the old storm slab is 200 cm or deeper ( there is between 2-3 metres of snow above the weak layer in the Coquihalla area). Shallow snow pack areas where the old storm slab is closer to a metre or less continue to give sudden planar shears in snow profile tests ( there is about 60-80 cm above the weak layer in the Duffey Lake area). North aspects in the alpine may have had enough warming to settle the storm snow into a cohesive slab, but not enough to improve the weak layer bond. Big un-supported alpine North aspects are the most likely place to find a well preserved deeply buried February weak layer that may continue to allow for long propagations resulting in very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cold arctic air has developed melt-freeze crusts on all aspects at lower elevations, and all but North aspects in the alpine. No recent reports of whumpfing or remote triggering on this weak layer of crusts and facets. Forecast strong Northeast outflow winds may continue to develop wind slabs in areas that still have snow available for transport. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region. Cornices are also large and may become weak if northerly winds start to undercut them. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light amounts of new snow are expected to overlie weak surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and thin wind slabs in exposed terrain. These new accumulations are likely to be reactive as a wind slab in pockets of exposed terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The big news remains a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 50 and 120cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with ongoing reports of human triggering, whumpfing and sudden/easy snowpack test results. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The recent warm air over most of the forecast regions did not push into the Northwest Inland. Temperatures remained cool even with solar radiation, and now the temperatures have dropped to very cold with the influence of arctic air sliding down from the Northeast. The early February weak layer of facets, crusts, and surface hoar is buried down about 35-90 cm. The snow above the crust has been transported by Southwest winds and then reverse loaded by Easterly or Southeast winds. Cold temperatures have not settled the snow above the weak layer into a cohesive slab, and the cold has preserved the weak layer and associated crusts. I suspect that there will not be much change or improvement in the bonding of the late February snow to the crusts and facets. Snow pack tests may help to show when this layer demonstrates more resistance to added forces. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Approximately 10-15 cm of new snow was received over the weekend. Field tests show this new snow can be triggered with light to moderate loads, such as a skier. The Feb 10th persistent weak layer is still bonding poorly with the upper snowpack. Up to 80 cm of dense snow sits on top of this Feb 10th layer, which continues to produce shears but is supportive for trail breaking. Winds continue to create thin wind slabs in cross-loaded and reverse wind-loaded features at Treeline and above.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cold arctic air has developed melt-freeze crusts on all aspects at lower elevations, and all but North aspects in the alpine. No recent reports of whumpfing or remote triggering on this weak layer of crusts and facets. Forecast strong Northeast outflow winds may continue to develop wind slabs in areas that still have snow available for transport. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region. Cornices are also large and may become weak if northerly winds start to undercut them. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Temperatures have remained cool even with solar radiation, and now the temperatures have dropped to very cold with the influence of arctic air sliding down from the Northeast. Surfaces are seeing significant new surface hoar growth and surface facetting, especially in treeline and below. The early February weak layer of facets, crusts, and surface hoar is buried down about 35-90 cm. The snow above the crust has been transported by Southwest winds and then reverse loaded by Easterly or Southeast winds. Cold temperatures have not settled the snow above the weak layer into a cohesive slab, and the cold has preserved the weak layer and associated crusts. I suspect that there will not be much change or improvement in the bonding of the late February snow to the crusts and facets. Snow pack tests may help to show when this layer demonstrates more resistance to added forces. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 30 cm of new snow has buried the recently formed melt-freeze crusts and surface facets that developed over the last few cold days. The melt-freeze crusts were found on all aspects at treeline and below, and on all but North aspects in the alpine. The very warm alpine temperatures and strong solar radiation from last week caused a great deal of settlement in the old storm slab above the early February weak layer. The February weak layer of crusts and facets has been reported to be rounding and bonding in areas where the old storm slab is 150 cm or deeper. Shallow snow pack areas where the old storm slab is closer to a metre or less continue to give sudden planar shears in snow profile tests. North aspects in the alpine may have had enough warming to settle the storm snow into a cohesive slab, but not enough to improve the weak layer bond. Big un-supported alpine North aspects are the most likely place to find a well preserved deeply buried February weak layer that may continue to allow for long propagations resulting in very large avalanches. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light to locally moderate amounts of new snow overlie small surface hoar crystals in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and recently formed wind slabs in exposed terrain. Initially, these new accumulations are expected to be reactive as wind slab in pockets of exposed terrain. Once the new slab develops, more widespread storm slab activity can be anticipated.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies up to a metre below the surface, and includes weak surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with ongoing reports of rider-triggering and sudden snowpack test result results. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow fell on Sunday night and Monday morning but switched to rain at lower elevations.  At higher elevations, you may encounter storm slabs or wind slabs which sit on top of a firm crust.  A lower elevations, the rain has soaked the new snow and loose wet avalanches are the concern. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and well bonded. The weak layer from early February is now down well over 1m and is generally well-bonded expect isolated north aspects at upper elevations where it is still reacting to snowpack tests. It is generally deep enough that triggering is unlikely but use caution in thin areas where triggering may still be possible.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snowfall is burying a weak layer consisting of surface hoar up to 4mm, near-surface facets, and/or a sun crust on south-facing slopes. SW winds are forming new wind slabs on leeward and cross-loaded features. Previous wind from the NE created wind slabs which are now buried by new snow but still may be reactive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The primary concern remains a persistent slab 70-150 cm thick that sits on a stubborn persistent weak layer consisting of a crust, facets, and/or surface hoar. Check out the </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/southrockies/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">South Rockies Blog</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for a video discussing this layer and the current avalanche problem. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weakness at the base of the snowpack may still exist in isolated areas of the region but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20cm of new snowfall overlies surface hoar, facets, and/or a sun crust on south aspects.  Recent moderate to strong SW winds have created wind slabs in leeward and cross-loaded features. Previous wind from the NE created wind slabs which are now buried by new snow but still may be reactive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The primary concern remains a persistent slab that sits on a stubborn persistent weak layer consisting of a crust, facets, and/or surface hoar. The layer continues to show a high degree of sensitivity to human triggers. Wide propagations and remote triggering remain a concern. In the thinner snowpack areas such as the Crowsnest and northern Elk Valley, the slab is typically 30-60cm thick. In thicker areas such as the Flathead and around Fernie, the slab typically varies in thickness from 70-150cm. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B">Check out the </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/southrockies/" target="_blank"><span class="s_9255B882">South Rockies Blog </span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B">for a video discussing the persistent weak layer and the current avalanche problem. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weakness at the base of the snowpack may still exist in isolated areas of the region but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 20 and 40cm of new snow overlies small surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and thin wind slabs at higher elevations. Initially, these new accumulations are expected to react as a wind slab in pockets of exposed terrain. As the new slab develops, more widespread storm slab activity can be anticipated.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 70 and 120cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with recent reports of remote-triggering and sudden snowpack test results. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The primary concern remains a persistent slab (typical thickness 50-90cm) from the last series of storms that is sitting on a stubborn persistent weak layer consisting of facets, surface hoar, melt-freeze crusts, or any combination of these. This weak layer is widespread at all elevations and aspects. Recent test results are suggesting that the layer is still easy to trigger in some areas but may becoming harder to trigger in other areas. We are still receiving isolated reports of large settlements or whumpfing which suggests the layer still has the potential for large propagations. In many areas the layer has the potential to produce large, destructive avalanches. The phase we are now entering is referred to a 'low probability/high consequence' problem. Continue to use conservative terrain choices until you are sure the layer is no longer unstable in your local area. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong forecast winds from the SW are expected to create touchy new wind slabs on leeward slopes and cross-loaded features. As more snow accumulates we can expect a more widespread storm slab. This slab sits on top of surface hoar up to 10mm, near-surface facets, and/or a sun crust on south facing slopes.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some areas over 40cm of new snow is expected to overlie weak surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and thin wind slabs in exposed terrain. Initially, these new accumulations are expected to react as a wind slab in exposed terrain. As the new slab deepens and gains cohesion by wind and warming, more widespread storm slab activity can be anticipated.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 50 and 120cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with ongoing reports of human triggering, whumpfing and sudden/easy snowpack test results. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A highly wind affected surface exists throughout the region.  That said, some pockets of undisturbed storm snow still exist in sheltered lower alpine features. Be aware that isolated pockets of wind slab may exist in south to west facing alpine features due to the North and East winds that have been blowing for the last number of days.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The February crust, facet and surface hoar interface seems to be strengthening, however, in areas that received more snow (south White Pass) there is still potential for large slab avalanches in steep, unsupported terrain. &nbsp; </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Weak snow at the base of the snowpack still persists.  This weakness is largely protected from triggers at the moment by thick crusts near the surface and a strong middle snowpack.&nbsp; That being said, triggering is still a possibility in steep, shallow snowpack areas.&nbsp; This layer is most pronounced in thinner snowpack areas to the North, namely Powder Valley and the Wheaton Valley.&nbsp;  Although unlikely, any avalanche involving this basal weakness would have devastating consequences. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In many areas over 40cm of storm snow overlies surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and wind slabs in exposed terrain. Initially, these new accumulations are expected to react as a wind slab in exposed terrain. As the new slab deepens and gains cohesion by wind and warming, more widespread storm slab activity can be anticipated.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 80 and 130cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although avalanche activity at this interface has generally tapered-off, large destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with recent reports of remote-triggering, &quot;whumpfing&quot; and sudden snowpack test results. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 30 cm of new storm snow has buried the melt-freeze crusts and surface facets that developed over the past few cold days. Melt-freeze crusts formed on all aspects at lower elevations, and on all but high Northerly aspects. Last weeks very warm temperatures and periods of very strong solar radiation caused a great deal of settlement in the old storm slab above the early February weak layer. The February weak layer of crusts and facets has been reported to be rounding and bonding in areas where the old storm slab is 200 cm or deeper (there is between 2-3 metres of snow above the weak layer in the Coquihalla area). Shallow snow pack areas where the old storm slab is closer to a metre or less continue to give sudden planar shears in snow profile tests (there is about 60-80 cm above the weak layer in the Duffey Lake area). North aspects in the alpine may have had enough warming to settle the storm snow into a cohesive slab, but not enough to improve the weak layer bond. Big un-supported alpine North aspects are the most likely place to find a well preserved deeply buried February weak layer that may continue to allow for long propagations resulting in very large avalanches. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snowpack depths overtop of the Feb 10 layer of SC/FC/SH vary from 35-80cm thick depending upon elevation and terrain exposure to winds. The bond at this interface is moving into the Hard range based on field tests over the past 2 days.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Temperatures have remained cool even with solar radiation, and now the temperatures have dropped to very cold with the influence of arctic air sliding down from the Northeast. Surfaces are seeing significant new surface hoar growth and surface facetting, especially in treeline and below. The early February weak layer of facets, crusts, and surface hoar is buried down about 35-90 cm. The snow above the crust has been transported by Southwest winds and then reverse loaded by Easterly or Southeast winds. Cold temperatures have not settled the snow above the weak layer into a cohesive slab, and the cold has preserved the weak layer and associated crusts. I suspect that there will not be much change or improvement in the bonding of the late February snow to the crusts and facets. Snow pack tests may help to show when this layer demonstrates more resistance to added forces. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60 cm of new storm snow has buried the recently formed melt-freeze crusts and surface facets that developed last week. Strong southerly winds have redistributed some of this new storm snow on leeward aspects, building thicker and touchier slabs. The melt-freeze crusts were found on all aspects at treeline and below, and on all but North aspects in the alpine. Last weeks very warm temperatures and periods of very strong solar radiation caused a great deal of settlement in the old storm slab above the early February weak layer. The February weak layer of crusts and facets has been reported to be bonding in areas where the old storm slab is 200 cm or deeper (there is between 2-3 metres of snow above the weak layer in the Coquihalla area). Shallow snow pack areas where the old storm slab is closer to a metre or less continue to give sudden planar shears in snow tests (there is about 60-80 cm above the weak layer in the Duffey Lake area). Big un-supported alpine North aspects are the most likely place to find a well preserved deeply buried February weak layer that may continue to allow for long propagations resulting in very large avalanches. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 20 and 35cm of storm snow overlies small surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and thin wind slabs at higher elevations. In wind exposed terrain these new accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. Forecast snowfall, wind and warming will add to the reactivity and destructive potential of this developing storm slab.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 70 and 120cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, large and destructive human triggered avalanches are still possible in isolated terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In general, about 15-25cm of storm snow overlies small surface hoar crystals in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and wind slabs in exposed terrain. Initially, these new accumulations are expected to be reactive as wind slab in pockets of exposed terrain. Once the new slab develops, more widespread storm slab activity can be anticipated.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies up to a metre below the surface, and includes weak surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with ongoing reports of rider-triggering and sudden snowpack test result results. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snowfall began on Sunday night but switched to rain at lower elevations. At higher elevations, you may encounter storm slabs or wind slabs which sit on top of a firm crust. At lower elevations, the rain had soaked the new snow and refroze Monday night forming a think crust.&nbsp; Rain on Wednesday should melt the upper snowpack again.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and well bonded. The weak layer from early February is now down well over 1m and is generally well-bonded expect isolated north aspects at upper elevations where it is still reacting to snowpack tests. It is generally deep enough that triggering is unlikely but use caution in thin areas where triggering may still be possible.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-30cm of new snow sits on top of surface hoar up to 10mm, near-surface facets, and/or a sun crust on south facing slopes. Warmer temperatures and the upcoming snowfall will likely result in the formation of a touchy, widespread storm slab. The immediate concern is deeper, wind-loaded areas where a cohesive slab already exists and immediate leeward features where stiffer wind slabs have formed during recently strong SW-W winds. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A major concern remains a persistent slab (typical thickness 50-90cm) that sits below the new storm snow. This slab sits on a tricky weak layer consisting of facets, surface hoar, and/or sun crusts which was widespread at all elevations and aspects. While avalanche activity on this layer has decreased recently, reports suggest that where the layer still exists it has the potential to produce large, destructive avalanches. The phase we are now entering is referred to a 'low probability/high consequence' problem. It is possible that with the weight of the new snow, we may see a resurgence of natural activity on the layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snowfall is burying a weak layer consisting of surface hoar up to 4mm, near-surface facets, and/or a sun crust on south-facing slopes. SW winds have formed new wind slabs on leeward and cross-loaded features. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A major concern remains a persistent slab 70-150 cm thick (below new snow) that sits on a stubborn persistent weak layer consisting of a crust, facets, and/or surface hoar. Check out the </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/southrockies/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">South Rockies Blog</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for a video discussing this layer and the current avalanche problem. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-40cm of new snowfall overlies surface hoar, facets, and/or a sun crust on south aspects. Recent moderate to strong SW winds have created wind slabs in leeward and cross-loaded features. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The primary concern remains a persistent slab that sits on a stubborn persistent weak layer consisting of a crust, facets, and/or surface hoar. The layer continues to show a high degree of sensitivity to human triggers but is becoming more isolated. In the thinner snowpack areas such as the Crowsnest and northern Elk Valley, the slab is typically 30-60cm thick (below new snow). In thicker areas such as the Flathead and around Fernie, the slab typically varies in thickness from 70-150cm. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B">Check out the </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/southrockies/" target="_blank"><span class="s_9255B882">South Rockies Blog </span></a><span class="s_AA239A9B">for a video discussing the persistent weak layer and the current avalanche problem. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weakness at the base of the snowpack may still exist in isolated areas of the region but triggering has become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">30-60 cm of new storm snow has buried the recently formed melt-freeze crusts and surface facets that developed last week. Strong southerly winds have redistributed some of this new storm snow on leeward aspects, building thicker and touchier slabs. The melt-freeze crusts were found on all aspects at treeline and below, and on all but North aspects in the alpine. The very warm alpine temperatures and strong solar radiation from last week caused a great deal of settlement in the old storm slab above the early February weak layer. The February weak layer of crusts and facets has been reported to be rounding and bonding in areas where the old storm slab is 150 cm or deeper. Shallow snow pack areas where the old storm slab is closer to a metre or less continue to give sudden planar shears in snow profile tests. North aspects in the alpine may have had enough warming to settle the storm snow into a cohesive slab, but not enough to improve the weak layer bond. Big un-supported alpine North aspects are the most likely place to find a well preserved deeply buried February weak layer that may continue to allow for long propagations resulting in very large avalanches. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cold arctic air has developed melt-freeze crusts on all aspects at lower elevations, and all but North aspects in the alpine. No recent reports of whumpfing or remote triggering on this weak layer of crusts and facets. Forecast strong Northeast outflow winds continue to develop wind slabs in areas that still have snow available for transport. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region. Cornices are also large and may become weak if northerly winds start to undercut them. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 35cm of storm snow overlies surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and wind slabs in exposed terrain. On lee slopes these accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. Forecast snowfall, wind and warming will add to the reactivity and destructive potential of this developing storm slab.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 80 and 130cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although avalanche activity at this interface has generally tapered-off, large and destructive human triggered avalanches are still possible in isolated terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Anywhere between 15 and 35cm of storm snow overlies weak surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and thin wind slabs in exposed terrain. On lee slopes these accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. Forecast snowfall, wind and warming will add to the reactivity and destructive potential of this developing storm slab.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 50 and 120cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with recent reports of human triggering, whumpfing and sudden/easy snowpack test results. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Strong southerly winds have redistributed some of the new storm snow on to leeward and cross-loaded slopes, building dense touchy slabs. Approximately 40-60 cm of storm snow sits on melt-freeze crust (with associated facets) that was buried at the beginning of March. The melt-freeze crust was found on all aspects at treeline and below, and on all but North aspects in the alpine. Recent snowpack tests give easy to moderate &quot;pops&quot; shears on this layer, and show potential for wide propagation. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The very warm alpine temperatures and strong solar radiation from last week caused a great deal of settlement in the old storm slab above the early February weak layer. This crust/facet combo appears to be rounding and bonding in areas where the old storm slab is 150 cm or deeper. Shallow snow pack areas, where the weak layer is buried lass than 100 cm deep, continue to give sudden planar shears in snow profile tests. Big un-supported alpine North aspects are the most likely place to find a well preserved deeply buried February weak layer that may continue to allow for long propagations resulting in very large avalanches. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_42FC617C">Coquihalla and south: </span><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong southerly winds have redistributed some of the new snow and formed wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. Around 60 cm of storm snow has fallen in the past few days. This new snow may feel upside down due to warming temperatures, and seems to be bonding poorly to the early March melt-freeze crust. The mid February weak layer of crusts and facets, now down over 200 cm deep, has been reported to be rounding and bonding. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_42FC617C">Duffey Lake and north:</span><span class="s_3FE45715"> New dense wind slabs are likely in exposed NW-E facing terrain and cross-loaded features. The early March melt-freeze crust is down 30-45 cm everywhere expect high north aspects. The mid Feb weak layer is generally down 60-120 cm depending on orientation to wind. Recent snowpack tests continue to give pops shears where this layer is less than 100 cm deep. Deeply buried weak layers of facets and depth hoar remain a concern on high alpine slopes with thin or variable snow cover. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Persistent strong outflow winds (from the northeast-southeast) have scoured windward slopes and created hard or dense wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. Cold clear weather has also promoted surface hoar growth and surface faceting on shady slopes and a sun crust on steep solar aspects. The mid February weak layer of surface hoar or a crust/facet combo is buried 30-90 cm deep. There has been no reported activity on this layer recently, but watch for it to wake up when the weather pattern shifts to moist and mild heading into the weekend. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Roughly 45 cm of storm snow is settling into a wide spread soft slab.  This sits above a buried weak layer of surface hoar, a sun crust on south-facing slopes and/or facets. SW winds have formed new wind slabs on leeward and cross-loaded features. Warming temperatures meant that recent precipitation fell as rain up to 1600m which may have saturated the upper snow pack at lower elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid pack is broken by a widespread persistent weak layer buried early in February and now found down 100 to 150cm. The form of this week layer varies from surface hoar to a sun crust and/or facets but it can be found at all elevations, on all aspects and is still a concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent rain has saturated the upper snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and well bonded. The weak layer from early February is now buried&nbsp; well over a meter down.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A punchy storm slab overlies small surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and wind slabs at higher elevations. The height of the storm snow may exceed 60cm in some areas, but in exposed terrain these new accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. Ongoing snowfall, wind and warming will add to the reactivity and destructive potential of this developing storm slab.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 80 and 140cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, large and destructive human triggered avalanches are still possible, particularly with the increased load of the new snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Up to 50cm of new storm snow sits on top of a variety of old surfaces. A layer of facets can be found on north aspects with a sun crust on many south facing slopes. In sheltered and shaded features surface hoar can be found. Warming temperatures are causing this new snow to settle into a widespread soft slab. Sustained SW winds have have formed winds slabs in lee features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The midpack is broken by a widespread persistent weak layer buried mid February and now down 90 to 120cm. The form of this week layer varies from surface hoar to a sun crust and/or facets.  It can be found at all elevations, on all aspects and is still a concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In general, about 30-40cm of storm snow overlies small surface hoar crystals in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and wind slabs in exposed terrain. Ongoing snowfall, wind and warming will add to the reactivity and destructive potential of this developing storm slab. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies up to a metre below the surface, and includes weak surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with ongoing reports of rider-triggering and sudden snowpack test result results. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Persistent cold dry weather has resulted in significant new surface hoar growth and surface facetting on shady slopes at all elevations. Steep solar aspects may have a sun crust. The early February weak layer of facets, crusts, and surface hoar is buried down about 35-80 cm. The snow above the crust has been transported by Southwest winds and then reverse loaded by Easterly or Southeast winds. Cold temperatures have not settled the snow above the weak layer into a cohesive slab, and the cold has preserved the weak layer and associated crusts. I suspect that there will not be much change or improvement in the bonding of the late February snow to the crusts and facets. Snow pack tests may help to show when this layer demonstrates more resistance to added forces. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">20cm's of new snow at treeline in the past 24hrs. This snow is coming fairly warm so it is settling out very quickly. There was some sluffing noted out of very steep terrain as well. This new snow is sitting on top of the older windslabs and of course the Feb 11th facet/surface hoar/crust combo, now down 70-80cm. Due to the random structure of this layer, its reactivity and bond is extremely variable. As an experiment we dug three pits within 100m of each other. We had results ranging from a hard compression test to an easy compression test. The real head scratcher came when we were all done. As we walked away, a near by slope remotely avalanched sz1. Needless to say, this layer is our main concern. There are some fresh storm slabs and wind slabs out there now, but so far they are staying put. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-45cm of new snow now overlies an old surface of surface hoar, a sun crust, and/or facets. Recent moderate to strong SW winds have created wind slabs in leeward and cross-loaded features. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The midpack is broken by a persistent weak layer consisting of a crust, facets, and/or surface hoar that was buried mid February. In the thinner snowpack areas such as the Crowsnest and northern Elk Valley the layer can be found buried between 60 and 90 cm. In thicker areas such as the Flathead and around Fernie it may be found as deep as 150cm. This layer continues to show a high degree of sensitivity to human triggers especially in where it is buried closer to the surface. Check out the </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/southrockies/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">South Rockies Blog</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for a video discussing the persistent weak layer and the current avalanche problem. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weakness at the base of the snowpack may still exist in isolated areas of the region but triggering this layer is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Although snowfall amounts have been highly variable throughout the region, in some deeper snowpack areas over 80cm of storm snow overlies weak surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and wind slabs in exposed terrain. On lee slopes these accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. Ongoing snowfall, wind and warming will add to the reactivity and destructive potential of this developing storm slab.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 60 and 150cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. In some areas destructive avalanches are still a real concern with recent reports of natural triggering, whumpfing and sudden/easy snowpack test results. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A punchy storm slab overlies small surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and wind slabs at higher elevations. In wind exposed terrain these new accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. Forecast snowfall, wind and warming will add to the reactivity and destructive potential of this developing storm slab.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 70 and 120cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, large and destructive human triggered avalanches are still possible, particularly with the increased load of the new snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Another 30-60 cm of dense snow has fallen in the past 24 hours, accompanied by strong S-SW winds forming thick wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. This puts the early March melt-freeze crust down 60-120 cm. This melt-freeze crust was found on all aspects at treeline and below, and on all but North aspects in the alpine. Recent snowpack tests give easy to moderate &quot;pops&quot; shears on this layer, and show potential for wide propagation.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The mid February crust/facet combo appears to be rounding and bonding in areas where it is buried 150 cm or deeper. Shallow snow pack areas, where the weak layer is buried lass than 100 cm deep, continue to give sudden planar shears in snow profile tests. Big un-supported alpine North aspects are the most likely place to find (and potentially trigger) a well preserved deeply buried February weak layer. Also, be aware of the potential for smaller avalanches to step down and trigger this layer producing a very large avalanche. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_42FC617C">Coquihalla and south: </span><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong southerly winds have redistributed some of the new snow and formed thick wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. Up to 100 cm of storm snow has fallen in the past few days. This new snow may feel upside down due to warming temperatures, and appears to be bonding poorly to the early March melt-freeze crust. The mid February weak layer of crusts and facets, now down over 200 cm deep, has been reported to be rounding and bonding. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_42FC617C">Duffey Lake and north:</span><span class="s_3FE45715"> New dense wind slabs are likely in exposed NW-E facing terrain and cross-loaded features. The early March melt-freeze crust is down 40-60 cm everywhere except high north aspects. The mid Feb weak layer is generally down 70-120 cm depending on orientation to wind. Recent snowpack tests continue to give pops shears where this layer is less than 100 cm deep. Deeply buried weak layers of facets and depth hoar remain a concern on high alpine slopes with thin or variable snow cover. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The storm has continued. Our totals reached 45 cm's this afternoon. The warm temperatures have encouraged rapid settlement within this fresh layer. In most areas the actual storm snow depth is more like 20-25cm's. There have been some unusual temperature patterns in the last while. The alpine temps have been much warmer than the valley bottom. The winds have had an impact on the new snow at upper treeline and alpine. Fresh slabs are expected near open ridgelines in the alpine and treeline. There has been a storm shear (failure) noted within the storm snow in a few different areas. There's no avalanche activity on this one, but it is on the radar. The Feb 11th layer is down 40-80 depending on location. Closer to the divide the amounts are much higher than to the east. Any solar aspect up to 2350m has a thin breakable crust that is below the storm snow. So far there is no avalanche concern on this layer. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Persistent strong outflow winds (from the northeast-southeast) have scoured windward slopes and created hard or dense wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. Cold clear weather has also promoted surface hoar growth and surface faceting on shady slopes and a sun crust on steep solar aspects. The mid February weak layer of surface hoar or a crust/facet combo is buried 30-90 cm deep. There has been no reported activity on this layer recently, but watch for it to wake up when the weather pattern shifts to moist and mild heading into the weekend. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snowfall amounts have been highly variable throughout the region. In some deeper snowpack areas over 80cm of storm snow overlies weak surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and wind slabs in exposed terrain. On lee slopes these accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. Warming has added cohesion to the slab and wider propagations can be expected. At lower elevations rain has likely moistened snow surfaces.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 60 and 160cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. In some areas destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with ongoing reports of natural triggering, whumpfing and sudden/easy snowpack test results. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 80cm of recent storm snow overlies small surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and wind slabs at higher elevations. In wind exposed terrain these new accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. Forecast snowfall, wind and warming will add to the reactivity and destructive potential of this developing storm slab.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 80 and 180cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, it remains sensitive to remote triggers in isolated terrain and may see a significant &quot;wake-up&quot;, particularly with the increased load of the new snow and forecast rain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent rain has saturated the upper snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and well bonded. The weak layer from early February is now buried well over a meter down.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Heavy rains are saturating the upper snowpack below 1800m making for a &quot;slurpee&quot; consistency. Before the precipitation turned to rain roughly 60 cm of storm snow sat above on top of a variety of old surfaces. A layer of facets can be found on north aspects with a sun crust on many shout facing slopes. In sheltered and shaded features surface hoar may be burried. SW winds formed thick wind slabs on lee features. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The mid pack is broken by a widespread persistent weak layer buried in mid February, now found down 100 to 150cm. The form of this week layer varies from surface hoar to a sun crust and/or facets but it can be found at all elevations, on all aspects and is still a concern.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Check out the recent blog post by the South Rockies field team for a video discussing this layer and the current avalanche problem it is causing.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">At the base of the snowpack early season crusts and facets linger.</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">The forecast snow will be falling on a variety of highly wind affected surface exists .  Be aware of isolated pockets of lingering old wind slab that may be buried on south to west facing alpine features due to the North and East winds that have been blowing for the last number of days.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The mid February crust, facet and surface hoar interface seems to be strengthening, however, in areas that received more snow (south White Pass) there is still potential for large slab avalanches in steep, unsupported terrain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The base of the Yukon snowpack remains characteristically week. This weakness is largely protected from triggers at the moment by thick crusts near the surface and a supportive mid pack. Although unlikely, triggering these deep layers is still possible especially in steep, shallow snowpack areas. This layer is most pronounced in thinner snowpack areas to the North, namely Powder Valley and the Wheaton Valley.</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">In general, about 20-40cm of storm snow overlies small surface hoar crystals in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and wind slabs in exposed terrain. The recent snowfall exists as pockets of wind slab in exposed terrain. Further snowfall, wind and warming will add to the reactivity and destructive potential of this developing storm slab. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies up to a metre below the surface, and includes weak surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, destructive avalanches are still a concern with recent reports of rider-triggering in alpine terrain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Persistent cold dry weather has resulted in significant new surface hoar growth and surface facetting on shady slopes at all elevations. Steep solar aspects may have a sun crust. The early February weak layer of facets, crusts, and surface hoar is buried down about 35-80 cm. The snow above the crust has been transported by Southwest winds and then reverse loaded by Easterly or Southeast winds. Cold temperatures have not settled the snow above the weak layer into a cohesive slab, and the cold has preserved the weak layer and associated crusts. Basal facets and depth hoar remain a concern in areas with thin or variable snow cover. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 55cm of new storm snow sits on top of a variety of old surfaces.  A layer of facets can be found on north aspects with a sun crust on many shout facing slopes.  In sheltered and shaded features the storm buried surface hoar. Warm temperatures are causing the new snow to settle into a widespread soft slab.  Sustained SW winds have have formed winds labs in lee features. Below 1800m rain may have saturated the upper snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The midpack is broken by a widespread persistent weak layer buried mid February and now found down 90 to 120cm. The form of this week layer varies from surface hoar  to a sun crust and/or facets but it can be found at all elevations, on all  aspects and is still a concern.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 70cm of recent storm snow overlies small surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and wind slabs at higher elevations. In wind exposed terrain these new accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. Forecast snowfall, wind and warming will add to the reactivity and destructive potential of this developing storm slab.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 80 and 180cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, it remains sensitive to remote triggers in isolated terrain and may see a significant &quot;wake-up&quot;, particularly with the increased load of the new snow and forecast rain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Some areas of the South Rockies (Elk Valley South and Flathead) received Thurday's precipitation as significant rain event below 1800m. In areas above 1800m there is between 30-60cm of new storm snow sitting on top of the March 2 interface consisting of surface hoar, facets or a crust depending on your aspect and elevation . Moderate to strong SW winds combined with the new snow have created windslabs in lee features and have likely contributed to cornice growth at upper elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid pack still contains a layer of facets and/or surface hoar that is now down an average of 110cm. It is still showing good fracture character on snowpack tests, suggesting that it may be possible for storm slabs to step down to this persistent weak layer in areas that haven't avalanched in the previous late February cycle.  Check the </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/southrockies/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">South Rockies Blog</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for the latest snowpack discussion.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A weakness at the base of the snowpack may still exist in isolated areas of the region but triggering this layer is unlikely.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A few cm's of new snow overnight. The main story today was the drastic settling of the upper snowpack. The temperature rose dramatically today with an almost immediate settling of the snowpack. Up to 2300m the upper 10cm is now moist snow. All aspects have this problem to a certain extent. Obviously moist snow on the south aspects is more pronounced. In the alpine there was still some transport helping to build the current windslabs. The Feb 10th layer is down a meter in lee areas at treeline, and very reactive. Lots of whumphing and cracking in the PM. On south aspects, there is an old sun crust that is at the base of the storm snow, down 20-30. This may become a problem as it continues to warm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 25 cm of new snow (at the time of writing) now sits on a layer of surface hoar or sugary faceted snow on shady slopes, a sun crust on steep solar aspects, or hard wind slabs and scoured slopes in exposed terrain. Initial tests on this new interface showed a poor bond between the new snow and old snow surface. The mid February weak layer of surface hoar or a crust/facet combo is buried 30-90 cm deep. There has been no reported activity on this layer recently, but watch for it to wake up with additional loading from snow and wind or rapid warming. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 80cm of recent storm snow overlies small surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and wind slabs at higher elevations. In wind exposed terrain these new accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. Forecast snowfall, wind and warming will add to the reactivity and destructive potential of this developing storm slab. There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 80 and 180cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, it remains sensitive to remote triggers in isolated terrain and may see a significant &quot;wake-up&quot;, particularly with the increased load of the new snow and forecast rain. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snowfall amounts have been highly variable throughout the region. In some deeper snowpack areas over 80cm of storm snow overlies weak surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and wind slabs in exposed terrain. On lee slopes these accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. Warming has added cohesion to the slab and wider propagations can be expected. At lower elevations rain has likely moistened snow surfaces. There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 60 and 160cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. In some areas destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with ongoing reports of natural triggering, whumpfing and sudden/easy snowpack test results. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In general, about 20-40cm of storm snow overlies small surface hoar crystals in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and wind slabs in exposed terrain. The recent snowfall exists as pockets of wind slab in exposed terrain. Further snowfall, wind and warming will add to the reactivity and destructive potential of this developing storm slab. There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies up to a metre below the surface, and includes weak surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, destructive avalanches are still a concern with recent reports of rider-triggering in alpine terrain. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The recent storm snows are rapidly settling into a soft slab. This snow sits above a variety of old surfaces. A layer of facets can be found on north aspects with a sun crust on many south facing slopes. Recent rains up to 1800m are saturating the upper snowpack. At elevations above the freezing level sustained SW winds have have formed winds labs in lee features. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The midpack is broken by a widespread persistent weak layer found down 90 to 120cm. The form of this week layer varies from surface hoar to a sun crust and/or facets.  It can be found at all elevations, on all aspects and is still a concern.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Between 30 and 60cm of rapidly settling new snow fell in the recent storm. This was accompanied by strong S-SW winds that formed a thick wind slabs in open lee terrain. The early March melt-freeze crust can now be found down 60-120 cm. This layer was found on all aspects at treeline and below, and on all but North aspects in the alpine. Recent snowpack tests give easy to moderate popping shears on this layer, and show potential for wide propagation.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The mid February crust/facet combo appears to be rounding and bonding in areas where it is buried 150 cm or deeper. In shallow snowpack areas, where the weak layer is buried less than 100 cm deep, it continues continue to fail with popping shears in snow profile tests. Big un-supported alpine North aspects are the most likely place to find (and potentially trigger) this well preserved weak layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Given the current layering in the snowpack be aware of the potential for smaller avalanches to step down and trigger deeper layers and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Approximately a meter of new storm snow (and ~140mm) is sitting on the old snow interface consisting of facets and/or a crust.  Thursday's rain line fluctuated between 1500-1700m with the snow becoming rain soaked at the lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The mid pack is broken by a widespread persistent weak layer buried in mid February, now found down 100 to 200cm. The form of this week layer varies from surface hoar to a sun crust and/or facets and is still a concern for step down avalanches being triggered by storm slabs.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">At the below treeline elevation there is some concern that rain soaked, increasingly isothermal snow, may release to ground on a layer of basal facets.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A91C021F">Coquihalla and south:</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Strong southerly winds have redistributed some of the new snow and formed thick wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. Up to 100 cm of storm snow has fallen in the past few days. This new snow may feel upside down due to warming temperatures later in the storm, and it appears to be bonding poorly to the early March melt-freeze crust. The mid February weak layer of crusts and facets, now down over 200 cm deep, has been reported to be rounding and bonding.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A91C021F">Duffey Lake and north:</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> New dense wind slabs are likely in exposed NW-E facing terrain and cross-loaded features. The early March melt-freeze crust can be found down 40-60 cm everywhere except high north aspects. The mid Feb weak layer is generally now found down 70-120 cm. Recent snowpack tests continue to give popping shears where this layer is less than 100 cm deep. Deeply buried weak layers of facets and depth hoar remain a concern on high alpine slopes with thin or variable snow cover.</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">5-10 cm of dry new snow sits on a layer of surface hoar and/or a thick layer of facetted snow on shady slopes at all elevations. The new snow is likely sitting on a sun crust on steep solar aspects and various wind affected surfaces in exposed terrain. The early February weak layer of facets, crusts, and surface hoar is buried down about 35-80 cm. Cold temperatures have not settled the snow above this weak layer into a cohesive slab, and the cold has preserved the weak layer and associated crusts. This layer could become reactive in the next couple days with additional loading and significantly warmer temperatures. Basal facets and depth hoar remain a concern in areas with thin or variable snow cover. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 70cm of recent storm snow overlies small surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and wind slabs at higher elevations. In wind exposed terrain these new accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. Forecast snowfall, wind and warming will add to the reactivity and destructive potential of this developing storm slab. There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 80 and 180cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, it remains sensitive to remote triggers in isolated terrain and may see a significant &quot;wake-up&quot;, particularly with the increased load of the new snow and forecast rain. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Some areas of the South Rockies (Elk Valley South and Flathead) received Thurday's precipitation as significant rain event below 1500m-1700m. In areas above 1600m there is approximately 40-70cm of new storm snow sitting on top of the March 2 interface consisting of surface hoar, facets or a crust depending on your aspect and elevation . Moderate to strong SW winds combined with the new snow have created windslabs in lee features and have likely contributed to cornice growth at upper elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid pack still contains a layer of facets and/or surface hoar that is now down between 70-180cm depending on your location in the South Rockies. It is still showing good fracture character on snowpack tests, suggesting that it may be possible for storm slabs to step down to this persistent weak ness.  Check the </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/southrockies/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">South Rockies Blog</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for the latest snowpack discussion.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent rain has saturated the upper snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and well bonded. The weak layer from early February is now buried well over a meter down.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Another moist and mild storm was just starting to affect the region at the time of writing. It looks like this system could add another 30-60 cm of dense storm snow with very strong southerly winds. We could also see rain up to 1800 m near the coast. This adds to the previous 30-60 cm of rapidly settling storm snow late last week. Expect to find various storm snow instabilities and thin crusts within the recent snow. The early March melt-freeze crust is now down roughly 90-150 cm. This layer was found on all aspects at treeline and below, and on all but North aspects in the alpine. There are no new snowpack tests on this layer to report, but the continued loading and mild temperatures should help this weakness heal. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The mid February crust/facet combo appears to be rounding and bonding in areas where it is buried 150 cm or deeper. In shallow snowpack areas, where the weak layer is buried less than 100 cm deep, it continues continue to fail with popping shears in snow profile tests. Big un-supported alpine North aspects are the most likely place to find (and potentially trigger) this well preserved weak layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A91C021F">Coquihalla and south:</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Recent mild temperatures have resulted in rain to ridge top in many areas. It's likely that the upper snowpack below 1700-1800 m is saturated and/or contains several melt-freeze crusts. The early March melt-freeze crust is down 60-100 cm depending on elevation. There are no new snowpack tests on this layer to report; however, continued loading and mild temps should help stabilize this previous weak layer. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A91C021F">Duffey Lake and north:</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> New dense wind slabs are likely in exposed NW-E facing terrain and cross-loaded features. It seems like the snow line creeped up to 1700-1800 m resulting in moist snow below. The early March melt-freeze crust can be found down 40-60 cm on north aspects up to 1800 m and south aspects up to 2200 m. The mid Feb weak layer is generally now found down 70-120 cm. Recent snowpack tests continue to give popping shears where this layer is less than 100 cm deep. Deeply buried weak layers of facets and depth hoar remain a concern on high alpine slopes with thin or variable snow cover.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">40-70 cm of storm snow now sits on a layer of surface hoar or sugary faceted snow on shady slopes, a sun crust on steep solar aspects, or hard wind slabs and scoured slopes in exposed terrain. Initial tests on this new interface showed a poor bond between the new snow and old snow surface. Weaknesses may also exist within the new storm snow. The mid February weak layer of surface hoar or a crust/facet combo is buried 60-120 cm deep. There has been no reported activity on this layer recently, but the recent heavy snowfall and rapid warming could have triggered some large avalanches. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Approximately a meter of storm snow (and ~140mm) are sitting on the early March interface in the alpine and treeline as we anticipate Sunday's new snow/rain event.  Large tender cornices and windslabs in lee features can also be found in the alpine.&nbsp; Forecast snowfall/rain and warm temperatures will likely cause another storm slab avalanche cycle where things have not run previously, or have had time to reload.  The mid pack contains a persistent weak layer buried in mid February, now found down 150 to 200cm.  It has become harder to trigger, but is still reactive to large loads such as cornice fall, step downs from storm slabs, and explosives.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snow/rain line from the last system fluctuated between 1500-1700m with the snow becoming rain soaked at the lower elevations.  With no overnight recovery (freezing), the snow at lower elevations has lost cohesion and pole penetration is reported to ground in much of the below treeline terrain.  There is some concern that this increasingly isothermal snow may release to ground on a layer of basal facets.</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">Warm temperatures have resulted in the 50-80 cm of storm snow settling into a cohesive slab above the mix of crusts, facets, and surface hoar that was buried on March 2nd. The storm slab may be up to 150 cm deep where it has been transported by the wind. These deep deposits may feel &quot;upside down&quot;, with more dense and maybe even moist snow above drier lighter snow. Forecast snow, warm temperatures, and wind is expected to add a new load to this developing storm slab. The early February persistent weak layer continues to show sudden planar or collapse characteristics buried down 80-180 cm in snow profile tests , and it is a concern for long fracture propagations and remote triggering. Moist or wet snow below treeline may not be well bonded to the old melt-freeze crust, and may release naturally with more warm temperatures and possibly rain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 80cm of recent storm snow overlies small surface hoar in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and wind slabs at higher elevations. In wind exposed terrain these new accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. Forecast snowfall, wind and warming will add to the reactivity and destructive potential of this developing storm slab. There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 80 and 180cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although natural avalanche activity has tapered-off at this interface, it remains sensitive to remote triggers in isolated terrain and may see a significant &quot;wake-up&quot;, particularly with the increased load of the new snow and forecast rain. For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In general, about 30-50 cm of storm snow overlies small surface hoar crystals in sheltered areas, a sun crust on solar aspects and wind slabs in exposed terrain. Further snowfall, wind and warming will add to the reactivity and destructive potential of this developing storm slab. There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies up to a metre below the surface, and includes weak surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations.&nbsp; For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snowfall amounts have been highly variable throughout the region. In some deeper snowpack areas over 80cm of storm snow overlies a weak surface hoar layer that has been preserved in sheltered areas. A sun crust exists on solar aspects and and there are wind slabs in exposed terrain. On lee slopes these accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. Warming has added cohesion to the slab and wider propagations can be expected. At lower elevations rain has likely moistened snow surfaces. There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 60 and 160cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. In some areas destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with ongoing reports of natural triggering, whumpfing and sudden/easy snowpack test results. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but triggering has now become unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent rain has saturated the upper snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and well bonded. The weak layer from early February is now buried well over a meter down.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Some areas of the South Rockies (Elk Valley South and Flathead) received Thurday's precipitation as significant rain event below 1500m-1700m, while other areas like the Crowsnest, had dry snow below treeline under the influence of colder air. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In areas above 1600m there is approximately 40-70cm of new storm snow sitting on top of the March 2 interface consisting of surface hoar, facets or a crust depending on your aspect and elevation . Forecasted new snow and rain, combined with warm temperatures, will likely create another storm slab avalanche cycle by Sunday. Moderate to strong SW winds will continue to create windslabs in alpine lee features and contribute to the already significant cornice growth..</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid pack still contains a layer of facets and/or surface hoar that is now down between 70-180cm depending on your location in the South Rockies. It is still showing good fracture character on snowpack tests, suggesting that it may be possible for storm slabs to step down to this persistent weakness. Check the </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/southrockies/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">South Rockies Blog</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> for the latest snowpack discussion.</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">Warm temps prevailed again today.  Freezing levels climbed to 2000m today and moist snow was being observed on solar aspects up to 2500m when the sun came out.  The upper snowpack is rapidly settling.  The 0303 interface is gaining strength but the 0211 interface is becomming more reactive to skiers.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 40 cm of dense storm snow now sits on a layer of surface hoar and/or a thick layer of facetted snow on shady slopes at all elevations, a sun crust on steep solar aspects, and various wind affected surfaces in exposed terrain. Strong southwest winds have created dense wind slabs on exposed lee slopes and in cross-loaded features. The early February weak layer of facets, crusts, and surface hoar is buried down about 50-100 cm. This layer could become reactive in the next couple days with additional loading and significantly warmer temperatures. Basal facets and depth hoar remain a concern in areas with thin or variable snow cover. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The recent storm snows are rapidly settling into a slab that now sits above a variety of old surfaces. There are buried facets on north aspects and sun crust on many south facing slopes. Rains up to 1800m have saturated the upper snowpack. At elevations above the freezing level strong SW winds have have formed winds labs in lee features. There are 3 persistent weak layers now buried in the snowpack,  A January 28th layer of surface hoar, facets and crusts, a Feb.10th layer of surface hoar, facets and crusts, and the March 2nd layer of surface hoar, facets and crusts.  All of these layers have been noted in recent avalanche activity.</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">Freezing levels remained around 1900m on Sunday with rain below this elevation and wet snow above. The snowpack below here is now becoming isothermal in some areas. Above this elevation, the wet heavy snow continued to release natural avalanche up to sz 2.5 at treeline and below. The drier snow in Alpine areas was being redistributed by strong SW flow onto lee aspects building new storm slabs.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Saturday night's storm dumped another 30-50 cm of dense snow with strong southerly ridgetop winds. The freezing level peaked around 1700 m, meaning low elevation terrain saw significant rain. Expect to find a crust at or near the surface below treeline. The early March melt-freeze crust is now down roughly 90-150 cm. This layer was found on all aspects at treeline and below, and on all but North aspects in the alpine. There are no new snowpack tests on this layer to report, but the continued loading and mild temperatures should help this weakness heal. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The mid February crust/facet combo is generally buried quite deep (150 cm+), but there is still some potential for triggering this weakness with large loads in areas with thin or variable snowpack. I'm thinking rocky north-facing alpine slopes. Lastly, cornices have grown large during the past few weeks. Give them a wide berth, especially if temperatures are mild or the sun is out. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A91C021F">Coquihalla and south:</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Recent mild temperatures have resulted in rain to ridge top in many areas. It's likely that the upper snowpack below 1700-1800 m is saturated and/or contains several melt-freeze crusts. The early March melt-freeze crust is down 60-100 cm depending on elevation. There are no new snowpack tests on this layer to report; however, continued loading and mild temps should help stabilize this previous weak layer. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A91C021F">Duffey Lake and north:</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Around 25-35 cm of new snow fell on Saturday night, with strong southerly winds and freezing levels jumping between 1400 and 1700 m. It's The early March melt-freeze crust is down 60-80 cm on north aspects up to 1800 m and south aspects up to 2200 m. The mid Feb weak layer is generally now found down 90-130 cm. Recent snowpack tests continue to give popping shears where this layer is less than 100 cm deep. Deeply buried weak layers of facets and depth hoar remain a concern on high alpine slopes with thin or variable snow cover.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Around 20-50 cm of dense storm snow now sits on a layer of surface hoar and/or a thick layer of facetted snow on shady slopes at all elevations, a sun crust on steep solar aspects, and various wind affected surfaces in exposed terrain. Strong southwest winds have created dense wind slabs on exposed lee slopes and in cross-loaded features. The early February weak layer of facets, crusts, and surface hoar is buried down about 70-120 cm. There is no new info on this weak layer, but I suspect it remains active in many areas. Basal facets and depth hoar remain a concern in areas with thin or variable snow cover. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The recent accumulation of up to 1 metre of storm snow is settling into a slab that now sits above a variety of old surfaces. There are buried facets on north aspects and sun crust on many south facing slopes. Rain up to 1800m has saturated the upper snowpack in some parts of the forecast area. At elevations above the freezing level strong SW winds have have formed winds labs in lee features. The surface snow has a &quot;spongy&quot; feel to it now, and there may be lighter snow underneath it making for &quot;upside down&quot; conditions, This will settle out with warm temperatures and time, improving skiing conditions. There are 3 persistent weak layers now buried in the snowpack, A January 28th layer of surface hoar, facets and crusts, a Feb.10th layer of surface hoar, facets and crusts, and the March 2nd layer of surface hoar, facets and crusts. Of these layers, the Feb. 10th layer appears to still be problematic, with field reports still indicating easy and sudden planar shears on this layer, especially on north aspects. The most recent weak layer, March 2nd, will be on the radar for a while as we wait for it to bond.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent rain has saturated the upper snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and well bonded. The weak layer from early February is now buried well over a meter down.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snowfall amounts have been highly variable throughout the region. In some deeper snowpack areas 80 to 100cm of storm snow overlies a weak surface hoar layer that has been preserved in sheltered areas. A buried sun crust exists on solar aspects and and there are wind slabs in exposed terrain. On lee slopes these accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. Warming has added cohesion to the slab and wider propagations can be expected. At lower elevations rain has moistened snow surfaces, and we might see loose wet avalanches on solar aspects. There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 60 and 160cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. In some areas destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with ongoing reports of natural triggering, whumpfing and sudden/easy snowpack test results. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but triggering now is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Various storm slabs continue to build on top of the March 2nd weak layer made up of facets, surface hoar or crusts, depending on your elevation and aspect. There is now 70-100cm of snow on this layer in the bigger snow zones in the south of our region (Flathead and around Fernie).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid pack contains the February 10th persistent weak layer. In the deeper snowpack areas it could be up to 2 meters deep now, but in the shallower snowpack zones, it is likely about a meter deep. It is becoming a more isolated problem and likely only trigger-able by large loads like cornices or storm slabs in motion in areas that have not previously run on the February 10th layer... and those areas are getting harder to find.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the lower elevations (below 1600m) in the south of the region, expect the snowpack to be rain soaked and loosing cohesion. Below treeline terrain is likely close to isothermal in the high rain affected zones, and at least moist everywhere else.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March interface consisting of cold stellars, crusts and facets (depending on aspect and elevation) continues to produce avalanches with recent significant storm loads. There is ~1.5-2 meters of snow above this layer in the Lizard Range now.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid pack contains the mid February persistent weak layer. It has become hard to trigger and is turning into more of an isolated problem, not showing the wide propagation it once did. Large loads such as cornices or storm slabs in motion still have the possibility to trigger this layer in areas that haven't previously avalanched, but those areas are getting harder to find!</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below 1600m the snowpack is rainsoaked and mostly isothermal. Mid thigh ski penetration down low is a great clue that the snowpack has lost its cohesion! Loose wet avalanches entraining a lot of snow, right down to a layer of basal facets is possible.</span><span class="s_1681A555" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow keeps piling up! Around 50-80 cm of recent storm snow now sits on previous snow surface of hard wind slabs or scoured slopes in exposed terrain and a thick layer of faceted snow on sheltered shady slopes, maybe with some surface hoar mixed in, and a sun crust on steep solar aspects. Expect moist or wet snow below 1000 m, possibly with one or two new crusts near the surface. The mid February weak layer of surface hoar or a crust/facet combo is buried 90-150 cm deep. This layer continues to react in snowpack tests, primarily on sheltered north aspects at or below treeline. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A potent storm slab which formed in recent days overlies small surface hoar crystals in sheltered areas and a sun crust on previously sun-exposed slopes. Wind and warming have added to the reactivity and destructive potential of the new snow which may be particularly reactive where it overlies the crust. Rain at lower elevations has likely saturated the snowpack. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies over a metre below the surface, and includes weak surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some areas over 80cm of recent storm snow overlies small surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on previously sun exposed slopes. In wind exposed terrain these new accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. Wind and warming have also created an &quot;upside down&quot; storm slab which may be particularly touchy where it overlies the crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Many slopes below 1850m saw rain over the weekend and the snowpack at lower elevations is now mostly saturated. At ridgetop cornices are large, unsupported and waiting for the right trigger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">We're still seeing avalanches on a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 100 and 200cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. This deeply buried layer still has the potential to &quot;wake up&quot; and create very large and destructive avalanches. Possible triggers include a surface avalanche in motion or a cornice fall.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some areas over 80cm of recent storm snow overlies small surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on previously sun exposed slopes. In wind exposed terrain these new accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. Wind and warming have also added to the reactivity and destructive potential of the storm slab which may be particularly touchy where it overlies the crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Many slopes below 1850m saw rain over the weekend and the snowpack at lower elevations is now saturated. At ridgetop cornices are large, unsupported and waiting for the right trigger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 100 and 200cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although unlikely, this deeply buried layer still has the potential to &quot;wake up&quot; and create very large and destructive avalanches. Possible triggers include a surface avalanche in motion or a cornice fall.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snowpack is settling rapidly with warm temps. Rain crust found below 1900m from rain an d wet snow event over the weekend. Solar aspects are moist in the afternoon. Storm slabs at treeline are between 20 and 40cm thick and continue to be reactive in the easy to moderate range. The Feb 10th persistent weak layer is buried 80 to 100cm is is responsible for a fairly widespread avalanche cycle up to size 2.5 over the past few days.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 50cm of recent storm snow overlies a variety of highly wind affected surfaces, and the bond at this recently buried interface is reported to be weak. In exposed terrain these new accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally strong southwest winds, while mild temperatures have added cohesion and reactivity to the slab. Heavy snowfall and wind is forecast to create touchy conditions and add to the destructive potential of this developing storm slab.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 80cm below the surface the mid February crust/facet/surface hoar interface has strengthened in some areas, but the variable distribution of this layer makes it hard to track (and trust) with potential hot spots being the south end of the region. Storm loading will add further stress to this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The base of the Yukon snowpack remains characteristically week. This weakness is largely protected from triggers at the moment by thick crusts near the surface and a supportive mid pack. Although unlikely, triggering these deep layers is still possible especially in steep, shallow snowpack areas. This layer is most pronounced in thinner snowpack areas to the North, namely Powder Valley and the Wheaton Valley.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The weekend storm produced 30-50 cm of dense snow with strong southerly ridgetop winds. The freezing level peaked around 1700 m, meaning low elevation terrain saw significant rain. Expect to find a crust at or near the surface below treeline. The early March melt-freeze crust is now down roughly 90-150 cm. This layer was found on all aspects at treeline and below, and on all but North aspects in the alpine. There are no new snowpack tests on this layer to report, but the continued loading and mild temperatures should help this weakness heal. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The mid February crust/facet combo is generally buried quite deep (150 cm+), but there is still some potential for triggering this weakness with large loads in areas with thin or variable snowpack. We're thinking rocky north-facing alpine slopes. Lastly, cornices have grown large during the past few weeks. Give them a wide berth, especially if temperatures are mild or the sun is out. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Around 20-50 cm of dense storm snow now sits on a layer of surface hoar and/or a thick layer of facetted snow on shady slopes at all elevations, a sun crust on steep solar aspects, and various wind affected surfaces in exposed terrain. Strong southwest winds have created dense wind slabs on exposed lee slopes and in cross-loaded features. The early February weak layer of facets, crusts, and surface hoar is buried down about 70-120 cm. There is no new info on this weak layer, but I suspect it remains active in many areas. Basal facets and depth hoar remain a concern in areas with thin or variable snow cover. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent rain has saturated the upper snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and well bonded. The weak layer from early February is now buried well over a meter down.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Warm temperatures have promoted rapid settling of the recent storm snow into a slab that now sits above a variety of old surfaces. There are buried facets on north aspects and sun crust on many south facing slopes. Rain up to 1800m has saturated the upper snowpack in some parts of the forecast area. At elevations above the freezing level strong SW winds have have formed winds slabs in lee features. 3 persistent weak layers are now buried in the snowpack, A January 28th layer of surface hoar, facets and crusts, a Feb.10th layer of surface hoar, facets and crusts, and the March 2nd layer of surface hoar, facets and crusts. Of these layers, the Feb. 10th layer appears to still be problematic, with field reports still indicating easy and sudden planar shears on this layer, especially on north aspects. The most recent weak layer, March 2nd, will be on the radar for a while as we wait for it to bond.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some areas over 80cm of recent storm snow overlies small surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on previously sun exposed slopes. In wind exposed terrain these new accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. Wind and warming have also created an &quot;upside down&quot; storm slab which may be particularly touchy where it overlies the buried crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Many slopes below 1850m saw rain over the weekend and the snowpack at lower elevations is now mostly saturated. At ridgetop cornices are large, unsupported and waiting for the right trigger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">We're still seeing avalanches on a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 100 and 200cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. This deeply buried layer still has the potential to &quot;wake up&quot; and create very large and destructive avalanches. Possible triggers include a surface avalanche in motion or a cornice fall.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </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">Storm slabs continue to build on top of the March 2nd weak layer which consists of facets, surface hoar and/or crusts, depending on your elevation and aspect. There is now 70-100cm of snow on this layer in the deeper snow-pack zones in the south of our region (Flathead and around Fernie).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid pack contains the February 10th persistent weak layer, which in some of the deeper snowpack regions, could be up to 2 meters deep. In the shallower snow packs it is likely about a meter deep, and is becoming a more isolated problem, and probably could only be triggered by a large load, a cornice failure or storm a slab in motion.  Be aware of slopes that have not yet not run on the February 10th layer... but those areas are getting harder to find.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the lower elevations (below 1600m) in the south of the region, expect the snowpack to be rain soaked and loosing cohesion. Below tree line the snow pack is most likely close to isothermal in rain affected areas, and at least moist everywhere else.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March interface consisting of cold stellars, crusts and facets (depending on aspect and elevation) continues to produce avalanches with recent significant storm loads. There is 1.5 to 2 meters of snow above this layer in the Lizard Range now and below this March 2 interface is an older slab resting on the mid February persistent weak layer. The Feb. layer has become harder to trigger and may turni into more of an isolated problem, not currently showing the wide propagation it once did. Large loads such as cornices or storm slabs in motion still have the possibility to trigger this layer in areas that haven't previously slid.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below 1600m the snowpack is rain soaked and mostly isothermal. Deep, slushy ski penetration down low is a great clue that the snowpack has lost its cohesion! Loose wet avalanches moving a lot of snow, right down to a layer of basal facets is possible.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some areas over 80cm of recent storm snow overlies small surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on previously sun exposed slopes. In wind exposed terrain these new accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. Wind and warming have created an &quot;upside down&quot; storm slab which may be particularly touchy where it overlies the buried crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Many slopes below 1850m saw rain over the weekend and the snowpack at lower elevations is now saturated. At ridgetop cornices are large, unsupported and waiting for the right trigger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 100 and 200cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Although unlikely, this deeply buried layer still has the potential to &quot;wake up&quot; and create very large and destructive avalanches. Possible triggers include a surface avalanche in motion, a cornice fall and solar radiation.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A storm slab which formed in recent days overlies small surface hoar crystals in sheltered areas and a sun crust on previously sun-exposed slopes. Wind and warming have created an &quot;upside down&quot; slab which may be particularly reactive where it overlies the buried crust. Rain at lower elevations has likely saturated much of the snowpack. Cornice development has also been significant</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies about a metre below the surface, and includes weak surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Potential triggers at this point include a surface slab in motion, a large cornice fall, or intense solar warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A91C021F">Coquihalla and south:</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Recent mild temperatures have resulted in rain to ridgetop in many areas. It's likely that the upper snowpack below 1700-1800 m is saturated and/or contains several melt-freeze crusts. The early March melt-freeze crust is down 60-100 cm depending on elevation. There are no new snowpack tests on this layer to report; however, continued loading and mild temps should help stabilize this previous weak layer. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A91C021F">Duffey Lake and north:</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Around 25-35 cm of new snow fell on Saturday night, with strong southerly winds and freezing levels jumping between 1400 and 1700 m. It's The early March melt-freeze crust is down 60-80 cm on north aspects up to 1800 m and south aspects up to 2200 m. The mid Feb weak layer is generally now found down 90-130 cm. Recent snowpack tests continue to give popping shears where this layer is less than 100 cm deep. Deeply buried weak layers of facets and depth hoar remain a concern on high alpine slopes with thin or variable snow cover.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 50-80cm of recent storm snow now sits on previous snow surface which may consist of the following: (1) hard wind slabs or wind-scoured slopes in exposed terrain, (2) a thick layer of faceted snow on sheltered, shady slopes, (3) isolated surface hoar on sheltered, shady slopes, and (4) sun crust on steep solar aspects. Expect moist or wet snow below 1000m, possibly with one or two new crusts near the surface. The mid February weak layer of surface hoar or a crust/facet combo is buried 90-150cm deep. This layer continues to react in snowpack tests, primarily on sheltered north aspects at or below treeline. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snowfall amounts have been highly variable throughout the region. In some deeper snowpack areas 80 to 100cm of storm snow overlies a weak surface hoar layer that has been preserved in sheltered areas. A buried sun crust exists on solar aspects and and there are growing wind slabs in exposed terrain. On lee slopes these accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by moderate to strong southwest winds. Warming has added cohesion to the slab and wider propagations have been reported. With rising temps and solar radiation, moist snow surfaces have been reported into the alpine.Wet avalanches on solar aspects have also been reported. There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 60 and 160cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. In manyparts of the forecast area, large destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with ongoing reports of natural avalanches running full path. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering now is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snowpack is settling with continued mild temperatures. Wide spread wind effect in Alpine and Treeline areas. Solar aspects becoming moist in afternoon. Shears persist down 70 to 90cm at Feb 10th interface.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Warm temperatures have promoted rapid settlement of the recent storm snow into a dense slab that sits above a variety of old surfaces. Overnight freezing will help seal up the surface from the weak layers buried below, at least until warm temperatures break down the surface crust, then all bets are off ! Rain up to 1900m has saturated the upper snowpack in some parts of the forecast area and will crust-over as the freezing level lowers at night. At elevations above the freezing level strong SW winds have have formed significant winds slabs in lee features. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">3 persistent weak layers are still buried in the snowpack, A January 28th layer of surface hoar, facets and crusts, a Feb.10th layer of surface hoar, facets and crusts, and the March 2nd layer of surface hoar, facets and crusts. Of these layers, the Feb. 10th layer appears to still be problematic, with field reports still indicating easy and sudden planar shears on this layer, especially on north aspects. The most recent weak layer, March 2nd, will be on the radar for a while as we wait for it to bond.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some areas over 80cm of recent storm snow overlies small surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on previously sun exposed slopes. In wind exposed terrain these new accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. The recent storm snow may be particularly reactive in high elevation lee terrain or on sun-exposed slopes where it likely overlies the buried crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Low elevation terrain and sun-exposed features are likely seeing a daily melt-freeze cycle. At ridgetop cornices are large, unsupported and waiting for the right trigger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th is still reactive. This persistent interface lies between 100 and 200cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. This deeply buried layer continues to fail with remote triggers in isolated terrain. Likely triggers include a surface avalanche in motion, a cornice fall and solar radiation.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Night time cooling will help to stabilize the tricky conditions as the storm slab settles and gains strength. Daytime heating will again put the weak layers up for action as the snowpack adjusts to the warming and cooling, especially the weak layer closest to the surface from March 2nd.  Any activity on this layer may create a big enough load to trigger the lower weak layers with the possibility of a very large destructive avalanche. Slopes gaining heat from the strong spring sun should be highly suspect, and treated with respect and caution.  The weak layers buried in this years snow pack are not going away soon, and may not go away until the seasons snow has completely melted, especially on north aspects</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the lower elevations (below 1600m) in the south of the region, expect the snowpack to be rain soaked and losing cohesion. Below tree line the snow pack is most likely close to isothermal in rain affected areas, and at least moist everywhere else.</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">We are now seeing the beginning of spring conditions, with daytime heating building a crust at lower elevations and on solar aspects. At upper elevations the multiple weak layers separated dense slabs will pose a tricky problem for some time to come, and may not dissapear on high north aspects until late in the spring. The storm slab on the March 2nd facet/ crust /surface hoar combo continues to produce avalanches with recent storm loads. There is now anywhere from 80 to 150 cm of snow above this layer in the Lizard Range and below this March 2 interface is an older slab resting on the mid February persistent weak layer. The Feb. layer has become harder to trigger, but large loads such as a cornice fall or a storm slab in motion still has the possibility to trigger this layer in areas that haven't previously</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Rain soaked snow up to 1900m has frozen overnight on the surface, but may turn moist with daytime warming, especially on solar aspects. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The weekend storm produced 30-50 cm of dense snow with strong southerly ridgetop winds. Freezing levels have been cycling between valley bottom and roughly 1700m, and low elevation terrain saw significant rain on the weekend. Expect to find a crust at or near the surface below treeline. The early March melt-freeze crust is now down roughly 90-150 cm. This layer was found on all aspects at treeline and below, and on all but North aspects in the alpine. The early-Feb weak layer is down over 1.5m and is generally not a concern for human-triggering but avalanches or cornice falls have the potential to trigger it.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">During the storm on the weekend, storm slabs and wind slabs formed at higher elevations across the regions.  These are generally becoming more stable but isolated avalanches are still occurring.  High freezing levels and solar warming may destabilize the upper snowpack on Wednesday afternoon.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A91C021F">Coquihalla and south:</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Recent mild temperatures have resulted in rain to ridgetop in many areas. It's likely that the upper snowpack below 1700-1800 m was saturated and/or contains several melt-freeze crusts. The early March melt-freeze crust is down 60-100 cm depending on elevation.  </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A91C021F">Duffey Lake and north:</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> The early March melt-freeze crust is down 60-80 cm on north aspects up to 1800 m and south aspects up to 2200 m. The mid Feb weak layer is generally now found down 90-130 cm. Freezing levels were lower in this part of the region and the snowpack has generally been more reactive than the south.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New storm snow is sitting on the slightly older storm slab that is roughly 50cm thick. These slabs sit on a weak layer which may consist of the following: hard wind slabs or wind-scoured slopes in exposed terrain, a thick layer of faceted snow on sheltered, shady slopes, isolated surface hoar on sheltered, shady slopes, and sun crust on steep solar aspects. Expect moist or wet snow at lower elevations, possibly with one or two new crusts near the surface. The mid February weak layer of surface hoar or a crust/facet combo is buried 1-1.5m deep. This layer continues to react in snowpack tests, primarily on sheltered north aspects at or below treeline. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent snowfall in now developing into a dense slab. In some deeper snowpack areas 80 to 100cm of storm slab overlies a weak surface hoar layer that has been preserved in sheltered areas. A buried sun crust exists on solar aspects and and wind slabs have formed at tree line and above. On lee slopes these accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by moderate to strong southwest winds. Warming has added cohesion to the slab and wider propagations are now being reported. With rising temps and solar radiation, moist snow surfaces have been reported into the alpine. Wet avalanches on solar aspects have also been reported. There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 60 and 160cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. In many parts of the forecast area, large destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with ongoing reports of natural avalanches running full path. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering now is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 80cm of snow fell over the past week. This storm slab overlies small surface hoar crystals in sheltered areas and a sun crust on previously sun-exposed slopes. The storm snow may be strengthening somewhat, although it may continue to be reactive in wind exposed terrain or where it overlies the buried crust. Low elevation terrain and sun-exposed slopes are likely seeing a daily melt-freeze cycle. Cornice development has also been significant.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies about a metre below the surface, and includes weak surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Potential triggers at this point include a surface slab in motion, a large cornice fall, or intense solar warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some areas over 80cm of recent storm snow overlies small surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on previously sun exposed slopes. In wind exposed terrain these new accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. The recent storm snow may be particularly reactive in high elevation lee terrain or on sun-exposed slopes where it likely overlies the buried crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Low elevation terrain and sun-exposed features are likely seeing a daily melt-freeze cycle. At ridgetop cornices are large, unsupported and waiting for the right trigger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th is still reactive. This persistent interface lies between 100 and 200cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. This deeply buried layer continues to fail with remote triggers in isolated terrain. Likely triggers include a surface avalanche in motion, a cornice fall and solar radiation.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper snowpack has been saturated by rain, and is likely seeing a daily melt-freeze cycle.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally settled and well bonded. The weak layer from early February is now buried well over a meter down and is thought to be generally unreactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Roughly 20-50 cm of dense storm snow now sits on a weak layer consisting of surface hoar and/or a thick layer of faceted snow on shady slopes at all elevations, a sun crust on steep solar aspects, and various wind affected surfaces in exposed terrain. Strong southwest winds have created dense wind slabs on exposed lee slopes and in cross-loaded features. The early February weak layer of facets, crusts, and/or surface hoar is buried down about 60-100 cm. Test results and isolated avalanche activity suggest this layer is still reactive to human-triggering. Basal facets and depth hoar remain a concern in areas with thin or variable snow cover. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The storm snow from the weekend is reported to be settling rapidly and bonding well with the snow below.&nbsp; There are two persistent weak layers which remain a concern but the problem is becoming isolated.&nbsp; The early-March crust/facet layer is down roughly 1m and the early-Feb layer is down 1.5m or more.&nbsp; These layers are typically deep enough that human-triggering is unlikely but smaller avalanches or cornices have the potential to step down to these layers.&nbsp; During the avalanche cycle on the weekend we saw avalanches stepping down to these layers and resulting in large, destructive avalanches.&nbsp; Use caution in thin snowpack areas where triggering a layer could be possible.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Strong SW winds during the storm created widespread wind slabs on lee features in the alpine.&nbsp; These are breaking down and getting harder to trigger but may still pose a threat in some areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Freezing levels have been cycling between valley bottom and roughly 2000m, and low elevation terrain saw significant rain on the weekend.&nbsp; The snowpack at lower elevations is generally stable but it may be possible to trigger loose wet activity from steep terrain during the heat of the day. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Night time cooling will help to stabilize the tricky conditions as the storm slab settles and gains strength, although freezing levels are forecast to be up into the 1400 to 1600m range. Below that elevation there will be no overnight freeze and recovery of the snow pack. In some parts of the region, the snowpack is isothermal and saturated with water below 1600 metres. Any disturbance could trigger a wet dense avalanche on this type of snow. Above 1600m the previously mentioned weak layers still exist, especially on north aspects. Slopes gaining heat from the generally rising temperatures and strong spring sun should be highly suspect,.. and treated with respect and caution. The weak layers buried in this years snow pack are not going away soon, and may not go away until the seasons snow has completely melted, especially on north aspects</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">We are seeing the beginning of spring conditions. The recent rain event along with rising freezing levels have built a thick crust on all aspects up to 1900 metres and may have saturated the upper part of the snowpack. Daytime warming will break down the crust on solar aspects. At upper elevations on north facing slopes, the multiple weak layers separated by dense slabs will pose a tricky problem for some time to come, and may not disappear on high north aspects until late in the spring. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm slab on the March 2nd facet/ crust /surface hoar combo continues to be problematic. 80 to 150 cm of snow sits on this layer in the Lizard Range. Below the March 2 interface is an old slab resting on the mid February persistent weak layer. The February layer has become harder to trigger, but large loads such as a cornice fall or a storm slab in motion might trigger this layer. Below 1900 metres the snowpack may be saturated with water, especially in the afternoon and on solar aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> The possibility of a triggering a large wet avalanche at low elevation is very real right now. For more insight into these tricky conditions see the most recent </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/southrockies/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">forecasters blog</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715">.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Storm slabs continue to build. In the north of the region, the storm slab is up to 1m thick. The south of the region had less snowfall and the slab is roughly 60cm thick. These slabs sit on a weak layer which may consist of any of the following: hard wind slabs or wind-scoured slopes in exposed terrain, a thick layer of faceted snow on sheltered, shady slopes, isolated surface hoar on sheltered, shady slopes, and sun crust on steep solar aspects. Expect moist or wet snow below roughly 1000m elevation. The mid February weak layer of surface hoar or a crust/facet combo is typically buried over 1.5m deep. This layer continues to react in snowpack tests, primarily on sheltered north aspects at or below treeline. The weight of the new snow and rain has the potential to reactivate this layer resulting in large, destructive avalanches. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain a concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some areas over 80cm of recent storm snow overlies small surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on previously sun exposed slopes. In wind exposed terrain these new accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. The recent storm snow may be particularly reactive in high elevation lee terrain or on sun-exposed slopes where it likely overlies the buried crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Low elevation terrain and sun-exposed features are likely seeing a daily melt-freeze cycle. At ridgetop cornices are large, unsupported and waiting for the right trigger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th is still reactive. This persistent interface lies between 100 and 200cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. This deeply buried layer continues to fail with remote triggers in isolated terrain. Likely triggers include a surface avalanche in motion, a cornice fall and solar radiation.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack is settling under the influence of the warmer temperatures.  A moderate sheer persists under the recent windslabs down 30-40cm and the 0211 interface is down 70-100cm and producing hard sheers but these sheers are sudden planar in nature. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">50 - 120 cm of recent storm snow overlies small surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on previously sun exposed slopes. In wind exposed terrain these new accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by generally moderate southwest winds. The recent storm snow may be particularly reactive in high elevation lee terrain or on sun-exposed slopes where it likely overlies the buried crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Low elevation terrain and sun-exposed features are likely seeing a daily melt-freeze cycle. At ridgetop cornices are large, unsupported and waiting for the right trigger.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th is still reactive. This persistent interface lies between 80 and 250cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. This deeply buried layer continues to fail with remote triggers in isolated terrain. Likely triggers include a surface avalanche in motion, a cornice fall and solar radiation.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent snowfall has now developed into a dense slab. In some deeper snowpack areas 80 to 100cm of storm slab overlies a weak surface hoar&nbsp; and facet layer that has been preserved in sheltered areas. A buried sun crust exists on solar aspects and and touchy wind slabs have formed at tree line and above. On lee slopes these accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by moderate to strong southwest winds. Warming has added cohesion to the slab and wider propagations are now being reported. With rising temps and solar radiation, moist snow surfaces have been reported into the alpine. Wet avalanches on solar aspects have also been reported. There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 60 and 160cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. In parts of the forecast area, large destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with ongoing reports of natural avalanches running full path. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering now is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A91C021F">Coquihalla and south:</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> The surface of the snowpack is reported to be moist at all elevations and most aspects on Wednesday afternoon. A widespread surface crust is expected if we get good overnight recovery.  The early March melt-freeze crust is down 60-100 cm depending on elevation. Triggering is generally unlikely but remains the problem remains an isolated concern, specifically on north aspects at higher elevations.  Loose wet activity is possible from steep features during the heat of the day. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A91C021F">Duffey Lake and north:</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> The early March melt-freeze crust is down 60-80 cm on north aspects up to 1800 m and south aspects up to 2200 m. The mid Feb weak layer is generally now found down 90-130 cm. Freezing levels were lower in this part of the region and the snowpack has generally been more reactive than the south.  Old wind slabs may still exist in isolated areas of the alpine.  Lower elevations have seen rain and gone through numerous melt-freeze cycles.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Warm temperatures have promoted rapid settlement of the recent storm snow into a dense slab that sits above a variety of old surfaces. Overnight freezing will help seal up the surface from the weak layers buried below, at least until warm daytime temperatures break down the surface crust, then all bets are off ! Rain up to 1900m has saturated the upper snowpack in some parts of the forecast area and will crust-over as the freezing level lowers at night. At elevations above the freezing level strong SW winds have have formed significant winds slabs in lee features adding load to the storm slab overlying a variety of persistent weak layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">3 persistent weak layers are buried in the snowpack, A January 28th layer of surface hoar, facets and crusts, a Feb.10th layer of surface hoar, facets and crusts now almost 200cm down,... and the March 2nd layer of surface hoar, facets and crusts at approximately 120cm from the surface.. Of these layers, the Feb. 10th/Jan. 28th layers still appear to be problematic with field reports indicating easy and sudden planar shears on this layer, especially on north aspects. Some parts of the forecast region recently received 5cm of new snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Roughly 40-60 cm of dense storm snow now sits on a weak layer consisting of surface hoar and/or a thick layer of faceted snow on shady slopes at all elevations, a sun crust on steep solar aspects, and various wind affected surfaces in exposed terrain. Strong southwest winds have created dense wind slabs on exposed lee slopes and in cross-loaded features. Moist/wet snow or melt-freeze crusts in the upper snowpack are likely at lower elevations, below roughly 1200m.  The early February weak layer of facets, crusts, and/or surface hoar is buried down about 60-100 cm. Test results and isolated avalanche activity suggest this layer is still reactive to human-triggering. Basal facets and depth hoar remain a concern in areas with thin or variable snow cover. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 80cm of snow fell over the past week. This storm slab overlies small surface hoar crystals in sheltered areas and a sun crust on previously sun-exposed slopes. The storm snow may be strengthening somewhat, although it may continue to be reactive in wind exposed terrain or where it overlies the buried crust. Low elevation terrain and sun-exposed slopes are likely seeing a daily melt-freeze cycle. Cornice development has also been significant.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies about a metre below the surface, and includes weak surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. Potential triggers at this point include a surface slab in motion, a large cornice fall, or intense solar warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but triggering is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper snowpack has been saturated by rain, and is likely seeing a daily melt-freeze cycle.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally settled and well bonded. The weak layer from early February is now buried well over a meter down and is thought to be generally unreactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Storm slabs continue to build. At the end of the last storm pulse, the storm slab was up to 1m thick in the north of the region, . The south of the region had less snowfall and the slab is roughly 60cm thick. These slabs generally sit on a weak layer which may consist of any of the following: hard wind slabs or wind-scoured slopes in exposed terrain, a thick layer of faceted snow on sheltered, shady slopes, isolated surface hoar on sheltered, shady slopes, and sun crust on steep solar aspects. Expect moist or wet snow below roughly 1000m elevation. The mid February weak layer of surface hoar or a crust/facet combo is typically buried over 1.5m deep. This layer continues to react in snowpack tests, primarily on sheltered north aspects at or below treeline. The weight of the new snow and rain has the potential to reactivate this layer resulting in large, destructive avalanches. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain an isolated concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Roughly 40-60 cm of storm snow now sits on a weak layer consisting of surface hoar and/or a thick layer of faceted snow on shady slopes at all elevations, a sun crust on steep solar aspects, and various wind affected surfaces in exposed terrain. Strong southwest winds have created dense wind slabs on exposed lee slopes and in cross-loaded features. Moist/wet snow or melt-freeze crusts in the upper snowpack are likely at lower elevations, below roughly 1200m. The early February weak layer of facets, crusts, and/or surface hoar is buried down about 60-100 cm. Test results and isolated avalanche activity suggest this layer is still reactive to human-triggering. Basal facets and depth hoar remain a concern in areas with thin or variable snow cover. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Night time cooling will help to stabilize the snowpack when there's a good freeze, but recently freezing levels have been above the valley bottom in most parts of the forecast area, leaving us with a water-saturated snow pack between valley bottom and 1600 metres in some places. When the surface crust beaks down with daytime heating any disturbance could trigger a wet dense avalanche on this type of snow. Above 1600m the previously mentioned weak layers still exist, especially on north aspects. The weak layers buried in this years snow pack are not going away soon, and may not go away until the seasons snow has completely melted, especially on north aspects. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Warm temperatures have promoted rapid settlement of the recent storm snow into a dense slab that sits above a variety of old surfaces. Overnight freezing will help seal up the surface from the weak layers buried below, at least until warm daytime temperatures break down the surface crust, then all bets are off ! Rain up to 1900m has saturated the upper snowpack in some parts of the forecast area and will crust-over as the freezing level lowers at night. At elevations above the freezing level strong SW winds have have formed significant winds slabs in lee features adding load to the storm slab overlying a variety of persistent weak layers.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">3 persistent weak layers are buried in the snowpack, A January 28th layer of surface hoar, facets and crusts, a Feb.10th layer of surface hoar, facets and crusts now almost 200cm down,... and the March 2nd layer of surface hoar, facets and crusts at approximately 120cm from the surface.. Of these layers, the Feb. 10th/Jan. 28th layers still appear to be problematic with field reports indicating easy and sudden planar shears on this layer, especially on north aspects. Some parts of the forecast region recently received 5cm of new snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent snowfall has now developed into a dense slab. In some deeper snowpack areas 80 to 100cm of storm slab overlies a weak surface hoar and facet layer that has been preserved in sheltered areas. A buried sun crust exists on solar aspects and and touchy wind slabs have formed at tree line and above. On lee slopes these accumulations have been pushed into much deeper deposits by moderate to strong southwest winds. Warming has added cohesion to the slab and wider propagations are now being reported. With rising temps and solar radiation, moist snow surfaces have been reported into the alpine. Wet avalanches on solar aspects have also been reported. There is ongoing concern for a mix of weak surfaces which were buried on February 10th. This persistent interface lies between 60 and 160cm below the surface, and includes surface hoar, well developed facets and a mix of hard surfaces which remain widespread at all aspects and elevations. In parts of the forecast area, large destructive avalanches are still a very real concern with ongoing reports of natural avalanches running full path. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering now is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 80 cm of recent storm snow rests on small grained surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on solar aspects. In upper elevation wind exposed terrain the new snow has been pushed into deep wind slabs by moderate SW winds.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The freezing levels remain high (aprox. 1800m) in this spring like pattern. Below treeline the snowpack is seeing a daily melt freeze cycle that has left many features wet and sloppy by the afternoon. This has created an isolated wet slab problem that has been responsible for serious incidents recently. At ridgetop cornices are large and unsupported.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The February 10th surface hoar/facet/crust combo is around a meter below the snow surface and widespread throughout the region. Surface avalanches in motion, cornice fall and/or solar radiation all have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. Interestingly, we continue to hear about remote triggering at this interface. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">50cm of snow has fallen in the White Pass in the last week, with the deepest zones being the southern portion of the pass and higher elevations. This storm snow fell onto a variety of old snow surfaces including facets and surface hoar. Recent warm temperatures has caused the newer snow to settle rapidly into a cohesive slab. In the alpine and in exposed treeline terrain, strong southwest winds have redistributed snow into deeper deposits on north through east facing lee terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Deeper in the snowpack, a weak layer from mid-February is being tested and remains the primary concern. This combination of facets/surface hoar and a crust (varying in thickness) can be found anywhere from 40cm to 90cm below the surface. In some areas, a reasonable bond can be found at this interface, while in other locations, stability tests and large 'whumpfs' or settlements indicate this layer is quite touchy. The variability in distribution of this layer speaks to the complex nature of this problem and deserves respect.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Near the base of the snowpack, a weak foundation of facets and depth hoar exists. This is primarily a problem in areas to the north, Powder and Wheaton Valley. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">While slightly cooler on Thursday we are still seeing some settlement taking place within the snowpack due to mild temperatures. Water is visible running down the rocks on steep solar aspects indicating some additional heating and weakening is taking place at higher elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The storm snow from last weekend has settled rapidly and is bonding well with the snow below. There are two persistent weak layers which remain a concern but the problem is becoming isolated. The early-March crust/facet layer is down roughly 1m and the early-Feb layer is down 1.5m or more. These layers are typically deep enough that human-triggering is unlikely but smaller avalanches or cornices have the potential to step down to these layers. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Strong SW winds during the storm created widespread wind slabs on lee features in the alpine. These are breaking down and getting harder to trigger but may still pose a threat in some areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Freezing levels have been cycling between valley bottom and 1500-2000m, and low elevation terrain saw significant rain last weekend. The snowpack at lower elevations is generally stable but it may be possible to trigger loose wet activity from steep terrain during the heat of the day. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">On the surface, a well developed sun crust has formed on solar aspects. Surface hoar has formed and is most prominent in sheltered areas and on north aspects. At lower elevations, a crust can be expected in most areas. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The warm weather has resulted in good settlement of the snowpack and most of the layers are well bonded. There are still two weak layers that remain a concern but the problem is becoming isolated. However, the weight of the new storm snow may reactive these layers. The early March layer is down 60-100cm and the early Feb layer is down roughly 1.5m. It seems like these persistent weak layers are more of a concern in the northern parts of the region but may still pose a threat in the Coq and south. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In the southern part of the region, widespread moist snow surfaces were reported to mountain top. Dry snow is still expected on northern aspects at treeline and above in the north of the region. A crust can be expected on most slopes and surface hoar has formed on sheltered slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In the north of the region, old wind slabs may still be a concern on N through E aspects from the last storm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">We are seeing the beginning of spring conditions. The recent rain event along with rising freezing levels have built a thick crust on all aspects up to 1900 metres and may have saturated the upper part of the snowpack. Daytime warming will break down the crust on solar aspects. At upper elevations on north facing slopes, the multiple weak layers separated by dense slabs will pose a tricky problem for some time to come, and may not disappear on high north aspects until late in the spring. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm slab on the March 2nd facet/ crust /surface hoar combo continues to be problematic. 80 to 150 cm of snow sits on this layer in the Lizard Range. Below the March 2 interface is an old slab resting on the mid February persistent weak layer. The February layer has become harder to trigger, but large loads such as a cornice fall or a storm slab in motion might trigger this layer. Below 1900 metres the snowpack may be saturated with water, especially in the afternoon and on solar aspects.</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">50 - 120 cm of recent storm snow rests on small grained surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on solar aspects. In upper elevation wind exposed terrain the new snow has been pushed into deep wind slabs by moderate SW winds.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The freezing levels remain high (aprox. 1800m) in this spring like pattern. Below treeline the snowpack is seeing a daily melt freeze cycle that has left many features wet and sloppy by the afternoon. This has created an isolated wet slab problem that has been responsible for serious incidents recently. At ridgetop cornices are large and unsupported.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The February 10th surface hoar/facet/crust combo is 80 - 250cm below the snow surface and widespread throughout the region. Surface avalanches in motion, cornice fall and/or solar radiation all have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. Interestingly, we continue to hear about remote triggering at this interface. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">50 - 120 cm of recent storm snow rests on small grained surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on solar aspects. In upper elevation wind exposed terrain the new snow has been pushed into deep wind slabs by moderate SW winds.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The freezing levels remain high (aprox. 1800m) in this spring like pattern. Below treeline the snowpack is seeing a daily melt freeze cycle that has left many features wet and sloppy by the afternoon. This has created an isolated wet slab problem that has been responsible for serious incidents recently. At ridgetop cornices are large and unsupported.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The February 10th surface hoar/facet/crust combo is 80 - 250cm below the snow surface and widespread throughout the region. Surface avalanches in motion, cornice fall and/or solar radiation all have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. Interestingly, we continue to hear about remote triggering at this interface. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">For the most part, the mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A very strong melt/freeze crust is forming each night and then breaking down during the heat of the day.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally settled and well bonded. The weak layer from early February is now buried well over a meter down and is thought to be generally unreactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent overnight freezes have been stabilizing the rain-soaked snowpack, at least until the surface crust beaks down with daytime heating. This surface melt/freeze cycle is extending as high as 2100 m elevations on south aspects, and the entire snowpack is becoming isothermal and weak below 1500 m. Storm and wind slabs (up to 140 cm thick) are bonding poorly to buried surface hoar and facets particularly on sheltered slopes such as cut blocks, and crust on previously sun-exposed slopes.  Warm temperatures and sun-exposure have been making these and deeper persistent slabs very sensitive to triggers. The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 100-250 cm, has been described by avalanche professionals as &quot;very weird&quot;. Although widespread, it has been highly variable in terms of reactivity. Large cornices are also looming over exposed leeward slopes.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent overnight freezes have been stabilizing the wet upper snowpack, at least until the surface crust beaks down with daytime heating. This surface melt/freeze cycle is extending as high as alpine elevations on south aspects in the southern part of the region, but north of Elkford it's still winter-like with dry snow above 1800 m. Recent storm and wind slabs are bonding poorly to buried surface hoar and facets particularly on sheltered slopes such as cut blocks, and crust on previously sun-exposed slopes. Warm temperatures and sun-exposure have been making these and deeper persistent slabs very sensitive to triggers. The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 100-150+ cm, has been described by avalanche professionals as &quot;very weird&quot;. Although widespread, it has been highly variable in terms of reactivity. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering now is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Storm slabs continue to build. At the end of the last storm pulse, the storm slab was up to 1m thick in the north of the region. The south of the region had less snowfall and the slab is roughly 60cm thick. These slabs generally sit on a weak layer which may consist of any of the following: hard wind slabs or wind-scoured slopes in exposed terrain, a thick layer of faceted snow on sheltered, shady slopes, isolated surface hoar on sheltered, shady slopes, and sun crust on steep solar aspects. Snow below 1000-1200m has been wet and been through several melt-freeze cycles. The mid February weak layer of surface hoar or a crust/facet combo is typically buried over 1.5m deep. This layer continues to react in snowpack tests, primarily on sheltered north aspects at or below treeline. The weight of the new snow and rain has the potential to reactivate this layer resulting in large, destructive avalanches. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain an isolated concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Conditions are reported to be highly variable.  Roughly 30-60 cm of snow now sits on a weak layer consisting of surface hoar and/or a thick layer of faceted snow on shady slopes at all elevations, a sun crust on steep solar aspects, and various wind affected surfaces in exposed terrain. Strong southwest winds have created dense wind slabs on exposed lee slopes and in cross-loaded features. In wind exposed areas, the snow surface is reported to be wind scoured or a very supportive wind-pressed slab. Moist/wet snow or melt-freeze crusts in the upper snowpack are likely at lower elevations, below roughly 1200m. The early February weak layer of facets, crusts, and/or surface hoar is buried down about 60-100 cm. Test results and isolated avalanche activity suggest this layer is still reactive to human-triggering. Basal facets and depth hoar remain a concern in areas with thin or variable snow cover. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The North shore mountains picked up around 5 cm of wet snow above 1200m Thursday night.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">That snow rests on a melt/freeze crust that formed over the last week.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally settled and well bonded. The weak layer from early February is now buried well over a meter down and is thought to be generally unreactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The surface is currently a mix of 3 - 6mm surface hoar and crust. Last weeks storm snow has settled into a 50 - 100 cm slab that rests on the early March interface consisting of small grained surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on solar aspects. In upper elevation wind exposed terrain the new snow has been pushed into deep wind slabs by moderate SW winds.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The last week featured an average daytime freezing level around 1800m which resulted in a daily melt freeze cycle that left many features wet and sloppy by the afternoon. This setup resulted in some serious incidents recently.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Ridgetop cornices remain large and unsupported.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The February 10th surface hoar/facet/crust combo is 80cm - 250cm below the snow surface and widespread throughout the region. Surface avalanches in motion and cornice fall still have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. Remote triggering on this layer is ongoing. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The surface is currently a mix of 3/6mm surface hoar and crust. Last weeks storm snow has settled into a 50cm - 80cm slab that rests on the early March interface consisting of small grained surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on solar aspects. In upper elevation wind exposed terrain the new snow has been pushed into deep wind slabs by moderate SW winds.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The last week featured an average daytime freezing level around 1500m which resulted in a daily melt freeze cycle that left many features wet and sloppy by the afternoon. This setup resulted in some serious incidents recently.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Ridgetop cornices remain large and unsupported.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The February 10th surface hoar/facet/crust combo is 90cm - 160cm below the snow surface and widespread throughout the region. Surface avalanches in motion and cornice fall still have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. Remote triggering on this layer is ongoing. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Most Alpine areas are wind affected with windward slopes stripped bare and lee slopes full of hard slabs. At treeline the 0211 interface is down 70-100cm and producing moderate to hard shears.&nbsp; Most areas below 200m there is a thin temperature crust but while on solar aspects there is a thick temperature crust up to the peaks. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A 50-70 cm slab is bonding poorly to buried surface hoar and facets particularly on sheltered slopes such as cut blocks, and crust on previously sun-exposed slopes.  Warm temperatures and sun-exposure has been making these and deeper persistent slabs very sensitive to triggers at treeline elevations and below, and resulting in surface melt-freeze cycles as high as alpine elevations. The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 60 to 160cm, has been described by avalanche professionals as &quot;very weird&quot;. Although widespread, it has been highly variable in terms of reactivity. Convective flurry activity has already accumulated 10-15cm of fresh snow in some drainages, which has likely blown into touchy wind slabs on leeward slopes. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering now is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent storm and wind slabs are bonding poorly to buried surface hoar and facets particularly on sheltered slopes such as cut blocks, and crust on previously sun-exposed slopes. Warm temperatures and sun-exposure has been making these and deeper persistent slabs very sensitive to triggers at treeline elevations and below, and resulting in surface melt-freeze cycles as high as alpine elevations. The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 100-150 cm, has been described by avalanche professionals as &quot;very weird&quot;. Although widespread, it has been highly variable in terms of reactivity. Convective flurry activity has already accumulated 10-15cm of fresh snow in some drainages, which has likely blown into touchy wind slabs on leeward slopes.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The new snow is falling on a weak layer consisting of a well developed sun crust on solar aspects and surface hoar in sheltered areas and on north aspects. At lower elevations, a crust can be expected in most areas. Strong S-SW winds are forecast and can be expected to quickly form new wind slabs on leeward slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below the storm snow, the upper snowpack is generally well settled from the recently warm weather. There are two persistent weak layers which remain a concern but the problem is becoming isolated. The early-March crust/facet layer is down roughly 1m and the early-Feb layer is down 1.5m or more. These layers are typically deep enough that human-triggering is unlikely but smaller avalanches or cornices have the potential to step down to these layers. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Freezing levels have been cycling between valley bottom and 1500-2000m, and low elevation terrain saw significant rain last weekend. The snowpack at lower elevations has been generally stable but wet snow or rain may destabilize the upper snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The new snow is sitting on a weak layer consisting of a well-developed sun crust on solar aspects, surface hoar in sheltered areas, and a widespread temperature/rain crust at lower elevations. Strong forecast storm winds will quickly form new wind slabs on leeward slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The warm weather has resulted in good settlement of the snowpack and most of the layers are well bonded. There are still two weak layers that remain a concern but the problem is becoming isolated. However, the weight of the new storm snow may reactive these layers. The early March layer is down 60-100cm and the early Feb layer is down roughly 1.5m. It seems like these persistent weak layers are more of a concern in the northern parts of the region but may still pose a threat in the Coq and south. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The surface is currently a mix of 3 - 6mm surface hoar and crust. Last weeks storm snow has settled into a 50cm - 100cm slab that rests on the early March interface consisting of small grained surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on solar aspects. In upper elevation wind exposed terrain the new snow has been pushed into deep wind slabs by moderate SW winds.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The last week featured an average daytime freezing level around 1800m which resulted in a daily melt freeze cycle that left many features wet and sloppy by the afternoon. This setup resulted in some serious incidents recently.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Ridgetop cornices remain large and unsupported.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The February 10th surface hoar/facet/crust combo is 80cm - 250cm below the snow surface and widespread throughout the region. Surface avalanches in motion and cornice fall still have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. Remote triggering on this layer is ongoing. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Storm slabs continue to build. S-SW winds are building wind slabs in leeward features. A widespread crust is expected below the storm snow at lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Before the weekend storm, the early March persistent weak layer was down up to 1m in the north of the region. The south of the region had less snowfall and the slab was down roughly 60cm. This weak layer consists of any of the following: hard wind slabs or wind-scoured slopes in exposed terrain, a thick layer of faceted snow on sheltered/shady slopes, isolated surface hoar on sheltered/shady slopes, and sun crust on steep solar aspects. The early-February weak layer of surface hoar or a crust/facet combo is typically buried over 1.5m deep. This layer continues to react in snowpack tests, primarily on sheltered north aspects around treeline. The weight of the new snow and rain has the potential to reactivate this layer resulting in large, destructive avalanches. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain an isolated concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Conditions are reported to be highly variable. Roughly 30-60 cm of snow now sits on the early-March weak layer consisting of surface hoar and/or a thick layer of faceted snow on shady slopes at all elevations, a sun crust on steep solar aspects, and various wind affected surfaces in exposed terrain. Strong southwest winds have created dense wind slabs on exposed lee slopes and in cross-loaded features. In wind exposed areas, the snow surface is reported to be wind scoured or a very supportive wind-pressed slab. Moist/wet snow or melt-freeze crusts in the upper snowpack are likely at lower elevations, below roughly 1200m. The early February weak layer of facets, crusts, and/or surface hoar is buried down about 60-100 cm. Test results and isolated avalanche activity suggest this layer is still reactive to human-triggering. Basal facets and depth hoar remain a concern in areas with thin or variable snow cover. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The storm snow is sitting on a weak layer consisting of a well developed sun crust on solar aspects and surface hoar on shady, sheltered slopes. At lower elevations, a crust can be expected in most areas. S-SW winds are forming wind slabs on leeward slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below the storm snow, the upper snowpack is generally well settled from the recently warm weather. There are two persistent weak layers which remain a concern but the problem is becoming isolated. Before the storm, the early-March crust/facet layer was down roughly 1m and the early-Feb layer is down 1.5m or more. These layers are typically deep enough that human-triggering is unlikely but smaller avalanches or cornices have the potential to step down to these layers. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Freezing levels have been cycling between valley bottom and 1500-2000m, and low elevation terrain saw significant rain last weekend. The snowpack at lower elevations has been generally stable but wet snow or rain may destabilize the upper snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The new snow is sitting on a weak layer consisting of a well-developed sun crust on solar aspects, surface hoar in sheltered areas, and a widespread temperature/rain crust at lower elevations. Strong SW storm winds is forming new wind slabs on leeward slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The warm weather has resulted in good settlement of the snowpack and most of the layers are well bonded. There are still two weak layers that remain a concern but the problem is becoming isolated. However, the weight of the new storm snow may reactive these layers. Before the storm, the early March layer was down 60-100cm and the early Feb layer is down roughly 1.5m. It seems like these persistent weak layers are more of a concern in the northern parts of the region but may still pose a threat in the Coq and south. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 25cm of new snow overlies a fairly widespread melt-freeze crust which seems to exist on all aspects up to about 2000m. The bond between the new snow and the crust is expected to be weak, especially where surface hoar crystals (up to 8mm) sit above the crust. With more snow and wind on the way. I would expect the developing to storm slab to increase in size and reactivity.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 100-150 cm, is still the primary concern among most professional operators. The interface continues to show &quot;sudden&quot; shears in snowpack tests and has the potential to produce very large and destructive avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The surface is currently a mix of 3 - 6mm surface hoar and crust. Last weeks storm snow has settled into a 50 - 100 cm slab that rests on the early March interface consisting of small grained surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on solar aspects. In upper elevation wind exposed terrain the new snow has been pushed into deep wind slabs by moderate SW winds.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The last week featured an average daytime freezing level around 1800m which resulted in a daily melt freeze cycle that left many features wet and sloppy by the afternoon. This setup resulted in some serious incidents recently.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Ridgetop cornices remain large and unsupported.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The February 10th surface hoar/facet/crust combo is 80cm - 250cm below the snow surface and widespread throughout the region. Surface avalanches in motion and cornice fall still have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. Remote triggering on this layer is ongoing. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Light to moderate amounts of new snow overlie crusts on previously sun-exposed slopes. The bond between the new snow and the freshly buried crusts is expected to be quite weak. With more snow and wind on the way, the size and reactivity of the developing storm slab will increase. Forecast rain at lower elevations may also reactivate potent wet slabs.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down up to 150cm, is still producing sudden results in snowpack tests. I would be very leery of any slopes that have not already avalanches as any avalanches at this interface would be large and destructive. Triggering will become more likely if forecast precipitation falls as rain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cornices have also become large and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The surface is currently a mix of 3/6mm surface hoar and crust. Last weeks storm snow has settled into a 50cm - 80cm slab that rests on the early March interface consisting of small grained surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on solar aspects. In upper elevation wind exposed terrain the new snow has been pushed into deep wind slabs by moderate SW winds.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The last week featured an average daytime freezing level around 1500m which resulted in a daily melt freeze cycle that left many features wet and sloppy by the afternoon. This setup resulted in some serious incidents recently.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Ridgetop cornices remain large and unsupported.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The February 10th surface hoar/facet/crust combo is 90cm - 160cm below the snow surface and widespread throughout the region. Surface avalanches in motion and cornice fall still have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. Remote triggering on this layer is ongoing. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The North shore mountains picked up around 5 cm of wet snow above 1200m Thursday night.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">That snow rests on a melt/freeze crust that formed over the last week.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally settled and well bonded. The weak layer from early February is now buried well over a meter down and is thought to be generally unreactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Convective flurry activity has already accumulated 10-15cm of fresh snow in some drainages, which has likely blown into touchy wind slabs on leeward slopes. These recent accumulations overlie crusts on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar in shaded terrain. More snow and wind forecast for Saturday night will add to this developing storm slab. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below the new snow 50-70 cm of settled snow has been bonding poorly to buried surface hoar and crusts. The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 60 to 160cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity and is very difficult to trust. Needless to say, any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering now is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Light to moderate amounts of new snow overlie crusts on previously sun-exposed slopes. The bond between the new snow and the freshly buried crusts is reported to be quite weak. With more snow and wind on the way, the size and reactivity of the developing storm slab will increase. Forecast rain at lower elevations may also reactivate potent wet slabs.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down up to 150cm, is still producing sudden results in snowpack tests. I would be very leery of any slopes that have not already avalanches as any avalanches at this interface would be large and destructive. Triggering will become more likely if forecast precipitation falls as rain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cornices have also become large and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The surface is currently a mix of 3 - 6mm surface hoar and crust. Last weeks storm snow has settled into a 50cm - 100cm slab that rests on the early March interface consisting of small grained surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on solar aspects. In upper elevation wind exposed terrain the new snow has been pushed into deep wind slabs by moderate SW winds.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The last week featured an average daytime freezing level around 1800m which resulted in a daily melt freeze cycle that left many features wet and sloppy by the afternoon. This setup resulted in some serious incidents recently.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Ridgetop cornices remain large and unsupported.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The February 10th surface hoar/facet/crust combo is 80cm - 250cm below the snow surface and widespread throughout the region. Surface avalanches in motion and cornice fall still have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. Remote triggering on this layer is ongoing. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Not much change over the course of the day today.  Melt freeze crusts on solar aspects to the peaks, and widespread temperatures crusts below 1900m.  Most alpine terrain is wind affected with widespread wind slabs and isolated wind slabs at treeline.  The 0211 interface is down 70-100cm at treeline and continues to produce moderate to hard shears that are sudden planar in nature. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Conditions are highly variable throughout the forecast region. An additional 10 cm of storm snow in the Hudson Bay Mtn. area brings the slab to between 40 and 80cm overlying the early-March weak layer of surface hoar and/or a thick layer of faceted snow. This layer is most likely present on shady slopes at all elevations. There is a sun crust on steep solar aspects, and various wind affected surfaces in exposed terrain. Strong southwest winds have created dense wind slabs on exposed lee slopes and in cross-loaded features. In wind exposed areas, the snow surface is reported to be wind scoured or a very supportive wind-pressed slab. Moist/wet snow or melt-freeze crusts in the upper snowpack are likely at lower elevations, below roughly 1200m. The early February weak layer of facets, crusts, and/or surface hoar is buried down about 60-100 cm. Test results and isolated avalanche activity suggest this layer is still reactive to human-triggering. Basal facets and depth hoar remain a concern in areas with thin or variable snow cover. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Storm slabs continue to build. S-SW winds are building wind slabs in lee features. A widespread crust is expected below the storm snow at lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Before this weekends storm, the early March persistent weak layer was down up to 1m in the north of the region. The south of the region had less snowfall and the slab was down roughly 60cm. This weak layer consists of any of the following: hard wind slabs or wind-scoured slopes in exposed terrain, a thick layer of faceted snow on sheltered/shady slopes, isolated surface hoar on sheltered/shady slopes, and sun crust on steep solar aspects. The early-February weak layer of surface hoar or a crust/facet combo is typically buried over 1.5m deep. This layer continues to react in snowpack tests, primarily on sheltered north aspects around tree line. The weight of the new snow and rain has the potential to reactivate this layer resulting in large, destructive avalanches. Basal facets and/or depth hoar remain an isolated concern in shallow snowpack areas in the northern part of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 35 cm of recent storm snow is sitting on a variety of layers. A well developed sun crust has formed on solar aspects to surface hoar on shady, sheltered slopes. At lower elevations, a melt-freeze (or rain) crust can be expected in most areas. S Moderate to strong SW winds have formed wind slabs on lee slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below the storm snow, the upper snowpack is generally well settled from the recently warm weather. Two persistent weak layers remain a concern but these problems are becoming more isolated. Before the storm, the early-March crust/facet layer was down roughly 1m and the early-Feb layer is down 1.5m or more. These layers are now deep enough that human-triggering is unlikely, but smaller avalanches or cornices failures have the potential to step down to these layers. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Freezing levels have been cycling between valley bottom and 1500-2000m, and low elevation terrain saw significant rain last weekend. The snowpack at lower elevations has been generally stable but wet snow or rain may destabilize the upper layers of the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The recent storm snow is sitting on a a variety of weak layers that includes well-developed sun crust on solar aspects, surface hoar in sheltered areas, and a widespread temperature/rain crust at lower elevations. Strong SW storm winds are forming new wind slabs on lee slopes.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The warm weather has resulted in good settlement of the snowpack and most of the layers are now well bonded. There are still two weak layers that remain a concern but these problems are becoming more isolated. However, the weight of the new storm snow may reactivate these layers. With recent storm snow loading, the March layer should now be down close to 100cm and the early February layer should be roughly 1.8m. It seems like these persistent weak layers are more of a concern in the northern parts of the region but they may still pose a threat in the Coquihalla and south and east towards Manning Park. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 35cm of accumulated storm snow was blown by strong winds into much deeper deposits in lee terrain. The recent snow overlies a fairly widespread melt-freeze crust which seems to exist on all aspects up to about 2000m. The bond between the new snow and the crust may be weak, especially where surface hoar crystals (up to 8mm) sit above the crust. With forecast solar radiation I would expect the new storm slab to increase in reactivity.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 100-150 cm, is still the primary concern among most professional operators. The interface continues to show &quot;sudden&quot; shears in snowpack tests and has the potential to produce very large and destructive avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">I would suspect cornices are now large and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm came in warm and produced 10 - 35 cm of snow that is now resting on the old surface which consists of mix of 3 - 6mm surface hoar and crust. Last weeks storm snow has settled into a 50 - 100 cm slab that rests on the early March interface consisting of small grained surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on solar aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Ridgetop cornices remain large and unsupported.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The February 10th surface hoar/facet/crust combo is 80cm - 250cm below the snow surface and widespread throughout the region. Surface avalanches in motion and cornice fall still have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. Remote triggering on this layer is ongoing. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm came in warm and produced 10 - 40 cm of snow that is now resting on the old surface which consists of mix of 3 - 6mm surface hoar and crust. Last weeks storm snow has settled into a 50 - 100 cm slab that rests on the early March interface consisting of small grained surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on solar aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Ridgetop cornices remain large and unsupported.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The February 10th surface hoar/facet/crust combo is 80cm - 250cm below the snow surface and widespread throughout the region. Surface avalanches in motion and cornice fall still have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. Remote triggering on this layer is ongoing. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm came in warm and produced 10 - 30 cm of snow that is now resting on the old surface which consists of mix of 3 - 6mm surface hoar and crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Last weeks storm snow has settled into a 50cm - 80cm slab that rests on the early March interface consisting of small grained surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on solar aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Ridgetop cornices remain large and unsupported.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The February 10th surface hoar/facet/crust combo is 90cm - 160cm below the snow surface and widespread throughout the region. Surface avalanches in motion and cornice fall still have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. Remote triggering on this layer is ongoing. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well consolidated.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 20cm of new snow had fallen by the end of the day under the influence of moderate to strong SW winds at treeline and above.  New storm slabs are building in open areas on mainly N and E aspects that will be sensitive to human triggerring. The 0211 layer is now down roughly 80-100cm and continues to produces sheers that range from easy to moderate to hard.  The unpredictable nature of this layer makes it tough to evaluate and requires constant monitoring as you move through the terrain.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At the time of publishing up to 40cm of new snow had fallen and was blown by strong winds into much deeper deposits in lee terrain. Rain at lower elevations continued to saturate the snowpack. These recent accumulations overlie crusts on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar in shaded terrain. More precipitation and wind forecast for Sunday night will add to this developing storm slab. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below the new snow, 60-100cm of settled snow has been bonding poorly to buried surface hoar and crusts. The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 60 to 160cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity and is still very difficult to trust. Needless to say, any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering now is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At the time of publishing this bulletin up to 40cm of new snow had fallen at higher elevations and was blown by strong winds into much deeper deposits in lee terrain. Rain below about 1700m continued to saturate the snowpack. The recent accumulations overlie hard rain crusts which exist on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the alpine. More precipitation and wind forecast for Sunday night will add to this developing storm slab. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down up to 150cm, is still producing sudden results in snowpack tests. I would be very leery of any slopes that have not already avalanches as any avalanches at this interface would be large and destructive. Triggering may become more likely with forecast solar radiation.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cornices have also become large and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The North Shore Mountains picked up 5 cm of wet snow above 1200m Thursday night and another 5 cm or so Saturday night.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">That snow is likely bonding well to a melt/freeze crust that formed last week.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid and lower snowpack are generally settled and well bonded. The weak layer from early February is now buried well over a meter down and is thought to be generally unreactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">As of Sunday morning up to 30cm of new snow had fallen and was blown by strong winds into much deeper deposits in lee terrain. Rain below about 1700m continued to saturate the snowpack. The recent accumulations overlie hard rain crusts which exist on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the alpine. North of Sparwood and in the Crow's Nest Pass areas the crust seems more specific to previously sun-exposed slopes. More precipitation and wind forecast for Sunday night will add to this developing storm slab. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down up to 150cm, is still producing sudden results in snowpack tests. I would be very leery of any slopes that have not already avalanched as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Triggering will become more likely with forecast clearing and solar radiation.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cornices have also become large and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 30-40 cm of recent storm snow has fallen in the past few days. Periods of strong westerly winds have probably formed fresh wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. This new snow now sits on the previous snow surface which consists of surface hoar and/or crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A couple other notable persistent weaknesses remain a concern in the mid-snowpack. Another surface hoar/sun crust combo buried in early March is now down around 60-80 cm. The February 10th surface hoar/facet/crust combo is 100cm - 150cm below the snow surface and widespread throughout the region. Surface avalanches in motion and cornice fall have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 30-50 cm of recent storm snow has fallen in the past few days. Periods of strong westerly winds have formed fresh wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. This new snow now sits on the previous snow surface which consists of surface hoar and/or crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A couple other notable persistent weaknesses remain a concern in the mid-snowpack. Another surface hoar/sun crust combo buried in early March is now down around 60-100 cm. The February 10th surface hoar/facet/crust combo is 100cm - 170cm below the snow surface and widespread throughout the region. Surface avalanches in motion and cornice fall have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. The resulting avalanche would be very large and dangerous!</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">35cm of low density storm snow in past 48hrs is bonding well to previous surfaces. Moist snow on solar aspects in late afternoon when sun poked out. Previously formed crust buried 35cm is found below 1900m on all aspects, but this crust extends into the Alpine on solar aspects. Isolated ski-controlled sluffing in steep North aspects. Feb 10th found down an average of 100cm at treeline and still produces variable shears.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 50 and 70 cm of recent storm snowstorm snow at upper elevations is sitting on a a variety of weak layers. Strong SW storm winds have formed wind slabs on lee slopes. The two persistent weak layers that remain a concern are:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The March weak layer. A combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is generally widespread throughout the forecast region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo that is still showing up in snowpack tests with hard shear tests. This layer will be with us for a long time, and a slide triggered on this layer would be very large and destructive. Recent warming temperatures will be good for bonding on this layer, but a sudden increase in load, or a large rainfall event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in very large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">With recent storm snow loading, the March layer is now down around 60 to 70cm and the early February layer should be roughly 1.8m. These persistent weak layers may still pose a threat for some time in the forecast region. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Conditions are highly variable throughout the forecast region. An additional 10 cm of recent storm snow in the Hudson Bay Mtn. area brings the slab to between 40 and 80cm overlying the early-March weak layer of surface hoar and/or a thick layer of faceted snow. This layer is most likely present on shady slopes at all elevations. There is a sun crust on steep solar aspects, and various wind affected surfaces in exposed terrain. Strong southwest winds have created dense wind slabs on exposed lee slopes and in cross-loaded features. In wind exposed areas, the snow surface is reported to be wind scoured or a very supportive wind-pressed slab. Moist/wet snow or melt-freeze crusts in the upper snowpack are likely at lower elevations, below roughly 1200m. The early February weak layer of facets, crusts, and/or surface hoar is buried down about 60-100 cm. Test results and isolated avalanche activity suggest this layer is still reactive to human-triggering. Basal facets and depth hoar remain a concern in areas with thin or variable snow cover. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Continued precipitation and strong winds are building wind slabs in lee terrain and increasing the depth of the storm slab that overlies the March persistent weak layer. This persistent weak layer is now buried well over a metre in the north of the region and approaching a metre in the southern part of the forecast region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The March weak layer is a combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is widespread throughout the forecast region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear tests. This layer will be with us for a long time, and a slide triggered on this layer would be very large and destructive. Recent warming temperatures will be good for bonding on this layer, but a sudden increase in load, or a large rainfall event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in very large avalanches. </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">Over the weekend up to about 50cm of new snow fell at higher elevations and was blown into much deeper deposits in lee terrain. The recent accumulations overlie hard rain crusts which exist on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the alpine. Rain below about 1700m continued to saturate the snowpack. If air temperatures dip below freezing, lower elevation surfaces may exist as a refrozen crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down up to 160cm, is still reactive in snowpack tests and exists to varying degrees at all elevations. Although triggering has become less likely where a hard overlying crust exists, a 'wake-up' on this layer may occur with intense solar radiation or with a large input such as a cornice fall.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cornices have also become very large and unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Sunday up to 40cm of snow fell at higher elevations and was blown by strong winds into much deeper deposits in lee terrain. Snowpack tests suggest there are still likely weaknesses on a graupel layer near the base of the storm snow. The recent accumulations overlie hard rain crusts which exist on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the alpine. North of Sparwood and in the Crow's Nest Pass area the buried crust seems more specific to previously sun-exposed slopes. Rain below about 1700m continued to saturate the snowpack, and surfaces may now exist as a hard refrozen crust if temperatures dip below freezing.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down up to 150cm, is still producing sudden results in snowpack tests. I would be very leery of any slopes that have not already avalanched as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Triggering will become more likely with forecast clearing and solar radiation.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cornices have also become large and unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There may be a dusting of drier new snow on top of solid rain crust from the weekend. Areas near the ridge top could have received around 30 cm of dense moist snow on the weekend. However, most elevations saw a mix of rain and snow and minimal snow accumulation. The new snow that did fall landed on a wet rain soaked snowpack and bonded very well. At lower elevations almost the entire snowpack has been saturated by rain and much of it has washed away. At treeline it's likely that there are still a number of melt-freeze crusts in the upper snowpack, but these should all be well bonded now. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Another 10-15 cm of new snow brings the total recent storm snow total to 40-60 cm. Periods of strong westerly winds have created fresh wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. The new snow sits on a crust in most places, which may also be mixed in with surface hoar in some areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March interface, which is primarily surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on solar aspects, is now down 90-120 cm. The February 10th surface hoar/facet/crust combo is 120cm - 200cm below the snow surface and widespread throughout the region. Surface avalanches in motion and cornice fall still have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. An avalanche releasing on one of the deeper persistent weak layers would be very large and dangerous!</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 35 cm of recent storm snow is sitting on a variety of layers. A well developed sun crust has formed on solar aspects and prior to this storm, surface hoar formed on shady, sheltered slopes. At lower elevations, a melt-freeze (or rain) crust can be expected in most areas. Moderate to strong SW winds have formed wind slabs on lee slopes</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below the storm snow, the upper snowpack is generally well settled from the recently warm weather. Two persistent weak layers remain a concern but these problems are becoming more isolated. Before the storm, the early-March crust/facet layer was down roughly 1m and the early Feb layer is down 1.5m or more. These layers are now deep enough that human-triggering is unlikely, but smaller avalanches or cornices failures have the potential to step down to these layers. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Freezing levels have been cycling between valley bottom and 1500-2000m, and low elevation terrain saw significant rain last weekend. The snowpack at lower elevations has been generally stable but wet snow or rain may destabilize the upper layers of the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In recent days about 10-20cm of snow fell in the White Pass area. Strong southerly winds have redistributed the new snow into much deeper reactive wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. Wind has likely scoured exposed south facing slopes down to a recently formed sun crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow sits over a well-settled storm slab from last week which overlies a variety of old snow surfaces. Deeper in the snowpack, a persistent weak layer buried in mid-February remains a major concern. This combination of facets/surface hoar and a crust (varying in thickness) can be found anywhere from 40cm to 90cm below the surface. In some areas, a reasonable bond can be found at this interface; while in other locations, avalanche activity, stability tests and large 'whumpfs' indicate this layer is still quite touchy. The variable reactivity of this layer makes it impossible to trust, and avalanches at this interface would likely be large and destructive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Near the base of the snowpack, a weak foundation of facets and depth hoar exists. This is a bigger problem in the Powder and Wheaton Valleys to the north. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 45cm of recent storm snow exists and has been blown by strong winds into much deeper deposits in lee terrain. These recent storm accumulations overlie crusts on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar in shaded terrain. Rain at lower elevations continued to saturate the snowpack and lower elevation surfaces may now exist as a refrozen crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below the new snow, 60-100cm of settled snow has been bonding poorly to buried surface hoar and crusts. The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 60 to 160cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity and is still very difficult to trust. Needless to say, any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering now is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable amounts of recent storm snow was blown by strong winds into much deeper deposits in lee terrain. These recent accumulations overlie crusts on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar in shaded terrain. Rain at lower elevations continued to saturate the snowpack. If the air temperature dips below freezing, lower elevation surfaces may exist as a refrozen crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below the new snow, 60-100cm of settled snow has been bonding poorly to buried surface hoar and crusts. The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 60 to 160cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity and is still very difficult to trust. Needless to say, any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering now is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">New suncrust beginning to form on steep solar exposed slopes. Storm snow is settling and bonding to previous surface but some concern related to windslab development still.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Periods of strong westerly winds have created fresh wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. Around 40-60 cm of recent storm snow sits on a crust in most places, which may also be mixed in with surface hoar in some areas. Weaknesses have been observed within the storm snow and at the interface with this layer. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March weak layer, which is primarily surface hoar in sheltered areas and a sun crust on solar aspects, is now down 90-120 cm. The February 10th surface hoar/facet/crust combo is 120cm - 200cm deep and is widespread throughout the region. Heavy triggers like a surface avalanche in motion or a cornice fall have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. An avalanche releasing on one of the deeper persistent weak layers would be very large and dangerous!</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 30-40 cm of recent storm snow has fallen in the past few days. Periods of strong westerly winds have probably formed fresh wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. This new snow now sits on a surface hoar and/or sun crust layer. Weakness have been observed within the new snow and at the interface between the new snow and this layer. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A couple other notable persistent weaknesses remain a concern in the mid-snowpack. Another surface hoar/sun crust combo buried in early March is now down around 60-80 cm. The February 10th surface hoar/facet/crust combo is 100cm - 150cm below the snow surface and widespread throughout the region. Surface avalanches in motion and cornice fall have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. Cornices are large and fragile. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 30-50 cm of recent storm snow has fallen in the past few days. Periods of strong westerly winds have formed fresh wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. This new snow sits on a weak layer  of surface hoar and/or a sun crust. Weaknesses have been reported within the storm snow and at the interface with this layer. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A couple other notable persistent weaknesses remain a concern in the mid-snowpack. Another surface hoar/sun crust combo buried in early March is now down around 60-100 cm. The February 10th surface hoar/facet/crust combo is 100cm - 170cm below the snow surface and widespread throughout the region. Surface avalanches in motion and cornice fall have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. The resulting avalanche would be very large and dangerous!</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10 to 25cm of recent precipitation and strong winds continue to build wind slabs in lee terrain and increase the depth of the storm slab that overlies the March persistent weak layer. This persistent weak layer is now buried well over a metre in most parts of the region. The recent storm snow has fallen on a melt freeze and/or rain crusts exist in most parts of the region below 1200 metres. This could become reactive on solar aspects when the sun finally comes out.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The March weak layer is a combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is widespread throughout the forecast region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear tests. This layer will be with us for a long time, and a slide triggered on this layer would be very large and destructive. Recent warming temperatures will be good for bonding on this layer, but a sudden increase in load, or a large rainfall event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in very large avalanches. </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">Between 50 and 70 cm of recent storm snowstorm snow at upper elevations is sitting on a a variety of weak layers. Strong westerly winds continue to form wind slabs on lee slopes. The two persistent weak layers that remain a concern are:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The March weak layer. A combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is generally widespread throughout the forecast region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo that is still showing up in snowpack tests with hard shear tests. This layer will be with us for a long time, and a slide triggered on this layer would be very large and destructive. Recent warming temperatures will be good for bonding on this layer, but a sudden increase in load, or a large rainfall event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in very large avalanches. There are also basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack from cold clear weather in early December, but for the most part these have not been a concern. Recent large avalanches have reportedly scoured some avalanche tracks down to the basal facets and even the ground.</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">Conditions are highly variable throughout the forecast region, with considerably more snow to the west and north. An additional 10 cm of recent storm snow in the Hudson Bay Mtn. area brings the slab to between 40 and 80cm overlying the early March weak layer of surface hoar and/or a layer of faceted snow. This layer is most likely present on protected north slopes at all elevations. There is a sun crust on steep solar aspects, and various wind affected surfaces in exposed terrain. Strong winds have created dense wind slabs on exposed lee slopes and in cross-loaded features. In wind exposed areas, the snow surface is reported to be wind scoured and may have a supportive wind-pressed slab. Moist/wet snow, rain crust or melt-freeze crusts in the upper snowpack are likely, below 1200m. The early February weak layer of facets, crusts, and/or surface hoar is buried down about 60-100 cm. Test results and recent avalanche activity suggest this layer is still reactive to human-triggering. Basal facets and depth hoar remain a concern in areas with thin or variable snow cover. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 35 cm of recent storm snow is sitting on a variety of layers. A well developed sun crust has formed on solar aspects and prior to this storm, surface hoar formed on shady, sheltered slopes. At lower elevations, a melt-freeze (or rain) crust can be expected in most areas. Moderate to strong SW winds have formed wind slabs on lee slopes</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below the storm snow, the upper snowpack is generally well settled from the recently warm weather. Two persistent weak layers remain a concern but these problems are becoming more isolated. Before the storm, the early-March crust/facet layer was down roughly 1m and the early Feb layer is down 1.5m or more. These layers are now deep enough that human-triggering is unlikely, but smaller avalanches or cornices failures have the potential to step down to these layers. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Freezing levels have been cycling between valley bottom and 1500-2000m, and low elevation terrain saw significant rain last weekend. The snowpack at lower elevations has been generally stable but wet snow or rain may destabilize the upper layers of the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 55cm of recent storm snow has been redistributed by strong winds into deeper deposits in lee terrain. Recent snowpack tests suggest there are still likely weaknesses near the base of the storm snow. The recent accumulations overlie hard rain crusts which exist on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the alpine. North of Sparwood and in the Crow's Nest Pass area the buried crust seems more specific to previously sun-exposed slopes. Below about 1700m rain has saturated the snowpack, and surfaces may now exist as a hard refrozen crust where temperatures have dipped below freezing.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down up to 150cm, is still producing sudden results in snowpack tests. I would be very leery of any slopes that have not already avalanched as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Likely triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cornices have also become large and unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to about 50cm of recent storm snow fell at higher elevations and was blown into much deeper deposits in lee terrain. The recent accumulations overlie hard rain crusts which exist on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. Rain below about 1700m continued to saturate the snowpack, and surfaces may now exist as a hard refrozen crust where temperatures have dipped below freezing.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down up to 160cm, is still reactive in snowpack tests. Although triggering has become less likely where a hard overlying crust exists, a 'wake-up' on this layer may occur with intense solar radiation or with a large input such as a cornice fall.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cornices have also become very large and unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 45cm of settling storm snow exists and has been blown by strong winds into much deeper deposits in lee terrain. These recent storm accumulations overlie crusts on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar in shaded terrain. Rain at lower elevations have saturated the snowpack and lower elevation surfaces may now exist as a refrozen crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below the new snow, 60-100cm of settled snow has been bonding poorly to buried surface hoar and crusts. The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 60 to 160cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity and is still very difficult to trust. Needless to say, any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering now is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Currently around 5-10 cm of dry new snow is sitting on a layer of moist or wet snow, or possibly a melt-freeze crust. We're expecting another 20-30 cm through Wednesday. Our main concern is with with how well the new snow bonds to the previous surface. At lower elevations almost the entire snowpack has been saturated by recent rain and much of it has washed away. At treeline it's likely that there are still a number of melt-freeze crusts in the upper snowpack, but these should all be well bonded now. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 40cm of recent storm snow was blown by variable strong winds into deeper deposits in lee terrain. These recent accumulations overlie crusts on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar in shaded terrain. Rain at lower elevations has saturated the snowpack. Where the air temperature has dipped below freezing, lower elevation surfaces may exist as a refrozen crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below the new snow, 60-100cm of settled snow sits above buried surface hoar and crusts. The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 70 to 160cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity but still shows 'sudden' results in snowpack tests. Needless to say, this interface is still very difficult to trust and any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering now is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent storm snow is settling. Sun crusts are found on steep solar aspects at all elevations. Wind slab development continues in the Alpine and Treeline with persistent Westerly winds. The Feb 10th layer remains reactive and is buried between 80 and 110cm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">25 to 40 cm of snow from the previous storm was blown by strong winds into deeper deposits in lee terrain; the variable and shifting direction of those winds mean a complex pattern of lee and cross-loaded slopes. Rain at lower elevations saturated the snowpack. Colder, below freezing temperatures is turning the wet snow into a frozen crust; however, fresh snow above the rain-soaked layer is like a blanket of insulation and delays the freezing. These recent accumulations overlie crusts on sun-exposed slopes (SE - W aspects) and surface hoar in shaded terrain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Deeper in the snowpack is a facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 70 to 160cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity but still shows 'sudden' results in snowpack tests. These layers are still difficult to trust and any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive.,</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in some areas, but without a large load on the right piece of terrain, triggering is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">By the end of the day on Wednesday it's likely that there is around 30 cm of fresh snow sitting on a thick and solid melt-freeze crust (up to 30 cm thick). Sunny breaks on Wednesday afternoon may have caused the snow surface to become moist or wet on southerly aspects, which will likely refreeze overnight. In general the snowpack is well settled and strong. At lower elevations almost the entire snowpack has been saturated by recent heavy rain and much of it has washed away. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Currently there is around 30-60 cm of recent storm snow sitting on the mid-March interface, which is commonly described as a sun crust/surface hoar sandwich. Recent snowpack tests show variable results on this weakness, with mostly hard shears where the storm snow overlies surface hoar. Periods of gusty SW-NW winds have redistributed some of the new snow forming soft wind slabs in exposed lee terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March persistent weak layer, which is a crust mixed with facets or surface hoar in places, is now down around 80-120 cm. This layer has been most reactive on southerly aspects. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is widespread throughout the region, but the depth varies significantly. It still producing sudden &quot;pops or drops&quot; results in snowpack tests where it is less than 150 cm deep. The biggest concern with this interface is being able to trigger it where it is less deep and having it propagate into thick snowpack areas producing very deep and large avalanches. Cornices are also large and fragile at this time and could pop off during sunny breaks. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 50 and 70 cm of recent storm snowstorm snow at upper elevations is sitting on a a variety of weak layers. Strong westerly winds continue to form wind slabs on lee slopes. The two persistent weak layers that remain a concern are:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The March weak layer. A combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is generally widespread throughout the forecast region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo that is still showing up in snowpack tests with hard shear tests. This layer will be with us for a long time, and a slide triggered on this layer would be very large and destructive. Recent warming temperatures will be good for bonding on this layer, but a sudden increase in load, a cornice failure, or a big rain event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in large avalanches. There are also basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack from cold clear weather in early December, but for the most part these have not been a concern, however, recently, large avalanches have scoured some avalanche tracks down to the basal facets and even to the ground.</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">Light accumulations overlie a deep storm slab that formed last weekend. The storm slab overlies hard rain crusts which exist on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. Rain below about 1700m continued to saturate the snowpack, and surfaces may now exist as a hard refrozen crust where temperatures have dipped below freezing.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down up to 160cm is less likely trigger due to the strong and supportive near-surface crust. That said, a 'wake-up' on this layer may occur with nasty consequences with intense solar radiation or with a large input such as a cornice fall.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cornices have also become very large and unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 45 cm of recent storm snow is sitting on a variety of layers. A well developed sun crust has formed on solar aspects and, prior to this storm, surface hoar formed on shady, sheltered slopes. At lower elevations, a melt-freeze (or rain) crust can be expected in most areas. Moderate to strong SW winds have formed wind slabs on lee slopes</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below the storm snow, the upper snowpack is generally well settled from the recently warm weather. Two persistent weak layers remain a concern but these problems are becoming more isolated. Before the storm, the early-March crust/facet layer was down roughly 1m and the early Feb. layer is down 1.5m or more. These layers are now deep enough that human-triggering is unlikely, but smaller avalanches or cornices failures have the potential to step down to these layers, and,.... cornices are definitely getting larger these days.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Freezing levels have been cycling between valley bottom and 1500-2000m, and low elevation terrain saw significant rain last weekend. The snowpack at lower elevations has been generally stable but wet snow or rain may destabilize the upper layers of the snowpack.</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">Up to 45cm of settled storm snow has been redistributed into wind slabs in some exposed terrain. These recent storm accumulations sit above crusts on previously sun-exposed slopes and small surface hoar in shaded terrain. Rain from a few days ago has saturated the snowpack at lower elevations and surfaces may now exist as a refrozen crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 95cm below the surface you may find surface hoar and crusts buried at the beginning of March. This interface is still touchy in some areas, particularly in the north of the region. The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 60 to 160cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity and is still very difficult to trust. Needless to say, any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering now is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_BB12189E">15-25cm of storm snow has fallen in the past few days. Recent north winds have created a reverse loading pattern. In specific lee terrain features, older, hard wind slabs may exist. On south aspects, the recent storm snow overlies a breakable sun crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_BB12189E">The recent snow has added to a well-settled slab which now overlies various older snow surfaces. The main concern remains a persistent weak layer buried in mid-February, found anywhere from 40-110cm below the surface. This combination of a crust, facets and surface hoar has proven to be quite variable in reactivity. That aside, given recent avalanche reports that suggest to have failed on this layer and the thick, cohesive slab above, any avalanche involving this interface will be large and destructive. Potential hot spots include the southern end of White Pass (Feather Peak area), however, I would be suspect of any large, unsupported slope at this time, particularly north aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_BB12189E">A well settled mid-pack overlies a weaker foundation of facets and depth hoar. This layer appears to be improving in most places in the White Pass but still remains more of a concern further north in Powder Valley and the Wheaton Valley.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Currently there is around 30-60 cm of recent storm snow sitting on the mid-March interface, which is commonly described as a sun crust/surface hoar sandwich. Recent snowpack tests show variable results on this weakness, with mostly hard shears where the storm snow overlies surface hoar. Periods of gusty SW-NW winds have redistributed some of the new snow forming soft wind slabs in exposed lee terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March persistent weak layer, which is a crust mixed with facets or surface hoar in places, is now down around 80-120 cm. This layer has been most reactive on southerly aspects. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is widespread throughout the region, but the depth varies significantly. It still producing sudden &quot;pops or drops&quot; results in snowpack tests where it is less than 150 cm deep. The biggest concern with this interface is being able to trigger it where it is less deep and having it propagate into thick snowpack areas producing very deep and large avalanches. Cornices are also large and fragile at this time and could pop off during sunny breaks. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 30-40 cm of recent storm snow has fallen in the past few days. There may be a variety of layers within the storm snow from thin sun crusts, to graupel balls, and maybe even recently buried surface hoar from brief clearings overnight. Also, expect fresh wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. This new snow now sits on a surface hoar and/or sun crust layer. Some recent snowpack tests give moderate &quot;pops or drops&quot; shears on the interface between the recent storm snow and previous surface. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A couple other notable persistent weaknesses remain a concern in the mid-snowpack. Another surface hoar/sun crust combo buried in early March is now down around 60-80 cm. The February 10th surface hoar/facet/crust combo is 90cm - 150cm below the snow surface and widespread throughout the region. Surface avalanches in motion and cornice fall have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. The mid and lower snowpack remains weak and facetted in areas with a relatively shallow snowpack. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">35 to 50 cm of 24 hr. precipitation combined with moderate to strong winds continues to build wind slabs at tree line and above, increasing the depth of the storm slab that now overlies the March persistent weak layer. This persistent weak layer is now buried well over a metre in most parts of the region. The recent storm snow has fallen on a melt freeze and/or rain crusts that exist in most parts of the region below 1200 metres. This will most likely become reactive on solar aspects when the sun finally comes out.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The March weak layer is a combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is widespread throughout the forecast region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear tests. This layer will be with us for a long time, and a slide triggered on this layer would be very large and destructive. Recent warming temperatures will be good for bonding on this layer, but a sudden increase in load, or a large rainfall event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in very large avalanches. </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">Up to 55cm of recent storm snow has been redistributed by strong winds into deeper deposits in lee terrain. Recent snowpack tests suggest there are still likely weaknesses near the base of the storm snow. The recent accumulations overlie hard rain crusts which exist on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the alpine. North of Sparwood and in the Crow's Nest Pass area the buried crust seems more specific to previously sun-exposed slopes. Below 1700m rain over the weekend saturated the snowpack, and old surfaces may now exist as a hard refrozen crust where temperatures have dipped below freezing.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down up to 150cm, is still producing sudden results in snowpack tests. I would be very leery of any slopes that have not already avalanched as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Likely triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cornices have also become large and unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10 to 20cm of overnight precipitation in some parts of the forecast region, combined with strong winds continues to build wind slabs in lee terrain and increase the depth of the storm slab that overlies the March persistent weak layer. This persistent weak layer is now buried well over a metre in most parts of the region. The recent storm snow has fallen on a melt freeze and/or rain crusts exist in most parts of the region below 1200 metres. This could become reactive on solar aspects when the sun finally comes out.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The March weak layer is a combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is widespread throughout the forecast region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear tests. This layer will be with us for a long time, and a slide triggered on this layer would be very large and destructive. Recent warming temperatures will be good for bonding on this layer, but a sudden increase in load, or a large rainfall event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in very large avalanches. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 25cm of new snow has fallen over the past 24hrs with very little wind affect expect along ridgelines and peak in Alpine terrain.  This new snow is generally bonding well but loose dry sluffs are being observed on solar aspects wherein this new snow is overlying a sun crust.  These solar aspects will be the touchy over the next few days.  The 0211 is down generally 1m at treeline throughout most of the forecast region producing anywhere from hard to easy results depending on the depth of this interface.  Dig often and dig frequent to evaluate this layer</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A melt-freeze crust sits on top of the new snow that fell on Wednesday. Below the new snow, the upper snowpack consists of several well-bonded crust layers. A very strong crust layer which is around 30cm thick sits down around 50-80cm in the snowpack. Below the thick crust layer, the snowpack is moist and well settled. At lower elevations, almost the entire snowpack has been saturated by recent heavy rain and much of it has washed away. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10 to 20cm of recent precipitation in some parts of the forecast region. That, combined with strong winds continues to build wind slabs in lee terrain and increase the depth of the storm slab that overlies the persistent weak layers. At lower elevations the storm snow has fallen on a melt freeze and/or rain crusts that exists in most parts of the region below 1200 metres. This could become reactive on solar aspects when the sun finally comes out.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The March weak layer is a combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is widespread throughout the forecast region. this layer is now buried well over a metre in some parts of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear tests. This layer will be with us for a long time, and a slide triggered on this layer would be very large and destructive. Recent warming temperatures will be good for bonding on this layer, but a sudden increase in load, or a large rainfall event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in very large avalanches. </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">10 to 20cm of overnight snow combined with winds have produced yet another set of wind slabs overlying the storm slabs at tree line and above. The storm slab, however, is sitting on a variety of layers. A well developed sun crust has formed on solar aspects and, prior to this storm, surface hoar formed on shady, sheltered slopes. At lower elevations, a melt-freeze (or rain) crust can be expected in most areas. Moderate to strong SW winds have formed wind slabs on lee slopes</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below the storm snow, the upper snowpack is generally well settled from the recently warm weather. Two persistent weak layers remain a concern but these problems are becoming more isolated. Before the storm, the early-March crust/facet layer was down roughly 1m and the early Feb. layer is down 1.5m or more. These layers are now deep enough that human-triggering is unlikely, but smaller avalanches or cornices failures have the potential to step down to these layers, and,.... cornices are definitely getting larger these days. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Lowered freezing levels are good for overnight recovery of the snowpack below 1700 metres. Daytime warming could produce loose, wet avalanches below 1700m especially on steep solar aspects.</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">30-60 cm of recent storm snow sits on the mid-March interface, which is commonly described as a sun crust/surface hoar sandwich. Recent snowpack tests show variable results on this weakness, with mostly hard shears where the storm snow overlies surface hoar. Periods of gusty SW-NW winds have redistributed some of the new snow forming soft wind slabs in exposed lee terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March persistent weak layer, which is a crust mixed with facets or surface hoar in places, is now down around 80-120 cm. This layer has been most reactive on southerly aspects. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is widespread throughout the region, but the depth varies significantly. It still producing sudden &quot;pops or drops&quot; results in snowpack tests where it is less than 150 cm deep. The biggest concern with this interface is being able to trigger it where it is less deep and having it propagate into thick snowpack areas producing very deep and large avalanches. Cornices are also large and fragile at this time and could pop off during sunny breaks. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 30-40 cm of recent storm snow has fallen in the past few days. There may be a variety of layers within the storm snow from thin sun crusts, to graupel balls, and maybe even recently buried surface hoar from brief clearings overnight. Also, expect fresh wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. This new snow now sits on a surface hoar and/or sun crust layer. Some recent snowpack tests give moderate &quot;pops or drops&quot; shears on the interface between the recent storm snow and previous surface. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A couple other notable persistent weaknesses remain a concern in the mid-snowpack. The surface hoar/sun crust combo buried in early March is now down around 60-80 cm. The early-February surface hoar/facet/crust combo is down 90-150cm and widespread throughout the region. Surface avalanches in motion and cornice fall have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. The mid and lower snowpack remains weak and facetted in areas with a relatively shallow snowpack. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At the time of publishing this bulletin up to 40cm of new snow had fallen and had been pushed by moderate to strong southwest winds into deeper deposits in exposed lee terrain. Below the new snow is a well settled storm slab which overlies a hard rain crusts. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down up to 160cm is less likely trigger due to the strong and supportive near-surface crust. That said, a 'wake-up' on this layer may occur with nasty consequences with intense solar radiation or with a large input such as a cornice fall.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cornices have also become very large and unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At the time of publishing this bulletin up to 30cm of new snow had fallen and had been pushed by moderate to strong southwest winds into deeper deposits in exposed lee terrain. Below the new snow is a well settled storm slab which overlies a hard rain crusts. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. North of Sparwood and in the Crow's Nest Pass area the buried crust seems more specific to previously sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 150cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive near-surface crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Possible triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cornices have also become large and unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light snow accumulations overlie a well-settled storm slab which formed last weekend. Under the storm slab you'll likely find small surface hoar in shaded terrain and crusts on previously sun-exposed slopes. Recent winds have redistributed surface snow into wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. Rain from the weekend saturated the snowpack at lower elevations and the more recent accumulations may overlie a refrozen crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 95cm below the surface you may find surface hoar and crusts buried at the beginning of March. This interface is still touchy in some areas, particularly in the north of the region. The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 60 to 160cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity and is still very difficult to trust. Needless to say, any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering now is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">50 to 75 cm of recent storm snow that arrived with strong winds has built more wind slabs at tree line and above, increasing the depth of the storm slab that now overlies the March persistent weak layer. In addition, the recent storm snow has fallen on a melt freeze and/or rain crusts that exist in most parts of the region below 1200 metres. This will most likely become reactive on solar aspects when the sun finally comes out.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The March weak layer is a combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is widespread throughout the forecast region. This layer is now buried well over a metre in most parts of the region. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear tests. This layer will be with us for a long time, and a slide triggered on this layer would be very large and destructive. Recent warming temperatures will be good for bonding on this layer, but a sudden increase in load, or a large rainfall event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in very large avalanches. </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">Between 50 and 70 cm of recent storm snowstorm snow at upper elevations is sitting on a a variety of weak layers. Strong westerly winds continue to form wind slabs on lee slopes. The two persistent weak layers that remain a concern are:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The March weak layer. A combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is generally widespread throughout the forecast region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo that is still showing up in snowpack tests with hard shear tests. This layer will be with us for a long time, and a slide triggered on this layer would be very large and destructive. Recent warming temperatures will be good for bonding within this layer, but a sudden increase in load, a cornice failure, or a big rain event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in large avalanches. There are also basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack from cold clear weather in early December, but for the most part these have not been a concern, however, recently, large avalanches have scoured some avalanche tracks down to the basal facets and even to the ground.</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">30-60 cm of recent storm snow sits on the mid-March interface, which is commonly described as a sun crust/surface hoar sandwich. Recent snowpack tests show variable results on this weakness, with mostly hard shears where the storm snow overlies surface hoar. Periods of gusty SW-NW winds have redistributed some of the new snow forming soft wind slabs in exposed lee terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March persistent weak layer, which is a crust mixed with facets or surface hoar in places, is now down around 80-120 cm. This layer has been most reactive on southerly aspects. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is widespread throughout the region, but the depth varies significantly. It still producing sudden &quot;pops or drops&quot; results in snowpack tests where it is less than 150 cm deep. The biggest concern with this interface is being able to trigger it where it is less deep and having it propagate into thick snowpack areas producing very deep and large avalanches. Cornices are also large and fragile at this time and could pop off during sunny breaks. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In general about 35cm of new snow fell on Thursday adding to an existing storm slab which formed last weekend. Wind data was scarce on Thursday, although I suspect the new snow exists as a wind slab in exposed lee terrain. Below the recent storm snow you may find weak surface hoar in shaded terrain and a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">About 60cm below the surface you'll find a strong rain crust which exists on all aspects below 2000m. This crust is widespread in the south of the region where heavy rain fell on March 10. As you head north in the region where the mountains are higher and colder temperatures persisted, this crust is less likely to exist.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 70 to 160cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity but still shows 'sudden' results in some snowpack tests. In areas where the strong and supportive near surface crust exists, triggering this layer has become unlikely. That said, this layer is still difficult to trust and any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive.,</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">30-60 cm of recent storm snow sits on the mid-March interface, which is commonly described as a sun crust/surface hoar sandwich. Recent snowpack tests show variable results on this weakness, with mostly hard shears where the storm snow overlies surface hoar. Periods of gusty SW-NW winds have redistributed some of the new snow forming soft wind slabs in exposed lee terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March persistent weak layer, which is a crust mixed with facets or surface hoar in places, is now down around 80-120 cm. This layer has been most reactive on southerly aspects. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is widespread throughout the region, but the depth varies significantly. It still producing sudden &quot;pops or drops&quot; results in snowpack tests where it is less than 150 cm deep. The biggest concern with this interface is being able to trigger it where it is less deep and having it propagate into thick snowpack areas producing very deep and large avalanches. Cornices are also large and fragile at this time and could pop off during sunny breaks. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 30-40cm of recent storm snow fell earlier in the week. There may be a variety of layers within the storm snow including thin sun crusts, graupel balls, and maybe even small surface hoar from brief clearings overnight. Also, expect wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain from recent SW-W winds. This storm slab sits on a layer of surface hoar and/or sun crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A couple other notable persistent weakness layers remain a concern in the mid-snowpack. The surface hoar/sun crust combo buried in early March is now down around 60-80 cm. The early-February surface hoar/facet/crust combo is down 90-150cm and widespread throughout the region. Smaller avalanches stepping down and cornice falls have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. The mid and lower snowpack remains weak and facetted in areas with a relatively shallow snowpack. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60 cm of recent storm snow sits on the mid-March interface, which is commonly described as a sun crust/surface hoar sandwich. Recent snowpack tests show variable results on this weakness, with mostly hard shears where the storm snow overlies surface hoar. Periods of gusty SW-NW winds have redistributed some of the new snow forming soft wind slabs in exposed lee terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March persistent weak layer, which is a crust mixed with facets or surface hoar in places, is now down around 80-120 cm. This layer has been most reactive on southerly aspects. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is widespread throughout the region, but the depth varies significantly. It still producing sudden &quot;pops or drops&quot; results in snowpack tests where it is less than 150 cm deep. The biggest concern with this interface is being able to trigger it where it is less deep and having it propagate into thick snowpack areas producing very deep and large avalanches. Cornices are also large and fragile at this time and could pop off during sunny breaks. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In general about 35cm of new snow fell on Thursday adding to an existing storm slab which formed last weekend. Wind data was scarce on Thursday, although I suspect the new snow exists as a wind slab in exposed lee terrain. Below the recent storm snow you may find weak surface hoar in shaded terrain and a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">About 60cm below the surface you'll find a strong rain crust which exists on all aspects below 2000m. This crust is widespread in the south of the region where heavy rain fell on March 10. As you head north in the region where the mountains are higher and colder temperatures persisted, this crust is less likely to exist.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 70 to 160cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity but still shows 'sudden' results in some snowpack tests. In areas where the strong and supportive near surface crust exists, triggering this layer has become unlikely. That said, this layer is still difficult to trust and any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive.,</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">Storm snow from the past 24+ hours is settling and bonding to the previous surface.  No new windslabs observed in travel in Alpine terrain today around the Tent Ridge area.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 60cm of snow has fallen in parts of the forecast region in the past 7 days. This storm snow combined with winds has continued to produced wind slabs overlying the storm slabs at tree line and above. The storm slab is sitting on a variety of layers. A well developed sun crust has formed on solar aspects and, prior to this storm, surface hoar formed on shady, sheltered slopes. At lower elevations, a melt-freeze (or rain) crust can be expected in most areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below the storm snow, the snowpack is generally well settled from the recently warm weather. Two persistent weak layers remain a concern but these problems are becoming more isolated. Before the recent storms, the early-March crust/facet layer was down roughly 1m and the early Feb. layer is down 1.5m or more. These layers are now deep enough that human-triggering is unlikely, but smaller avalanches or cornices failures have the potential to step down to these layers, and,.... cornices are definitely getting larger these days. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Lowered freezing levels are good for overnight recovery of the snowpack below 1700 metres. Daytime warming could produce loose, wet avalanches below 1700m especially on steep solar aspects.</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">15 to 30cm of precipitation in the past week in some parts of the forecast region. That, combined with strong winds, continues to build wind slabs in lee terrain and increase the depth of the storm slab that overlies the persistent weak layers.  A rain crust has formed at lower elevations, typically below 1200 metres. Solar aspects have been reported moist to ridgetops, and may have a crust with new snow on top of it. The solar aspects may become reactive when the sun comes out.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The March weak layer is a combination of wind pressed snow, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is widespread throughout the forecast region. this layer is now buried well over a metre in some parts of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear tests. This layer will be with us for a long time, and a slide triggered on this layer would be very large and destructive. Recent warming temperatures will be good for bonding on this layer, but a sudden increase in load, or a large rainfall event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in very large avalanches. </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">Between 30and 50 cm of 7-day storm snowstorm snow has increased the slab sitting on the persistent weak layers. Strong westerly winds continue to form wind slabs on lee slopes. The two persistent weak layers that remain a concern are:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The March weak layer. A combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is generally widespread throughout the forecast region. This layer is now down between 70 and 80cm from the surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo that is still showing up in snowpack tests with hard shear tests, now down 150 to 250cm from the surface. Recent warming temperatures will be good for bonding above and below this layer, but a sudden increase in load, a cornice failure, or a big rain event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in large avalanches. There are also basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack from cold clear weather in early December, but for the most part these have not been a concern, however, recently, large avalanches have scoured some avalanche tracks down to the basal facets and even to the ground.</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 area has received 75 to 150cm of snow over the past 5 to 7 days. The recent storm snow arrived with strong winds and built more wind slabs at tree line and above, increasing the depth of the storm slab that now overlies the March persistent weak layer. In addition, the recent storm snow has fallen on a melt freeze and/or rain crusts that exist in most parts of the region below 1200 metres. This will most likely become reactive on solar aspects when the sun finally comes out.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The March weak layer is a combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is widespread throughout the forecast region. This layer is now buried close to 150cm in most parts of the region. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear tests. Recent warming temperatures will be good for bonding around on this layer, but a sudden increase in load, cornice failure, or a large rainfall event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in a large destructive avalanche. </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">Approximately 20cm of storm snow has fallen in the last week. Wind slabs may still linger in lee terrain features in the alpine from recent north winds. On south aspects, a breakable sun crust can be found below the storm snow.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A well settled upper snowpack now overlies various old snow surfaces with the primary concern being a crust, facet and surface hoar combo that was buried in mid-February. The depth of this interface ranges from 40-110cm below the surface and its reactivity is patchy.  Where it exists, a cohesive slab sits over a weak layer of facets and/or surface hoar has proven to be touchy as seen in recent avalanche activity and snowpack observations. Potential hot spots include the southern portion of the White Pass (Feather Peak area). That said, I would be suspect of any large, steep, north through east facing slopes at this time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A well settled mid-pack overlies a weaker foundation of facets and depth hoar. This layer appears to be healing in most places in the White Pass but remains a concern further north in Powder Valley and the Wheaton Valley.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A melt-freeze crust sits on top of the new snow that fell on Wednesday. Below the new snow, the upper snowpack consists of several well-bonded crust layers. A very strong crust layer which is around 30cm thick sits down around 50-80cm in the snowpack. Below the thick crust layer, the snowpack is moist and well settled. At lower elevations, almost the entire snowpack has been saturated by recent heavy rain and much of it has washed away. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light snow accumulations overlie a well-settled storm slab which formed last weekend. Under the storm slab you'll likely find small surface hoar in shaded terrain and crusts on previously sun-exposed slopes. Recent winds have redistributed surface snow into wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. Rain from the weekend saturated the snowpack at lower elevations and the more recent accumulations may overlie a refrozen crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 95cm below the surface you may find surface hoar and crusts buried at the beginning of March. This interface is still touchy in some areas, particularly in the north of the region. The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 60 to 160cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity and is still very difficult to trust. Needless to say, any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering now is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30 - 40cm has fallen in the last 24 hours, adding to the 40 cm the range received earlier in the week. Up to 100cm now rest on the robust (up to 10 cm) March 10th crust that exists on all aspects below 2000m, and on solar aspects in the alpine. Strong SW winds accompanied the storm resulting in fresh sensitive wind slabs in lee terrain features. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down up to 160cm is less likely trigger due to the strong and supportive near-surface crust. That said, a 'wake-up' on this layer may occur with nasty consequences with intense solar radiation or with a large input such as a cornice fall.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cornices have also become very large and unstable.</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">15 - 50 cm of new snow has fallen in the last 48 hours accompanied by strong southwest winds which has created fresh windslabs in lee terrain. Below the new snow is a well settled storm slab which overlies a hard rain crusts. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. North of Sparwood and in the Crow's Nest Pass area the buried crust seems more specific to previously sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 150cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive near-surface crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Possible triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cornices have also become large and unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">No new snow overnight. Recent storm snow of 20 to 25cm is settling despite the cool temperatures. Soft wind slabs between 20 and 40cm thick have formed in the Alpine, but these seem relatively well bonded to the previous surfaces. The Feb 10th layer persists down 80 to 110cm and continues to give highly variable test results.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">40 to 65 cm of precipitation in the past week in some parts of the forecast region. That, combined with strong winds, continues to build wind slabs in lee terrain and increase the depth of the storm slab that overlies the persistent weak layers. A rain crust has formed at lower elevations, typically below 1200 metres. Solar aspects have been reported moist to ridgetops, and may have a crust with new snow on top of it. The solar aspects may become reactive when the sun comes out.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The March weak layer is a combination of wind pressed snow, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is widespread throughout the forecast region. this layer is now buried well over a metre in some parts of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear tests. This layer will be with us for a long time, and a slide triggered on this layer would be very large and destructive. Recent warm temperatures are good for bonding around this layer, but a sudden increase in load, or a large rainfall event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in very large avalanches. </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 area has received 75 to 150cm of snow over the past 5 to 7 days. The recent storm snow arrived with strong winds and produced wind slabs at tree line and above, increasing the depth of the slab that now overlies the March persistent weak layer. In addition, much of the recent storm snow has fallen on a melt freeze and/or rain crusts that exist in most parts of the region below 1200 metres. This will most likely become reactive on solar aspects when the sun finally comes out.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The March weak layer is a combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is widespread throughout the forecast region. This layer is now buried close to 150cm in most parts of the region. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear tests. Recent warming temperatures will be good for bonding around this layer, but a sudden increase in load, cornice failure, or a large rainfall event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in a large destructive avalanche. </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 upper snowpack is well settled and consists of several well-bonded crust layers. A very strong crust layer about 30cm thick sits down around 50-80cm in the snowpack. Below the thick crust layer, the snowpack is moist and well settled. At lower elevations, almost the entire snowpack has been saturated by heavy rain last week and much of it has washed away. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent storm snow has settled into a 40-60cm slab that sits on the mid-March interface, which is commonly described as a sun crust/surface hoar sandwich. Recent snowpack tests suggest that the reactivity of this layer is becoming more isolated but many areas still have the potential for human-triggering.  Periods of gusty SW-NW winds have redistributed some of the new snow forming soft wind slabs in exposed lee terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March persistent weak layer, which is a crust mixed with facets or surface hoar in places, is now down around 80-120 cm. This layer has been most reactive on southerly aspects. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is widespread throughout the region, but the depth varies significantly. It still producing sudden &quot;pops or drops&quot; results in snowpack tests where it is less than 150 cm deep. The biggest concern with this interface is being able to trigger it where it is less deep and having it propagate into thick snowpack areas producing very deep and large avalanches. Cornices are also large and fragile at this time and could pop off during sunny breaks. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent storm snow has settled into a 50-80cm slab that sits on the mid-March interface, which is commonly described as a sun crust/surface hoar sandwich. Recent snowpack tests suggest that the reactivity of this layer is becoming more isolated but many areas still have the potential for human-triggering.  Periods of gusty SW-NW winds have redistributed some of the new snow forming soft wind slabs in exposed lee terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March persistent weak layer, which is a crust mixed with facets or surface hoar in places, is now down around 80-120 cm. This layer has been most reactive on southerly aspects. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is widespread throughout the region, but the depth varies significantly. It still producing sudden &quot;pops or drops&quot; results in snowpack tests where it is less than 150 cm deep. The biggest concern with this interface is being able to trigger it where it is less deep and having it propagate into thick snowpack areas producing very deep and large avalanches. Cornices are also large and fragile at this time and could pop off during sunny breaks. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20 - 40 cm of light density snow from last week rests on top approximately 30 cm of settled old storm snow. This makes for 50 - 70 cm on top of the March 10th crust. This crust is widespread to 2000m across the region, perhaps even higher on solar aspects. It's mostly supportable, we've received reports of it being as thick as 15cm in the south of the region, but it varies in thickness and supportability. As you head north in the region where the mountains are higher (and temperatures were colder when the crust was forming), this crust is less likely to exist.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 70 to 200cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity but still shows 'sudden' results in some snowpack tests. In areas where the strong and supportive near surface crust exists, triggering this layer has become unlikely. That said, this layer is still difficult to trust and any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive.,</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light snow accumulations overlie a well-settled storm slab which formed last weekend. Under the storm slab you'll likely find small surface hoar in shaded terrain and crusts on previously sun-exposed slopes. Recent winds have redistributed surface snow into wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. Rain from the weekend saturated the snowpack at lower elevations and the more recent accumulations may overlie a refrozen crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 95cm below the surface you may find surface hoar and crusts buried at the beginning of March. This interface is still touchy in some areas, particularly in the north of the region. The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 60 to 160cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity and is still very difficult to trust. Needless to say, any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering now is unlikely.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 60cm of snow has fallen in parts of the forecast region in the past 7 days. This storm snow combined with winds continues to produce wind slabs at tree line and above. A well developed sun crust has formed on solar aspects and, prior to this storm, surface hoar formed on shady, sheltered slopes. At lower elevations, a melt-freeze (or rain) crust can be expected in most areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below the storm snow, the snowpack is generally well settled from the recently warm weather. Two persistent weak layers remain a concern but these have become less reactive recently. The early-March crust/facet layer is down roughly 1m and the early February layer is down 1.5m or more. These layers are now deep enough that human-triggering is unlikely, but smaller avalanches or cornices failures have the potential to step down to these layers, and,.... cornices are definitely getting larger these days. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Lowered freezing levels are good for overnight recovery of the snowpack below 1700 metres. Daytime warming could produce loose, wet avalanches below 1700m especially on steep solar aspects.</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">Between 35and 60 cm of 7-day storm snow has increased the slab sitting on the persistent weak layers. Wind slabs formed during the storms are reported to be bonding well to the storm slab. The two persistent weak layers that remain a concern are:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The March weak layer. A combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is generally widespread throughout the forecast region. This layer is now down between 70 and 80cm from the surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo that is still showing up in snowpack tests with hard shear tests, now down 150 to 250cm from the surface. Recent warming temperatures will be good for bonding above and below this layer, but a sudden increase in load, a cornice failure, or a big rain event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in large avalanches. There are also basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack from cold clear weather in early December, but for the most part these have not been a concern, however, recently, a few large avalanches have stepped down to the basal facets and the ground.</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">A 40-70cm storm slab sits on the mid-March crust/surface hoar layer. There may be a variety of layers within the storm slab including thin sun crusts, graupel balls, and maybe even small surface hoar from brief clearings overnight. Expect wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain from recent SW-W winds. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A couple other notable persistent weakness layers remain a concern in the mid-snowpack. The surface hoar/sun crust combo buried in early March is now typically down around 1m. The early-February surface hoar/facet/crust combo is down around1.5m and widespread throughout the region. Smaller avalanches stepping down and cornice falls have the potential to initiate an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. The mid and lower snowpack remains weak and facetted in areas with a relatively shallow snowpack. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 100cm of storm snow now rest on the robust (up to 10 cm) March 10th crust that exists on all aspects below 2000m, and on solar aspects in the alpine. Strong SW winds accompanied the storm resulting in fresh sensitive wind slabs in lee terrain features. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down up to 200cm is less likely trigger due to the strong and supportive near-surface crust. That said, a 'wake-up' on this layer may occur with nasty consequences with intense solar radiation or with a large input such as a cornice fall.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Cornices have also become very large and unstable.</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 upper snowpack may have various non-persistent weak layers within the recent storm snow.  This includes small surface hoar in sheltered areas, thin sun crusts on solar aspects, rain crusts at lower elevations, and/or small facets. These layers are not widespread and are not expected to persist very long but they continue to produce small slab avalanches.  Weak cornices and stubborn wind slabs may also be a concern in some areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are three persistent weak layers that remain a concern.  The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer is down 50-80cm. Recent snowpack tests suggest that the reactivity of this layer is becoming more isolated but many areas still have the potential for human-triggering. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer is down around 80-120cm. Human-triggering has become less likely but the layer still has the potential to produce large avalanches and we continue to see activity stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely.  However, large triggers like cornices or smaller avalanches can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 60cm of snow has fallen in parts of the forecast region in the past 7 days. This storm snow combined with winds continues to produce wind slabs at tree line and above. A well developed sun crust has formed on solar aspects and, prior to this storm, surface hoar formed on shady, sheltered slopes. At lower elevations, (below 1200m)&nbsp; a melt-freeze (or rain) crust can be expected in most areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Below the storm snow, the snowpack is generally well settled from the recently warm weather. Two persistent weak layers remain a concern but these have become less reactive recently. The early-March crust/facet layer is down roughly 1m and the early February layer is down 1.5m or more. These layers are now deep enough that human-triggering is unlikely, but smaller avalanches or cornices failures have the potential to step down to these layers, and,.... cornices are definitely getting larger these days. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Lowered freezing levels are good for overnight recovery of the snowpack below 1700 metres. Daytime warming could produce loose, wet avalanches below 1700m especially on steep solar aspects.</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 upper snowpack may have various non-persistent weak layers within the recent storm snow. This includes small surface hoar in sheltered areas, thin sun crusts on solar aspects, rain crusts at lower elevations, and/or small facets. These layers are not widespread and are not expected to persist very long but they continue to produce small slab avalanches. Weak cornices and stubborn wind slabs may also be a concern in some areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are three persistent weak layers that remain a concern. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer is down 50-80cm. Recent snowpack tests suggest that the reactivity of this layer is becoming more isolated but many areas still have the potential for human-triggering. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer is down around 80-120cm. Human-triggering has become less likely but the layer still has the potential to produce large avalanches and we continue to see activity stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large triggers like cornices or smaller avalanches can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">40 to 65 cm of precipitation in the past week in par</span><span class="s_3FE45715">ts of the forecast region. That, combined with strong winds, continues to build wind slabs in lee terrain and increase the depth of the storm slab that overlies the persistent weak layers. A rain crust has formed at lower elevations, typically below 1200 metres. Solar aspects have been reported moist to ridgetops, and may have a</span><span class="s_3FE45715"> crust with new snow on top of it. The solar aspects may become reactive when the sun comes out.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The March weak layer is a combination of wind pressed snow, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is widespread throughout the forecast region. this layer is now buried well over a metre in some parts of the region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear tests. This layer will be with us for a long time, and a slide triggered on this layer would be very large and destructive. Recent warm temperatures are good for bonding around this layer, but a sudden increase in load, or a large rainfall event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in very large avalanches. </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 area has received 75 to 150cm of snow over the past 5 to 7 days. The recent storm snow arrived with strong winds and produced wind slabs at tree line and above and increasing the depth on the slab that now overlies the March persistent weak layer. In addition, much of the recent storm snow has fallen on a melt freeze and/or rain crusts that exist in most parts of the region below 1200 metres. This will most likely become reactive on solar aspects when the sun finally comes out.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The March weak layer is a combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects. This layer is widespread throughout the forecast region and is now buried close to 150cm in most parts of the area. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear tests. It appears to be dormant for the time being, but a sudden increase in load, a cornice failure, or a large rainfall event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in a large destructive avalanche. </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">5 - 10 cm of convective snowfall from Saturday night brings snow totals from the last week to 25 - 50cm of light density snow. This makes for 55 - 80cm on top of the March 10th crust. This crust is widespread to 2000m across the region, perhaps even higher on solar aspects. It's mostly supportable, we've received reports of it being as thick as 15cm in the south of the region, but it varies in thickness and supportability. As you head north in the region where the mountains are higher (and temperatures were colder when the crust was forming), this crust is less likely to exist. If you're heading to the north or the region, it's worth checking out the South Columbia bulletin too.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 70 - 200cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity but still shows 'sudden' results in some snowpack tests. In areas where the strong and supportive March 10th crust exists, triggering this layer has become unlikely. That said, this layer is still difficult to trust and any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive.,</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent storm snow appears to be bonding well in the upper snow pack while increasing the load sitting on the persistent weak layers. The two persistent weak layers that remain a concern are:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The March weak layer. A combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is generally widespread throughout the forecast region. This layer is now down between 70 and 80cm from the surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo that is still showing up in snowpack tests with hard shear tests, now down 150 to 250cm from the surface. Recent warming temperatures will be good for bonding above and below this layer, but a sudden increase in load, a cornice failure, or a big rain event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in large avalanches. There are also basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack from cold clear weather in early December, but for the most part these have not been a concern, however, recently, a few large avalanches have stepped down to the basal facets and the ground.</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 upper snowpack may have various non-persistent weak layers within the recent storm snow.  This includes small surface hoar in sheltered areas, thin sun crusts on solar aspects, rain crusts at lower elevations, and/or small facets. These layers are not widespread and are not expected to persist very long but they continue to produce small slab avalanches.  Weak cornices and stubborn wind slabs may also be a concern in some areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are three persistent weak layers that remain a concern.  The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer is down 40-70cm. Recent snowpack tests suggest that the reactivity of this layer is becoming more isolated but many areas still have the potential for human-triggering. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer is down around 80-120cm. Human-triggering has become less likely but the layer still has the potential to produce large avalanches and we continue to see activity stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely.  However, large triggers like cornices or smaller avalanches can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region picked up 5 - 10cm of convective snowfall Saturday night which adds to the (approx.) 100cm of storm snow fell in the last week. Winds have been out of the SW through NW which has created fresh wind slabs in lee terrain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 70 cm of settling storm snow rests on a graupel layer that can be found in much of the region. This makes for around 90 cm on top of the mid march crust at this point. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. It's up to 10 cm thick in places. The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 200cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Possible triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices have also become large and unstable. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 - 25cm of light density snow has fallen over the last few days. This snow is settling nicely and likely being formed into soft wind slabs immediately lee of ridge crest.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Numerous crust can be found in the upper 30 cm of the snowpack on south facing slopes. These crusts produce sudden collapse failures in snowpack tests. A moderate shear persists down 30 - 50cm on the March 15 crust/surface hoar interface. Down 70 - 95cm below the surface you may find surface hoar and crusts buried at the beginning of March. This interface is still touchy in some areas, particularly in the north of the region. It also continues to produce sudden planar failures in compression tests.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 100 - 180cm, seams to be more active in this region than any other in the province and is still very difficult to trust. Needless to say, any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive. It continues to produce large destructive natural avalanches every few days.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering now is unlikely.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper snowpack is well settled and consists of several well-bonded crust layers. A very strong crust layer about 30cm thick sits down around 50-80cm in the snowpack. Below the thick crust layer, the snowpack is moist and well settled. At lower elevations, almost the entire snowpack has been saturated by heavy rain last week and much of it has washed away. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Storm snow from the past week has settled to an average of 30cm at treeline. Sun crusts are found on solar aspects. Recently formed wind slabs are evident in the Alpine and open areas at Treeline, but so far these seem relatively well bonded to the previous surfaces. The Feb 10th layer remains a concern and is found buried 80 to 120cm. This layer continues to give variable results in snowpack tests and has caused sporadic natural avalanche activity over the past week.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 - 25 cm of light density snow has fallen over the last few days. This snow is settling nicely and likely being formed into soft wind slabs immediately lee of ridge crest.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Numerous crust can be found in the upper 30 cm of the snowpack on south facing slopes. These crusts produce sudden collapse failures in snowpack tests. A moderate shear persists down 30 - 50cm on the March 15 crust/surface hoar interface. Down 70 to 95cm below the surface you may find surface hoar and crusts buried at the beginning of March. This interface is still touchy in some areas, particularly in the north of the region. It also continues to produce sudden planar failures in compression tests.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 100 - 180cm, seams to be more active in this region than any other in the province and is still very difficult to trust. Needless to say, any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive. It continues to produce large destructive natural avalanches every few days. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering is unlikely.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5 - 10 cm of convective snowfall from Saturday night brings snow totals from the last week to 25 - 50cm of light density snow. This makes for 55 - 80cm on top of the March 10th crust. This crust is widespread to 2000m across the region, perhaps even higher on solar aspects. There are reports of the crust being as thick as 15cm in the south of the region, but it varies in thickness and supportability. As you head north in the region where the mountains are higher (and temperatures were colder when the crust was forming), this crust is less likely to exist. If you're heading to the north or the region, it's worth checking out the South Columbia bulletin too.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 70 - 200cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity but still shows 'sudden' results in some snowpack tests. In areas where the strong and supportive near surface crust exists, triggering this layer has become unlikely. That said, this layer is still difficult to trust and any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There has been 40 - 65 cm of new snow in the past week in parts of the forecast region. That, combined with strong winds, continues to build wind slabs in lee terrain and increase the depth of the storm slab that overlies the persistent weak layers. A rain crust has formed at lower elevations, typically below 1200 metres. Solar aspects have been reported to be moist to ridgetops, and may have a crust with new snow on top of it. The March weak layer is a combination of wind pressed snow, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is widespread throughout the forecast region. this layer is now buried well over a metre in some parts of the region. A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear tests. This layer will be with us for a long time, and a slide triggered on this layer could be very large and destructive. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 60cm of snow has fallen in parts of the forecast region in the past 7 days. This storm snow combined with winds continues to produce wind slabs at tree line and above. A well developed sun crust has formed on solar aspects and, prior to this storm, surface hoar formed on shady, sheltered slopes. At lower elevations, (below 1200m) a melt-freeze (or rain) crust can be expected in most areas. Below the storm snow, the snowpack is generally well settled from the recent warm weather. Two persistent weak layers remain a concern but these have become less reactive recently. The early-March crust/facet layer is down roughly 1m and the early February layer is down 1.5m or more. These layers are now deep enough that human-triggering is unlikely, but smaller avalanches or cornices failures have the potential to step down to these layers, and,.... cornices are definitely getting larger these days. </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">Recent storm snow appears to be bonding well in the upper snow pack while increasing the load sitting on the persistent weak layers. The two persistent weak layers that remain a concern are:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The March weak layer. A combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects and is generally widespread throughout the forecast region. This layer is now down between 70 and 80cm from the surface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo that is still showing up in snowpack tests with hard shear tests, now down 150 to 250cm from the surface. Recent warming temperatures will be good for bonding above and below this layer, but a sudden increase in load, a cornice failure, or a big rain event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in large avalanches. There are also basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack from cold clear weather in early December, but for the most part these have not been a concern, however, recently, a few large avalanches have stepped down to the basal facets and the ground.</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 upper snowpack may have various non-persistent weak layers within the recent storm snow. This includes small surface hoar in sheltered areas, thin sun crusts on solar aspects, rain crusts at lower elevations, and/or small facets. These layers are not widespread and are not expected to persist very long but they continue to produce small slab avalanches. Weak cornices and stubborn wind slabs may also be a concern in some areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are three persistent weak layers that remain a concern. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer is down 50-80cm. Recent snowpack tests suggest that the reactivity of this layer is becoming more isolated but many areas still have the potential for human-triggering. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer is down around 80-120cm. Human-triggering has become less likely but the layer still has the potential to produce large avalanches and we continue to see activity stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large triggers like cornices or smaller avalanches can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper snowpack may have various non-persistent weak layers within the recent storm snow. This includes small surface hoar in sheltered areas, thin sun crusts on solar aspects, rain crusts at lower elevations, and/or small facets. These layers are not widespread and are not expected to persist very long but they continue to produce small slab avalanches. Weak cornices and stubborn wind slabs may also be a concern in some areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are three persistent weak layers that remain a concern. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer is down 50-80cm. Recent snowpack tests suggest that the reactivity of this layer is becoming more isolated but many areas still have the potential for human-triggering. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer is down around 80-120cm. Human-triggering has become less likely but the layer still has the potential to produce large avalanches and we continue to see activity stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large triggers like cornices or smaller avalanches can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The last significant snowfall came nearly a week ago and much of that 20cm has been redistributed by north winds into old wind slab on south through east facing features. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A well settled upper snowpack now overlies a variety of old surfaces. The primary layer of concern is still the Feb 13th interface 40-110cm deep. This interface was buried in mid February and is still showing signs of reactivity in the form of whumpfs and easy to moderate test results. The distribution of this layer is very spotty making potential avalanche activity on it hard to predict. Potential hot spots for this layer continue to be South and East White Pass and caution should be taken when dealing with steep, unsupported terrain with high consequences. Due to the unpredictable nature of this layer a cautious approach is recommended.  Avoid making assumptions about the presence of this layer based on aggressive tracks on adjacent slopes.  </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A supportive mipack overlies basal facets. This layer has continued to heal and would be very difficult to trigger. Likely trigger points would be in shallow snowpack areas or areas further North in the Powder Valley and Wheaton Valley where the snowpack in much shallower. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 5cm low density snow fell in the past 24hrs. Previously formed sun crusts on solar aspects are now buried beneath the most recent snow. Wind slabs between 20 and 40cm thick are found in the Alpine and open areas at Treeline, but seem confined to immediately below ridge-crests. The Feb 10th persistent weak layer down 80 to 120cm remains a concern and has been the failure plane for natural and human-triggered slides in the past week.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region picked up 5 - 10cm of convective snowfall Saturday night which adds to the (approx.) 100cm of storm snow fell in the last week. Winds have been out of the SW through NW which has created fresh wind slabs in lee terrain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 70 cm of settling storm snow rests on a graupel layer that can be found in much of the region. This makes for around 90 cm on top of the mid march crust at this point. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. It's up to 10 cm thick in places. The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 200cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Possible triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices have also become large and unstable. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On the snow surface, 3-4mm surface hoar sits on top of roughly 10cm of dry snow which sits on a melt-freeze crust.&nbsp; Below this, the upper snowpack is well settled and consists of several well-bonded crust layers. The mid and lower snowpack are moist and well settled. At lower elevations, almost the entire snowpack had been saturated by heavy rain a week ago and much of it had washed away. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The area has received 75 to 150cm of snow over the past 5 to 7 days. The recent storm snow arrived with strong winds and produced wind slabs at tree line and above and increasing the depth on the slab that now overlies the March persistent weak layer. In addition, much of the recent storm snow has fallen on a melt freeze and/or rain crusts that exist in most parts of the region below 1200 metres. The March weak layer is a combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects. This layer is widespread throughout the forecast region and is now buried close to 150cm in most parts of the area. A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear tests. It appears to be dormant for the time being, but a sudden increase in load, a cornice failure, or a large rainfall event could &quot;wake up&quot; this layer and result in a large destructive avalanche. </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 upper snowpack may have various non-persistent weak layers within the recent storm snow. This includes small surface hoar in sheltered areas, thin sun crusts on solar aspects, rain crusts at lower elevations, and/or small facets. These layers are not widespread and are not expected to persist very long but they continue to produce small slab avalanches. Weak cornices and stubborn wind slabs may also be a concern in some areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are three persistent weak layers that remain a concern. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer is down 40-70cm. Recent snowpack tests suggest that the reactivity of this layer is becoming more isolated but many areas still have the potential for human-triggering. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer is down around 80-120cm. Human-triggering has become less likely but the layer still has the potential to produce large avalanches and we continue to see activity stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large triggers like cornices or smaller avalanches can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Surface hoar growth noted in sheltered areas below treeline with some surface facetting also observed.  Solar aspects have a thin crust from Monday that is becoming moist by midday.  The previous storm snow has settled into a soft slab 20-40cm thick in the alpine and open areas at treeline in immediate lee features - so far they appear to be well bonded to previous surfaces.  The Feb 10 layer is down anywhere from 80-120cm and is still producing sporadic natural and human triggered avalanche activity.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">There is 5-10 cm of new snow sitting on 20-30 cm of dry light snow on North aspects above 1400 metres elevation. Melt-freeze crust on solar aspects up to 2000 metres. Some steep west facing slopes have a thin breakable crust to mountain tops. The mid-pack is well consolidated with bridging crusts on all but shaded North aspects. Two persistent weak layers remain a concern but these have become less reactive recently. The early-March crust/facet layer is down roughly 1m and the early February layer is down 1.5m or more. The PWL's may be triggered by heavy loads like cornice falls or storm slab avalanches in motion.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15 cm of new snow is reported to be settling and bonding to the recent storm snow. The persistent weak layers from early March and early February continue to be a concern. The March weak layer of wind-scoured crusts, melt-freeze crusts, and/or surface hoar is reported to be down 70-80 cm. The February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is now deeply buried down 150-250 cm and may still be triggered by heavy loads like cornice falls or storm slab avalanches in motion. Long fracture propagations resulting in very large avalanches are possible with this layer. Avalanches releasing on these layers may step down to the ground during periods of strong solar radiation or warm spring rain.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong Easterly winds have been reported to have caused intense wind transport of the recent storm snow, developing pockets of wind slab on various aspects in the alpine and at treeline. Forecast cool temperatures are not expected to promote much settling or bonding of the near surface layers, and probably not much change to the persistent weak layers. The deeply buried persistent weak layers continue to provide moderate to hard sudden planar results in snow profile tests, but may be deep enough to require a heavy load for triggering. The March weak layer is a combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects. This layer is widespread throughout the forecast region and is now buried close to 150cm in most parts of the area. A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is now buried 200 cm or more.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 100cm of storm snow fell in the last week. Winds have been out of the SW through NW which has created fresh wind slabs in lee terrain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">100 cm of settling storm snow rests on a graupel layer that can be found in much of the region. This makes for around 120 cm on top of the mid march crust at this point. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. It's up to 10 cm thick in places. The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 200cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard and supportive crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Possible triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices have also become large and unstable. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Rain is soaking the upper snowpack which has been well settled and consists of several well-bonded crust layers. The mid and lower snowpack are moist and well settled. At lower elevations, almost the entire snowpack had been saturated by heavy rain a week ago and much of it had washed away. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm snow (40-50 cm) has been transported into pockets of wind slab by moderate Southwest winds in the South of the  region and by Easterly winds in the North of the region. The storm slab is sitting on the March persistent weak layer of crusts/facets/surface hoar that is widespread across the region. A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear test results. This layer is expected to be with us for a long time, and a slide triggered on this layer could be very large and destructive. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper snowpack may have various non-persistent weak layers within the recent storm snow. This includes small surface hoar in sheltered areas, thin sun crusts on solar aspects, rain crusts at lower elevations, and/or small facets. These layers are not widespread and are not expected to persist very long but they continue to produce small slab avalanches. Weak cornices and stubborn wind slabs may also be a concern in some areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are three persistent weak layers that remain a concern. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer is down 50-80cm. Recent snowpack tests suggest that the reactivity of this layer is becoming more isolated but many areas still have the potential for human-triggering. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer is down around 80-120cm. Human-triggering has become less likely but the layer still has the potential to produce large avalanches and we continue to see activity stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large triggers like cornices or smaller avalanches can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20- 40 cm of light density snow has fallen over the last few days. This snow is settling nicely and likely being formed into soft wind slabs immediately lee of ridge crest.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Numerous crusts can be found in the upper 30 cm of the snowpack on south facing slopes. These crusts produce sudden collapse failures in snowpack tests. A moderate shear persists down 30 - 50cm on the March 15 crust/surface hoar interface. Down 70 to 95cm below the surface you may find surface hoar and crusts buried at the beginning of March. This interface is still touchy in some areas, particularly in the north of the region. It also continues to produce sudden planar failures in compression tests.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 100 - 180cm, seams to be more active in this region than any other in the province and is still very difficult to trust. Needless to say, any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive. It continues to produce large destructive natural avalanches every few days. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering is unlikely.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snow totals from the last week are 25 - 50cm. This makes for 55 - 80cm on top of the March 10th crust. This crust is widespread to 2000m across the region, perhaps even higher on solar aspects. There are reports of the crust being as thick as 15cm in the south of the region, but it varies in thickness and supportability. As you head north in the region where the mountains are higher (and temperatures were colder when the crust was forming), this crust is less likely to exist. If you're heading to the north or the region, it's worth checking out the South Columbia bulletin too.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 70 - 200cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity but still shows 'sudden' results in some snowpack tests. In areas where the strong and supportive near surface crust exists, triggering this layer has become unlikely. That said, this layer is still difficult to trust and any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper snowpack may have various non-persistent weak layers within the recent storm snow. This includes small surface hoar in sheltered areas, thin sun crusts on solar aspects, rain crusts at lower elevations, and/or small facets. These layers are not widespread and are not expected to persist very long but they continue to produce small slab avalanches. Weak cornices and stubborn wind slabs may also be a concern in some areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are three persistent weak layers that remain a concern. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer is down 40-70cm. Recent snowpack tests suggest that the reactivity of this layer is becoming more isolated but many areas still have the potential for human-triggering. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer is down around 80-120cm. Human-triggering has become less likely but the layer still has the potential to produce large avalanches and we continue to see activity stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large triggers like cornices or smaller avalanches can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The upper snowpack may have various non-persistent weak layers within the recent storm snow. This includes small surface hoar in sheltered areas, thin sun crusts on solar aspects, rain crusts at lower elevations, and/or small facets. These layers are not widespread and are not expected to persist very long but they continue to produce small slab avalanches. Weak cornices and stubborn wind slabs may also be a concern in some areas.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are three persistent weak layers that remain a concern. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer is down 50-80cm. Recent snowpack tests suggest that the reactivity of this layer is becoming more isolated but many areas still have the potential for human-triggering. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer is down around 80-120cm. Human-triggering has become less likely but the layer still has the potential to produce large avalanches and we continue to see activity stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large triggers like cornices or smaller avalanches can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">30-50 cm of new snow overnight that started warm and finished cold. The new snow is sitting on a mix of thin wind slabs and melt-freeze crusts on solar aspects and may not be well bonded to these old surfaces. This new snow combined with recent storm snow is sitting on a mix of facets and surface hoar on shaded aspects. The added load of storm snow or storm slab avalanches in motion may trigger the March persistent weak layer. The early-March crust/facet layer is down about 100-150 cm and the early February layer is now down close to 200 cm. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-30 cm of new snow overnight has added to the load of recent storm snow. The storm slab is sitting on a mix of melt-freeze crusts on solar aspects and well settled snow, surface facets, and surface hoar on shaded aspects above 1500 metres. The persistent weak layers from early March and early February continue to be a concern. The March weak layer of wind-scoured crusts, melt-freeze crusts, and/or surface hoar is reported to be down 70-80 cm. The February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is now deeply buried down 150-250 cm and may still be triggered by heavy loads like cornice falls or storm slab avalanches in motion. Long fracture propagations resulting in very large avalanches are possible with this layer. Avalanches releasing on these layers may step down to the ground during periods of strong solar radiation or warm spring rain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong Easterly winds have been reported to have caused intense wind transport of the recent storm snow, developing pockets of wind slab on various aspects in the alpine and at treeline. Forecast cool temperatures are not expected to promote much settling or bonding of the near surface layers, and probably not much change to the persistent weak layers. The deeply buried persistent weak layers continue to provide moderate to hard sudden planar results in snow profile tests, but may be deep enough to require a heavy load for triggering. The March weak layer is a combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects. This layer is widespread throughout the forecast region and is now buried close to 150cm in most parts of the area. A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is now buried 200 cm or more.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">15-20cm's of low density snow overnight on the Spray. This leaves us with 50cm's of new snow that has yet to see any wind. There is a suncrust down 15 cm's, but the new snow appears to be well bonded. The various interfaces throughout the upper 100cm's had no significant weakness at our location (sheltered area at treeline). The Feb 10th layer is now down 130 at treeline. Tests today had results that were all over the map. Results varied from a Compression Test Hard result to a Deep Tap Test with easy results. Overall snow depth at treeline is 160cm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm temperatures and blasts of solar radiation are moistening the surface snow. Weaknesses exist within and under the 40-70 cm of rapidly settling recent storm snow, including small surface hoar, thin sun crusts, rain crusts, and/or small facets. These weaknesses are currently reactive to light triggers, especially on wind-loaded slopes. Some big cornices have also become weak.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are three persistent weak layers that contribute to a highly variable, fundamentally unstable, complex snowpack with step-down potential. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see fractures stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 40 cm of snow has fallen over the last few days. Warm temperatures have turned the snow surface moist up to 1700m. Recent moderate winds have formed wind slabs in the lee of ridge crests.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Numerous crusts can be found in the upper 30 cm of the snowpack on south facing slopes. These crusts produce sudden collapse failures in snowpack tests. A moderate shear persists down 30 - 50cm on the March 15 crust/surface hoar interface. Down 90 to 120cm below the surface you may find surface hoar and crusts buried at the beginning of March. This interface is still touchy in some areas, particularly in the north of the region. It also continues to produce sudden planar failures in compression tests.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 120 - 200cm, seems to be more active in this region than any other in the province and is still very difficult to trust. Needless to say, any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering is unlikely.</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">New snow accumulations from last week have settled out and become moist on the surface up to 2000m on all aspects. There is now 55 - 80cm of new snow on top of the March 10th crust. This crust is widespread to 2000m across the region, perhaps even higher on solar aspects. There are reports of the crust being as thick as 15cm in the south of the region, however there seems to be variability in how thick and supportive it is. As you head north in the region where the mountains are higher (temperatures were colder when the crust was forming) this crust is less likely to exist. If you are heading to the north of the region make sure you check out the South Columbia bulletin also.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 70 - 200cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity but still shows 'sudden' results in some snowpack tests. In areas where the strong and supportive crust exists, triggering this layer has become unlikely. That said, any avalanches triggered on this deep persistent layer would be large and destructive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 100cm of storm snow fell in the last week. Winds have been out of the SW through NW which has created fresh wind slabs in lee terrain and large brittle cornices on ridge tops.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">100 cm of settling storm snow rests on a graupel layer that can be found in much of the region. This makes for around 120 cm on top of the mid march crust at this point. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. It's up to 10 cm thick in places. The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 200cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Possible triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm temperatures and blasts of solar radiation are moistening the surface snow. Weaknesses exist within and under the 40-70 cm of rapidly settling recent storm snow, including small surface hoar, thin sun crusts, rain crusts, and/or small facets. These weaknesses are currently reactive to light triggers, especially on wind-loaded slopes. Some big cornices have also become weak.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are three persistent weak layers that contribute to a highly variable, fundamentally unstable, complex snowpack with step-down potential. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see fractures stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Strong to moderate northeast winds have left the surface snow in White Pass highly wind affected. Small pockets of undisturbed snow do exist in sheltered areas. Hard wind slab is present in south to west facing alpine start zones. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The upper snowpack has settled into a slab 40-100cm thick. This slab sits above the February 13 crust/facet/surface hoar interface. This layer is still producing large, destructive avalanches in isolated terrain, although its reactivity is very hard to track and predict. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The middle snowpack is well consolidated and strong. Basal facets do still exist at the base of the snowpack, however, this weakness is healing and largely unreactive at this time. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm snow (40-50 cm) has been transported into pockets of wind slab by moderate Southwest winds in the South of the region and by Easterly winds in the North of the region. The storm slab is sitting on the March persistent weak layer of crusts/facets/surface hoar that is widespread across the region. A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear test results. This layer is expected to be with us for a long time, and a slide triggered on this layer could be very large and destructive. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15cm of wet snow is likely bonding well to the previously rain-soaked upper snowpack. Overall the snowpack is well settled and moist with several well-bonded crust layers. At lower elevations, almost the entire snowpack had been saturated by heavy rain and much of it had washed away. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Warm temperatures and blasts of solar radiation are moistening the surface snow. Weaknesses exist within and under the 30-60 cm of rapidly settling recent storm snow, including small surface hoar, thin sun crusts, rain crusts, and/or small facets. These weaknesses are currently reactive to light triggers, but have little potential consequence except in isolated wind-loaded areas. Some big cornices have also become weak.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">There are three persistent weak layers that contribute to a highly variable, fundamentally unstable, complex snowpack with step-down potential. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-70cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see fractures stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Flurries throughout the day added to the new snow from the week. The totals now add up to 50cm's at treeline. We are still waiting for the winds to redistribute it. In the meantime the surface snow is still free of windslabs. There was some sluffing within the new snow, however this was limited to very steep terrain in the alpine. The crusts from a couple of days ago are now down 15cm's at treeline. The solar radiation has bonded those layers. The windslabs are down 50-60 and are also bonding well at treeline. The Feb 10th is down 130-140.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The recent snow is expected to settle and bond to the mix of old surface crusts and wind slabs with daytime warming and overnight freezing levels dropping down to near valley bottoms. The forecast new snow and strong Southwest winds are expected to develop new storm slabs over the next few days that may release down to the old surface of  melt-freeze crusts and/or where facets are sitting on old wind slabs. The added load of storm snow or storm slab avalanches in motion may trigger the March persistent weak layer. The early-March crust/facet layer is down about 100-150 cm and the early February layer is now down close to 200 cm. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong Easterly winds have been reported to have caused intense wind transport of the recent storm snow, developing pockets of wind slab on various aspects in the alpine and at treeline. Forecast cool temperatures are not expected to promote much settling or bonding of the near surface layers, and probably not much change to the persistent weak layers. The deeply buried persistent weak layers continue to provide moderate to hard sudden planar results in snow profile tests, but may be deep enough to require a heavy load for triggering. The March weak layer is a combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects. This layer is widespread throughout the forecast region and is now buried close to 150cm in most parts of the area. A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is now buried 200 cm or more.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm snow (40-50 cm) has been transported into pockets of wind slab by moderate Southwest winds in the South of the region and by Easterly winds in the North of the region. The storm slab is sitting on the March persistent weak layer of crusts/facets/surface hoar that is widespread across the region. A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear test results. This layer is expected to be with us for a long time, and a slide triggered on this layer could be very large and destructive. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow accumulations from the past week have settled out and become moist on the surface up to 2000m on all aspects. There is now 55 - 80cm of new snow on top of the March 10th crust. This crust is widespread to 2000m across the region, perhaps even higher on solar aspects. There are reports of the crust being as thick as 15cm in the south of the region, however there seems to be variability in how thick and supportive it is. As you head north in the region where the mountains are higher (temperatures were colder when the crust was forming) this crust is less likely to exist. If you are heading to the north of the region make sure you check out the South Columbia bulletin also.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 70 - 200cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity but still shows 'sudden' results in some snowpack tests. In areas where the strong and supportive crust exists, triggering this layer has become unlikely. That said, any avalanches triggered on this deep persistent layer would be large and destructive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-40cm of new snow has fallen in the region (5-10 in the north and up to 40 in the central). This new snow is settling and likely being formed into soft wind slabs immediately lee of ridge crests.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Numerous crusts can be found in the upper 60cm of the snowpack on south facing slopes.&nbsp; The March 15 crust/surface hoar interface is down 50-80cm. Down90-120cm below the surface you may find surface hoar and crusts buried at the beginning of March. This interface is still touchy in some areas, particularly in the north of the region. It also continues to produce sudden planar failures in compression tests.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 120 - 200cm, still seems to be reactive and should not be trusted. Needless to say, any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive.&nbsp; Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering is unlikely.</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">Weaknesses exist within and under the 40-70 cm of rapidly settling recent storm snow, including small surface hoar, thin sun crusts, rain crusts, and/or small facets. These weaknesses are currently reactive to light triggers, especially on wind-loaded slopes. Some big cornices have also become weak.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">There are three persistent weak layers that contribute to a highly variable, fundamentally unstable, complex snowpack with step-down potential. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-70cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see fractures stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weaknesses exist within and under the 40-70 cm of rapidly settling recent storm snow, including small surface hoar, thin sun crusts, rain crusts, and/or small facets. These weaknesses are currently reactive to light triggers, especially on wind-loaded slopes. Some big cornices have also become weak.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are three persistent weak layers that contribute to a highly variable, fundamentally unstable, complex snowpack with step-down potential. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see fractures stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There may be some areas where the recent snow does not bond well to melt-freeze crusts on solar aspects. The forecast new storm should add a new load above these weak bonds and may be sensitive to triggering from light additional loads like skiers or riders. The persistent weak layers from early March and early February continue to be a concern. The March weak layer of wind-scoured crusts, melt-freeze crusts, and/or surface hoar is reported to be down 70-80 cm. The February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is now deeply buried down 150-250 cm and may still be triggered by heavy loads like cornice falls or storm slab avalanches in motion. Long fracture propagations resulting in very large avalanches are possible with this layer. Avalanches releasing on these layers may step down to the ground during periods of strong solar radiation or warm spring rain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15cm of wet snow is likely poorly bonding to a thick hard crust at upper elevations or well-bonded to rain soaked snow at lower elevations. Overall the snowpack is well settled and moist with several well-bonded crust layers. At lower elevations, almost the entire snowpack had been saturated by heavy rain and much of it had washed away. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weaknesses exist within and under the 40-70 cm of rapidly settling recent storm snow, including small surface hoar, thin sun crusts, rain crusts, and/or small facets. These weaknesses are currently reactive to light triggers, especially on wind-loaded slopes. Some big cornices have also become weak.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are three persistent weak layers that contribute to a highly variable, fundamentally unstable, complex snowpack with step-down potential. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see fractures stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">50cm of recent storm snow has fallen over the past few days.  This new snow has fallen with generally very little to no wind affect.  This new snow is settling especially at lower elevations under the influence of warm temperatures.  Moderate sudden planar shears are being observed at the storm snow interface down 50cm and in areas traveled on Friday the 0211 layer was found down 120cm but produced no significant results.  This layer is still highly variable in terms of test results and in some thinner areas easy results can still be expected.  Late in the day Alpine winds were increasing and  we suspect, new skier triggerable windslabs are building.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Weaknesses within and under the 40-70 cm of rapidly settling recent storm snow are currently reactive to light triggers, especially on wind-loaded slopes. Three persistent weaknesses contribute to a highly variable, fundamentally unstable, complex snowpack with step-down potential. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-70cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see fractures stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weaknesses within and under the 40-70 cm of rapidly settling recent storm snow are currently reactive to light triggers, especially on wind-loaded slopes. Three persistent weaknesses contribute to a highly variable, fundamentally unstable, complex snowpack with step-down potential. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see fractures stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-40cm of new snow has fallen in the region (5-10 in the north and up to 40 in the central). This new snow is settling and likely being formed into soft wind slabs immediately lee of ridge crests. Moist snow</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Numerous crusts can be found in the upper 60cm of the snowpack on south facing slopes. The March 15 crust/surface hoar interface is down 50-80cm. Down90-120cm below the surface you may find surface hoar and crusts buried at the beginning of March. This interface is still touchy in some areas, particularly in the north of the region. It also continues to produce sudden planar failures in compression tests.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 120 - 200cm, still seems to be reactive and should not be trusted. Needless to say, any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering is unlikely.</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">New snow accumulations from the past week have settled out and become moist on the surface up to 2000m on all aspects. There is now 55 - 80cm of new snow on top of the March 10th crust. This crust is widespread to 2000m across the region, perhaps even higher on solar aspects. There are reports of the crust being as thick as 15cm in the south of the region, however there seems to be variability in how thick and supportive it is. As you head north in the region where the mountains are higher (temperatures were colder when the crust was forming) this crust is less likely to exist. If you are heading to the north of the region make sure you check out the South Columbia bulletin also.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 70 - 200cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity but still shows 'sudden' results in some snowpack tests. In areas where the strong and supportive crust exists, triggering this layer has become unlikely. That said, any avalanches triggered on this deep persistent layer would be large and destructive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 10cm of new wet snow adds to the 10cm of recent wet snow, which is poorly bonded to a thick hard crust at upper elevations. At lower elevation only a few cm of new snow has accumulated intermixed with rain and is bonding well. Overall the snowpack is well settled and moist with several well-bonded crust layers. At lower elevations, almost the entire snowpack had been saturated by heavy rain and much of it had washed away. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The recent snow is expected to settle and bond to the mix of old surface crusts and wind slabs with daytime warming and overnight freezing levels dropping down to near valley bottoms. The forecast new snow and strong Southwest winds are expected to develop new storm slabs over the next few days that may release down to the old surface of melt-freeze crusts and/or where facets are sitting on old wind slabs. The added load of storm snow or storm slab avalanches in motion may trigger the March persistent weak layer. The early-March crust/facet layer is down about 100-150 cm and the early February layer is now down close to 200 cm. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There may be some areas where the recent snow does not bond well to melt-freeze crusts on solar aspects. The forecast new storm should add a new load above these weak bonds and may be sensitive to triggering from light additional loads like skiers or riders. The persistent weak layers from early March and early February continue to be a concern. The March weak layer of wind-scoured crusts, melt-freeze crusts, and/or surface hoar is reported to be down 70-80 cm. The February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is now deeply buried down 150-250 cm and may still be triggered by heavy loads like cornice falls or storm slab avalanches in motion. Long fracture propagations resulting in very large avalanches are possible with this layer. Avalanches releasing on these layers may step down to the ground during periods of strong solar radiation or warm spring rain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong Easterly winds have been reported to have caused intense wind transport of the recent storm snow, developing pockets of wind slab on various aspects in the alpine and at treeline. Forecast cool temperatures are not expected to promote much settling or bonding of the near surface layers, and probably not much change to the persistent weak layers. The deeply buried persistent weak layers continue to provide moderate to hard sudden planar results in snow profile tests, but may be deep enough to require a heavy load for triggering. The March weak layer is a combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects. This layer is widespread throughout the forecast region and is now buried close to 150cm in most parts of the area. A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is now buried 200 cm or more.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm snow (40-50 cm) has been transported into pockets of wind slab by moderate Southwest winds in the South of the region and by Easterly winds in the North of the region. The storm slab is sitting on the March persistent weak layer of crusts/facets/surface hoar that is widespread across the region. A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear test results. This layer is expected to be with us for a long time, and a slide triggered on this layer could be very large and destructive. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weaknesses within and under the 40-70 cm of rapidly settling recent storm snow are currently reactive to light triggers, especially on wind-loaded slopes. Three persistent weaknesses contribute to a highly variable, fundamentally unstable, complex snowpack with step-down potential. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see fractures stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 25cm of new snow combined with southwest winds have created fresh wind slabs in lee terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately100 cm of settling storm snow from last week rests on a graupel layer that can be found in much of the region. This makes for around 130 cm on top of the mid march crust at this point. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. It's up to 10 cm thick in places. The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 200cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Possible triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snow surface is very wind affected and variable at the moment. Northeast winds have created hard wind slab in southwest facing alpine features. Approach wind loaded areas with caution and feel for wind slab beneath your skis, board, or track. Pockets of undisturbed powder do still exist in sheltered areas away from the main highway corridor. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A well settled slab 40-120cm thick now sits above the Feb 13 crust/facet/surface hoar interface. The layer is still exhibiting variable reactivity and still has the potential to produce large, destructive avalanches. Avoid making assumptions about this layer based on the presence of aggressive tracks on adjacent slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Basal facets do still exists near the ground. In White Pass, this weakness is largely unreactive. In places with a more shallow snowpack like Powder Valley or the Wheaton Valley this layer could still be a concern. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have resulted in good settlement and improved bonding of the storm snow from earlier in the week, and human-triggering has generally become stubborn. </span><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weaknesses contribute to a highly variable, fundamentally unstable, complex snowpack with step-down potential. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see fractures stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 40cm of new moist snow combined with south and west winds have redistributed the snow in the alpine and at treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately100cm rests on a graupel layer that can be found in much of the region. This makes for around 120-160 cm on top of the mid march crust at this point. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. It's up to 10 cm thick in places. The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 200cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Possible triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 50cm of new snow has fallen in the central part of the region in the last 3 days (5-10cm in the northern part of the region). This new snow is settling and likely being formed into soft wind slabs immediately lee of ridge crests.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Numerous crusts can be found in the upper 60cm of the snowpack on south facing slopes. The March 15 crust/surface hoar interface is down 50-80cm. Down 90-120cm below the surface you may find surface hoar and crusts buried at the beginning of March. This interface is still touchy in some areas, particularly in the north of the region. It also continues to produce sudden planar failures in compression tests.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 120 - 200cm, still seems to be reactive and should not be trusted. Needless to say, any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering is unlikely.</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">New snow accompanied by strong southerly winds has likely formed fresh sensitive wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, and storm slabs that extend down into the treeline vegetation band. This snow adds additional load to the mid March surface hoar / crust interface, now down 80 - 110cm. The bond at this interface is improving, but it may still be sensitive to human triggering. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The early-March crust/facet layer is down about 100-150 cm and the early February layer is now down close to 200 cm. These layers are largely dormant at this time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The lower snowpack is strong and well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Friday night 10 - 25cm of new snow fell accompanied by strong southerly winds. There may be some areas where the recent snow does not bond well to melt-freeze crusts on solar aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The persistent weak layers from early March and early February continue to be a concern. The March weak layer of wind-scoured crusts, melt-freeze crusts, and/or surface hoar is reported to be down 60 - 100cm. The February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is now deeply buried down 150 - 250cm and may still be triggered by heavy loads like cornice falls or storm slab avalanches in motion. Long fracture propagations resulting in very large avalanches are possible with this layer. Avalanches releasing on these layers may step down to the ground during periods of strong solar radiation or warm spring rain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong Easterly winds have been reported to have caused intense wind transport of the recent storm snow, developing pockets of wind slab on various aspects in the alpine and at treeline. Forecast cool temperatures are not expected to promote much settling or bonding of the near surface layers, and probably not much change to the persistent weak layers. The deeply buried persistent weak layers continue to provide moderate to hard sudden planar results in snow profile tests, but may be deep enough to require a heavy load for triggering. The March weak layer is a combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects. This layer is widespread throughout the forecast region and is now buried close to 150cm in most parts of the area. A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is now buried 200 cm or more.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm snow (40-50 cm) has been transported into pockets of wind slab by moderate Southwest winds in the South of the region and by Easterly winds in the North of the region. The storm slab is sitting on the March persistent weak layer of crusts/facets/surface hoar that is widespread across the region. A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear test results. This layer is expected to be with us for a long time, and a slide triggered on this layer could be very large and destructive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Not much change out there today.  An additional 10cm of new snow fell overnight with some isolated moderate westerly winds at higher elevations.  These winds are building new windslabs on lee features but so far, these slabs do not seem to extend far downslope.  Moist snow was observed on solar aspects later in the day. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow at higher elevations is very wet and is typically bonding well to the old snow surface. Below roughly 1200m, the storm has produced mainly rain which is saturating the snowpack. The snowpack above treeline is typically isothermal with remnants of old crusts which are disappearing with the warm temperatures. There is one stronger crust down roughly 80cm which is more persistent. Recent snowpack tests suggest this layer still has the potential to produce avalanches in isolated areas. However, due to its depth, triggering of this layer is unlikely. At lower elevations, the entire snowpack has been saturated by heavy rain and much of it has been washed away. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have resulted in good settlement and improved bonding of the storm snow from earlier in the week, and human-triggering has generally become stubborn. Three persistent weaknesses contribute to a highly variable, fundamentally unstable, complex snowpack with step-down potential. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see fractures stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">See this </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FilGUG0Fk4" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">great video</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> from our South Rockies field team that does an awesome job of summarizing the current state of the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 25cm of recent new snow sits on top of a thick sun crust on solar aspects. 70-90 cm of settling storm snow from the past week rests on a graupel layer that can be found in much of the region. This makes for around 90 cm on top of the mid march crust at this point. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. North of Sparwood and in the Crowsnest Pass area, the buried crust seems more specific to previously sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 150cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Possible triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar 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_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have resulted in good settlement and improved bonding of the storm snow from earlier in the week, and human-triggering has generally become stubborn.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> Three persistent weaknesses contribute to a highly variable, fundamentally unstable, complex snowpack with step-down potential. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-70cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see fractures stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 25cm of recent new snow sits on top of a melt-freeze crust formed on March 25 on all aspects except steep north at tree-line and above. There is now 60 - 90cm of new snow on top of the March 10th crust. This crust is widespread to 2000m across the region, perhaps even higher on solar aspects. There are reports of the crust being as thick as 15cm in the south of the region, however there seems to be variability in how thick and supportive it is. As you head north in the region where the mountains are higher (temperatures were colder when the crust was forming) this crust is less likely to exist. If you are heading to the north of the region make sure you check out the South Columbia bulletin also.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 70 - 200cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity but still shows 'sudden' results in some snowpack tests. In areas where the strong and supportive crust exists, triggering this layer has become unlikely. That said, any avalanches triggered on this deep persistent layer would be large and destructive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New storm snow has formed a soft slab which is typically 20-30cm thick. On south aspects, the storm snow overlies a sun crust, but due to recent warm temperatures, the layers are generally bonding well. In isolated areas, the storm slab is reported to be quite reactive to triggering. Stiffer wind slabs may exist in immediate leeward features on NW through E aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weaknesses contribute to a highly variable, fundamentally unstable, complex snowpack with step-down potential. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see fractures stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow at higher elevations is very wet and is typically bonding well to the old snow surface. Below roughly 1200m, the storm has produced mainly rain which is saturating the snowpack. The snowpack above treeline is typically isothermal with remnants of old crusts which are disappearing with the warm temperatures. There is one stronger crust down roughly 80cm which is more persistent. Recent snowpack tests suggest this layer still has the potential to produce avalanches in isolated areas. However, due to its depth, triggering of this layer is unlikely. At lower elevations, the entire snowpack has been saturated by heavy rain and much of it has been washed away. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">20 to 25cm of new snow overnight. This new snow sits on a crust solar aspects and on preserved stellars on Northerly aspects. The new snow is sluffing in steep terrain. This new snow brings total storm snow in the last several days to over 70cm. The Feb 10th persistent weak layer is buried 90 to 120cm and is still reactive to stability tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 50cm of new snow has fallen in the central part of the region in the last 3 days (5-10cm in the northern part of the region). This new snow is settling and likely being formed into soft wind slabs immediately lee of ridge crests.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Numerous crusts can be found in the upper 60cm of the snowpack on south facing slopes. The March 15 crust/surface hoar interface is down 50-80cm. Down 90-120cm below the surface you may find surface hoar and crusts buried at the beginning of March. This interface is still touchy in some areas, particularly in the north of the region. It also continues to produce sudden planar failures in compression tests.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 120 - 200cm, still seems to be reactive and should not be trusted. Needless to say, any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering is unlikely.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 60cm of accumulated snowfall over the past two days combined with south and west winds have redistributed the snow in the alpine and at treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately100cm rests on a graupel layer that can be found in much of the region. This makes for around 120-160 cm on top of the mid march crust at this point. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. It's up to 10 cm thick in places. The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 200cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Possible triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">See this </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FilGUG0Fk4" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">great video</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> from our South Rockies field team that does an awesome job of summarizing the current state of the mid to lower snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 30cm of recent new snow sits on top of a thick sun crust on solar aspects. 70-90 cm of settling storm snow from the past week rests on a graupel layer that can be found in much of the region. This makes for around 90 cm on top of the mid march crust at this point. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. North of Sparwood and in the Crowsnest Pass area, the buried crust seems more specific to previously sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 150cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Possible triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar 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_3FE45715">The storm produced 10 - 25 cm in the north and around 10 cm in the south. Light to moderate winds generally out of the south formed sensitive wind slabs on isolated terrain features at and above treeline. Below 2000m the new snow rests on a thin melt freeze crust on all aspects, with the exception being north facing terrain features above 1500m. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The persistent weak layers from early March and early February continue to be a concern. The March weak layer of wind-scoured crusts, melt-freeze crusts, and/or surface hoar is reported to be down 60 - 100cm. The February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is now deeply buried down 150 - 250cm and may still be triggered by heavy loads like cornice falls or storm slab avalanches in motion. Long fracture propagations resulting in very large avalanches are possible with this layer. Avalanches releasing on these layers may step down to the ground during periods of strong solar radiation or warm spring rain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong Easterly winds have been reported to have caused intense wind transport of the recent storm snow, developing pockets of wind slab on various aspects in the alpine and at treeline. Forecast cool temperatures are not expected to promote much settling or bonding of the near surface layers, and probably not much change to the persistent weak layers. The deeply buried persistent weak layers continue to provide moderate to hard sudden planar results in snow profile tests, but may be deep enough to require a heavy load for triggering. The March weak layer is a combination of hard wind-scoured slab surfaces in exposed terrain, facets and/or surface hoar in sheltered and north aspects, and sun crust on steep solar aspects. This layer is widespread throughout the forecast region and is now buried close to 150cm in most parts of the area. A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is now buried 200 cm or more.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm snow (40-50 cm) has been transported into pockets of wind slab by moderate Southwest winds in the South of the region and by Easterly winds in the North of the region. The storm slab is sitting on the March persistent weak layer of crusts/facets/surface hoar that is widespread across the region. A late January/early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is still showing up in snowpack tests with moderate to hard shear test results. This layer is expected to be with us for a long time, and a slide triggered on this layer could be very large and destructive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New storm snow has formed a soft slab which is typically 20-30cm thick.  On south aspects, the storm snow overlies a sun crust, but due to recent warm temperatures, the layers are generally bonding well.  In isolated areas, the storm slab is reported to be quite reactive to triggering.  Stiffer wind slabs may exist in immediate leeward features on NW through E aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weaknesses contribute to a highly variable, fundamentally unstable, complex snowpack with step-down potential. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see fractures stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New storm snow has formed a soft slab which is typically 20-30cm thick.  On south aspects, the storm snow overlies a sun crust, but due to recent warm temperatures, the layers are generally bonding well.  In isolated areas, the storm slab is reported to be quite reactive to triggering.  Stiffer wind slabs may exist in immediate leeward features on NW through E aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weaknesses contribute to a highly variable, fundamentally unstable, complex snowpack with step-down potential. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see fractures stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 35cm of recent new snow sits on top of a melt-freeze crust formed on March 25 on all aspects except steep north at tree-line and above. There is now 60 - 90cm of new snow on top of the March 10th crust. This crust is widespread to 2000m across the region, perhaps even higher on solar aspects. There are reports of the crust being as thick as 15cm in the south of the region, however there seems to be variability in how thick and supportive it is. As you head north in the region where the mountains are higher (temperatures were colder when the crust was forming) this crust is less likely to exist. If you are heading to the north of the region make sure you check out the South Columbia bulletin also.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 70 - 200cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity but still shows 'sudden' results in some snowpack tests. In areas where the strong and supportive crust exists, triggering this layer has become unlikely. That said, any avalanches triggered on this deep persistent layer would be large and destructive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The weekend storm produced 15 - 70 cm of new snow. Below 2100m , on all aspects, this snow rests on thin melt freeze crust that was very reactive on Saturday. (The exception is north facing terrain above 1500m where the crust is not present.) The first part of the storm was accompanied by strong southerly winds that formed Isolated wind slabs immediately below ridge crest. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">This snow adds additional load to the mid March surface hoar / crust interface, now down 80 - 110cm. The bond at this interface is improving making it less susceptible to human triggering.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The early-March crust/facet layer is down about 100-150 cm and the early February layer is now down close to 200 cm. These layers are largely dormant at this time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The lower snowpack is strong and well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">8 to 12cm of new snow overnight with no wind effect. The storm snow over the past week has settled to 50cm. Moist snow was observed on solar aspects this afternoon as well as below 2000m on all other aspects. The Feb 10th layer is buried 90 to 120cm and remains a serious concern in the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weekend storm produced mainly rain with some very wet snow at higher elevations.&nbsp; The wet storm snow was reported to be well bonded to the old snow surface.&nbsp; Below roughly 1200m received mainly rain which was saturating the snowpack. The snowpack above treeline is typically isothermal with remnants of old crusts which are disappearing with the warm temperatures. There is one stronger crust down roughly 80cm which is more persistent. Recent snowpack tests suggest this layer still has the potential to produce avalanches in isolated areas. However, due to its depth, triggering of this layer is unlikely. At lower elevations, the entire snowpack has been saturated by heavy rain and much of it has been washed away. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack is now going through melt-freeze cycles overnight. A surface crust can be expected in the morning but should break down in the afternoon and become moist.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have resulted in good settlement and improved bonding of the storm snow from earlier in the week, and human-triggering has generally become stubborn. Three persistent weaknesses contribute to a highly variable, fundamentally unstable, complex snowpack with step-down potential. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see fractures stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 50cm of new snow has fallen in the central part of the region in the last 3 days (5-10cm in the northern part of the region). This new snow is settling and being formed into soft wind slabs immediately lee of ridge crests recent westerly winds.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Numerous crusts can be found in the upper 60cm of the snowpack on south facing slopes. The March 15 crust/surface hoar interface is down 50-80cm. Down 90-120cm below the surface you may find surface hoar and crusts buried at the beginning of March. This interface is still touchy in some areas, particularly in the north of the region. It also continues to produce sudden planar failures in compression tests.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 120 - 200cm, still seems to be reactive and should not be trusted. Needless to say, any avalanche at these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering is unlikely.</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">It's starting to feel like spring in the NW. Valley temps are creeping into the double digits during the day, and there are reports of the top 15 cm of the snowpack becoming moist during daytime heating.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The last significant shot of snow was on March 27th, 10 - 15 fell on March 30th. This new snow rests on top of a haggard old surface composed of old wind slab, melt freeze crust, and faceted old snow. Ongoing melt freeze cycles will likely help to heal any surface instabilities.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March layer found in the upper snowpack is composed of facets/surface hoar on shady aspects and facets/crust on southerly aspects. I suspect this layer has been the culprit in the human triggered avalanches from March 27/28 in the neighboring NW Coastal region, that are being reported on the Balktalk Facebook Page.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo can be found deep in the snowpack, although I suspect it's gone dormant for now.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snow surface is very wind affected and variable at the moment. Northeast winds have created hard wind slab in southwest facing alpine features. Pockets of undisturbed powder exist in sheltered areas away from the main highway corridor. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A well settled slab 40-120cm thick now sits above the Feb 13 crust/facet/surface hoar interface. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Basal facets do still exists near the ground. In White Pass, this weakness is largely unreactive. In places with a more shallow snowpack like Powder Valley or the Wheaton Valley this layer could still be a concern. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 70cm of accumulated snowfall over the past three days combined with south and west winds have redistributed the snow in the alpine and at treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately100cm rests on a graupel layer that can be found in much of the region. This makes for around 120-160 cm on top of the mid march crust at this point. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. It's up to 10 cm thick in places. The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 200cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Possible triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">See this </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FilGUG0Fk4" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">great video</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> from our South Rockies field team that does an awesome job of summarizing the current state of the mid and lower snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 40cm of recent new snow sits on top of a thick sun crust on solar aspects. 70-90 cm of settling storm snow from the past week rests on a graupel layer that can be found in much of the region. This makes for around 90 cm on top of the mid march crust at this point. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. North of Sparwood and in the Crowsnest Pass area, the buried crust seems more specific to previously sun-exposed slopes. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down 140 to 170cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Possible triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar 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_3FE45715">Up to 35cm of recent new snow sits on top of a melt-freeze crust formed on March 25 on all aspects except steep north at tree-line and above. There is now 60 - 90cm of new snow on top of the March 10th crust. This crust is widespread to 2000m across the region, perhaps even higher on solar aspects. There are reports of the crust being as thick as 15cm in the south of the region, however there seems to be variability in how thick and supportive it is. As you head north in the region where the mountains are higher (temperatures were colder when the crust was forming) this crust is less likely to exist. If you are heading to the north of the region make sure you check out the South Columbia bulletin also.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 70 - 200cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity. In areas where the strong and supportive crust exists, triggering this layer has become unlikely. That said, any avalanches triggered on this deep persistent layer would be large and destructive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">It's starting to feel like spring in the NW. Valley temps are creeping into the double digits during the day, and there are reports of the top 15 cm of the snowpack becoming moist during daytime heating.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The last significant shot of snow was on March 27th, 10 - 15 fell on March 30th. This new snow rests on top of a haggard old surface composed of old wind slab, melt freeze crust, and faceted old snow. Ongoing melt freeze cycles will likely help to heal any surface instabilities.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March layer can be found down 75 - 100cm and is composed of facets/surface hoar on shady aspects and facets/crust on southerly aspects. I suspect this layer has been the culprit in the human triggered avalanches from March 27/28 that are being reported on the Balktalk Facebook Page.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is down 150 - 200cm, and I suspect it's gone dormant for now.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The weekend storm typically produced 30-50 cm of new snow but up to 80cm was reported. Below 2100m, on all aspects, this snow rests on thin melt freeze crust that was very reactive on Saturday. (The exception is north facing terrain above 1500m where the crust is not present.) The first part of the storm was accompanied by strong southerly winds that formed isolated wind slabs immediately below ridge crest. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The mid March surface hoar/crust interface is down around 80-110cm. The bond at this interface is improving making it less susceptible to human triggering. The early-March crust/facet layer is down about 100-150 cm and the early February layer is now down close to 200 cm. These layers are mainly dormant at this time but still have the potential to produce avalanches in isolated areas. The lower snowpack is generally strong and well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weekend storm produced 30 to 50cm in the north and around 30 cm in the south. Moderate southerly winds have formed wind slabs in immediate leeward feature in wind-exposed terrain. Below 2000m the new snow rests on a thin melt freeze crust on all aspects, with the exception being north facing terrain features above 1500m. Mild temperatures and solar radiation on Monday are likely causing settlement of the storm snow and melting of the snow surface on most slopes expect maybe steep north aspects in the alpine. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The persistent weak layers from early March and early February continue to be a concern. The March weak layer of wind-scoured crusts, melt-freeze crusts, and/or surface hoar is reported to be down 60 - 100cm. The February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is now deeply buried down 150 - 250cm and may still be triggered by heavy loads like cornice falls or storm slab avalanches in motion. Long fracture propagations resulting in very large avalanches are possible with this layer. Avalanches releasing on these layers may step down to the ground during periods of strong solar radiation or warm spring rain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weekend storm snow typically produced 30-40cm of new snow but up to 60cm was reported. Many areas are reporting moist snow up to 1800m on all aspects and higher on south facing slopes. Stiffer wind slabs may exist in immediate leeward features on NW through E aspects in exposed terrain in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weaknesses contribute to a highly variable, fundamentally unstable, complex snowpack with step-down potential. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see fractures stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weekend storm snow typically produced 30-40cm of new snow.  Reports suggest moist snow up to 1800m on all aspects and higher on south facing slopes. Stiffer wind slabs may exist in immediate leeward features on NW through E aspects in exposed terrain in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weaknesses contribute to a highly variable, fundamentally unstable, complex snowpack with step-down potential. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see fractures stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">See this </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FilGUG0Fk4" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">great video</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> from our South Rockies field team that does an awesome job of summarizing the current state of the mid and lower snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 40cm of recent new snow sits on top of a thick sun crust on solar aspects. 70-90 cm of settling storm snow from the past week rests on a graupel layer that can be found in much of the region. This makes for around 90 cm on top of the mid march crust at this point. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. North of Sparwood and in the Crowsnest Pass area, the buried crust seems more specific to previously sun-exposed slopes. T</span><span class="s_AA239A9B">he deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down 140 to 170cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Possible triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar 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_3FE45715">The last storm produced from 30 to 60cm in parts of the forecast region. Some areas are reporting moist snow up to 1800m on all aspects and even higher on south facing slopes. Stiff wind slabs may exist on leeward features on north through east aspects at tree line and in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weaknesses contribute to a highly variable, complex snowpack with the ability to produce large destructive avalanches. A mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An early March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see avalanches stepping down to this layer. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become less likely, however, a large load like a cornice failure or smaller avalanches gathering mass might trigger this layer and produce a very large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have resulted in good settlement and bonding of the storm snow from earlier in the week. Reports of human-triggered avalanches have diminished. Three persistent weaknesses contribute to a highly variable snow pack with the possibility of triggering deeper instabilities. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to triggering by light loads, but still has the ability to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see avalanches stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 50cm of new snow has fallen in the central part of the region in the last 3 days (5-10cm in the northern and southern parts of the region). This new snow is settling well, but has also been formed into soft wind slabs immediately lee of ridge crests by recent westerly winds.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Numerous crusts can be found in the upper 60cm of the snowpack on south facing slopes. The March 15 crust/surface hoar interface is down 50-80cm. in most parts of the forecast area. At 90-120cm below the surface you may find surface hoar and crusts that were buried at the beginning of March. This interface is still touchy in some areas, particularly in the north of the region and continues to produce sudden planar failures in compression tests.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 120 - 200cm, has proven to be reactive and should not be trusted. An avalanche on any of these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering is unlikely.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent new snow has been transported into wind slabs by Southwest winds in the alpine and at treeline. Strong solar radiation has resulted in moist snow on all solar aspects, and on all aspects below 1300 metres. Forecast overnight freezing levels should continue to develop melt-freeze crusts on these aspects and elevation bands. Approximately100cm rests on a graupel layer that can be found in much of the region. This makes for around 120-160 cm on top of the mid march crust at this point. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. It's up to 10 cm thick in places. The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 200cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Possible triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 35cm of recent new snow sits on top of a melt-freeze crust formed on March 25 on all aspects except steep north at tree-line and above. There is now 60 - 90cm of new snow on top of the March 10th crust. This crust is widespread to 2000m across the region, perhaps even higher on solar aspects. There are reports of the crust being as thick as 15cm in the south of the region, however there seems to be variability in how thick and supportive it is. As you head north in the region where the mountains are higher (temperatures were colder when the crust was forming) this crust is less likely to exist. If you are heading to the north of the region make sure you check out the South Columbia bulletin also.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 70 - 200cm, has been highly variable in terms of reactivity. In areas where the strong and supportive crust exists, triggering this layer has become unlikely. That said, any avalanches triggered on this deep persistent layer would be large and destructive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack is now going through melt-freeze cycles overnight. A surface crust can be expected in the morning but should break down in the afternoon and become moist. The wet weekend storm snow was reported to be well bonded to the old snow surface. Below roughly 1200m received mainly rain which was saturating the snowpack. The snowpack above treeline is typically isothermal with remnants of old crusts which are disappearing with the warm temperatures. There is one stronger crust down roughly 80cm which is more persistent. Recent snowpack tests suggest this layer still has the potential to produce avalanches in isolated areas. However, due to its depth, triggering of this layer is unlikely. At lower elevations, the entire snowpack has been saturated by heavy rain and much of it has been washed away. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Daytime high temperatures are hovering near zero as high as 1900m. Moist snow to 1600m was reported on Monday.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The weekend storm produced 15 - 70 cm of new snow. A gentle melt/freeze cycle Sunday and Monday is helping this snow to bond to the underlying melt freeze crust that exists below 2100m, on all aspects with the exception being north facing terrain above 1500m where the crust is not present. The first part of the storm was accompanied by strong southerly winds that formed Isolated wind slabs immediately below ridge crest. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">This snow adds additional load to the mid March surface hoar / crust interface, now down 80 - 110cm. The bond at this interface is improving making it less susceptible to human triggering.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The early-March crust/facet layer is down about 100-150 cm and the early February layer is now down close to 200 cm. These layers are largely dormant at this time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The lower snowpack is strong and well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weekend storm produced 30 to 50cm in the north and around 30 cm in the south. Mild temperatures and solar radiation on Monday/Tuesday are likely causing settlement of the storm snow and melting of the snow surface on most slopes expect maybe steep north aspects in the alpine. This settlement is helping this snow to bond to the underlying melt freeze crust that exists below 2100m, on all aspects with the exception being north facing terrain above 1500m where the crust is not present. The first part of the storm was accompanied by strong southerly winds that formed isolated wind slabs immediately below ridge crest.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The persistent weak layers from early March and early February continue to be a concern. The March melt-freeze crust/surface hoar is reported to be down 60 - 100cm. The February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is now deeply buried down 150 - 250cm and may still be triggered by heavy loads like cornice falls or storm slab avalanches in motion. Avalanches releasing on these layers may step down to the ground during periods of strong solar radiation or warm spring rain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">It's starting to feel like spring in the NW. Valley temps are creeping into the double digits during the day, and there are reports of the top 15 cm of the snowpack becoming moist during daytime heating.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The last significant shot of snow was on March 27th, 10 - 15 fell on March 30th. This new snow rests on top of a haggard old surface composed of old wind slab, melt freeze crust, and faceted old snow. Ongoing melt freeze cycles will likely help to heal any surface instabilities.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March layer can be found down 75 - 100cm and is composed of facets/surface hoar on shady aspects and facets/crust on southerly aspects. I suspect this layer has been the culprit in the human triggered avalanches from March 27/28 that are being reported on the Balktalk Facebook Page.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is down 150 - 200cm, and I suspect it's gone mostly dormant for now.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">It's starting to feel like spring in the NW. Valley temps are creeping into the double digits during the day, and there are reports of the top 15 cm of the snowpack becoming moist during daytime heating.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The last significant shot of snow was on March 27th, 10 - 15 fell on March 30th. This new snow rests on top of a haggard old surface composed of old wind slab, melt freeze crust, and faceted old snow. Ongoing melt freeze cycles will likely help to heal any surface instabilities.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March layer found in the upper snowpack is composed of facets/surface hoar on shady aspects and facets/crust on southerly aspects. I suspect this layer has been the culprit in the human triggered avalanches from March 27/28 in the neighboring NW Coastal region, that are being reported on the Balktalk Facebook Page.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo can be found deep in the snowpack, although I suspect it's gone dormant for now.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weekend storm produced 30-40cm of new snow. Reports suggest there is moist snow up to 1800m on all aspects and higher on south facing slopes. Stiffer wind slabs may exist in immediate leeward features on NW through E aspects in exposed terrain in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weaknesses contribute to a highly variable, fundamentally unstable, complex snowpack with step-down potential. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see fractures stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches stepping down can still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Some solar influences late in PM on steep sun exposed slopes with moist snow down 10cm. Recent storm snow settling with warming temps in PM. Consistently finding hard shears on the Feb 10 down 90-130cm - the shears are still sudden planar when they occur.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">No new snow overnight. Crusts on solar aspects at all elevations which are breaking down in the afternoon if exposed to solar radiation. The Feb 10th layer remains reactive down 90 to 120cm in the snowpack. This layer is responsible for continued natural and human-triggered avalanches over the past week.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Solar radiation and high freezing levels have created new melt-freeze crusts on Southerly aspects. The 20-40cm of recent new snow sits on top of a thick sun crust on solar aspects. 70-90 cm of settling storm snow from the past week rests on a graupel layer that can be found in much of the region. This makes for around 90 cm on top of the mid march crust at this point. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. North of Sparwood and in the Crowsnest Pass area, the buried crust seems more specific to previously sun-exposed slopes. T</span><span class="s_AA239A9B">he deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down 140 to 170cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Possible triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar 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_3FE45715">Forecast new snow and Southwest wind may result in a new storm slab. High freezing levels may limit crust recovery before the new snow arrives. There are a few crusts in the snowpack that we are following. The March 25th crust is now down about 20-30 cm buried below a well settled layer of recent snow. The March 10th crust is buried down 60-90 cm and is reported to be widespread across the region up to about 2000 metres elevation. The facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February is now down 70 - 200cm, and has been highly variable in terms of reactivity. In areas where the strong and supportive crust exists, triggering this layer has become unlikely. Avalanches releasing on this deeply buried weak layer could be very large and destructive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have resulted in good settlement and bonding of the storm snow from earlier in the week. Reports of human-triggered avalanches have diminished. Three persistent weaknesses contribute to a highly variable snow pack with the possibility of triggering deeper instabilities. The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to triggering by light loads, but still has the ability to produce large avalanches, we continue to hear reports of avalanches stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches picking up mass might still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent new snow has been transported into wind slabs by Southwest winds in the alpine and at treeline. Strong solar radiation has resulted in moist snow on all solar aspects, and on all aspects below 1300 metres. Forecast overnight freezing levels should continue to develop melt-freeze crusts on these aspects and elevation bands. Approximately100cm rests on a graupel layer that can be found in much of the region. This makes for around 120-160 cm on top of the mid march crust at this point. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. It's up to 10 cm thick in places. The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 200cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Possible triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snow surface is a mix of surface hoar and melt freeze crusts.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent warm temperatures have helped to settle and strengthen the upper snowpack. Down 15 - 70 cm below the surface, snowpack tests are still producing results on the late March crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The mid March surface hoar/ crust interface now down 80 - 110cm seams to be decreasing in it's sensitivity to triggering.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The early-March crust/facet layer is down about 100-150 cm and the early February layer is now down close to 200 cm. These layers are largely dormant at this time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The lower snowpack is strong and well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The last storm produced from 30 to 60cm in parts of the forecast region. Some areas have reported moist snow up to 1800m on all aspects and even higher on south facing slopes. Stiff wind slabs exist on leeward features on north through east aspects at tree line and in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weaknesses contribute to a highly variable, complex snowpack with the ability to produce large destructive avalanches. A mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An early March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see avalanches stepping down to this layer. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become less likely, however, a large load like a cornice failure or smaller avalanches gathering mass might trigger this layer and produce a very large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is a mix of surface hoar and melt freeze crusts.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have helped to settle and strengthen the upper snowpack. Down 30 - 50 cm below the surface, snowpack tests are still producing results on the late March crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The persistent weak layers from early March and early February continue to be a concern. The March melt-freeze crust/surface hoar is reported to be down 60 - 100cm. The February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is now deeply buried down 150 - 250cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is strong and 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_AA239A9B">The snow surface is wind affected and variable at the moment. Older, hard wind slabs may still be lingering in southwest facing alpine features. Pockets of undisturbed powder do still exist in sheltered areas away from the main highway corridor. On steep, north through east facing terrain, unsupported cornices are becoming weak during daytime warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A well settled slab 40-120cm thick now sits above the Feb 13 crust/facet/surface hoar interface. The layer is still exhibiting variable reactivity but still has the potential to produce large, destructive avalanches. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Basal facets still do exist near the ground. In the White Pass, this weakness is largely unreactive. In places with a more shallow snowpack like Powder Valley or the Wheaton Valley this layer could still be a concern. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">It's starting to feel like spring in the NW. Valley temps are creeping into the double digits during the day, and there are reports of the top 15 cm of the snowpack becoming moist during daytime heating.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The last significant shot of snow was on March 27th, 10 - 15 fell on March 30th. This new snow rests on top of a haggard old surface composed of old wind slab, melt freeze crust, and faceted old snow. Ongoing melt freeze cycles will likely help to heal any surface instabilities.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March layer can be found down 75 - 100cm and is composed of facets/surface hoar on shady aspects and facets/crust on southerly aspects. I suspect this layer has been the culprit in the human triggered avalanches from March 27/28 that are being reported on the Balktalk Facebook Page.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is down 150 - 200cm, and I suspect it's gone mostly dormant for now.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">It's starting to feel like spring in the NW. Valley temps are creeping into the double digits during the day, and there are reports of the top 15 cm of the snowpack becoming moist during daytime heating.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The last significant shot of snow was on March 27th, 10 - 15 fell on March 30th. This new snow rests on top of a haggard old surface composed of old wind slab, melt freeze crust, and faceted old snow. Ongoing melt freeze cycles will likely help to heal any surface instabilities.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March layer found in the upper snowpack is composed of facets/surface hoar on shady aspects and facets/crust on southerly aspects. I suspect this layer has been the culprit in the human triggered avalanches from March 27/28 in the neighboring NW Coastal region, that are being reported on the Balktalk Facebook Page.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo can be found deep in the snowpack, although I suspect it's gone dormant for now.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Melt-freeze crusts have been developing over the past few days due to high freezing levels and solar radiation during the day followed by low freezing levels and clear skies at night. The forecast combination of precipitation and high freezing levels may not result in much crust recovery before the rain/snow arrives. The snowpack below treeline is expected to become mostly rain soaked with little or no crust. Near ridgetops there may be some crust recovery that becomes buried with new snow. There is a buried crust down about 80 cm that may become reactive in isolated areas in steep terrain if there is enough load from new snow or rain. Due to the depth of burial, it is unlikely that this layer could be triggered by skiers/riders.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The last storm produced 30-40cm of new snow in parts of the forecast region. Reports suggest there has been moist snow up to 1800m on all aspects and perhaps higher on south facing slopes. Stiff wind slabs exist in lee terrain on NW through E aspects at tree line and into the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weaknesses now contribute to a highly variable, complex snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm has potential for human-triggering in select locations. Newly formed wind slabs may have been formed on this layer. An early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we have reports of avalanches stepping down to this layer. A mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer that we've been watching is now down at least 1.5m and although direct triggering has become less likely, a large load like a cornice failure or smaller avalanches gaining mass could trigger this layer and produce very a large and destructive avalanche.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 50cm of new snow has fallen in the central part of the region in the last storm, with lesser accumulations in the eastern part of the forecast region.. This new snow is settling well, but has also been formed into wind slabs on the lee sides of ridge crests by strong westerly winds.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Numerous crusts can be found in the upper 60cm of the snowpack on south facing slopes. The March 15 crust/surface hoar interface is down approximately 50-80cm in most parts of the forecast area. At 90-120cm below the surface you may find surface hoar and crusts that were buried at the beginning of March. This interface is still touchy in some areas, particularly in the north of the region and continues to produce sudden planar failures in compression tests.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 120 - 200cm, has proven to be reactive and should not be trusted. An avalanche on any of these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering is unlikely.</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">Melt-freeze crusts have been developing over the past few days due to high freezing levels and solar radiation during the day followed by low freezing levels and clear skies at night. The forecast combination of precipitation and high freezing levels may not result in much crust recovery before the rain/snow arrives. The snowpack below treeline is expected to become mostly rain soaked with little or no crust. Near ridgetops there may be some crust recovery that becomes buried with new snow. There is a buried crust down about 80 cm that may become reactive in isolated areas in steep terrain if there is enough load from new snow or rain. Due to the depth of burial, it is unlikely that this layer could be triggered by skiers/riders.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have resulted in good settlement and bonding of the storm snow from earlier in the week. Reports of human-triggered avalanches have diminished. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weaknesses contribute to a highly variable snow pack with the possibility of triggering deeper instabilities. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to triggering by light loads, but still has the ability to produce large avalanches, we continue to hear reports of avalanches stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches picking up mass might still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 50cm of new snow has fallen in the central part of the region in the last storm, with lesser accumulations in the eastern part of the forecast region.. This new snow is settling well, but has also been formed into wind slabs on the lee sides of ridge crests by strong westerly winds.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Numerous crusts can be found in the upper 60cm of the snowpack on south facing slopes. The March 15 crust/surface hoar interface is down approximately 50-80cm in most parts of the forecast area. At 90-120cm below the surface you may find surface hoar and crusts that were buried at the beginning of March. This interface is still touchy in some areas, particularly in the north of the region and continues to produce sudden planar failures in compression tests.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, now down 120 - 200cm, has proven to be reactive and should not be trusted. An avalanche on any of these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but without a large load, triggering is unlikely.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent new snow has been transported into wind slabs by Southwest winds in the alpine and at treeline. Strong solar radiation has resulted in moist snow on all solar aspects, and on all aspects below 1300 metres. Forecast overnight freezing levels should continue to develop melt-freeze crusts on these aspects and elevation bands. Approximately100cm rests on a graupel layer that can be found in much of the region. This makes for around 120-160 cm on top of the mid march crust at this point. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. It's up to 10 cm thick in places. The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 200cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Possible triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is a large variation in snowfall amounts across the forecast area. Spring snow squalls have deposited between 10 and 15cm of snow in the last few days. That now overlies 30 to 75 cm of snowfall from the last series of storms. Most areas are reporting moist snow and/or sun crust up to 1800m on all but true north aspects. Wind slabs have formed on lee slopes on north through east aspects at tree line and above, and some areas have reported surface hoar forming in sheltered locations.  A real Mixed Bag !</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> There are three persistent weaknesses to be aware of:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An early March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see avalanches stepping down to this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer, now buried at least 1.5m  in most parts of the region. Direct triggering has become less likely, but a large load like a cornice failure or a small avalanche gathering mass might trigger this layer and produce a very large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm has produced 15 - 25cm of new snow as of Thursday afternoon. This snow rests on surface hoar, small grained facets and melt freeze crusts.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Previous to Thursday's snow, it was starting to feel like spring in the NW. Valley temps have been creeping into the double digits during the day, and there are reports of the top 15 cm of the snowpack regularly becoming moist with daytime heating.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Prior to the snowfall Thursday, the last significant shot of snow was on March 27th, another 10 - 15 fell on March 30th. This old storm snow rests on top of a haggard old surface composed of old wind slab, melt freeze crust, and faceted old snow. I suspect the ongoing melt freeze cycles have largely healed any instabilities associated with this interface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March layer can be found down 75 - 100cm and is composed of facets/surface hoar on shady aspects and facets/crust on southerly aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is down 150 - 200cm, and I suspect it's gone mostly dormant for now.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm has produced 10 - 20cm of new snow as of Thursday afternoon. This snow rests on surface hoar, small grained facets and melt freeze crusts.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Previous to Thursday's snow, it was starting to feel like spring in the NW. Valley temps have been creeping into the double digits during the day, and there are reports of the top 15 cm of the snowpack regularly becoming moist with daytime heating.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Prior to the snowfall Thursday, the last significant shot of snow was on March 27th, another 10 - 15 fell on March 30th. This old storm snow rests on top of a haggard old surface composed of old wind slab, melt freeze crust, and faceted old snow. I suspect the ongoing melt freeze cycles have largely healed any instabilities associated with this interface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March layer can be found down 75 - 100cm and is composed of facets/surface hoar on shady aspects and facets/crust on southerly aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is down 150 - 200cm, and I suspect it's gone mostly dormant for now.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Dust on crust on all solar aspects and all elevations. With the warm air temps lately a weak temperature crust has also formed below 2000m on all aspects. The storm snow from the last week or so is still untouched by wind. The only exception is the high alpine where soft slabs may have formed. Below the new snow, the buried windslabs are bonding well to each other. However, the bond to the Feb 10 layer is still slow and weak in thinner snowpack areas. It is down 110-130 cm's at treeline. Cornices are becoming a problem with the high solar/air temps.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast new snow and Southwest wind may result in a new storm slab. High freezing levels may limit crust recovery before the new snow arrives. There are a few crusts in the snowpack that we are following. The March 25th crust is now down about 20-30 cm buried below a well settled layer of recent snow. The March 10th crust is buried down 60-90 cm and is reported to be widespread across the region up to about 2000 metres elevation. The facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February is now down 70 - 200cm, and has been highly variable in terms of reactivity. In areas where the strong and supportive crust exists, triggering this layer has become unlikely. Avalanches releasing on this deeply buried weak layer could be very large and destructive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Solar radiation and high freezing levels have created new melt-freeze crusts on Southerly aspects. The 20-40cm of recent new snow sits on top of a thick sun crust on solar aspects. 70-90 cm of settling storm snow from the past week rests on a graupel layer that can be found in much of the region. This makes for around 90 cm on top of the mid march crust at this point. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. North of Sparwood and in the Crowsnest Pass area, the buried crust seems more specific to previously sun-exposed slopes. T</span><span class="s_AA239A9B">he deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down 140 to 170cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Possible triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar 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_3FE45715">Convective squalls have produced 5 to 10 cm in the last 24 hrs throughout the forecast region. Previous storm snow continues to settle and bond. Suncrust from the last clear sunny days is now being buried by convective activity, wind slabs exist in lee terrain on NW through E aspects at tree line and into the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weaknesses now contribute to a highly variable, complex snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm has potential for human-triggering in select locations. New wind slabs may have been formed on this layer. An early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches. We have reports of avalanches stepping down to this layer. A mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer that we've been watching is now down at least 1.5m and although direct triggering has become less likely, a large load like a cornice failure or smaller avalanches gaining mass could trigger this layer and produce very a large and destructive avalanche.</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">The snow surface is a mix of surface hoar, small grained facets and melt freeze crusts.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent warm temperatures have helped to settle and strengthen the upper snowpack. Down 15 - 70 cm below the surface, snowpack tests are still producing hard resistant planar shears on the late March crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The mid March surface hoar/ crust interface now down 80 - 110cm is decreasing in it's sensitivity to triggering.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The early-March crust/facet layer is down about 100-150 cm and the early February layer is now down close to 200 cm. These layers are largely dormant at this time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The lower snowpack is strong and well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is a mix of surface hoar, small grained facets and melt freeze crusts.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have helped to settle and strengthen the upper snowpack. Down 30 - 50 cm below the surface, snowpack tests are still producing hard resistant planar shears on the late March crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The persistent weak layers from early March and early February continue to be a concern. The March melt-freeze crust/surface hoar is reported to be down 60 - 100cm. The February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is now deeply buried down 150 - 250cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is strong and 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">Solar radiation and high freezing levels have created new melt-freeze crusts on Southerly aspects. The 20-40cm of recent new snow sits on top of a thick sun crust on solar aspects. 70-90 cm of settling storm snow from the past week rests on a graupel layer that can be found in much of the region. This makes for around 90 cm on top of the mid march crust at this point. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. North of Sparwood and in the Crowsnest Pass area, the buried crust seems more specific to previously sun-exposed slopes. T</span><span class="s_AA239A9B">he deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down 140 to 170cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Possible triggers include a large cornice fall, a large input in a thin snowpack area or solar 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_3FE45715">5-10 cm of wet new snow settled and bonded to the old surface. The series of old crusts and settled snow in the upper snowpack are reported to be stable and present no avalanche problems. There is still some concern for the crust that is buried down about 80 cm. Due to the depth of burial, it is unlikely that this layer could be triggered by skiers/riders. Forecast new snow and wind may develop a new storm slab at higher elevations, and rain may result in loose wet slides at lower elevations. Watch the freezing level to see if the precipitation will be rain or snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Convective squalls have produced 5 to 10 cm in the last few days throughout the forecast region. Suncrust from the last clear sunny days, has been buried by convective snow squall activity. Wind slabs still exist (and may be building) in lee terrain on NW through E aspects at tree line and above.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weaknesses now contribute to a highly variable, complex snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm has potential for human-triggering in select locations( New wind slabs have been formed on this layer).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches. We've received recent reports of avalanches stepping down to this layer. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer that we've been watching is now down around 1.5m and still producing sudden planar shears in snow pit tests. Although direct triggering of this weak layer has become less likely, a large load like a cornice failure or smaller avalanches gaining mass could trigger this layer and produce very a large and destructive avalanche.</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">There is 5-10 cm of new snow that developed a new storm slab. The new thin storm slab is sitting on a 2-5 cm melt-freeze crust that developed over the past few days on all but shaded North aspects in the alpine. This crust has been reported to be &quot;knife&quot; resistance in some parts of the region and may have a layer of surface hoar below the new storm snow. There is now about 75 cm of well compacted snow above the March 10th melt-freeze crust. In some areas the March 10th crust is helping to bridge over the deeply buried late January/early February persistent weak layer. The Jan/Feb deep persistent weak layer continues to be a concern for very large destructive avalanches. Releases on this layer may be more likely during periods of strong solar radiation and/or prolonged warm temperatures at alpine elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Moderate winds have started to shift the alpine and upper treeline snow. By early afternoon today soft slabs were were forming on N to SE aspects. Crossloading was observed at treeline as well. The warm air has let the temperature crusts creep up in elevation. We can expect to see them up to 2200m by tomorrow. Any slope exposed to the sun will have sun crusts that are building daily. The Feb 10th layer is down 130cm's at treeline and giving hard shears in snow tests. This layer is getting better, but slowly. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In most higher elevation areas, 15-20 cm of new snow sits on a mix of surface hoar, small grained facets and melt freeze crusts.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent warm temperatures have helped to settle and strengthen the upper snowpack. Down 15 - 70 cm below the surface, snowpack tests are still producing hard resistant planar shears on the late March crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The mid March surface hoar/ crust interface now down 80 - 110cm is decreasing in it's sensitivity to triggering.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The early-March crust/facet layer is down about 100-150 cm and the early February layer is now down close to 200 cm. These layers are largely dormant at this time.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The lower snowpack is strong and well settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 new snow sits above a mix of surface hoar, small grained facets and melt freeze crusts.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have helped to settle and strengthen the upper snowpack. Down 30 - 50 cm below the surface, snowpack tests are still producing hard resistant planar shears on the late March crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The persistent weak layers from early March and early February continue to be a concern. The March melt-freeze crust/surface hoar is reported to be down 60 - 100cm. The February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is now deeply buried down 150 - 250cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The lower snowpack is strong and 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">15 - 25cm new snow fell on Thursday onto a mix of surface hoar, small grained facets and melt freeze crusts.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Previous to Thursday's snow, it was starting to feel like spring in the NW. Valley temps have been creeping into the double digits during the day, and there were reports of the top 15 cm of the snowpack regularly becoming moist with daytime heating. Previous snow that fell between March 27th to 30th fell on on top of a haggard old surface composed of old wind slab, melt freeze crust, and faceted old snow. I suspect the ongoing melt freeze cycles have largely healed any instabilities associated with this interface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March layer can be found down 75 - 100cm and is composed of facets/surface hoar on shady aspects and facets/crust on southerly aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is down 150 - 200cm. This layer was responsible for a couple of unexpected large avalanches right at the end of March and the beginning of April. I would not rule out the possibility of this layer re-awakening if and when we get a prolonged period of warming and/or intense solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong gusty winds may have continued to develop wind slabs in the alpine in areas that still have some snow available for transport. Sunny days have resulted in moist snow in the top 40 cm below 2000 metres that now has a re-frozen surface crust reducing foot penetration to 10 cm or less. Above 2000 metres the crust has been reported to be supportive. There is around 120-160 cm on top of the mid march crust at this time. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. It's up to 10 cm thick in places. The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 200cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Forecast strong solar radiation and prolonged warming early next week are a concern for triggering this weak layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm new snow fell on Thursday, which rests on a mix of surface hoar, small grained facets and melt freeze crusts.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Previous to Thursday's snow, it was starting to feel like spring in the NW. Valley temps have been creeping into the double digits during the day, and there are reports of the top 15 cm of the snowpack regularly becoming moist with daytime heating. Previous snow  falling between March 27th and 30th (15-30 cm) fell on top of a haggard old surface composed of old wind slab, melt freeze crust, and faceted old snow. I suspect the ongoing melt freeze cycles have largely healed any instabilities associated with this interface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early March layer can be found down 75 - 100cm and is composed of facets/surface hoar on shady aspects and facets/crust on southerly aspects. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is down 150 - 200cm. While it's been mostly dormant, I would not rule out the possibility of it reawakening if we see prolonged warming and/or intense sunshine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snowpack is highly variable across the forecast region. The last snow fall is well settled now, although there may still be wind slabs on the lee sides of ridge crests mostly north and north east. Moist snow&nbsp; during the day on all solar aspects below 1800 metres, crusts later in the day when the solar aspects become shady,&nbsp; Crust on north aspects in the middle elevations, and surface hoar has formed on protected north aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Numerous crusts can be found in the upper snowpack on south facing slopes. A March 15 crust/surface hoar interface is down approximately 50-80cm in most parts of the forecast area. At 60 to 120cm below the surface you may find surface hoar and crusts that were buried at the beginning of March. This interface is still touchy in some areas, and continues to produce sudden planar failures in compression tests.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, is now down 80 to 180 cm, and still reactive in test pits. An avalanche on any of these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but&nbsp; triggering is unlikely, without a big load.</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">The snow surface in White Pass is currently very wind affected and variable. The upper 5-10cm is beginning to become moist on low elevation, east facing slopes. In addition, steep, rocky, south facing features are beginning to show the affects of the sun. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A well settled slab 40-120cm thick now sits above the February 13 crust/facet/surface hoar interface. Though bonding at this interface seems to be improving, this layer is still exhibiting variable reactivity and still has the potential to produce large, destructive avalanches. Recent observations suggest this layer has the potential to wake up with daytime warming, especially at lower elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Basal facets do still exists near the ground. In White Pass, this weakness is largely unreactive. In places with a more shallow snowpack like Powder Valley or the Wheaton Valley this layer could still be a concern. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There's a large variation in snowfall amounts across the forecast area. With recent convective snow squalls we now have 50 to 75 cm of snowfall from the last series of storms. Most areas are reporting moist snow and/or sun crust up to 1800m on all but true north aspects. Wind slabs have formed on lee slopes on north through east aspects at tree line and above, and some areas have reported surface hoar forming in sheltered locations. A real Mixed Bag !</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are three persistent weak layers to be aware of:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An early March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see avalanches stepping down to this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer, now buried at least 1.5m in most parts of the region. Direct triggering has become less likely, but a large load like a cornice failure or a small avalanche gathering mass might trigger this layer and produce a very large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have resulted in good settlement and bonding of the storm snow from earlier in the week, but wind slabs may still be touchy on north and east aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weaknesses contribute to a highly variable snow pack with the possibility of triggering deeper instabilities. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to triggering by light loads, but still has the ability to produce large avalanches, we continue to hear reports of avalanches stepping down to this layer. The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and direct triggering has become unlikely. However, large loads like cornices or smaller avalanches picking up mass might still trigger this layer and produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is a highly variable snowpack throughout the forecast region, however...recent snow falls are are reported to be settling well and bonding to the variety of snow surfaces. Wind slabs have formed on the lee sides of ridge crests, mostly north and north east. Moist snow during the day on all solar aspects below 1800 metres, Sluffing in steep terrain. Surface facetting and surface hoar has been reported in protected north facing locations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Numerous crusts can be found in the upper snowpack on south facing slopes. A March 15 crust/surface hoar interface is down approximately 50-80cm in most parts of the forecast area. At 60 to 120cm below the surface you may find surface hoar and crusts that were buried at the beginning of March. This interface is still touchy in some areas, and continues to produce sudden planar failures in compression tests.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The deeper facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February, is now down 120to 180 cm, and still reactive in test pits. An avalanche on any of these deeper, persistent interfaces would be large and destructive. Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but triggering is unlikely, without a big load.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong gusty winds may have continued to develop wind slabs in the alpine in areas that still have some snow available for transport. Sunny days have resulted in moist snow in the top 40 cm below 2000 metres that now has a re-frozen surface crust reducing foot penetration to 10 cm or less. Above 2000 metres the crust has been reported to be supportive. There is around 120-160 cm on top of the mid march crust at this time. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. It's up to 10 cm thick in places. The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 200cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Forecast strong solar radiation and prolonged warming early next week are a concern for triggering this weak layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Another 5-10 cm of new snow overnight has increased the recent storm slab to 10-30 cm in depth. The new thin storm slab is sitting on a 2-5 cm melt-freeze crust that developed over the past few days on all but shaded North aspects in the alpine. This crust has been reported to be &quot;knife&quot; resistance in some parts of the region and may have a layer of surface hoar below the new storm snow. There is now about 75 cm of well compacted snow above the March 10th melt-freeze crust. In some areas the March 10th crust is helping to bridge over the deeply buried late January/early February persistent weak layer. The Jan/Feb deep persistent weak layer continues to be a concern for very large destructive avalanches. Releases on this layer may be more likely during periods of strong solar radiation and/or prolonged warm temperatures at alpine elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the Smith Basin area there is 140 cm below treeline and the top 40 cm was found to be moist and well consolidated. The March crust below was decomposing at this location. The February deep persistent weak layer was down 80 cm and well preserved. Higher up at about 2300 metres the height of snow was a little over two metres. The March crust was not intact at this location and did not result in any shears in snow profile tests. The February DPWL was down 100 cm and was a well defined layer of softer facetted snow below the hard (pencil) snow of the well settled mid-pack. Hard sudden collapse shears were recorded at the interface of the February DPWL. New snow was being transported by the strong gusty winds at the ridgetops. The foot penetration was 25-30 cm, which suggests that there continues to be snow available for transport at higher elevations. Cornices are very large and new growth is expected to be weak and easy to trigger. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Today's field trip took us to a notoriously thin snowpack area on the east side of the Smith Dorrien Road.. The HS varied from 20-50cm's. At treeline, we found the bottom layers to be very weak and consisted mostly of depth hoar and facets. Above that base layer sits a slab that has lost most of its structure from the freeze/thaw cycles. No whumphing or cracking was observed.  The day time warming has begun to stabilize all aspects up to 2100m. Any slope that has seen the sun now has a 1-2cm sun crust  on top. In other areas in the park, the Feb 10 is down 120-140cm's at treeline with hard shears. The recent winds have created windslabs in open areas at treeline and above. These are not reactive at the moment and expected to bond quickly to the underlying layers. Generally lots of snow settlement in all areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 cm of wet new snow settled and bonded to the old surface. The series of old crusts and settled snow in the upper snowpack are reported to be stable and present no avalanche problems. There is still some concern for the crust that is buried down about 80 cm. Due to the depth of burial, it is unlikely that this layer could be triggered by skiers/riders. Forecast new snow and wind may develop a new storm slab at higher elevations, and rain may result in loose wet slides at lower elevations. Watch the freezing level to see if the precipitation will be rain or snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have resulted in good settlement and bonding of the storm snow from earlier in the week, but wind slabs may still be touchy on north and east aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weaknesses contribute to a highly variable snow pack with the possibility of triggering deeper instabilities. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to triggering by light loads, but still has the ability to produce large avalanches, we continue to hear reports of avalanches stepping down to this layer. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is typically down at least 1.5m and one operator has reported it at 210cm! Direct triggering of this layer has become unlikely, however, al large load like cornice failure or a smaller avalanche gaining mass might still trigger this layer and produce a very large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent mild temperatures have contributed to a generally well-settled upper snow pack. Wind slabs have been forming in lee terrain on NW through E aspects at tree line and above as a result of moderate to strong upper level winds associated with the new snow.&nbsp; Stability will decrease with daytime warming.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weaknesses to be aware of:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm has potential for human-triggering in select locations( New wind slabs have been formed on this layer).</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches. We've received recent reports of avalanches stepping down to this layer. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer that we've been watching is now down around 1.5m and still producing sudden planar shears in snow pit tests. Although direct triggering of this weak layer has become less likely, a large load like a cornice failure or smaller avalanches gaining mass could trigger this layer and produce very a large and destructive avalanche.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow pack varies greatly across the forecast area. With recent convective snow squalls we now have 50 to 75 cm of snowfall from the last series of storms that is reported to be bonding well to a variety of surfaces. Many areas are reporting moist snow and/or sun crust up to 1800m on all but true north aspects. Wind slabs have formed on lee slopes on north through east aspects at tree line and above, and some areas have reported surface hoar forming in sheltered locations. A real Mixed Bag !</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are three persistent weak layers to be aware of:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated locations. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An early March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human-triggers, but still has the potential to produce large avalanches, and we continue to see avalanches stepping down to this layer.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer, now buried at least 1.5m in most parts of the region. Direct triggering has become less likely, but a large load like a cornice failure or a small avalanche gathering mass might trigger this layer and produce a very large avalanche.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 15 cm of new snow sits above a mix of surface hoar, facets and melt freeze crusts. The new snow seems to have a poor bond to old surfaces and isolated wind slabs likely exist. Solar radiation will likely weaken the snow surfaces and become moist or wet. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have helped to settle and strengthen the upper snowpack and snowpack tests have been producing hard resistant planar shears on the late March crust down 30-50 cm. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The persistent weak layers from early March and early February continue to be a concern. The March melt-freeze crust/surface hoar is reported to be down 60 - 100cm. The February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is now deeply buried down 150 - 250cm. These layers are mostly inactive at this time, but could re-awaken with extended warming, solar influence and precipitation through the forecast period.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Higher elevation areas have recently received up to 20 cm of new snow which sits on a variety of old snow surfaces including surface hoar, facets and melt freeze crusts. Isolated wind slabs have formed and a poor bond seem to exist, especially on slopes with a melt-freeze crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have helped to settle and strengthen the upper snowpack and tests are producing hard resistant planar shears on the late March crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Persistent weak layers exist lower in the snowpack. The mid-March surface hoar/ crust interface now down 80-110 cm and is decreasing in sensitivity to triggering. The early-March crust/facet layer is down about 100-150 cm and the early February layer is now down close to 200 cm. These layers are largely dormant at this time; however they should remain on your radar as we begin to transition into a warm-up with minimal overnight refreeze through the forecast period. These layers may re-awaken.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 30 cm new snow fell onto a mix of surface hoar, small grained facets, melt freeze crusts and firm wind pressed snow. The new snow seems to be bonding poorly to these older snow surfaces and isolated wind slabs have formed at upper elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Previous snow that fell between March 27-30th fell on top of a variety of old snow surfaces. I suspect the ongoing melt freeze cycles have largely healed any instabilities associated with this interface. Below treeline a spring-like snowpack exists including melt-freeze crusts and isothermal conditions. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two persistent weak interfaces exist deeper in the snowpack. The early March layer can be found down 75 - 100cm and is composed of facets/surface hoar on shady aspects and facets/crust on southerly aspects. The early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is down 150 - 200cm. This layer was responsible for a couple of unexpected large avalanches right at the end of March and the beginning of April. These layers should be on your radar and could become reactive with intense loading from rain/snow, warm temperatures and strong winds that are expected during this forecast period.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm new snow recently fell onto a variety of old snow surfaces consisting of surface hoar, small grained facets and melt freeze crusts. A poor bond likely exists.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Previous snow that fell between March 27-30th fell on top of a variety of old snow surfaces. I suspect the ongoing melt freeze cycles have largely healed any instabilities associated with this interface. Below treeline a spring-like snowpack exists including melt-freeze crusts and possibly isothermal conditions. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two persistent weak interfaces exist deeper in the snowpack. The early March layer can be found down 75 - 100cm and is composed of facets/surface hoar on shady aspects and facets/crust on southerly aspects. The early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is down 150 - 200cm. While it's been mostly dormant, I would not rule out the possibility of it reawakening if we see prolonged warming and/or intense sunshine. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The series of old crusts and settled snow in the upper snowpack are reported to be stable and present no avalanche problems. There is still some concern for the crust that is buried down about 80 cm. Due to the depth of burial, it is unlikely that this layer could be triggered by skiers/riders. Forecast new snow and wind may develop a new storm slab at higher elevations, and rain may result in loose wet slides at lower elevations. Watch the freezing level to see if the precipitation will be rain or snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow increased the recent storm slab to 15-40 cm in depth. The new thin storm slab is sitting on a 2-5 cm melt-freeze crust that developed last week on all but shaded North aspects in the alpine. This crust has been reported to be &quot;knife&quot; resistance in some parts of the region and may have a layer of surface hoar below the new storm snow. There is now about 75 cm of well compacted snow above the March 10th melt-freeze crust. In some areas the March 10th crust is helping to bridge over the deeply buried late January/early February persistent weak layer. The Jan/Feb deep persistent weak layer continues to be a concern for very large destructive avalanches. Releases on this layer may be more likely during periods of strong solar radiation and/or prolonged warm temperatures at alpine elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong gusty winds may have continued to develop wind slabs in the alpine in areas that still have some snow available for transport. Sunny days have resulted in moist snow in the top 40 cm below 2000 metres that now has a re-frozen surface crust reducing foot penetration to 10 cm or less. Above 2000 metres the crust has been reported to be supportive. There is around 120-160 cm on top of the mid march crust at this time. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. It's up to 10 cm thick in places. The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 200cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Forecast strong solar radiation and prolonged warming over the next few days are a concern for triggering this weak layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of new snow sits above a mix of surface hoar, facets and melt freeze crusts. The new snow seems to have a poor bond to old surfaces and isolated wind slabs likely exist. Warmer temperatures and rising freezing levels will likely weaken the snow surfaces and become moist or wet.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have helped to settle and strengthen the upper snowpack and snowpack tests have been producing hard resistant planar shears on the late March crust down 30-50 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The persistent weak layers from early March and early February continue to be a concern. The March melt-freeze crust/surface hoar is reported to be down 60 - 100cm. The February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is now deeply buried down 150 - 250cm. These layers are mostly inactive at this time, but could re-awaken with extended warming, solar influence and precipitation through the forecast period.</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 new storm slab will likely build with new snow accumulations though Monday. The new snow will add to the 20 cm that fell last Thursday onto a variety of old snow surfaces consisting of surface hoar, facets and melt freeze crusts. A poor bond likely exists.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Previous snow that fell at the end of March seems to have settled and I suspect the ongoing melt freeze cycles have largely healed any instabilities associated with this interface. Below treeline a spring-like snowpack exists including melt-freeze crusts and possibly isothermal conditions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two persistent weak interfaces exist deeper in the snowpack. The early March layer can be found down 75 - 100cm and is composed of facets/surface hoar on shady aspects and facets/crust on southerly aspects. The early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is down 150 - 200cm. While it's been mostly dormant, I would not rule out the possibility of it reawakening if we see prolonged warming and/or intense sunshine and new load from snow and rain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Check out the new </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/forecaster-blog/" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">Forecasters Blog</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> post on warming and solar influences on the snowpack.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">An additional 10-40 cm of snow at upper elevations is forecast, followed by heavy precipitation on Monday. The snowpack will be under the influence of direct rapid change, and will become weak and unstable. This additional load will fall  onto a mix of surface hoar, facets, melt freeze crusts and firm wind pressed snow and will likely have a poor bond. Storm and wind slabs will form, especially at upper elevations. Lower elevations the snowpack will likely become saturated adding to the already isothermal conditions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two persistent weak interfaces exist deeper in the snowpack. The early March layer can be found down 75 - 100cm and is composed of facets/surface hoar on shady aspects and facets/crust on southerly aspects. The early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is down 150 - 200cm. This layer was responsible for a couple of unexpected large avalanches right at the end of March and the beginning of April. These layers should be on your radar and could become reactive with intense loading from rain/snow, warm temperatures and strong winds.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have resulted in good settlement and bonding of the storm snow from earlier in the week, but you may find the odd skier triggerable wind slab on north and east aspects.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weak layers exist in the highly variable snowpack of the Columbias:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human triggering, but still has the capacity to produce large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is typically down 150 - 200cm. Direct triggering of this layer has become unlikely, however, cornice fall, a smaller avalanche in motion or prolonged warming may wake this layer up, which would result in very large and destructive avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have resulted in good settlement and bonding of the 50 - 75cm of storm snow from last week, but you may find the odd skier triggerable wind slab on north through east facing aspects at and above treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weak layers exist in the highly variable snowpack of the Columbias:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human triggering, but still has the capacity to produce large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is typically down 150 - 200cm. Direct triggering of this layer has become unlikely, however, cornice fall, a smaller avalanche in motion or prolonged warming may wake this layer up, which would result in very large and destructive avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Very little change out there of late.  Temperature crusts are being found on all aspects up to 2000m and up to ridgelines on solar aspects.  The 0210 layer is down 100-150cm throughout the forecast region and despite a decline in recent natural activity on this layer, it is still our main concern in the snowpack.  We are not into a cycle of good melts and freezes and a true spring snowpack as of yet.  Conditions are still very wintery at this time...</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the Smith Basin area there is 140 cm below treeline and the top 40 cm was found to be moist and well consolidated. The March crust below was decomposing at this location. The February deep persistent weak layer was down 80 cm and well preserved. Higher up at about 2300 metres the height of snow was a little over two metres. The March crust was not intact at this location and did not result in any shears in snow profile tests. The February DPWL was down 100 cm and was a well defined layer of softer facetted snow below the hard (pencil) snow of the well settled mid-pack. Hard sudden collapse shears were recorded at the interface of the February DPWL. New snow was being transported by the strong gusty winds at the ridgetops. The foot penetration was 25-30 cm, which suggests that there continues to be snow available for transport at higher elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the Elk Valley South the height of snow at 1900 metres was 430 cm. The snow was dry and loose above 1700-1800 metres and moist below where loose wet slides had released on solar aspects. There was a 2-3 cm supportive crust on Southerly aspects above 1900 metres, and no crust on shaded North aspects.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Higher elevation areas have recently received up to 20 cm of new snow which sits on a variety of old snow surfaces including surface hoar, facets and melt freeze crusts. Isolated wind slabs have formed and a poor bond seem to exist, especially on slopes with a buried crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have helped to settle and strengthen the upper snowpack and tests are producing hard resistant planar shears on the late March crust. Below treeline a spring-like melt-freeze snowpack exists. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Persistent weak layers exist lower in the snowpack. The mid-March surface hoar/ crust interface now down 80 -110 cm and is decreasing in sensitivity to triggering. The early-March crust/facet layer is down about 100-150 cm and the early February layer is now down close to 200 cm. These layers are largely dormant at this time; however, they should remain on your radar as we begin to transition into a warm-up with minimal overnight refreeze through the forecast period. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have resulted in good settlement and bonding of the storm snow from last week, but you may find the odd skier triggerable wind slab on north through east facing aspects at and above treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weak layers exist in the highly variable snowpack of the Columbias:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human triggering, but still has the capacity to produce large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is typically down 60 - 120cm. Direct triggering of this layer has become unlikely, however, cornice fall, a smaller avalanche in motion or prolonged warming may wake this layer up, which would result in very large and destructive avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but triggering is unlikely.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have resulted in good settlement and bonding of the storm snow from last week, but you may find the odd skier triggerable wind slab on northwest through east facing aspects at and above treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weak layers exist in the highly variable snowpack of the Columbias:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human triggering, but still has the capacity to produce large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is typically down 150 - 200cm. Direct triggering of this layer has become unlikely, however, cornice fall, a smaller avalanche in motion or prolonged warming may wake this layer up, which would result in very large and destructive avalanches. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of new snow sits above a mix of surface hoar, facets and melt freeze crusts. The new snow seems to have a poor bond to old surfaces and isolated wind slabs likely exist. Warmer temperatures and rising freezing levels will likely weaken the snow surfaces and become moist or wet.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have helped to settle and strengthen the upper snowpack and snowpack tests have been producing hard resistant planar shears on the late March crust down 30-50 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The persistent weak layers from early March and early February continue to be a concern. The March melt-freeze crust/surface hoar is reported to be down 60 - 100cm. The February crust/facet/surface hoar layer is now deeply buried down 150 - 250cm. These layers are mostly inactive at this time, but could re-awaken with extended warming, solar influence and precipitation through the forecast period.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Higher elevation areas have recently received up to 25 cm of new snow which sits on a variety of old snow surfaces including surface hoar, facets and melt freeze crusts. Isolated wind slabs have formed and a poor bond seem to exist, especially on slopes with a buried crust.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have helped to settle and strengthen the upper snowpack and tests are producing hard resistant planar shears on the late March crust. Below 1800 m a spring-like melt-freeze snowpack exists.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Persistent weak layers exist lower in the snowpack. The mid-March surface hoar/ crust interface now down 80 -110 cm. The early-March crust/facet layer is down about 100-150 cm and the early February layer is now down close to 200 cm. These layers are largely dormant at this time; however, they should remain on your radar as we begin to transition into a warm-up with minimal overnight re-freeze.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The series of old crusts and settled snow in the upper snowpack are reported to be stable and present no avalanche problems. There is still some concern for the crust that is buried down about 80 cm. Due to the depth of burial, it is unlikely that this layer could be triggered by skiers/riders. Recent precipitation has fallen as rain. Further rain may result in some limited loose wet activity, especially on steep gully sides, but mostly it is simply likely to soak into an already saturated snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15 cm of new snow fell at upper elevations and up to 30 mm of rain below treeline. The new snow will add to the20 cm that fell last Thursday onto a variety of old snow surfaces consisting of surface hoar, facets and melt freeze crusts. Strong SW winds have likely built new wind slabs on leeward aspects and a poor bond may exist.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline a spring-like snowpack exists including melt-freeze crusts and possibly isothermal conditions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two persistent weak interfaces exist deeper in the snowpack. The early March layer can be found down 75 - 100cm and is composed of facets/surface hoar on shady aspects and facets/crust on southerly aspects. The early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is down 150 - 200cm. While it's been mostly dormant, I would not rule out the possibility of it reawakening if we see prolonged warming and/or intense sunshine and new load from snow and rain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 30 cm (25-35 mm) of new snow fell overnight Sunday at upper elevations forming new storm slabs. Strong southerly winds has transported the new snow building thick wind slabs on leeward features and potentially overloading persistent weak layers that exist lower in the snowpack. I suspect cornices have grown large. At lower elevations the snowpack will likely become saturated adding to the already spring-like isothermal conditions.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Two persistent weak interfaces exist deeper in the snowpack. The early March layer can be found down 75 - 100cm and is composed of facets/surface hoar on shady aspects and facets/crust on southerly aspects. The early February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is down 150 - 200cm. This layer was responsible for a couple of unexpected large avalanches right at the end of March and the beginning of April. These layers should be on your radar and could become reactive with intense loading from rain/snow, warm temperatures and strong winds.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have resulted in good settlement and bonding of the storm snow from earlier in the week, but there are still isolated rider triggerable wind slabs on wind exposed north through east facing features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weak layers exist in the highly variable snowpack of the Columbias:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human triggering, but still has the capacity to produce large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is typically down 150 - 200cm. Direct triggering of this layer has become unlikely, however, cornice fall, a smaller avalanche in motion or prolonged warming may wake this layer up, which would result in very large and destructive avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have resulted in good settlement and bonding of the storm snow from last week, but there are still isolated rider triggerable wind slabs on wind exposed alpine features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weak layers exist in the highly variable snowpack of the Columbias:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human triggering, but still has the capacity to produce large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is typically down 60 - 120cm. Direct triggering of this layer has become unlikely, however, cornice fall, a smaller avalanche in motion or prolonged warming may wake this layer up, which would result in very large and destructive avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weak basal facets exist in many areas, but triggering is unlikely.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have resulted in good settlement and bonding of the 50 - 75cm of storm snow from last week, but there are still isolated rider triggerable wind slabs on wind exposed north through east facing features.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weak layers exist in the highly variable snowpack of the Columbias:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human triggering, but still has the capacity to produce large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is typically down 150 - 200cm. Direct triggering of this layer has become unlikely, however, cornice fall, a smaller avalanche in motion or prolonged warming may wake this layer up, which would result in very large and destructive avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">New snow and wind are developing a storm slab on all aspects and at all elevations. Recent spring like conditions have developed moist snow on East aspects at lower elevations, and thin sun crusts on solar aspects. Steep South aspects have been touched by the sun at high alpine elevations. The forecast new snow may not bond well to these crusts, especially if there is any surface hoar sitting on the crusts. Reports from the White Pass tell us that there was not much surface hoar growth during the last clear period due to low relative humidity. The developing storm slab may not bond well to the old surface where it was reported to be heavily wind affected at higher elevations. The February 13th persistent weak layer continues to be a concern for large avalanches. This deeply buried weak layer may become more likely to trigger during the heavy loading and warm temperatures associated with the warm front on Monday night/Tuesday morning. The snowpack in the Northern areas is reported to be thin and continues to have weak basal layers. Storm snow loading in the Northern areas of the region may increase the sensitivity to triggering deeply buried facets and depth hoar near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong gusty winds may have continued to develop wind slabs in the alpine in areas that still have some snow available for transport. Sunny days have resulted in moist snow in the top 40 cm below 2000 metres that now has a re-frozen surface crust reducing foot penetration to 10 cm or less. Above 2000 metres the crust has been reported to be supportive. There is around 120-160 cm on top of the mid march crust at this time. This crust exists on all aspects below 2000m and on solar aspects in the high alpine. It's up to 10 cm thick in places. The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 200cm) seems unlikely to trigger in areas where the hard, supportive crust exists. No matter where you are in the region, this weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive. Forecast strong solar radiation and prolonged warming over the next few days are a concern for triggering this weak layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the Smith Basin area there is 140 cm below treeline and the top 40 cm was found to be moist and well consolidated. The March crust below was decomposing at this location. The February deep persistent weak layer was down 80 cm and well preserved. Higher up at about 2300 metres the height of snow was a little over two metres. The March crust was not intact at this location and did not result in any shears in snow profile tests. The February deep persistent weak layer (DPWL) was down 100 cm and was a well defined layer of softer facetted snow below the hard (pencil) snow of the well settled mid-pack. Hard sudden collapse shears were recorded at the interface of the February DPWL. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the Elk Valley South the height of snow at 1900 metres was 430 cm. The snow was dry and loose above 1700-1800 metres and moist below where loose wet slides had released on solar aspects. There was a 2-3 cm supportive crust on Southerly aspects above 1900 metres, and no crust on shaded North aspects.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A recent storm slab of 15-40 cm in depth sits above a 2-5 cm melt-freeze crust that developed last week on all but shaded North aspects in the alpine. This crust has been reported to be very hard (&quot;knife&quot; resistance) in some parts of the region and there may be a layer of surface hoar between it and the new storm snow above. There is now about 75 cm of well compacted snow above the March 10th melt-freeze crust. In some areas the March 10th crust is helping to bridge over the deeply buried late January/early February persistent weak layer. The Jan/Feb deep persistent weak layer continues to be a concern for very large destructive avalanches. Releases on this layer may be more likely during periods of strong solar radiation and/or prolonged warm temperatures at alpine elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snowpack is settling. Previously formed crusts up to 2200m on all aspects and higher on solar aspects remained mostly intact today due to mostly cloudy conditions and moderate to strong winds. However, brief periods of intense solar radiation did turn the snow moist in some areas, especially at lower elevations. Wind slab formation is ongoing at Treeline and above on NW through E aspects. Sheltered N aspects at higher elevations remain dry and provide good skiing.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures have resulted in good settlement and bonding of the storm snow from last week, but you may find the odd skier triggerable wind slab on northwest through east facing aspects at and above treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Three persistent weak layers exist in the highly variable snowpack of the Columbias:</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-March sun crust/surface hoar layer down 50-80cm still has potential for human-triggering in isolated areas. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The early-March crust/facet/surface hoar layer down around 80-120cm has become less susceptible to human triggering, but still has the capacity to produce large avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar combo is typically down 150 - 200cm. Direct triggering of this layer has become unlikely, however, cornice fall, a smaller avalanche in motion or prolonged warming may wake this layer up, which would result in very large and destructive avalanches. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> Further rain may result in some limited loose wet activity, especially on steep gully sides, but mostly it is simply likely to soak into an already saturated snowpack. Dropping freezing levels should result in a re-frozen surface. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B">Newly re-frozen surfaces may become icy and pose a danger for people sliding out of control.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Very warm temperatures at alpine elevations created moist or wet snow on the surface. At treeline the snow is moist down 45 cm and &quot;knife&quot; resistance melt freeze crusts are reported to be breaking down. The late January/early February persistent weak layer is deeply buried and may have resulted in some large avalanches during the last few warm days. Forecast drop in freezing levels should develop new melt-freeze crusts on the surface over the next few days.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Very minimal re-freeze over the past two days has resulted in moist or wet surface snow at all elevations. Glide cracks are opening at lower elevations where the whole season snowpack is creeping&nbsp; downhill. The deep facet/crust persistent weakness buried at the beginning of February (now down up to 200cm) seems unlikely to trigger as the forecast freezing levels drop overnight. This weakness should stay on your radar as any activity at this interface would be large and destructive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Very warm temperatures over the past few days and high freezing levels with no crust recovery have resulted in moist or wet snow at all elevations.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the Smith Basin area there is 140 cm below treeline and the top 40 cm was found to be moist and well consolidated. The March crust below was decomposing at this location. The February deep persistent weak layer was down 80 cm and well preserved. Higher up at about 2300 metres the height of snow was a little over two metres. The March crust was not intact at this location and did not result in any shears in snow profile tests. The February deep persistent weak layer (DPWL) was down 100 cm and was a well defined layer of softer facetted snow below the hard (pencil) snow of the well settled mid-pack. Hard sudden collapse shears were recorded at the interface of the February DPWL. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the Elk Valley South the height of snow at 1900 metres was 430 cm. The snow was dry and loose above 1700-1800 metres and moist below where loose wet slides had released on solar aspects. There was a 2-3 cm supportive crust on Southerly aspects above 1900 metres, and no crust on shaded North aspects.</span></p>