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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Thick wind slabs have formed in leeward features from recent strong southwest winds while lower elevation surfaces are reported to be moist from recent warming. About 30-50cm below the surface you'll likely find a melt-freeze crust or spotty surface hoar. Below this, the snowpack is reported to be strong and well-settled. Cornices are reported to be large and weak.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-25cm of recent storm snow with strong southwest winds have formed wind slabs in leeward features. The recent snowfall may overlie a sun crust on steep solar aspects or small surface hoar in isolated sheltered areas. The recent wind has also formed cornices which are reported to be large and weak . Old weak layers can still be found in the snowpack but these layers are reported to be well bonded and triggering has become unlikely. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Friday and Friday night, 10-20cm of new snow fell with the highest accumulations occurring in the south of the region. Strong winds shifted the new snow into new wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine adding to an ongoing wind slab problem. An older crust buried in early February can now be found around 50-100cm below the surface. This crust, which may coexist with small facets or decomposing surface hoar, is still producing sudden planar results in tests. Although no recent avalanches were reported to have failed at this interface, I'd remain suspicious of this layer in steep, unsupported terrain at treeline and in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid pack is generally well settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast rain and high freezing levels may rapidly increase the likelihood of triggering storm slabs and persistent weak layers. New snow and wind has added to the 30-50cm of recent storm snow that overlies a layer of well-developed surface hoar (up to size 20mm) which is very reactive to human triggers. This layer is widespread above 1700m except on south aspects where the interface was cooked by the sun and now exists as a buried sun crust. Significant wind transport has been noted so expect to find deeper, more destructive slabs in exposed lee terrain. 80-100cm below the surface you will likely find the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer. Although this layer has become less likely to trigger, avalanches failing at this interface could be large and destructive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Friday and Friday night, 5-20cm of new snow fell with the highest accumulations occurring in the southwest of the region. Strong winds shifted the new snow into new wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine adding to an ongoing wind slab problem. A layer of surface hoar from early January can be found in isolated locations between 60 and 140cm down. There hasn't been any activity reported on this layer for a couple of weeks now and it is becoming less of a concern. In shallower areas the snowpack sits on a weak base layer of facetted snow. Recently, this layer has been active in the north of the region, responsible for several large avalanches in unsupported alpine terrain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Storm snow totals of 100cm have fallen since Tuesday morning, and freezing levels have been fluctuating between 1300 and 1650m. Mountain top winds were at times gusting to over 100kph from the S and SE. Strong winds have formed variable wind slabs in cross loaded terrain and to the lee of ridge lines, but some exposed areas remain scoured. The extreme mountaintop winds yesterday and overnight will have loaded snow low into start zones and down into treeline elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy rain (50 mm at Mt Strachan) on Friday night has soaked the snowpack. Rain forecast for Saturday night may turn to snow by Sunday morning. New snow and wind may develop storm slabs near ridge tops.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable amounts of new snow continue to add to the storm slab 40-60cm thick that is bonding poorly to a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar (February 27th) on shady and sheltered slopes. Thicker and touchier wind slabs are lurking throughout exposed terrain at and above treeline. A weak layer of surface hoar and/or a sun crust buried February 21 is now close to a metre below the surface. Where it exists, this layer may become reactive to human triggers as the overlying slab develops. The surface hoar and/or crust layer buried February 10 is likely down over a metre. This layer was less reactive over the past week with cooler temperatures, but remains a concern for large triggers like cornice falls or a smaller avalanche stepping down. Cornices are large and potentially weak and should be given a wide berth.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-40 cm of recent storm snow is bonding poorly to a melt-freeze crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and lower elevation terrain, and/or a layer of surface hoar on shady and sheltered slopes at treeline elevations. Thicker and touchier fresh wind slabs are lurking in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. The surface hoar and/or crust layer buried in mid-February is now down 50-80cm. This layer was less reactive over the past week with cooler temperatures. Large weak cornices remain concerning and have recently triggered persistent slabs on slopes below. The early January surface hoar/facet layer is typically down 70-120cm. Triggering an avalanche on this layer has become unlikely but it still has isolated potential to produce very large avalanches with a heavy trigger. In general, the lower snowpack is well settled and strong, apart from some thin snowpack areas where basal facets exist.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Variable amounts of new snow and wind have continued to develop storm slabs 40-60 cm thick that are bonding poorly to a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar (February 27th) on shady and sheltered slopes. Thicker and touchier wind slabs are lurking throughout exposed terrain at and above treeline. A weak layer of surface hoar and/or a sun crust buried February 21 is now close to a metre below the surface. Where it exists, this layer may become reactive to human triggers as the overlying slab develops. The surface hoar and/or crust layer buried February 10 is likely down over a metre. This layer was less reactive over the past week with cooler temperatures, but remains a concern for large triggers like cornice falls or a smaller avalanches stepping down. Cornices are large and potentially weak and should be avoided where possible.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy snowfall on Friday (up to 50cm in 24 hours) and extreme southerly winds have formed deep and reactive storm slabs on lee and cross-loaded alpine and treeline features. On windward terrain, extensive scouring has been reported. Ongoing stormy weather has also encouraged extensive cornice growth. Recent storm totals (which vary from about 100cm to over 130cm) overlie a temperature crust, old wind slabs and spotty surface hoar. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Continued moderate snowfall and strong southerly winds have formed reactive storm slabs on lee and cross-loaded alpine and treeline features. The upper snowpack sits above a crust that was reported on all aspects and elevations with isolated pockets of surface hoar in high north facing terrain that stayed cool prior to the storm. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled. That said, a layer of surface hoar buried at the beginning of February is a concern in the South Chilcotin area and can be found about 80cm below the surface. Although this layer is isolated, it has been responsible for destructive natural avalanche activity and is worth keeping on your radar if you're headed to the north of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow continues to develop the storm slab that is 40-60cm thick and bonding poorly to a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar (February 27th or late February) on shady and sheltered slopes. Thicker and touchier wind slabs are lurking throughout exposed terrain at and above treeline. A couple of sun crusts might exist in the upper 50-70cm on southerly aspects. The surface hoar and/or crust layer which was buried February 10 is now down around a metre and is still producing isolated hard sudden results in snowpack tests. Large cornices will be getting weak with warmer temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">High freezing levels and precipitation falling as rain is adding heat to the upper snowpack and consequently the surface is moist which diminishes ski quality and decreases snowpack stability. Moist snow was reported to the top of Smut's Pass (2330 meters) and so we suspect moist snow on all aspects to approximately 2400 meters or higher. There are several melt freeze and sun crusts in the upper 50cm of the snowpack and the Jan 6th facets are buried 60-80cm deep. In shallower snowpack areas, the snowpack will far less supportive as the midpack and basal layers are largely facetted.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Storm snow totals of 110cm have fallen since Tuesday morning, and freezing levels have been fluctuating between 1300 and 1650m. Mountain top winds were at times gusting to over 100kph from the S and SE. Strong winds have formed variable wind slabs in cross loaded terrain and to the lee of ridge lines, but some exposed areas remain scoured.  Temperatures warmed yesterday and the sun made some brief appearances so you will find a weak crust below the surface on some solar and lower elevation terrain. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the past few days daily snowfall accumulations have generally been in the 5-15cm range with the highest accumulations occurring in the south of the region. Strong to extreme ridgetop winds have shifted the new snow into new wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine adding to an ongoing wind slab problem. About 60cm below the surface you'll likely find a crust that was buried on February 28th. A report from northwest of Rosswood suggests a recently buried layer of surface hoar may also exist in the upper snowpack, although I'm unsure of its size or distribution. An older crust buried in early February can now be found around 80-120cm below the surface. This crust, which may coexist with small facets or decomposing surface hoar, was recently producing sudden planar results in tests. Although no recent avalanches were reported to have failed at this interface, I'd remain suspicious of this layer in steep, unsupported terrain at treeline and in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid pack is generally well settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the past few days daily snowfall accumulations have generally been in the 5-15cm range with the highest accumulations occurring in the southwest of the region. Strong to extreme ridgetop winds have shifted the new snow into new wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine adding to an ongoing wind slab problem. A layer of surface hoar from early January can be found in isolated locations between 60 and 140cm down. There hasn't been any activity reported on this layer for a couple of weeks now and it is becoming less of a concern. In shallower areas the snowpack sits on a weak base layer of facetted snow. Recently, this layer has been active in the north of the region, responsible for several large avalanches in unsupported alpine terrain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Sunday 10-20cm of snow fell adding to the impressive amounts that had already fallen on Friday (up to 50cm in 24 hours). Storm totals from the past week were well over 100cm. Strong southwesterly winds have shifted the new snow into deeper storm slabs on lee and cross-loaded alpine and treeline features. On all but higher elevation shaded slopes the new snow from Sunday likely overlies a melt-freeze crust from high freezing levels and sun on Saturday afternoon. Ongoing stormy weather has also encouraged extensive cornice growth. Weaknesses below the recent storm snow are expected to have gained considerable strength while the mid and lower snowpack are also strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Rain on Saturday night turned to snow on Sunday at higher elevations. This new snow is sitting on a rain soaked snowpack, and is expected to bond well as temperatures cool and freezing levels drop. Expect some new storm slabs or pockets of wind transported snow at or near ridgetops.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Some reports from the Monashees of a thin melt-freeze crust that has developed within the storm snow that has been reactive up to size 2.0 on Sunday. Variable amounts of new snow and wind have continued to develop storm slabs 40-60 cm thick that are bonding poorly to a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar (February 27th) on shady and sheltered slopes. Thicker and touchier wind slabs are lurking throughout exposed terrain at and above treeline. A weak layer of surface hoar and/or a sun crust buried February 21 is now close to a metre below the surface. Where it exists, this layer may become reactive to human triggers as the overlying slab develops. The surface hoar and/or crust layer buried February 10 is likely down over a metre. This layer was less reactive over the past week with cooler temperatures, but remains a concern for large triggers like cornice falls or a smaller avalanches stepping down. Cornices are large and potentially weak and should be avoided where possible.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong southerly winds have developed wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline. The 20-40 cm of recent storm snow is bonding poorly to a melt-freeze crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and lower elevation terrain, and/or a layer of surface hoar on shady and sheltered slopes at treeline elevations. The surface hoar and/or crust layer buried in mid-February is now down 50-80cm. This layer was less reactive over the past week with cooler temperatures. Large weak cornices remain concerning and have recently triggered persistent slabs on slopes below. The early January surface hoar/facet layer is typically down 70-120cm. Triggering an avalanche on this layer has become unlikely but it still has isolated potential to produce very large avalanches with a heavy trigger. In general, the lower snowpack is well settled and strong, apart from some thin snowpack areas where basal facets exist.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow continues to develop the storm slab that is 40-60cm thick and bonding poorly to a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar (February 27th or late February) on shady and sheltered slopes. Thicker and touchier wind slabs are lurking throughout exposed terrain at and above treeline. A couple of sun crusts might exist in the upper 50-70cm on southerly aspects. The surface hoar and/or crust layer which was buried February 10 is now down around a metre and is still producing isolated hard sudden results in snowpack tests. Large cornices will be getting weak with warmer temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast rain and high freezing levels may rapidly increase the likelihood of triggering storm slabs and persistent weak layers. New snow and wind has added to the 30-50cm of recent storm snow that overlies a layer of well-developed surface hoar (up to size 20mm) which is very reactive to human triggers. This layer is widespread above 1700m except on south aspects where the interface was cooked by the sun and now exists as a buried sun crust. Significant wind transport has been noted so expect to find deeper, more destructive slabs in exposed lee terrain. 80-100cm below the surface you will likely find the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer. Although this layer has become less likely to trigger, avalanches failing at this interface could be large and destructive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sunday's heavy precipitation (up to 30mm over the 24 period) and strong southwest winds have likely formed dense wind slabs at higher elevations. At the time of publishing this bulletin the exact freezing level was uncertain; however, most slopes below treeline were likely saturated by rain. About 40-60cm below the surface you may find a crust and spotty surface hoar that was buried on February 27th, although it is unknown how this interface survived the rain. Below this, the snowpack is thought to be strong and well-settled. Cornices are reported to be huge and weak.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sunday' precipitation (up to 13mm over the 24 period) and strong southwest winds have likely formed dense wind slabs at higher elevations. At the time of publishing this bulletin the exact rain line on Sunday was uncertain; however, most surfaces below treeline were likely saturated by rain. About 30-40cm below the surface you may find a crust and spotty surface hoar that was buried on February 27th, although it is unknown how this interface survived the rain. Below this, the snowpack is thought to be strong and well-settled. Cornices are reported to be huge and weak.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Sunday 5-15cm of snow fell adding to the moderate amounts that had already fallen on Friday (up to 25cm in 24 hours). Storm totals from the past week were between 50-70cm. Strong southwesterly winds have shifted the new snow into deeper storm slabs on lee and cross-loaded alpine and treeline features. On all but higher elevation shaded slopes the new snow from Sunday likely overlies a melt-freeze crust from high freezing levels and sun on Saturday afternoon. Below the recent storm snow, the snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. That said, a layer of surface hoar buried at the beginning of February is a concern in the South Chilcotin area and can be found about 70cm below the surface. Although this layer is isolated, it has been responsible for destructive natural avalanche activity and is worth keeping on your radar if you're headed to the north of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are some reports from the Monashees of a thin melt-freeze crust within the storm snow that was reactive up to size 2.0 on Saturday. Variable amounts of new snow continue to add to the storm slab 40-60cm thick that is bonding poorly to a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar (February 27th) on shady and sheltered slopes. Thicker and touchier wind slabs are lurking throughout exposed terrain at and above treeline. A weak layer of surface hoar and/or a sun crust buried February 21 is now close to a metre below the surface. Where it exists, this layer may become reactive to human triggers as the overlying slab develops. The </span><span class="s_3FE45715">surface</span><span class="s_3FE45715"> hoar and/or crust layer buried February 10 is likely down over a metre. This layer was less reactive over the past week with cooler temperatures, but remains a concern for large triggers like cornice falls or a smaller avalanche stepping down. Cornices are large and potentially weak and should be given a wide berth.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Storm snow totals of 110cm have fallen since Tuesday morning, and freezing levels have been fluctuating between 1300 and 1650m. Mountain top winds were at times gusting to over 100kph from the S and SE. Strong winds have formed variable wind slabs in cross loaded terrain and to the lee of ridge lines, but some exposed areas remain scoured. Temperatures warmed Saturday and the sun made some brief appearances so you will find a weak crust below the surface on some solar and lower elevation terrain. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Rainfall on Sunday was reported to around 2100m elevation. The snow surface was reported to be soaked below treeline and dense moist storm snow was reported at treeline. With overnight cooling, a melt-freeze crust is expected at some mid-mountain elevations. In the alpine, strong southwest winds have redistributed the recent storm snow into wind slabs on leeward features. Cornices are also reported to be huge and weak. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and there are currently no major weak layers of concern within the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Rain on Saturday night turned to snow on Sunday at higher elevations. This new snow is sitting on a rain soaked snowpack, and is expected to bond well as temperatures cool and freezing levels drop. Expect some new storm slabs or pockets of wind transported snow at or near ridgetops.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Yesterday's heat had a dramatic effect on the snowpack. We saw moist snow as high as 2300m on solar aspects and 2200 on polar aspects. This has created yet another crust at lower elevations. Mid elevations and polar aspects have escaped the new crust, but likely saw significant settlement. In the alpine, it was noted that the Feb 27th crust is very prominent on the south aspects and down 60-80cm in blown in areas. On the northerly aspects, this crust is limited to below treeline and treeline where the warm air settled. Cornices continue to grow in all lee terrain. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Rainfall on Sunday was reported to at least 2150m elevation. The snow surface was reported to be soaked below treeline and dense moist storm snow was reported at treeline. With overnight cooling, a melt-freeze crust is expected at some mid-mountain elevations. In the alpine, strong southwest winds have redistributed the recent storm snow into wind slabs on leeward features. Cornices are also reported to be huge and weak. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and there are currently no major weak layers of concern within the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Storm totals from the past week were well over 100cm with more currently falling and much more on the way. Previous strong southwesterly winds have shifted the new snow into deeper storm slabs on lee and cross-loaded alpine and treeline features. On all but higher elevation shaded slopes, the new snow from Sunday likely overlies a melt-freeze crust from high freezing levels and sun on Saturday afternoon. Ongoing stormy weather has also encouraged extensive cornice growth. Weaknesses below the recent storm snow are expected to have gained considerable strength while the mid and lower snowpack are also strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Storm totals from the past week were between 50-70cm with more currently falling and much more on the way this week. Previous strong southwesterly winds have shifted the new snow into deeper storm slabs on lee and cross-loaded alpine and treeline features. On all but higher elevation shaded slopes the new snow from Sunday likely overlies a melt-freeze crust from high freezing levels and sun on Saturday afternoon. Below the recent storm snow, the snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. That said, a layer of surface hoar buried at the beginning of February is a concern in the South Chilcotin area and can be found about 70cm below the surface. Although this layer is isolated, it has been responsible for destructive natural avalanche activity and is worth keeping on your radar if you're headed to the north of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the past few days daily snowfall accumulations have generally been in the 5-15cm range with the highest accumulations occurring in the south of the region. Strong to extreme ridgetop winds have shifted the new snow into new wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine adding to an ongoing wind slab problem. About 60cm below the surface you'll likely find a crust that was buried on February 28th. A report from northwest of Rosswood suggests a recently buried layer of surface hoar may also exist in the upper snowpack, although I'm unsure of its size or distribution. An older crust buried in early February can now be found around 80-120cm below the surface. This crust, which may coexist with small facets or decomposing surface hoar, was recently producing sudden planar results in tests. Although no recent avalanches were reported to have failed at this interface, I'd remain suspicious of this layer in steep, unsupported terrain at treeline and in the alpine.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid pack is generally well settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-30 cm of snow has fallen in the past week with the highest accumulations occurring in the southwest of the region. Strong to extreme ridgetop winds have shifted the new snow into new wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine adding to an ongoing wind slab problem. A layer of surface hoar from early January can be found in isolated locations between 60 and 140cm down. There hasn't been any activity reported on this layer for a couple of weeks now and it is becoming less of a concern. In shallower areas the snowpack sits on a weak base layer of facetted snow. Recently, this layer has been active in the north of the region, responsible for several large avalanches in unsupported alpine terrain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There are some reports from the Monashees of a thin melt-freeze crust within the storm snow that was reactive up to size 2.0 on Saturday. Variable amounts of new snow continue to add to the storm slab 40-60cm thick that is bonding poorly to a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar (February 27th) on shady and sheltered slopes. Thicker and touchier wind slabs are lurking throughout exposed terrain at and above treeline. A weak layer of surface hoar and/or a sun crust buried February 21 is now close to a metre below the surface. Where it exists, this layer may become reactive to human triggers as the overlying slab develops. The surface hoar and/or crust layer buried February 10 is likely down over a metre. This layer was less reactive over the past week with cooler temperatures, but remains a concern for large triggers like cornice falls or a smaller avalanche stepping down. Cornices are large and potentially weak and should be given a wide berth.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moist snow below 1600 metres should re-freeze overnight developing a crust on all aspects. The recent storm slab is 50-80cm thick and bonding poorly to a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar (February 27th or late February) on shady and sheltered slopes. Thicker and touchier wind slabs are lurking throughout exposed terrain at and above treeline. A couple of sun crusts might exist in the upper 50-70cm on southerly aspects.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A widespread rain crust is expected to extend into the alpine.&nbsp; The late-February surface hoar layer is now typically down 40-70cm and may still be reactive.&nbsp; This surface hoar layer was widespread above 1700m except on south aspects where the interface was cooked by the sun and now exists as a buried sun crust. Significant wind transport has been noted so expect to find winds slabs in exposed lee terrain at higher elevations. 80-100cm below the surface you will likely find the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer but this layer is now considered inactive. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong southerly winds have developed wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline. The 20-40 cm of recent storm snow is bonding poorly to a melt-freeze crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and lower elevation terrain, and/or a layer of surface hoar on shady and sheltered slopes at treeline elevations. The surface hoar and/or crust layer buried in mid-February is now down 50-80cm. The early January surface hoar/facet layer is typically down 70-120cm. Triggering an avalanche on this layer has become unlikely but it still has isolated potential to produce very large avalanches with a heavy trigger. In general, the lower snowpack is well settled and strong, apart from some thin snowpack areas where basal facets exist.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moist snow up to 1800 metres is expected to re-freeze overnight and develop a crust up to at least 1600 metres on all aspects. Some reports from the Monashees of a thin melt-freeze crust that has developed within the storm snow that has been reactive up to size 2.0 on Sunday. Variable amounts of new snow and wind have continued to develop storm slabs 60-80 cm thick that are bonding poorly to a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar (February 27th) on shady and sheltered slopes. The surface hoar and/or crust layer buried February 10 is likely down over a metre. This layer has become less likely to trigger, but continues to be a concern for commercial operations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Storm snow totals of over 1 metre have fallen since Tuesday morning, and freezing levels have been fluctuating between 1300 and 1650m. Moderate winds and rising temperatures have created additional soft slabs in the alpine and treeline. This has also grown cornices in the alpine. Below 1300m there is a melt-freeze crust at the surface.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snow depth in the White Pass area averages 180 cm. Approximately 25 cm low density snow, which is only slightly wind affected, sits above a generally well-consolidated mid-and lower snowpack. You may find a thin layer of decomposing surface hoar and/or facets around 35 cm below the surface on north facing slopes. However, this layer does not fail readily in snowpack tests, indicating it has bonded well to adjacent layers. I anticipate fresh wind slabs will build in exposed lee areas with increased new snow and wind. The basal facet layer (sugar snow at the bottom of the snowpack) is not well developed this year at White Pass, although you can find facets in lower snow areas such as around rocks and trees. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In Powder Valley, snow depth is around 110 cm. Approx. 20 cm of low density snow sits over a 30 cm 1-finger resistance slab. This sits above 60 cm or so of sugary facets and depth hoar. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In the Wheaton Valley, snow depths are more like 60 cm or so. In windy locations, expect a hard wind slab to overly a base of sugary facets. In sheltered areas, expect to sink to the ground if you jump off your sled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A few centimeters of new snow sits over a widespread rain crust which is expected to extend into the alpine. The late-February surface hoar layer is now typically down 40-70cm and may still be reactive. This surface hoar layer was widespread above 1700m except on south aspects where the interface was cooked by the sun and now exists as a buried sun crust. Significant wind transport has been noted so expect to find winds slabs in exposed lee terrain at higher elevations. 80-100cm below the surface you will likely find the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer but this layer is now considered inactive. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Rainfall on Sunday was reported to around 2100m elevation. The snow surface was reported to be soaked below treeline and dense moist storm snow was reported at treeline. With overnight cooling, a melt-freeze crust is expected at some mid-mountain elevations. In the alpine, strong southwest winds have redistributed the recent storm snow into wind slabs on leeward features. Cornices are also reported to be huge and weak. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and there are currently no major weak layers of concern within the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Rainfall on Sunday was reported to at least 2150m elevation. The snow surface was reported to be soaked below treeline and dense moist storm snow was reported at treeline. With overnight cooling, a melt-freeze crust is expected at some mid-mountain elevations. In the alpine, strong southwest winds have redistributed the recent storm snow into wind slabs on leeward features. Cornices are also reported to be huge and weak. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and there are currently no major weak layers of concern within the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Storm totals from the past week were well over 100cm with more currently falling and much more on the way. Previous strong S-SW winds have shifted the new snow into deeper slabs on lee and cross-loaded alpine and treeline features. With the exception of shady alpine slopes, 30-50 cm of storm snow overlies a melt-freeze crust that formed on Sunday from high freezing levels and sun. Ongoing stormy weather has also encouraged extensive cornice growth. Weaknesses below the recent storm snow are expected to have gained considerable strength while the mid and lower snowpack are also strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Storm totals from the past week were between 50-70cm with more currently falling and much more on the way this week. Previous strong southwesterly winds have shifted the new snow into deeper storm slabs on lee and cross-loaded alpine and treeline features. On all but higher elevation shaded slopes the new snow from Sunday likely overlies a melt-freeze crust from high freezing levels and sun on Saturday afternoon. Below the recent storm snow, the snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. That said, a layer of surface hoar buried at the beginning of February is a concern in the South Chilcotin area and can be found about 70cm below the surface. Although this layer is isolated, it has been responsible for destructive natural avalanche activity and is worth keeping on your radar if you're headed to the north of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the past few days we've seen snowfall accumulations of 5-15 cm each day, and storm snow totals of around 40-60 cm. Strong to extreme ridgetop winds have shifted the new snow into hard or soft wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine, adding to an ongoing wind slab problem. Some areas are reporting a weak surface hoar layer near the base of the most recent storm snow. An old crust buried in early February can now be found around 80-120 cm below the surface. This crust, which may coexist with small facets or decomposing surface hoar, recently produced sudden planar (&quot;pops&quot;) results in snowpack tests. Although no recent avalanches were reported to have failed at this interface, I'd remain suspicious of this layer in steep, unsupported terrain at treeline and in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Roughly 15-30 cm of snow has fallen in the past week, with the highest accumulations occurring in the southwest of the region. Strong to extreme ridgetop winds have shifted the new snow into hard or soft wind slabs in exposed terrain, adding to an ongoing wind slab problem. A layer of surface hoar from early January can be found in isolated locations between 60 and 140 cm down. There hasn't been any activity reported on this layer for a couple of weeks now and it is becoming less of a concern. In shallower areas the snowpack sits on a weak base layer of facetted snow. Recently, this layer has been active in the north of the region, responsible for several large avalanches in unsupported alpine terrain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A surface crust has developed on all aspects up to at least 1600 metres in most areas. There are some reports from the Monashees of a thin melt-freeze crust (March 5th) within the storm snow that was reactive up to size 2.0 over the past few days. Variable amounts of new snow continue to add to the storm slab 60-80cm thick that is bonding poorly to a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar (February 27th) on shady and sheltered slopes. This layer continues to produce moderate sudden planar shears in snowpack tests in most areas. The February 10th buried surface hoar layer is now down over a metre and some areas continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A crust has developed on all aspects up to about 1600 metres. The recent storm slab is 50-80cm thick and bonding poorly to a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar (February 27th or late February) on shady and sheltered slopes. Thicker and touchier wind slabs are lurking throughout exposed terrain at and above treeline. A couple of sun crusts might exist in the upper 50-70cm on southerly aspects.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-25cm of recent snowfall most likely overlies a rain crust.&nbsp; The snowpack was previously rain soaked by heavy rainfall over the weekend. There are currently no weak layers of concern within the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack had taken on some significant warming over the weekend with high freezing levels in addition to rain at lower treeline elevations. This moist snow has transformed into yet another melt freeze crust that was buried yesterday evening March 8th. The storm ended last night and deposited anywhere from 4-15cm of low density snow over this newly buried crust - the bond on this new snow to the crust appears to be pretty strong from what we saw. The new crust ends at about 2250 meters and the ski quality improves profoundly above this elevation. The crusts from Feb 27th are buried 35-45cm deep and the Feb 11th layer is down anywhere from 50-80cm deep. The January 6th layer is the one that concerns us the most - it is approximately 80-100cm deep in the alpine and it is still producing anywhere from moderate to hard sudden collapses and also no results in some test pits indicating high variability. There has been steady avalanche activity on this layer in the Rockies and although it is a hard layer to trigger - it is regularly producing monster avalanches size 2.5-3.0.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Close to 30 cm of new snow fell overnight in the west central part of the region near Kootenay Lake. The new storm slab was isolated to this area. The north and east of the region only received a few cm overnight combined with moderate winds. Recent strong southerly winds have developed wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline in most of the region. The 20-40 cm of recent storm snow is bonding poorly to a melt-freeze crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and lower elevation terrain, and/or a layer of surface hoar on shady and sheltered slopes at treeline elevations. The surface hoar and/or crust layer buried in mid-February is now down 50-80cm. The early January surface hoar/facet layer is typically down 70-120cm. Triggering an avalanche on this layer has become unlikely but it still has isolated potential to produce very large avalanches with a heavy trigger. In general, the lower snowpack is well settled and strong, apart from some thin snowpack areas where basal facets exist.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A surface crust has developed on all aspects up to at least 1700 metres. Some reports from the Monashees of a thin melt-freeze crust (March 5th) that has developed within the storm snow has been reactive up to size 2.0 on Sunday. Variable amounts of new snow and wind have continued to develop storm slabs 60-80 cm thick that are bonding poorly to a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar (February 27th) on shady and sheltered slopes. The surface hoar and/or crust layer buried February 10 is likely down over a metre. This layer has become less likely to trigger, but continues to be a concern for commercial operations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555"> Strong winds formed variable wind slabs in cross loaded terrain and to the lee of ridge lines, but some exposed areas remain scoured. Temperatures have risen through the day all week and the sun made some brief appearances so you will find a weak crust at or below the surface on some solar and lower elevation terrain. There is 10-20cm of very soft slab or loose dry snow sitting over these surfaces.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">There is now up to 20cm of recent snow overlying the March 9th crust that is being found on all aspects up to 2300m and up to ridge tops on solar aspects. This new snow is bonding well at this time but with more load and wind we can expect avalanches to occur more easily at this interface. Two other temperature crusts can be found in the upper part of the snowpack but there have been no significant avalanches on these layers of late. The Jan 6th interface is down in general 100cm to 140cm and still producing sudden collapse results that are giving forecasters little confidence in bigger terrain. Triggering of this interface from a shallow area is a definite possibility. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The current snow surface consists of soft wind slabs in exposed lee terrain, dry lower density snow in sheltered terrain, and some places have mentioned small surface hoar forming overnight on Tuesday. Forecast heavy snowfall, warming, and very strong winds will rapidly create fresh storm slabs everywhere, and deep wind slabs in exposed lee terrain for Thursday. Some areas could see 50-80 cm in a 24 hour period! This intense loading could overload a weak layer of surface hoar buried at the beginning of February, and currently about 70-80 cm below the surface. This layer is primarily a concern in the South Chilcotin Mountains. Expect a widespread and large natural avalanche cycle during the storm. Ongoing stormy weather has also encouraged extensive cornice growth. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-25cm of recent snowfall is bonding well to a thick crust. Below that, the snowpack is well settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 35cm of recent snow is bonding poorly to a widespread rain crust which extends into alpine elevations. A persistent weak layer buried late-February is now typically down 40-70cm and may still be sensitive to human triggers as indicated by recent avalanche activity and hard but sudden snowpack test results. This weakness is widespread buried surface hoar above 1700m, and a crust potentially with associated facets on previously sun-exposed slopes (primarily south aspects). 80-100cm below the surface you will likely find the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer, which has been inactive lately. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A surface crust that formed on all aspects up to at least 1700 m is expected to get buried by new snow. In the Monashees, you may find an additional thin crust (from Mar-5) in the top 40 cm of snow that was reactive up to size 2 on Sunday. Approximately 70 cm below the surface lies a variable interface that comprises surface hoar, facets, a crust, or some combination of all three. This layer was buried on or around Feb-27 and has been very active since the weekend. I anticipate this layer will continue to be reactive to sled or skier traffic and/or additional loading from new snow. A previous surface hoar/crust layer buried Feb-10 is now down over a metre. This layer has become less likely to trigger, but continues to be discussed as a possible failure plane by commercial operations. It's presence keeps open the possibility of very large avalanches, as a small surface slide could step down into this deeper layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A surface crust has developed on all aspects up to at least 1600 metres in most areas. There are some reports from the Monashees of a thin melt-freeze crust (March 5th) within the storm snow that was reactive up to size 2.0 over the past few days. Variable amounts of new snow continue to add to the storm slab 60-80cm thick that is bonding poorly to a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar (February 27th) on shady and sheltered slopes. This layer continues to produce moderate sudden planar shears in snowpack tests in most areas. The February 10th buried surface hoar layer is now down over a metre and some areas continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At elevations above around 1600 m, approximately 50-80 cm recent storm snow now rests above a prominent weak layer buried on or around Feb-27. This weak layer comprises surface hoar sitting on a crust and is reported to be most prominent at sheltered treeline elevations. Thicker and touchier wind slabs are lurking throughout exposed terrain in the alpine and at treeline. A couple of sun crusts might exist in the upper 50-70cm on southerly aspects.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the past few days we've seen snowfall accumulations of 5-15 cm each day, and storm snow totals of around 40-60 cm. Strong to extreme ridgetop winds have shifted the new snow into hard or soft wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine, adding to an ongoing wind slab problem. Some areas are reporting a weak surface hoar layer near the base of the most recent storm snow. An old crust buried in early February can now be found around 80-120 cm below the surface. This crust, which may coexist with small facets or decomposing surface hoar, recently produced sudden planar (&quot;pops&quot;) results in snowpack tests. Although no recent avalanches were reported to have failed at this interface, I'd remain suspicious of this layer in steep, unsupported terrain at treeline and in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Roughly 20-40 cm of snow has fallen in the past week, with the highest accumulations occurring in the southwest of the region. Strong to extreme ridgetop winds have shifted the new snow into hard or soft wind slabs in exposed terrain, adding to an ongoing wind slab problem. A layer of surface hoar from early January can be found in isolated locations between 60 and 140 cm down. There hasn't been any activity reported on this layer for a couple of weeks now and it is becoming less of a concern. In shallower areas the snowpack sits on a weak base layer of facetted snow. Recently, this layer has been active in the north of the region, responsible for several large avalanches in unsupported alpine terrain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The current snow surface consists of soft wind slabs in exposed lee terrain, dry lower density snow in sheltered terrain, and some places have mentioned small surface hoar forming overnight on Tuesday. Forecast heavy snowfall, warming, and very strong winds will rapidly create fresh storm slabs everywhere, and deep wind slabs in exposed lee terrain for Thursday. Some areas could see close to 100 cm in a 24 hour period! Expect a widespread and large natural avalanche cycle during the storm. Ongoing stormy weather has also encouraged extensive cornice growth. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Generally 10-20cm of recent storm snow is sluffing off a buried rain crust below approximately 1800m. Above that elevation, strong southwest winds have redistributed the recent storm snow into fresh weak wind slabs on the leeward side of ridge crests and terrain features. Cornices are also reported to be huge and weak. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and there are currently no major weak layers of concern within the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Light amounts of fresh snow has buried a widespread supportive crust. At higher elevations, touchy wind slabs linger below ridgecrests and behind terrain features in exposed terrain. Deeper in the snowpack, recent snowpack tests gave very easy sudden collapse results down 80cm on a southeast aspect at 1850m on the deep persistent facet/crust weakness from buried early December. Watch this weakness with extreme warming from sun-exposure, or warming/loading from rain. Cornices are also reported to be huge and weak.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-70 cm recent storm snow overlies a prominent weak layer buried on or around Feb-27. The deepest snow amounts appear the be in the west central area near Kootenay Lake. The Feb-27 weak layer comprises surface hoar and a crust. It has been widely reported but recent snowpack test results are mixed, with some tests indicating this layer is gaining strength, while others indicating it can still fail with sudden &quot;pop&quot; results. A deeper weak layer from mid-February is now down 50-80cm. The early January surface hoar/facet layer is typically down 70-120cm. Triggering an avalanche on either of these layers has become unlikely but either still has the isolated potential to produce very large avalanches with a heavy trigger.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">By Friday morning many areas could see as much as 100 cm of new snow on the ground. Weaknesses within or at the base of the new storm snow may need a couple days to settle and strengthen. Extreme southerly winds have created very deep and dense slabs in lee terrain, probably well below ridge crests, while scouring windward slopes. Ongoing stormy weather has also encouraged extensive cornice growth. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Roughly 20-40 cm of snow has fallen in the past week, with the highest accumulations occurring in the southwest of the region. Strong ridgetop winds have shifted the new snow into hard or soft wind slabs in exposed terrain, adding to an ongoing wind slab problem. A layer of surface hoar from early January can be found in isolated locations between 60 and 140 cm down. There hasn't been any activity reported on this layer for a couple of weeks now and it is becoming less of a concern. In shallower areas the snowpack sits on a weak base layer of facetted snow. Recently, this layer has been active in the north of the region, responsible for several large avalanches in unsupported alpine terrain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Another 15-25cm adds to the 35cm of recent snow that is bonding poorly to a widespread rain crust which extends into alpine elevations. A persistent weak layer buried late-February is now likely down 50-80cm and may still be sensitive to human triggers as indicated by recent avalanche activity and hard but sudden snowpack test results. This weakness is widespread buried surface hoar on sheltered slopes above 1700m, and a crust potentially with associated facets on previously sun-exposed slopes (primarily south aspects). Over a metre down you will likely find the mid-February crust/facet/surface hoar layer, which has been inactive lately. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over 70mm of precipitation fell on the North Shore in the past day, most of which as rain. This likely cause the recent storm snow to become saturated and cohesionless and loose it's bond to the underlying crust. At the highest elevations, a significant amount of fresh snow could be unstable and particularly deep and touchy on the leeward side of ridgecrests and in cross-loaded gullies.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 25cm of recent storm snow has fallen over the past 36hrs above 2300m.  Snowfall amounts rapidly taper as you decrease elevation with only 5cm of snow being observed at lower elevations.  The 0307 Crust is being found down 20cm at 2200m and the bond with the underlying snow is so far good.  Strong winds at upper elevations on Thursday have created new winsdslabs in the upper snowpack that are reactive to skier traffic in wind affected areas.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cloudier conditions and moderate snowfall persisted in the southern part of the region on Wednesday, while norther sections saw sunny breaks and only light snow. Expect a surface melt-freeze crust in areas where the sun was a factor. Ongoing strong winds have shifted the new snow into hard or soft wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine, maintaining a wind slab problem on northerly aspects and scouring leeward slopes. Some areas are reporting a weak surface hoar layer near the base of the 50-70 cm of recent storm snow. An old crust buried in early February can now be found around 80-120 cm below the surface. This crust, which may coexist with small facets or decomposing surface hoar, recently produced sudden planar (&quot;pops&quot;) results in snowpack tests. Although no recent avalanches were reported to have failed at this interface, I'd remain suspicious of this layer in steep, unsupported terrain at treeline and in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The current snow surface consists of soft wind slabs in exposed lee terrain, dry lower density snow in sheltered terrain, and some places have mentioned small surface hoar forming overnight on Tuesday. Forecast heavy snowfall, warming, and very strong winds will rapidly create fresh storm slabs everywhere, and deep wind slabs in exposed lee terrain for Thursday. Some areas could see 50-80 cm in a 24 hour period! This intense loading could overload a weak layer of surface hoar buried at the beginning of February, and currently about 70-80 cm below the surface. This layer is primarily a concern in the South Chilcotin Mountains. Expect a widespread and large natural avalanche cycle during the storm. Ongoing stormy weather has also encouraged extensive cornice growth. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall accumulations on Thursday were in the 10-20cm range. Strong southerly winds redistributed these accumulations into touchy wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. 30-70 cm recent storm snow overlies a prominent weak layer buried on or around Feb-27. The deepest snow amounts appear to be in the west central area near Kootenay Lake. The Feb-27 weak layer comprises surface hoar and a crust. It has been widely reported but recent snowpack test results are mixed, with some tests indicating this layer is gaining strength, while others indicating it can still fail with sudden &quot;pop&quot; results. A deeper weak layer from mid-February is now down 50-80cm. The early January surface hoar/facet layer is typically down 70-120cm. Triggering an avalanche on either of these layers has become unlikely but either still has the isolated potential to produce very large avalanches with a heavy trigger.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall accumulations on Thursday were in the 10-20cm range. Strong southerly winds redistributed these accumulations into touchy wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine.</span><span class="s_1681A555"> </span><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 70 cm below the surface lies a variable interface that comprises surface hoar, facets, a crust, or some combination of all three. This layer was buried on or around Feb-27 and has been very active since the weekend. I anticipate this layer will continue to be reactive to sled or skier traffic and/or additional loading from new snow. A previous surface hoar/crust layer buried Feb-10 is now down over a metre. This layer has become less likely to trigger, but continues to be discussed as a possible failure plane by commercial operations. Its presence keeps open the possibility of very large avalanches, as a small surface slide could step down into this deeper layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall accumulations on Thursday were in the 10-20cm range. Strong southerly winds redistributed these accumulations into touchy wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. The new snow is adding mass to a slab (40-80cm) thick that is bonding poorly to a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar (February 27th) on shady and sheltered slopes. This layer continues to produce moderate sudden planar shears in snowpack tests in most areas. The February 10th buried surface hoar layer is now down over a metre and some areas continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall accumulations on Thursday were in the 10-20cm range. Strong southerly winds redistributed these accumulations into touchy wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. At elevations above around 1600 m, approximately 50-80 cm snow rests above a prominent weak layer buried on or around February 27. This weak layer comprises surface hoar sitting on a crust and is reported to be most prominent at sheltered treeline elevations. A couple of sun crusts might exist in the upper 50-70cm on southerly aspects.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Another 10-15cm adds to the 15-20cm of recent storm snow which is bonding poorly to a buried rain crust below approximately 1800m. Above that elevation, strong southwest winds have redistributed the recent storm snow into fresh weak wind slabs on the leeward side of ridge crests and terrain features. Cornices are also reported to be huge and weak. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and there are currently no major weak layers of concern within the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-15cm of fresh snow is bonding poorly to a widespread supportive crust. At higher elevations, touchy wind slabs linger below ridgecrests and behind terrain features in exposed terrain. Deeper in the snowpack, recent snowpack tests gave very easy sudden collapse results down 80cm on a southeast aspect at 1850m on the deep persistent facet/crust weakness from buried early December. Watch this weakness with extreme warming from sun-exposure, or warming/loading from rain. Cornices are also reported to be huge and weak.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Deep storm slabs are accumulating in lee start zones in the alpine and at treeline. The storm snow is moist at tree line due to freezing levels having reached 1800 meters on Wednesday night. There were variable wind slabs in cross loaded terrain and to the lee of ridge lines that were skier triggerable prior to the storm. There are also some weak sun affected crusts buried in the upper snowpack that could become good sliding layers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Deep storm slabs have accumulated in lee start zones in the alpine and at treeline. The storm snow was moist at tree line - due to freezing levels having reached 1800 meters - and is expected to have frozen up with Friday's cooling. There are some weak sun affected crusts buried in the upper snowpack that could become good sliding layers. Cooling temperatures following Thursday's storm are helping the storm snow to settle, as well as forming a stiff breakable surface over a soft slab. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Snow depth in the White Pass area averages 150-180 cm. Around 5 cm of new on Thursday adds to the 15-25 cm of dry powder on sheltered and shady slopes. Periods of moderate southerly winds have created pockets of wind slab in exposed lee alpine terrain. Expect a sun crust or moist snow on steep solar aspects depending on the time of day. In isolated shady areas you may find a thin layer of decomposing surface hoar and/or facets around 45 cm below the surface. One recent snowpack test near Fraser yielded a moderate pops result on this layer. The mid- and lower-snowpack is generally well settled and strong. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">In Powder Valley, snow depth is around 80-110 cm. Here, some low density powder sits on a firm mid-pack, above 30-60 cm of facets and depth hoar. In the Wheaton Valley, snow depths are more like 60-80 cm. In windy locations, expect a hard wind slab to overly a base of sugary facets. In sheltered areas, expect to sink to the ground if you jump off your sled or skis.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 75cm of new storm snow is being reported in sheltered areas with up to 150cm in wind loaded areas. Weaknesses within or at the base of the new storm snow may need a couple days to settle and strengthen. Extreme southerly winds have created very deep and dense slabs in lee terrain, probably well below ridge crests, while scouring windward slopes. Ongoing stormy weather has also encouraged extensive cornice growth. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Ongoing light snowfall and strong winds have shifted the new snow into hard or soft wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine, maintaining a wind slab problem on northerly aspects and scouring leeward slopes. Areas north of Stewart are reporting a weak surface hoar layer down 70-100cm which sits below the last week of accumulated storm snow. In the south of the region, an old crust buried in early February can now be found around 80-120 cm below the surface. This crust, which may coexist with small facets or decomposing surface hoar, recently produced sudden planar (&quot;pops&quot;) results in snowpack tests. Although no recent avalanches were reported to have failed at this interface, I'd remain suspicious of this layer in steep, unsupported terrain at treeline and in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In the alpine there is 15-25 cm of lower density snow in protected areas and windslab that is likely reactive to skier trigger in lee alpine features. The March 8th layer is present on all aspects at treeline and below and into alpine features on solar aspects, this layer consists of a laminated crust down 15-25 cms and of concern in areas where slab has developed overtop. In the mid pack the feb 11th layer vary in depth but these layers are showing signs of strengthening with only hard to no results in field testing but there is still a possibility of avalanches stepping down to these layers. The January 6th layer is in the bottom 1/3rd of the snow pack and is faceted out but there is a noticeable density change below this layer.  Forecasters noted a few collapses and &quot;punchy&quot; feeling snow at treeline and alpine areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Roughly 20-40 cm of snow has fallen in the past week, with the highest accumulations occurring in the southwest of the region. Strong ridgetop winds have shifted the new snow into hard or soft wind slabs in exposed terrain, adding to an ongoing wind slab problem. A layer of surface hoar from early January can be found in isolated locations between 60 and 140 cm down. There hasn't been any activity reported on this layer for a couple of weeks now and it is becoming less of a concern. In shallower areas the snowpack sits on a weak base layer of facetted snow. Recently, this layer has been active in the north of the region, responsible for several large avalanches in unsupported alpine terrain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-25cm of fresh snow has loaded to 40-50cm wind slabs on the leeward side of ridgecrests and terrain features. These fresh storm and wind slabs are bonding poorly to a thin crust at lower elevations depending on the drainage and/or overloading lower density previous storm snow creating an unstable &quot;upside down&quot; upper snowpack that is sliding easily on a widespread rain crust, which extends into alpine elevations. A persistent weak layer buried late-February is typically down 60-100cm and highly sensitive to human triggers as indicated by recent avalanche activity. This weakness is widespread buried surface hoar on sheltered slopes above 1700m, and a crust potentially with associated facets on previously sun-exposed slopes (primarily south aspects).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Around 20-30cm of fresh dense snow and colder recent storm snow has likely formed unstable &quot;upside down&quot; storm and wind slabs. A buried rain crust under this recent storm snow, which extends as high as 2200m, has been acting as the bed surface for recent avalanches. There are no current weaknesses of concern deeper in the snowpack, but cornices are huge and weak.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60cm of new snowfall has accumulated in sheltered areas with greatest amounts to the north of the region. Weaknesses within or at the base of the new storm snow may need a couple days to settle and strengthen. Extreme southerly winds have created very deep and dense slabs in lee terrain, probably well below ridge crests, while scouring windward slopes. This intense loading may have overloaded a weak layer of surface hoar buried at the beginning of February. This layer was primarily a concern in the South Chilcotin Mountains. Where it has not been flushed out or squashed, it would be 100-150 cm deep now. Ongoing stormy weather has also encouraged extensive cornice growth. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Approximately 20cm of fresh snow is bonding poorly to a widespread supportive crust, with the most recent snowline reaching 1800m in the Elk Valley but remained in valley bottoms overnight. In exposed terrain, widespread very touchy wind slabs lurk below ridgecrests, behind terrain breaks and in chutes. Deeper in the snowpack, recent tests gave very easy sudden collapse results down 80cm on a southeast aspect at 1850m on the deep persistent facet/crust weakness from buried early December. Watch this weakness with extreme warming from sun-exposure, or warming/loading from rain. Cornices are also reported to be huge and weak. Check out the latest SoRo field team video on our Avalanche Canada Instagram site!</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over 70mm of precipitation fell on the North Shore Wednesday night into Thursday, most of which as rain. This likely formed a new rain crust which has since been buried by 10-15cm of snow as temperatures dropped at the end of the storm. At the highest elevations, there may have been very little rain and a significant amount of fresh snow could be unstable and particularly deep and touchy on the leeward side of ridgecrests and in cross-loaded gullies.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall accumulations on Thursday were in the 10-20cm range. Strong southerly winds redistributed these accumulations into touchy wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. 30-70 cm recent storm snow overlies a prominent weak layer buried on or around Feb-27. The deepest snow amounts appear to be in the west central area near Kootenay Lake. The Feb-27 weak layer comprises surface hoar and a crust. It has been widely reported but recent snowpack test results are mixed, with some tests indicating this layer is gaining strength, while others indicating it can still fail with sudden &quot;pop&quot; results. A deeper weak layer from mid-February is now down 50-80cm. The early January surface hoar/facet layer is typically down 70-120cm. Triggering an avalanche on either of these layers has become unlikely but either still has the isolated potential to produce very large avalanches with a heavy trigger.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall accumulations on Thursday were in the 10-20cm range. Strong southerly winds redistributed these accumulations into touchy wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. 60-90cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of weak surface hoar, and/or a thick crust. This layer continues to produce easy to moderate sudden planar shears in snowpack tests, and has been responsible for a number of increasingly isolated yet very large avalanches over the last few days. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall accumulations on Thursday were in the 10-20cm range. Strong southerly winds redistributed these accumulations into touchy wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. The new snow is adding mass to a slab (50-80cm) thick that is bonding poorly to a crust on previously sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar (February 27th) on shady and sheltered slopes. This layer continues to produce easy to moderate sudden planar shears in snowpack tests. The February 10th buried surface hoar layer is now down over a metre and some areas continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall accumulations on Thursday were in the 10-20cm range. Strong southerly winds redistributed these accumulations into touchy wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. At elevations above around 1600 m, approximately 50-80 cm snow rests above a prominent weak layer buried on or around February 27. This weak layer comprises surface hoar sitting on a crust and is reported to be most prominent at sheltered treeline elevations. A couple of sun crusts might exist in the upper 50-70cm on southerly aspects.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Ongoing light snowfall and strong winds have shifted the new snow into hard or soft wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine, maintaining a wind slab problem on northerly aspects and scouring leeward slopes.  A breakable crust is being reported on the snow surface below treeline on Friday.  Areas north of Stewart are reporting a weak surface hoar layer down 70-100cm which sits below the last week of accumulated storm snow. In the south of the region, an old crust/facet layer buried in early February can now be found around 80-120 cm below the surface but this layer has been dormant recently. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 75cm of recent storm snow is being reported in sheltered areas with up to 150cm in wind loaded areas. Weaknesses within or at the base of the new storm snow may need a couple days to settle and strengthen. Extreme southerly winds have created very deep and dense slabs in lee terrain, probably well below ridge crests, while scouring windward slopes. Ongoing stormy weather has also encouraged extensive cornice growth. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Approximately 25 cm of fresh snow is bonding poorly to a widespread supportive crust, with the most recent snow-line reaching 1800m in the Elk Valley. In exposed terrain, widespread very touchy wind slabs lurk below ridge-crests, behind terrain breaks and in chutes. Deeper in the snowpack, recent tests gave very easy sudden collapse results down 80cm on a southeast aspect at 1850m on the deep persistent facet/crust weakness that was buried early December. Watch this weakness with extreme warming from sun-exposure, or warming/loading from rain. Cornices are also reported to be huge and weak. Check out the latest SoRo field team video on Instagram: @avcansouthrockies</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Moist snow exists today up to 2300 meters on all aspects and elevations.  There is 15-25cm overlying the March 8th interfaces (melt-freeze crusts and sun crusts).  The upper snowpack is settling rapidly with the mild temperatures.  In the alpine and upper treeline, wind slabs have been developing over the past few days and extra caution will be required where the wind slabs overlie the March 8th crust interface.  The January 6th facets interface is showing improvement but large avalanches up to size 2.5-3.0 are still occurring on the interface so it persists as a layer that is low probability/high consequence avalanche problem.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At treeline and in the alpine, light snow accumulations overlie wind slabs which formed during Thursday`s storm. 50-90cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layers seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still really touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally gaining strength. At ridgetop, cornices are huge and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Around 20 to 30 cm of fresh dense snow and colder recent storm snow has likely formed unstable &quot;upside down&quot; storm and wind slabs. A buried rain crust under this recent storm snow, which extends as high as 2200m, has been acting as the bed surface for recent avalanches. There are no current weaknesses of concern deeper in the snowpack, but cornices are huge and weak.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Fresh soft slabs are accumulating in lee start zones, along ridges and around features in the alpine. Thursday's storm snow settled down surprisingly quickly leaving behind a relatively well settled surface for this weekend's new snow to fall onto.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">40-70cm of new snowfall has accumulated in sheltered areas with greatest amounts to the north of the region. Weaknesses within or at the base of the new storm snow may need a couple days to settle and strengthen. Strong southerly winds have created deep and dense slabs in lee terrain, probably well below ridge crests, while scouring windward slopes. This intense loading may have overloaded a weak layer of surface hoar buried at the beginning of February. This layer was primarily a concern in the South Chilcotin Mountains. Where it has not been flushed out or squashed, it would be 100-150 cm deep now. Ongoing stormy weather has also encouraged extensive cornice growth. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over 100 mm of precipitation fell on the North Shore between Wednesday and Friday, most of which fell as rain. This likely formed a new rain crust which has since been buried by 10 to 15 cm of snow as temperatures dropped at the end of the storm. At the highest elevations, there may have been very little rain and a significant amount of fresh snow could be unstable and particularly deep and touchy on the leeward side of ridgecrests and in cross-loaded gullies.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall accumulations on Thursday were in the 10-20cm range. Strong southerly winds redistributed these accumulations into touchy wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. 30-70 cm recent storm snow overlies a prominent weak layer buried on or around Feb-27. The deepest snow amounts appear to be in the west central area near Kootenay Lake. The Feb-27 weak layer comprises surface hoar and a crust. Recent snowpack test results are mixed, with some tests indicating this layer is gaining strength, while others indicating it can still fail with sudden &quot;pop&quot; results. A deeper weak layer from mid-February is now down 50-80cm. The early January surface hoar/facet layer is typically down 70-120cm. Triggering an avalanche on either of these layers has become unlikely but either still has the isolated potential to produce very large avalanches with a heavy trigger.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 to 35 cm of fresh snow has fallen in the last 48 hours which has left 40 to 50 cm wind slabs on the leeward side of ridgecrests and mid-slope terrain features. These fresh storm and wind slabs are bonding poorly to a thin crust at lower elevations depending on the drainage and/or overloading lower density previous storm snow creating an unstable &quot;upside down&quot; upper snowpack that is sliding easily on a widespread rain crust, which extends into alpine elevations. A persistent weak layer buried late-February is typically down 60 to 100 cm and highly sensitive to human triggers as indicated by recent avalanche activity. This weakness is widespread buried surface hoar on sheltered slopes above 1700 m, and a crust potentially with associated facets on previously sun-exposed slopes (primarily south aspects).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At treeline and in the alpine, light snow accumulations overlie wind slabs which formed during Thursday`s storm. 50-90cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layers seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still really touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally gaining strength. At ridgetop, cornices are huge and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At treeline and in the alpine, light snow accumulations overlie wind slabs which formed during Thursday`s storm. 60-100cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layers seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still really touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally gaining strength. At ridgetop, cornices are huge and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Roughly 20-40 cm of snow has fallen in the past week, with the highest accumulations occurring in the southwest of the region. Strong ridgetop winds have shifted the new snow into hard or soft wind slabs in exposed terrain, adding to an ongoing wind slab problem. A layer of surface hoar from early January can be found in isolated locations between 60 and 140 cm down. There hasn't been any activity reported on this layer for a couple of weeks now and it is becoming less of a concern. In shallower areas the snowpack sits on a weak base layer of facetted snow. Recently, this layer has been active in the north of the region, responsible for several large avalanches in unsupported alpine terrain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Another layer of fresh soft slab has accumulated in lee start zones, along ridges and around features in the alpine. There was significant snowpack and storm snow settlement overnight. There were areas of stiff windslab from treeline up into the alpine on Saturday. Thursday's storm snow settled down surprisingly quickly leaving behind a relatively well settled surface below this weekend's new snow. Overall we have a deep new snow instability.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 30cm of snow over the past 24hrs in Alpine terrain. This snow tapers in terms of amounts and the lower elevation areas only have about 15cm. Winds were generally light over the past 24hrs and this new snow has only began to develop isolated windslabs in open wind affected terrain. Gullies, ridgelines, crossloaded areas will be places to be heads up for these problems. If you start to feel that cakey or upside down feeling in the snowpack thats a good indication that you are moving into more wind affected areas. Thin locations are still likely areas wherein you can awaken the basal instabilities causing a full depth avalanche. New windslabs will be reactive to skier traffic for a few days so use caution as you travel and choose smaller slopes to test the stability before committing to the terrain. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Saturday night, 8-15cm of new snow fell. Strong southwest winds redistributed these accumulations into touchy wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. 35-70 cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer, which was buried on February 27th, seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still really touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for large avalanches. Deeper weak layers from mid-February and early January are now down 50-90cm and 70-120cm respectively. Triggering an avalanche on either of these layers has become unlikely but either still has the isolated potential to produce very large avalanches with a heavy trigger or significant 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">Approximately 25 cm of fresh snow is unlikely to be bonding well to a widespread supportive crust, with the most recent snow-line reaching 1800 m in the Elk Valley. In exposed terrain, widespread and potentially touchy wind slabs likely lurk below ridge-crests, behind terrain breaks and in chutes. Deeper in the snowpack, recent tests gave very easy sudden collapse results down 80 cm on a southeast aspect at 1850 m on the deep persistent facet/crust weakness that was buried early December. Watch this weakness with extreme warming from sun-exposure, or warming/loading from rain. Cornices are also reported to be huge and weak. Check out the latest SoRo field team video on Instagram: @avcansouthrockies</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Around 20 to 30 cm of fresh dense snow and colder recent storm snow has likely formed unstable &quot;upside down&quot; storm and wind slabs. A buried rain crust under this recent storm snow, which extends as high as 2200 m, has been acting as the bed surface for recent avalanches. There are no current weaknesses of concern deeper in the snowpack, but cornices are huge and weak.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 75cm of recent storm snow is being reported in sheltered areas with up to 150cm in wind loaded areas. Weaknesses within or at the base of the new storm snow may need a couple days to settle and strengthen. Southerly winds have created very deep and dense slabs in lee terrain, probably well below ridge crests, while scouring windward slopes. Cornices are large and fragile. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Saturday and Saturday night highly variable amounts of new snow fell (10-47cm) throughout the region. Moderate ridgetop winds that developed at the tail end of the storm likely formed soft slabs in leeward terrain at treeline and in the alpine. 60-110cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer, which was buried on February 27th, seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally gaining strength. At ridgetop, cornices are huge and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 10 and 25cm of new snow fell on Saturday and Saturday night. Moderate ridgetop winds shifted the new accumulations into soft slabs at treeline and in the alpine. 60-100cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layers, which was buried in late February, seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally gaining strength. At ridgetop, cornices are huge and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 25cm of fresh snow has fallen as of Sunday afternoon which likely sits on a rain crust formed on Friday.&nbsp; Steady west / southwest winds have likely formed fresh sensitive winds slabs which are unlikely to be bonding well with the underlying crust.&nbsp; The snowpack below Thursday's crust is expected to be well settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20 to 40 cm of fresh snow has fallen in the last 48 hours combined with moderate southwest winds which have likely created deep wind slabs on the leeward side of ridgecrests and mid-slope terrain features. In some drainages these fresh storm and wind slabs may be sitting on a thin crust that was initially buried on March 11th. A second curst, (the early March melt/freeze crust) can be found down 30 to 80 cm. A persistent weak layer buried late-February is typically down 60 to 120 cm and remains sensitive to triggering as indicated by recent avalanche activity. This weakness is widespread buried surface hoar on sheltered slopes above 1700 m, and a crust potentially with associated facets on previously sun-exposed slopes (primarily south aspects).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">40-70cm of new snowfall has accumulated in sheltered areas with greatest amounts to the north of the region. Weaknesses within or at the base of the new storm snow may need a couple days to settle and strengthen. Southerly winds have created deep and dense slabs in lee terrain, probably well below ridge crests, while scouring windward slopes. This intense loading may have overloaded a weak layer of surface hoar buried at the beginning of February. This layer was primarily a concern in the South Chilcotin Mountains. Where it still exists, it would be 100-150 cm deep now. Ongoing stormy weather has also encouraged extensive cornice growth. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Ongoing light snowfall and southerly wind have formed hard or soft wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. Moist snow can be found at lower elevations and on solar aspects. A layer of surface hoar or facets down 70-100cm can be found in areas north of Stewart sitting below Marchs accumulated storm snow. Recent avalanche activity suggest that we may be approaching a critical load on this interface. An older crust/facet layer buried in early February can now be found around 80-120 cm below the surface although this layer has been dormant recently. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile.</span><span class="s_9387EF2" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Roughly 20-60 cm of snow has fallen in the past week and is now well settled. Moderate to strong winds have formed hard and soft wind slabs in exposed terrain. Moist snow can be found at lower elevations and on slopes that see direct sunlight. In the north of the region several buried weak layers can be found in the upper meter of the snowpack. A more widespread layer of surface hoar from early January can be found in isolated locations between 60 and 140 cm down. There hasn't been any activity reported on this layer for a couple of weeks now and it is becoming less of a concern. In shallower areas the snowpack sits on a weak base layer of facetted snow. Recently, this layer has been active in the north of the region, responsible for several large avalanches in unsupported alpine terrain. Cornices are large and fragile.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Saturday night around 15cm of new snow fell. The new accumulations were likely shifted into soft wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine by moderate winds. 50-90cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer, which was buried on February 27th, seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still really touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally gaining strength. At ridgetop, cornices are huge and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow and sustained moderate to strong winds have formed fresh storm slabs and loaded lee features.  The upper snowpack sits above a crust that was reported on all aspects and elevations before the weekend.  Isolated pockets of surface hoar were also reported in high north facing terrain that stayed cool prior to the storm.   The mid-pack is generally well settled.  A layer of surface hoar buried in early January can now be found down 1-2 m. In most places it is thought to be capped by a thick widespread crust. </span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New storm snow may overlie older stubborn wind slabs in lee features. Up to 75cm of well settled storm snow is making for excellent skiing especially in sheltered north facing terrain. Moist snow can be found at lower elevations. Cornices are large and fragile. The mid and lower snowpack are strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Recent moderate southerly winds have been redistributing the surface snow in exposed terrain.&nbsp; Wind slabs can be expected in leeward features and recent cornice growth has been reported. In sheltered terrain there is likely 10-15cm of low density snow from the storm last Thursday.&nbsp; Sunny conditions on Monday may have caused sun crust formation on steep solar aspects.&nbsp; A report from Monday suggests that there is a layer of reactive surface hoar around Mt. Van Wegenan.&nbsp; This surface hoar layer can be found in high elevation north facing terrain and sits down 30-40cm under recently formed wind slabs. The full extent of the distribution of this layer is currently unknown and it may be a concern in other parts of the region as well.&nbsp; The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow is falling on  widely wind effected old surfaces, burying wind pressed snow in exposed terrain and soft or hard slabs in lee features. Moist snow can be found at lower elevations and on solar aspects. A layer of surface hoar or facets down 70-100cm can be found in areas north of Stewart sitting below Marchs accumulated storm snow. Recent avalanche activity suggest that we may be approaching a critical load on this interface. An older crust/facet layer buried in early February can now be found around 80-120 cm below the surface, however, this layer has been dormant recently. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Saturday night, 8-15cm of new snow fell. Strong southwest winds redistributed these accumulations into touchy wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. 35-70 cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer, which was buried on February 27th, seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still really touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for large avalanches. Deeper weak layers from mid-February and early January are now down 50-90cm and 70-120cm respectively. Triggering an avalanche on either of these layers has become unlikely but either still has the isolated potential to produce very large avalanches with a heavy trigger or significant 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">5-10 cm of new snow and moderate southwest winds have developed soft wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline. Wind slabs may be sitting on a melt-freeze crust that developed over the weekend when previously moist or wet surface snow re-froze. There are no current weaknesses of concern deeper in the snowpack, but cornices are huge, fragile, and may fall off naturally or be easily triggered by travelling near them.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">At 1920 metres in the Crown Mtn area there was 17 cm of new snow above a breakable 2 cm crust. Below the crust there was moist snow at this elevation. We estimate the the crust extends up to about 2000 metres. Strong southwest winds have created widespread wind slabs at treeline and above. Deeper in the snowpack, recent tests gave very easy sudden collapse results down 80 cm on a southeast aspect at 1850 m on the deep persistent facet/crust weakness that was buried early December. Watch this weakness with extreme warming from sun-exposure, or warming/loading from rain. Cornices are also reported to be huge and weak. Check out the latest SoRo field team video on Instagram: @avcansouthrockies</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow is falling on widely wind effected surfaces in the alpine and at treeline. Moist snow can be found at lower elevations and on slopes that see direct sunlight.  In the north of the region a crust and/or surface hoar from early in March or late February can be found in the upper meter of the snowpack.  A deeper layer of surface hoar from early January can be found in isolated locations across the region between 60 and 140 cm down. There hasn't been any avalanche activity reported on this layer for a couple of weeks now and it is becoming less of a concern. In shallower areas the snowpack sits on a weak base layer of facetted snow. This layer has been sporadically active in the north of the region, responsible for several large avalanches in unsupported alpine terrain. Cornices are large and fragile.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Another 5-10 cm overnight has added to the recent storm slabs. There is now 20 to 40 cm of storm snow combined with moderate southwest winds which have likely created deep wind slabs on the leeward side of ridgecrests and mid-slope terrain features. In some drainages these storm slabs may be sitting on a thin crust that was initially buried on March 11th. A second curst, (the early March melt/freeze crust) can be found down 40 to 70 cm. A persistent weak layer buried late-February is typically down 60 to 100 cm and remains sensitive to triggering as indicated by recent avalanche activity. This weakness is widespread buried surface hoar on sheltered slopes above 1700 m, and a crust potentially with associated facets on previously sun-exposed slopes (primarily south aspects).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Saturday and Saturday night highly variable amounts of new snow fell (10-47cm) throughout the region. Another 5-15cm fell on Sunday night. Moderate to strong ridgetop winds have shifted the snow into wind slabs in leeward terrain at treeline and in the alpine. 60-110cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer, which was buried on February 27th, seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally gaining strength. At ridgetop, cornices are huge and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 10 and 25cm of new snow fell on Saturday and Saturday night while another 10-15cm fell on Sunday night. Moderate to strong ridgetop winds shifted the new accumulations into soft slabs at treeline and in the alpine. 60-100cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layers, which was buried in late February, seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally gaining strength. At ridgetop, cornices are huge and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Fresh slabs have formed with the overnight snowfall and moderate to strong winds. The slab density will vary depending on aspect and elevation. There has been good overnight settlement and the older storm snow layers have not been reactive over the past few days. Watch for deeper pockets of wind transported snow to the lee of ridgelines and in crossloaded alpine terrain. Below treeline the snow will not have formed a slab, but  this could change through the day as temperatures rise.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 50cm of recent snowfall has accumulated over the weekend which likely sits on a rain crust which formed on Friday. Steady west / southwest winds have likely formed winds slabs is leeward terrain features. The snowpack below Thursday's crust is expected to be well settled and strong.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up on the Spray today, light convective flurries continued with intermittent windows of good visibility.  The recent storm (30-35 cm) snow has had some wind affect in specific treeline and alpine features that are exposed to the winds. So expect to see this in cross wind affected and in the immediate lee of the wind.  Anticipate a bit of reverse loading as the upper flow is from the northwest so keep a sharp eye out for recent wind slabs on south through easterly aspects in the alpine.  Within the mid depths of the snowpack are crusts buried from early March and February that we have seen little activity on but remain fantastic bed surfaces for avalanches especially in the presence of wind slabs.  In the alpine, I am probing constantly to make sure I'm not walking into shallow, rocky snowpack areas where the potential for triggering deeply buried facets from early January is still possible.  The big thing to keep in mind over the next few day is there is great deal of storm snow available for the wind to have its way with it and build some nasty wind slabs that could spoil your day.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At treeline and in the alpine you're likely to find wind slabs which formed during Saturday's stormy weather. 50-100cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still really touchy in some places while in other spots it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally gaining strength. At ridgetop, cornices are huge and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Ongoing convective flurries continue to add the the snowpack daily. At treeline, we now have 20-30cm of recent snow on top of the March 8th layer. This interface is slow to improve, but so far the slab density above it is soft and only a concern in the upper reaches of the  treeline zone. The Feb 11th layer is down 40cm and the Feb 27th is down 50-60cm. In all cases the bond is healing, but still something to watch. 2150m seems to be the magic number when it comes to the crusts disappearing. South aspects may vary depending on angle. Interestingly, the Jan 6th layer appears to be getting worse as the surface snow settles and gains some density. At treeline we are finding that layer to be down about 1m and reacting in tests. The alpine is currently going through another windloading event. Slabs from transport and settlement were noted today in any open terrain. The soft slabs are dense enough to propagate in the right terrain (steep &amp; convex).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 120cm of snow fell over the last week.&nbsp; This snow is reported to be settling and gaining strength, but lingering storm instabilities may still exist, especially in recently wind loaded terrain features.&nbsp; Cornices are reported to be large and fragile. Isolated sun crusts can already be found on steep sun exposed slopes, with widespread sun crust formation expected in the next couple days.&nbsp; The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is now 25 to 50 cm of storm snow combined with moderate southwest winds which have likely created deep wind slabs on the leeward side of ridgecrests and mid-slope terrain features. In some drainages these storm slabs may be sitting on a thin crust that was initially buried on March 11th. A second curst, (the early March melt/freeze crust) can be found down 50 to 80 cm. A persistent weak layer buried late-February is typically down 60 to 100 cm and remains sensitive to triggering as indicated by recent avalanche activity. This weakness is widespread buried surface hoar on sheltered slopes above 1700 m, and a crust potentially with associated facets on previously sun-exposed slopes (primarily south aspects).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At treeline and in the alpine you're likely to find wind slabs which formed during Saturday's stormy weather. 50-100cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still really touchy in some places while in other spots it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally gaining strength. At ridgetop, cornices are huge and potentially unstable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Fresh slabs have formed with snowfall and moderate to strong winds over the past couple of days with a new soft slab having formed last night. There has been good overnight settlement and the older storm snow layers have continued to gain strength and have not been reactive over the past few days. Watch for deeper pockets of wind transported snow to the lee of ridge lines and in cross loaded alpine terrain. Cornices have continued to grow and have been reactive to the weight of a person.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In Smith Basin on Tuesday, our field team found a thinner snowpack with only 145 cm on the ground. They found about 10 cm of recent storm snow above a 2 cm breakable crust that was not supportive. The March 7th crust in Smith basin was down about 20 cm, with decomposing snow below that becoming facetted weak crystals deeper in the shallow weak snowpack. There were no notable test results, and evidence of aggressive slope testing on east-south-west aspects that did not trigger any releases. On Monday at 1920 metres in the Crown Mtn area there was 17 cm of new snow above a breakable 2 cm crust. Below the crust there was dry snow at this elevation. We estimate the the crust extends up to about 2000 metres. Strong southwest winds have created widespread wind slabs at treeline and above. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent storm snow is expected to settle and bond to the old buried crust. Watch for strong solar radiation warming and consolidating the storm snow into a slab. The mid-pack has been reported to be strong without any layers of concern</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Monday up to 18cm of new snow fell. Moderate to strong southerly winds have shifted the snow into wind slabs in leeward terrain at treeline and in the alpine while intermittent sunny skies have likely promoted a melt-freeze cycle on some sun-exposed slopes. 60-110cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer, which was buried on February 27th, seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally gaining strength. At ridgetop, cornices are huge and could be become increasingly touchy with forecast solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 5 and 20cm of new snow fell on Monday. Moderate to strong ridgetop winds shifted the new accumulations into wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine while intermittent sunny skies have likely promoted a melt-freeze cycle on some sun-exposed slopes. 60-100cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer, which was buried in late February, seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. At ridgetop, cornices are huge and could be become increasingly touchy with forecast solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">5-10 cm of recent snow and moderate southwest winds have developed wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline. Wind slabs may be sitting on a melt-freeze crust that developed over the weekend when previously moist or wet surface snow re-froze. There are no current weak layers of concern deeper in the snowpack, but cornices are huge, fragile, and may fall off naturally or be easily triggered by travelling near them.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 75cm of snow fell over the last week.&nbsp; This snow is reported to be settling and gaining strength, but lingering storm instabilities may still exist, especially in recently wind loaded terrain features.&nbsp; Cornices are reported to be large and fragile. Isolated sun crusts can already be found on steep sun exposed slopes, with widespread sun crust formation expected in the next couple days. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled.&nbsp; Below 1200m the snowpack is reported to be isothermal.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-30cm of new snow has accumulated over the last couple days in sheltered areas.  Strong southerly winds have redistributed the surface snow forming wind slabs and adding mass to cornices.  On south aspects, the recent storm snow may have buried a sun crust. Lower elevations are going through daily melt-freeze cycles.  A layer of surface hoar buried on March 3 is down 70-100cm and has been recently reactive in the areas north of Stewart. An older crust/facet layer buried in early February can now be found down over a meter but this layer has been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas at higher elevations, 20-30cm of low density snow can be found. Recent southerly winds have redistributed the surface snow in exposed terrain formed wind slabs and cornices in leeward terrain. On Monday, moist snow was reported up to 1650m elevation on southern aspects and up to 1200m on northern aspects. A layer of surface hoar from early March can be found down 60-80cm but only seems to be a problem for the northern half of the region. Professional operators are still tracking two deep weak layers from early-January and early-February which can be found down about 1m or more. These layers have been dormant for a couple weeks but could wake up with heavy storm loading, substantial warming, or a heavy trigger like a cornice fall. In the far north of the region, there is an isolated weakness at the base of the snowpack that has been responsible for some very large and destructive avalanches. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Saturday night, 8-15cm of new snow fell. Strong southwest winds redistributed these accumulations into touchy wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine. 35-70 cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer, which was buried on February 27th, seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still really touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for large avalanches. Deeper weak layers from mid-February and early January are now down 50-90cm and 70-120cm respectively. Triggering an avalanche on either of these layers has become unlikely but either still has the isolated potential to produce very large avalanches with a heavy trigger or significant warming. At ridgetop, cornices are huge and could be become increasingly touchy with forecast solar radiation.</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">Pockets of storm slab exist in isolated areas that vary in density depending on aspect and elevation. There has been good overnight settlement and the older storm snow layers have continued to gain strength and have not been reactive over the past few days. Watch for deeper pockets of wind transported snow to the lee of ridge lines and in cross loaded alpine terrain. Cornices have continued to grow and have been reactive to the weight of a person.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Variable wind effect in lee and cross-loaded features in the Alpine and isolated areas at Treeline. Some reverse wind-loading due to recent northerly winds. Numerous buried crusts are found on solar aspects which were producing generally moderate shears down 32 and 50cm in snowpack stability tests today at 2300m. Cornices continue to grow with several failures observed over the past several days.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent storm snow is expected to settle and bond to the old buried crust. Watch for strong solar radiation warming and consolidating the storm snow into a slab. There are some reports of a graupel layer buried down 30 cm that may act as a sliding layer for the storm slab. The mid-pack has been reported to be strong without any layers of concern</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 120cm of snow fell over the last week or so. This snow is reported to be settling and gaining strength, but lingering storm instabilities may still exist, especially in recently wind loaded terrain features. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile. Expect to encounter a sun crust or moist snow on sun-exposed slopes depending on the time of day. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 75cm of snow fell over the last week or so. This snow is reported to be settling and gaining strength, but lingering storm instabilities may still exist, especially in recently wind loaded terrain features. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile. Expect to encounter a sun crust or moist snow on sun-exposed slopes depending on the time of day. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Below 1200m the snowpack is reported to be isothermal.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-30cm of new snow has accumulated over the last couple days in sheltered areas. Strong southerly winds have redistributed the surface snow forming wind slabs and adding mass to cornices. On south aspects, the recent storm snow may have buried a sun crust. Lower elevations are going through daily melt-freeze cycles. A layer of surface hoar or melt-freeze crust buried on March 3 is down 70-100cm and has been recently reactive in the areas north of Stewart. An older crust/facet layer buried in early February can now be found down over a meter but this layer has been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas at higher elevations, 20-30cm of low density snow can be found. Recent southerly winds have redistributed the surface snow in exposed terrain formed wind slabs and cornices in leeward terrain. South facing slopes could be capped a sun crust or moist snow depending on the time of day. A layer of surface hoar from early March can be found down 60-80cm but only seems to be a problem for the northern half of the region. Professional operators are still tracking two deep weak layers from early-January and early-February which can be found down about 1m or more. These layers have been dormant for a couple weeks but could wake up with heavy storm loading, substantial warming, or a heavy trigger like a cornice fall. In the far north of the region, there is an isolated weakness at the base of the snowpack that has been responsible for some very large and destructive avalanches. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On lee features at treeline and in the alpine light amounts of new snow overlie older wind slabs while intermittent sunny skies have likely promoted a melt-freeze cycle on some sun-exposed slopes. 35-80 cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer, which was buried on February 27th, seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still really touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for large avalanches. Deeper weak layers from mid-February and early January are now down 50-90cm and 70-120cm respectively. Triggering an avalanche on either of these layers has become unlikely but either still has the isolated potential to produce very large avalanches with a heavy trigger or significant warming. At ridgetop, cornices are huge and could be become increasingly touchy with forecast solar radiation.</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">On lee features at treeline and in the alpine light amounts of new snow overlie older wind slabs while intermittent sunny skies have likely promoted a melt-freeze cycle on some sun-exposed slopes. 60-100cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer, which was buried in late February, seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. At ridgetop, cornices are huge and could be become increasingly touchy with forecast solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On lee features at treeline and in the alpine light amounts of new snow overlie older wind slabs while intermittent sunny skies have likely promoted a melt-freeze cycle on some sun-exposed slopes. 50-100cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still really touchy in some places while in other spots it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally gaining strength. At ridgetop, cornices are huge and could become increasingly touchy with forecast solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">On Wednesday, the surface snow was reported to be moist on solar aspects below 1400 metres in the afternoon. 5-10 cm of recent snow has been transported by moderate northwest winds that have developed wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline. Wind slabs may be sitting on a melt-freeze crust that developed over the weekend when previously moist or wet surface snow re-froze. There are no current weak layers of concern deeper in the snowpack, but cornices are huge, fragile, and may fall off naturally or be easily triggered by travelling near them.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">On Wednesday the field team was in the Crowsnest north area around Window Mtn, where they found 155 cm of snow on the ground at 2250 metres on a north aspect. The foot penetration was 35 cm, but the light winds were not transporting this available snow today. Ski penetration was about 15cm. In Smith Basin on Tuesday, our field team found a thinner snowpack with only 140-200 cm on the ground. They found about 10 cm of recent storm snow above a 2 cm breakable crust that was not supportive. The March 7th crust in Smith basin was down about 20 cm, with decomposing snow below that becoming facetted weak crystals deeper in the shallow weak snowpack. There were no notable test results, and evidence of aggressive slope testing on east-south-west aspects that did not trigger any releases. On Monday at 1920 metres in the Crown Mtn area there was 17 cm of new snow above a breakable 2 cm crust. Below the crust there was dry snow at this elevation. We estimate the crust extends up to about 2000 metres. Strong southwest winds have created widespread wind slabs at treeline and above. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm snow is 40-60 cm deep and continues to settle above a mix of crusts at treeline and below. In some drainages these storm slabs may be sitting on a thin crust that was initially buried on March 11th. A second curst, (the early March melt/freeze crust) can be found down 50 to 80 cm. The late February (Feb 27th) persistent weak layer of buried surface hoar down 70-120 cm continues to result in large avalanches. I suspect that this weak layer is more prominent on northerly (shaded) aspects at 1700 metres and above. This surface hoar layer may be associated with a crust on solar aspects. With forecast sun and strong solar radiation, triggering this deep weak layer may be more likely. Watch for moist or wet surface snow as a sign that solar radiation is strong and deep weak layers may become reactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On lee features at treeline and in the alpine light amounts of new snow overlie older wind slabs while intermittent sunny skies have promoted a melt-freeze cycle on some sun-exposed slopes. 60-110cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer, which was buried on February 27th, seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally gaining strength. At ridgetop, cornices are huge and could be become increasingly touchy with forecast solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Variable wind effect in lee and cross-loaded features in the Alpine and isolated areas at Treeline. Some reverse wind-loading due to recent northerly winds. Numerous buried crusts are found on solar aspects which were producing generally moderate shears down 32 and 50cm in snowpack stability tests today at 2300m. Cornices continue to grow with several failures observed over the past several days.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface consists of a sun crust or moist snow on sun-exposed slopes (depending on the time of day), dry settled powder on shady slopes (cool temperatures have maintained good snow quality), and pockets of fresh wind slab in lee and cross-loaded terrain features near ridge crests. In general, the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface consists of a sun crust or moist snow on sun-exposed slopes (depending on the time of day), dry settled powder on shady slopes (cool temperatures have maintained good snow quality), and pockets of fresh wind slab in lee and cross-loaded terrain features near ridge crests. In general, the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">We've seen variable amounts of new snow but an average of 30-40cm has accumulated over the last few days in sheltered areas. Variable winds have redistributed the surface snow forming wind slabs and adding mass to cornices. On south aspects, the recent storm snow may have buried a sun crust. Lower elevations and south aspects are going through daily melt-freeze cycles. A layer of surface hoar or melt-freeze crust buried on March 3 is down 70-100cm and has been recently reactive in the areas north of Stewart. An older crust/facet layer buried in early February can now be found down over a meter but this layer has been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At ridgetop, cornices are huge and could become increasingly touchy with forecast solar radiation. Convective flurries on Wednesday produced highly variable amounts of low density snow ranging from 15-30cm.  Moderate westerly winds have created fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and in the alpine. The new snow overlies buried wind slabs. 70-100cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still really touchy in some places while in other spots it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally gaining strength. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">On Wednesday the field team was in the Crowsnest north area around Window Mtn, where they found 155 cm of snow on the ground at 2250 metres on a north aspect. The foot penetration was 35 cm, but the light winds were not transporting this available snow today. Ski penetration was about 15cm. In Smith Basin on Tuesday, our field team found a thinner snowpack with only 140-200 cm on the ground. They found about 10 cm of recent storm snow above a 2 cm breakable crust that was not supportive. The March 7th crust in Smith basin was down about 20 cm, with decomposing snow below that becoming facetted weak crystals deeper in the shallow weak snowpack. There were no notable test results, and evidence of aggressive slope testing on east-south-west aspects that did not trigger any releases. On Monday at 1920 metres in the Crown Mtn area there was 17 cm of new snow above a breakable 2 cm crust. Below the crust there was dry snow at this elevation. We estimate the crust extends up to about 2000 metres. Strong southwest winds have created widespread wind slabs at treeline and above. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm snow is 40 to 60 cm deep and continues to settle above a mix of crusts at treeline and below. In some drainages these storm slabs may be sitting on a thin crust that was initially buried on March 11th. A second curst, (the early March melt/freeze crust) can be found down 50 to 80 cm. The late February (Feb 27th) persistent weak layer of buried surface hoar down 70 to 120 cm continues to result in large avalanches. I suspect that this weak layer is more prominent on northerly (shaded) aspects at and above 1700 m. This surface hoar layer may be associated with a crust on solar aspects. With forecast sun and strong solar radiation, triggering this deep weak layer may be more likely. Watch for moist or wet surface snow as a sign that solar radiation is strong and deep weak layers may become reactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Valley bottom freezing levels last night have locked up the upper layers of the snowpack below about 1300m, with a weak 2cm melt-freeze crust observed at 1650m this morning. Solar aspects at alpine and treeline elevations have a variable melt freeze crust this morning that will break down with exposure to the sun by late morning. The storm snow layers on north aspects in the alpine and at treeline have continued to settle and gain strength over the past few days and remain cold loose and unconsolidated. Many cornices have grown to massive proportions during the March storm cycles, and they are the biggest concern in our snowpack at this time.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas at higher elevations, 20-30cm of low density snow can be found. Recent southerly winds have redistributed the surface snow in exposed terrain formed wind slabs and cornices in leeward terrain. South facing slopes could be capped a sun crust or moist snow depending on the time of day. A layer of surface hoar from early March can be found down 60-80cm but only seems to be a problem for the northern half of the region. Professional operators are still tracking two deep weak layers from early-January and early-February which can be found down about 1m or more. These layers have been dormant for a couple weeks but could wake up with heavy storm loading, substantial warming, or a heavy trigger like a cornice fall. In the far north of the region, there is an isolated weakness at the base of the snowpack that has been responsible for some very large and destructive avalanches. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At ridgetop, cornices are huge and could be become increasingly touchy with forecast solar radiation. On lee features at treeline and in the alpine light amounts of new snow overlie older wind slabs while sunny skies have likely promoted a melt-freeze cycle on sun-exposed slopes. 60-100cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer, which was buried in late February, seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At ridgetop, cornices are huge and could be become increasingly touchy with forecast solar radiation. On lee features at treeline and in the alpine light amounts of new snow overlie older wind slabs while sunny skies have promoted a melt-freeze cycle on sun-exposed slopes. 60-110cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer, which was buried on February 27th, seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally gaining strength. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm temperatures Thursday have likely allowed the recent storm snow to settle and bond to the old buried crust.&nbsp; Old storm slabs are not expected to remain a concern going into Friday. The mid-pack has been reported to be strong without any layers of concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">On Wednesday, the surface snow was reported to be moist on solar aspects below 1400 metres in the afternoon. 5-10 cm of recent snow has been transported by moderate northwest winds that have developed wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline. Wind slabs may be sitting on a melt-freeze crust that developed over the weekend when previously moist or wet surface snow re-froze. There are no current weak layers of concern deeper in the snowpack, but cornices are huge, fragile, and may fall off naturally or be easily triggered by traveling near them.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At ridgetop, cornices are huge and could be become increasingly touchy with forecast solar radiation. Sunny skies have likely promoted a melt-freeze cycle on sun-exposed slopes. 40-80 cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer, which was buried late February, seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still really touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for large avalanches. Deeper weak layers from mid-February and early January are now down 50-90cm and 70-120cm respectively. Triggering an avalanche on either of these layers has become unlikely but either still has the isolated potential to produce very large avalanches with a heavy trigger or significant warming.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface consists of a sun crust or moist snow on sun-exposed slopes (depending on the time of day), dry settled powder on shady slopes (cool temperatures have maintained good snow quality), and pockets of fresh wind slab in lee and cross-loaded terrain features near ridge crests. In general, the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface consists of a sun crust or moist snow on sun-exposed slopes (depending on the time of day), dry settled powder on shady slopes (cool temperatures have maintained good snow quality), and pockets of fresh wind slab in lee and cross-loaded terrain features near ridge crests. In general, the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Easterly winds have redistributed the surface snow forming fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain. On sheltered and shady slopes there is 20-40 cm of settled dry (and faceting) powder, possibly capped by surface hoar. On south aspects, the recent storm snow may be sitting on a sun crust. Lower elevations and south aspects are going through daily melt-freeze cycles. A layer of surface hoar or melt-freeze crust buried on March 3 is down 70-100cm and has been recently reactive in the areas north of Stewart. An older crust/facet layer buried in early February can now be found down over a meter but this layer has been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas at higher elevations, 20-30cm of low density facetting snow can be found. Recent southerly winds have redistributed the surface snow in exposed terrain formed wind slabs and cornices in leeward terrain. South facing slopes could be capped a sun crust or moist snow depending on the time of day. A layer of surface hoar from early March can be found down 60-80cm but only seems to be a problem for the northern half of the region. Professional operators are still tracking two deep weak layers from early-January and early-February which can be found down about 1m or more. These layers have been dormant for a couple weeks but could wake up with heavy storm loading, substantial warming, or a heavy trigger like a cornice fall. In the far north of the region, there is an isolated weakness at the base of the snowpack that has been responsible for some very large and destructive avalanches. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm snow of 40 to 60 cm continues to settle above a mix of crusts at treeline and below. In some drainages</span><span class="s_2488BF4F"> these storm slabs may be sitting on a thin crust that was initially buried on March 11th. A second crust, (the early March melt/freeze crust) can be found down 50 to 80 cm. The late February (Feb 27th) persistent weak layer of buried s</span><span class="s_3FE45715">urface hoar down is now down 70 to 120 cm and has been the interface for some large avalanches. I suspect that this weak layer is more prominent on northerly (shaded) aspects at and above 1700 m. This surface hoar layer may also be associated with a crust on solar aspects. With the forecast of sun and strong solar radiation, triggering this deep weak layer may become easier. Pay attention to moist or wet surface snow as a sign that solar radiation is strong and deep weak layers may become reactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At ridgetop, cornices are huge and could become increasingly touchy with forecast solar radiation. Moderate westerly winds have created fresh wind slabs on top of old wind slabs on lee features at treeline and in the alpine. 70-100cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still really touchy in some places while in other spots it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At ridgetop, cornices are huge and could become increasingly touchy with forecast solar radiation. Expect old wind slabs on lee features at treeline and in the alpine to become more reactive with solar radiation. Sunny skies have likely promoted a melt-freeze cycle on sun-exposed slopes. 60-100cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer, which was buried in late February, seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential for very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At ridgetop, cornices are huge and could become increasingly touchy with forecast solar radiation. Expect old wind slabs on lee features at treeline and in the alpine to become more reactive with solar radiation. Sunny skies have likely promoted a melt-freeze cycle on sun-exposed slopes. 60-110cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer, which was buried in late February, seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential to produce very large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Valley bottom overnight freezing levels have formed a melt freeze crust on all aspects below about 1300m.  Solar aspects at alpine and treeline elevations have a variable melt freeze crust that will break down with exposure to the sun. The storm snow layers on north aspects in the alpine and at treeline have continued to settle and gain strength over the past few days and remain winterlike.  Many cornices have grown to massive proportions during the March storm cycles, and they are now the biggest concern for backcountry travellers. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Very little wind affect is being noticed throughout the forecast region. Windslabs are isolated in both treeline and alpine areas confined to ridgelines, gullied features and crossloaded slopes. The snowpack differs depending upon which aspect you are on. On solar aspects, there are a series of crusts in the top 100cm of the snowpack that are producing moderate sheers. On more polar aspects, the snowpack is more settled with only the basal weaknesses such as facets and depth hoar being the main concern. Forecasters were noticing whumpfing from thin shallow snowpack areas while travelling into alpine terrain today. Be especially cautious around these thinner snowpack areas as these are likely trigger points for a skier. Cornices are still very large at this time and we have seen numerous collapses over the past few days causing large destructive avalanches. Solar radiation that is likely to occur over the weekend is only going to decrease the stability making these problems more prominent. Use caution and be thinking about the sun and full depth, full path avalanches. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">By Friday afternoon temperatures were a couple degrees above freezing at 1400 m. Both time and the warm temps have likely allowed the storm snow from earlier in the week to settle and bond to the underlying old crust. Old storm slabs are not expected to be a concern going into the weekend. The mid-pack has been reported to be strong without any layers of concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Recent moderate southerly winds have been redistributing the surface snow in exposed terrain. Wind slabs can be expected in leeward features and recent cornice growth has been reported. In sheltered terrain there may be 15-30cm of low density snow from the storms on Thursday and Friday. Sunny conditions earlier in the week may have caused sun crust formation on steep solar aspects. A report from Monday suggests that there is a layer of reactive surface hoar around Mt. Van Wegenan. This surface hoar layer may be found in high elevation, north facing terrain and is down 30-50cm under recently formed wind slabs. The full extent and distribution of this layer is currently unknown and it may be a concern in other parts of the region as well. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At ridgetop, cornices are huge and could become increasingly touchy with forecast solar radiation. Expect old wind slabs on lee features at treeline and in the alpine to become more reactive with solar radiation. Sunny skies have likely promoted a melt-freeze cycle on sun-exposed slopes. 40-90cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer, which was buried in late February, seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still touchy in some places while in other places it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential to produce large avalanches. Deeper weak layers from mid-February and early January are now down 50-90cm and 70-120cm respectively. Triggering an avalanche on either of these layers has become unlikely but still has the potential to produce very large avalanches in isolated locations with a heavy trigger or significant 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">On Thursday there was around 15 to 25 cm of new snow at 1700 m. There has been a touch of northeast wind over the last 48 hours which is forming soft wind slabs in upper elevation wind exposed terrain. These wind slabs may be sitting on the mid-March crust, which is down around 20 cm below the snow surface. The early March crust can be found down around 50 cm below the surface. Both of these crusts are reported to be present from valley bottom to around 2300 m, where they begin to disappear. There are thin snowpack areas in the South Rockies region where deeply buried weak layers near the ground remain sensitive to triggering. Huge cornices still hang over many ridge-lines and many are likely teetering on the brink of failure. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Thursday there was around 15 cm of new snow at 1700 m. There has been a touch of northeast wind over the last 48 hours which is forming soft wind slabs in upper elevation wind exposed terrain. In some locations you may find a thin melt freeze down 15 to 25 cm below the surface. While there is a stout 3 cm thick melt-freeze crust present down around 1 meter below the surface, it has not been reactive in recent snowpack tests. There are no other layers of concern in the snowpack at this time. Huge cornices still hang over many ridge-lines and many are likely teetering on the brink of failure. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At ridgetop, cornices are huge and could become increasingly touchy with forecast solar radiation. Old wind slabs still linger on lee features at treeline and in the alpine. 70-100cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still really touchy in some places while in other spots it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential to produce very large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface consists of a sun crust or moist snow on sun-exposed slopes (depending on the time of day), dry settled powder on shady slopes (cool temperatures have maintained good snow quality), and pockets of fresh wind slab in lee and cross-loaded terrain features near ridge crests. In general, the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile. Light snowfall and wind on Sunday will form fresh wind slabs at higher elevations while rain will saturate the upper snowpack below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface consists of a sun crust or moist snow on sun-exposed slopes (depending on the time of day), dry settled powder on shady slopes (cool temperatures have maintained good snow quality), and pockets of fresh wind slab in lee and cross-loaded terrain features near ridge crests. In general, the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile. New snow and wind on Sunday will form fresh wind slabs at higher elevations while rain will saturate the upper snowpack below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Saturdays freezing level rising to 1800 m will result in significant settlement of the snowpack. Time and the warm temps have likely allowed the storm snow from earlier in the week to settle and bond to the underlying old crust. Old storm slabs are not expected to be a concern going into the weekend. The mid-pack has been reported to be strong without any layers of concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Valley bottom overnight freezing levels have formed a melt freeze crust on all aspects below about 1300m. Steep solar aspects at alpine and treeline elevations have a variable melt freeze crust that will break down with exposure to the sun. The storm snow layers on north aspects in the alpine and at treeline have continued to settle and gain strength over the past few days and remain winterlike for now. Many cornices have grown to massive proportions during the March storm cycles, and they are now the biggest concern for backcountry travellers. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Strong solar radiation influence throughout the region today with temperatures at 2200m  of 5C.  Moist surface snow was being encountered up to ridgelines and loose wet avalanches were being observed from steeper terrain into the Alpine.  Northern aspects remained dry with isolated windslabs along ridgelines and in gullies features up to 40cm thick.  Field tests on Friday were showing that these slabs were failing in the moderate range with not to much propagation.  Cornices are still large and failures of these features is still common.  So far, pretty much every cornice failure has triggerred a substantial avalanche on the underlying slopes that failed either at or near ground. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At ridgetop, cornices are huge and could become increasingly touchy with forecast solar radiation. Old wind slabs still linger on lee features at treeline and in the alpine. 60-100cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still reactive to human triggers in some places while in other spots it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential to produce large avalanches.  Below this interface, the snowpack is generally 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">At ridgetop, cornices are huge and could become increasingly touchy with rising freezing levels and solar radiation. Old wind slabs still linger on lee features at treeline and in the alpine and may become more reactive with solar radiation. 60-110cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still reactive to human triggers in some places while in other spots it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential to produce large avalanches. Below this interface, the snowpack is generally strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At ridgetop, cornices are huge and could become increasingly touchy with rising freezing levels and solar radiation. Old wind slabs still linger on lee features at treeline and in the alpine which may become more reactive with solar radiation. 40-90cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still reactive to human triggers in some places while in other spots it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential to produce large avalanches. Deeper weak layers from mid-February and early January are now down 50-90cm and 70-120cm respectively. Triggering an avalanche on either of these layers has become unlikely but still has the potential to produce very large avalanches in isolated locations with a heavy trigger or significant warming. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">The recent storm snow of 40 to 60 cm continues to settle above multiple crusts at treeline and below. In some valleys these storm slabs may be sitting on a thin crust that was buried on March 11th. A second crust, (the early March melt/freeze crust) can be found down 50 to 80 cm. The late February (Feb 27th) persistent weak layer of buried surface hoar down is now down 70 to 120 cm and has been the interface for some large avalanches. We suspect that this weak layer is more prominent on northerly (shaded) aspects at and above 1700 m. This surface hoar layer may also be associated with a crust on solar aspects. With the forecast of sun and strong solar radiation, triggering this deep weak layer may become easier. Pay attention to moist or wet surface snow as a sign that solar radiation is strong,&nbsp; and the potential is there for deep weak layers to become reactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Thursday there was around 15 cm of new snow at 1700 m. There has been a touch of northeast wind over the last 48 hours which has formed soft wind slabs in upper elevation wind exposed terrain. In some locations you may find a thin melt freeze down 15 to 25 cm below the surface. While there is a stout 3 cm thick melt-freeze crust present down around 1 meter below the surface, it has not been reactive in recent snowpack tests. There are no other layers of concern in the snowpack at this time. Huge cornices still hang over many ridge-lines and many are likely teetering on the brink of failure. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Earlier in the week, 15 to 25 cm of new snow above 1700 m. Northeast wind over the last 48 hours has formed soft wind slabs in upper elevation wind exposed terrain. These wind slabs may be sitting on the mid-March crust, which is down around 20 cm below the snow surface. An earlier March crust can be found down around 50 cm below the surface. Both of these crusts are reported to be present from valley bottom to around 2300 m, after which they begin to disappear. There are thin snowpack areas in the South Rockies region where deeply buried weak layers near the ground remain sensitive to triggering. Huge cornices still hang over many ridge-lines and with solar radiation and warming temperatures may now be on the brink of failure. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Easterly winds have redistributed the surface snow forming fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain. On sheltered and shady slopes there is 20-40 cm of settled dry (and faceting) powder, possibly capped by surface hoar. On south aspects, the recent storm snow may be sitting on a sun crust. Lower elevations and south aspects are going through daily melt-freeze cycles. A layer of surface hoar or melt-freeze crust buried on March 3 is down 70-100cm and has been recently reactive in the areas north of Stewart. An older crust/facet layer buried in early February can now be found down over a meter but this layer has been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In sheltered areas at higher elevations, 20-30cm of low density facetting snow can be found. Recent southerly winds have redistributed the surface snow in exposed terrain formed wind slabs and cornices in leeward terrain. South facing slopes could be capped by a sun crust or moist snow, depending on the time of day. A layer of surface hoar from early March can be found down 60-80cm but only seems to be a problem for the northern half of the region. Professional operators are still tracking two deep weak layers from early-January and early-February which can be found down about 1m or more. These layers have been dormant for a couple weeks but could wake up with heavy storm loading, substantial warming, or a heavy trigger like a cornice fall. In the far north of the region, there is an isolated weakness at the base of the snowpack that has been responsible for some very large and destructive avalanches. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Overnight cooling after yesterday's greenhouse effect has left a weak crust on most aspects.  This crust will break down quickly with today's forecast warm temps and precipitation.  Many cornices have grown to massive proportions during the March storm cycles, and they are now the biggest concern for backcountry travelers.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Moist snow was being encountered on solar aspects up to 2700m.  North aspects still had dry snow but the snowpack on these areas is far from a stable spring snowpack.  Many areas had a weak facetted base that would be prone to triggering by a skier from a thinner snowpack area.  Cornices are still large and looming over many alpine features.  As temperatures cool moving into the week, solar aspects will have a rugged temperature crust that will make skiing challenging.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow and moderate winds on Sunday and Monday will form new wind slabs at higher elevations. Below treeline, rain will saturate the upper snowpack. The new snow will overlie a sun crust on sun-exposed slopes, dry settled powder on shady slopes, and pockets of fresh wind slab in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests. Below the new snow the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow and moderate winds on Sunday and Monday will form new wind slabs at higher elevations. Below treeline, rain will saturate the upper snowpack. The new snow will overlie a sun crust on sun-exposed slopes, dry settled powder on shady slopes, and pockets of fresh wind slab in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests. Below the new snow the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are reported to be large and fragile. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Earlier in the week, 15 to 25 cm of new snow fell with light northwest winds. Recent winds from the South west have redistributed the storm snow onto high NE aspects. These wind slabs may be sitting on the mid-March crust, still being found around 20 cm below the snow surface. An earlier March crust can be found down at 50 cm below the surface. Both of these crusts are reported to be present from valley bottom to around 2300 m, after which they begin to disappear. There are thin snowpack areas in the South Rockies region where deeply buried weak layers near the ground remain sensitive to triggering. Huge cornices still hang over many ridge-lines and with solar radiation and warming temperatures, may now be quite reactive. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">Warm temperatures and strong solar radiation have aided settlement and encouraged bonding of the last blast of storm snow.&nbsp; Be aware that there are still multiple buried crusts at treeline and below. Of note are the March 11th crust, and a second crust, (the early March melt/freeze crust) can be found down 50 to 80 cm. The late February (Feb 27th) persistent weak layer of buried surface hoar, is now down 70 to 120 cm. This layer has been the interface for some large avalanches and is worth keeping in mind ( and perhaps looking for by digging a test pit) We suspect that this weak layer is more prominent on northerly (shaded) aspects at and above 1700 m. It may also be found associated with a crust on solar aspects. As the sky clouds over and the freezing level lowers, it's still worth paying attention to moist or wet surface snow . The potential is there for deep weak layers to become reactive. Cornices and exposure to cornice run-outs are definitely still something to be concerned about.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At ridgetop, cornices are huge and remain weak. Old wind slabs still linger on lee features at treeline and in the alpine which may become more reactive with solar radiation. 40-90cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still reactive to human triggers in some places while in other spots it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential to produce large avalanches. Deeper weak layers from mid-February and early January are now down 50-90cm and 70-120cm respectively. Triggering an avalanche on either of these layers has become unlikely but still has the potential to produce very large avalanches in isolated locations with a heavy trigger or significant warming. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A dusting of new snow overlies wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain and settled dry (and faceting) powder on shaded and sheltered slopes. Lower elevations and south aspects have been going through daily melt-freeze cycles. In these areas, new accumulations likely overlie a crust or moist snow. A layer of surface hoar or melt-freeze crust buried on March 3 is down 70-100cm and has been recently reactive in the areas north of Stewart. An older crust/facet layer buried in early February can now be found down over a meter but this layer has been dormant for several weeks.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack has undergone significant settlement with the recent warm temperatures and rainfall. The storm snow from earlier in the week should be bonding to the underlying old crust. Storm slabs are not expected to be a concern. The mid-pack is reported to be strong without any layers of concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm temperatures and strong solar radiation has encouraged bonding of the storm snow from last Thursday. Wind slabs that formed in upper elevation wind lee terrain should still be on your radar. In some locations you may find a thin melt freeze down 15 to 25 cm below the surface, and,.. there is a 3 cm thick melt-freeze crust present down around 1 meter below the surface, although it has not been reactive in recent snowpack tests. There are no other layers of concern in the snowpack at this time but one operator in the region has reported surface hoar growing up to 10mm. Large cornices still hang over many ridge-lines and will be weak with the warm temperatures.. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some areas, a dusting of new snow overlies wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain and settled dry (and faceting) powder on shaded and sheltered slopes. Lower elevations and south aspects have been going through daily melt-freeze cycles. In these areas, new accumulations likely overlie a crust or moist snow. A layer of surface hoar from early March can be found down 60-80cm but only seems to be a problem for the northern half of the region. Professional operators are still tracking two deep weak layers from early-January and early-February which can be found down about 1m or more. These layers have been dormant for a couple weeks but could wake up with heavy storm loading, substantial warming, or a heavy trigger like a cornice fall. In the far north of the region, there is an isolated weakness at the base of the snowpack that has been responsible for some very large and destructive avalanches. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices loom over many ridge lines and many are teetering on the brink of failure. Old wind slabs may remain a problem on high elevation north facing features. The make up of the late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 70 to 100 cm below the snow surface. Large triggers like natural cornice fall and explosive control work continue to initiate avalanches failing on this interface. The recent warm to cool temperatures should give the overlying slab a bit of strength, but it has yet to prove itself trustworthy. Unfortunately there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. As a precautionary measure, we recommend remaining suspicious of steep unsupported features at and above treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices loom over many ridge lines and many are teetering on the brink of failure. Old wind slabs may remain a problem on high elevation north facing features. The make up of the late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 55 to 130 cm below the snow surface. Large triggers like natural cornice fall and explosive control work continue to initiate avalanches failing on this interface. The recent warm to cool temperatures should give the overlying slab a bit of strength, but it has yet to prove itself trustworthy. Unfortunately there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. As a precautionary measure, we recommend remaining suspicious of steep unsupported features at and above treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices loom over many ridge lines and many are teetering on the brink of failure. Old wind slabs may remain a problem on high elevation north facing features. The make up of the late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 60 to 110 cm below the snow surface. Large triggers like natural cornice fall and explosive control work continue to initiate avalanches failing on this interface. The recent warm to cool temperatures should give the overlying slab a bit of strength, but it has yet to prove itself trustworthy. Unfortunately there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. As a precautionary measure, we recommend remaining suspicious of steep unsupported features at and above treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Expect to find soft slabs building in the alpine and at treeline with the overnight snow, winds and cooling temperatures. This is sitting over moist or wet snow depending on elevation that was bonding poorly to old surfaces yesterday. Cornices continue to grow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices loom over many ridge lines and many are teetering on the brink of failure. Old wind slabs may remain a problem on high elevation north facing features. The make up of the late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 70 to 100 cm below the snow surface. Large triggers like natural cornice fall and explosive control work continue to initiate avalanches failing on this interface. The recent warm to cool temperatures should give the overlying slab a bit of strength, but it has yet to prove itself trustworthy. Unfortunately there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. As a precautionary measure, we recommend remaining suspicious of steep unsupported features at and above treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices loom over many ridge lines and many are teetering on the brink of failure. Old wind slabs may remain a problem on high elevation north facing features. The make up of the late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 55 to 130 cm below the snow surface. Large triggers like natural cornice fall and explosive control work continue to initiate avalanches failing on this interface. The recent warm to cool temperatures should give the overlying slab a bit of strength, but it has yet to prove itself trustworthy. Unfortunately there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. As a precautionary measure, we recommend remaining suspicious of steep unsupported features at and above treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices loom over many ridge lines and many are teetering on the brink of failure. Old wind slabs may remain a problem on high elevation north facing features. The make up of the late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 60 to 110 cm below the snow surface. Large triggers like natural cornice fall and explosive control work continue to initiate avalanches failing on this interface. The recent warm to cool temperatures should give the overlying slab a bit of strength, but it has yet to prove itself trustworthy. Unfortunately there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. As a precautionary measure, we recommend remaining suspicious of steep unsupported features at and above treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_A9A7295C">Warm temperatures and strong solar radiation have encouraged bonding of the last blast of storm snow. Be aware that there are still multiple buried crusts at treeline and below, but they have not been reactive recently. The late February (Feb 27th) persistent weak layer of buried surface hoar, is now down 70 to 120 cm. This layer has been the interface for some large avalanches and is worth keeping in mind ( and perhaps looking for by digging a test pit) We suspect that this weak layer is more prominent on northerly (shaded) aspects at and above 1700 m. It may also be found associated with a crust on solar aspects. There have not been avalanches on this layer recently, but it is still a concern in the region. The potential is there for deep weak layers to become reactive. Cornices and exposure to cornice run-outs are definitely still something to be concerned about. Light to moderate south winds accompanying the incoming precipitation may build wind slabs on lee ( N-NW ) features in the coming days. As the sky clouds over and the freezing level lowers, it's worth paying attention to moist or wet surface snow. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm temperatures and strong solar radiation has encouraged bonding of the storm snow from last week. Wind slabs that formed in upper elevation lee terrain should be bonding with the warm temperatures, but keep them on your radar. In some locations you may find a thin melt freeze down 15 to 25 cm below the surface, and,.. there is a 3 cm thick melt-freeze crust present down around 1 meter below the surface, although it has not been reactive in recent snowpack tests. There are no other layers of concern in the snowpack at this time but one operator in the region has reported surface hoar growing up to 10mm. Large cornices still hang over many ridge-lines and will be weak with the warm temperatures.. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At ridgetop, cornices are huge and remain weak. Old wind slabs still linger on lee features at treeline and in the alpine which may become more reactive with solar radiation. 40-90cm below the surface you'll find a persistent weak layer comprised of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust. This layer seems variably reactive. In other words, it's still reactive to human triggers in some places while in other spots it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. I'd continue to be suspicious of steep, unsupported features at treeline and in the alpine as this layer has the potential to produce large avalanches. Deeper weak layers from mid-February and early January are now down 50-90cm and 70-120cm respectively. Triggering an avalanche on either of these layers has become unlikely but still has the potential to produce very large avalanches in isolated locations with a heavy trigger or significant warming. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some areas, a dusting of new snow overlies wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain and settled dry (and faceting) powder on shaded and sheltered slopes. Spring conditions have continued to develop. With that, lower elevation and sun-exposed slopes will likely appear moist or refrozen A layer of surface hoar from early March can be found down 50-70cm but only seems to be a problem for the northern half of the region. Professional operators are still tracking two deep weak layers from early-January and early-February which can be found down about 1m or more. These layers have been dormant for a couple weeks but could wake up with substantial warming or a heavy trigger (like a cornice fall). Basal facets exist in most areas and have recently become reactive in the north of the region</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Total depth of snow in the White Pass area averages around 2 m in sheltered alpine locations. There's around 10-20 cm new snow that's staying fresh on higher elevation north aspect slopes, but turning mushy during the day on south-facing slopes. Cornices are reported to be large, but have not been seen collapsing recently. You may find pockets of wind slab on north-facing slopes in exposed areas, but extensive sled testing has shown these to be difficult to trigger. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">As usual, you can expect lower snow depths in Powder Valley (around 120 cm) and Wheaton Valley (around 60 cm). These areas both have a weak layer of sugary facets / depth hoar at the base of the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack has undergone significant settlement with the recent warm temperatures and rainfall. The storm snow from earlier in the week should be bonding to the underlying old crust. Storm slabs are not expected to be a concern. The mid-pack is reported to be strong without any layers of concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent south west winds have redistributed the last storm snow onto high NE aspects. These wind slabs may be sitting on the mid-March crust, around 20 cm below the snow surface. An earlier March crust can be found down at 50 cm below the surface. Both of these crusts are reported to be present from valley bottom to around 2300m, after which they begin to disappear. No recent avalanche activity has been reported on these crusts. South and East aspects are becoming moist with daytime heating and solar warming, then re-freezing overnight. North aspects are reported to be dry above 1700m.&nbsp; Of note are thin snowpack areas in the South Rockies region where deeply buried weak layers near the ground remain sensitive to triggering. Huge cornices still hang over many ridge-lines and with solar radiation and warming temperatures, may now be quite reactive. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Sunday night the region received up to 15cm of new snow with highest amounts falling in the northern parts of the region (areas accessed from the Pemberton Valley). Further south in the Coquihalla area, it rained to ridgetop and depending on the current temperature, surfaces are either moist or refrozen. Where it did snow, moderate southerly winds formed soft slabs which seemed most reactive in lee alpine terrain. The new snow overlies a sun crust on sun-exposed slopes, dry settled powder on shady slopes and moist snow below 1800m. Below the new snow the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are huge and fragile. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Sunday night the region received between 12 and 30cm of new snow with highest amounts falling in the Southern Garibaldi/ Brandywine parts of the region. Moderate southerly winds formed soft slabs which seemed most reactive in lee alpine terrain. The new snow overlies a sun crust on sun-exposed slopes, dry settled powder on shady slopes and moist snow below 1800m. Below the new snow the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are huge and fragile. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light amounts of new snow have been shifted by strong southeast winds into wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain while settled powder can be found on shaded and sheltered slopes. Spring conditions have continued to develop. With that, lower elevation and sun-exposed slopes will likely appear moist or refrozen. A layer of surface hoar or melt-freeze crust buried on March 3 is down 50-80cm and has been on the radar of professionals in the mountains north of Stewart. A more widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February can now be found down over a meter. Both of these deeper layers have become less likely to trigger, but have the potential for large avalanches especially with a large trigger such as a cornice fall. I'd be increasingly cautious during periods of warming or solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A few cm's of new snow has fallen in the past 24hrs. This overlies a variety of previous surfaces including wind slab and facets on N and E aspects, and crusts on all solar aspects. There are numerous buried crusts on solar aspects that are giving widely variable results in snowpack tests. Recently formed wind slabs are found primarily in the Alpine in lee and cross-loaded features, and there are a few Treeline features were this condition can be found. These slabs range from 30 to 60cm thick. The persistent weak layer from Jan 6th buried up to 100cm in the snowpack has been active in the past week responsible for several large natural avalanches and one fatal human-triggered avalanche (see avalanche discussion). Cornices have also been failing in the past week, also producing large avalanches on the underlying slopes.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Expect to find soft slabs in lee alpine terrain sitting over a crust formed on the 20th. On solar aspects in the alpine and most slopes between 1900m and 1400m there is a dusting of new snow over a melt-freeze crust. Cornices in the alpine are still large and fragile.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Sunday night the region received up to 15cm of new snow with highest amounts falling in the northern parts of the region (areas accessed from the Pemberton Valley). Further south in the Coquihalla area, it rained to ridgetop and depending on the current temperature, surfaces are either moist or refrozen. Where it did snow, moderate southerly winds formed soft slabs which seemed most reactive in lee alpine terrain, although warm temperatures and the &quot;greenhouse effect&quot; from cloudy skies on Tuesday have surely promoted significant settlement. The new snow overlies a sun crust on sun-exposed slopes, dry settled powder on shady slopes and moist snow below 1800m. Below the new snow the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are huge and fragile. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices overhang some slopes. Deep and hard wind slabs can also be found in alpine areas. Below around 2300 m, a couple of crust layers are buried in the upper snowpack. No recent avalanche activity has been reported on these crusts. Snow surfaces have become moist up to around treeline with recent warm weather. Deeply buried weak layers near the ground may remain sensitive to triggering from thin snowpack areas. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moist surface snow has re-frozen developing hard crusts on solar aspects at all elevations, and up to at least 2000 metres on shaded aspects. Large cornices loom over many ridge lines and many are teetering on the brink of failure. Old wind slabs may remain a problem on high elevation north facing features. The make up of the late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 55 to 130 cm below the snow surface. Large triggers like natural cornice fall and explosive control work continue to initiate avalanches failing on this interface. The recent warm to cool temperatures should give the overlying slab a bit of strength, but it has yet to prove itself trustworthy. Unfortunately there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. As a precautionary measure, we recommend remaining suspicious of steep unsupported features at and above treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">There is 10-20 cm of moist surface snow that has re-frozen into a crust at all elevations on solar aspects, and up to at least 2000 metres on shaded aspects. Daytime warming continues to melt surface snow, and overnight crust recovery has been variable depending on cloud cover. Large cornices loom over many ridge lines and many are teetering on the brink of failure. Old wind slabs may remain a problem on high elevation north facing features. The make up of the late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 70 to 100 cm below the snow surface. Large triggers like natural cornice fall and explosive control work continue to initiate avalanches failing on this interface. The recent warm to cool temperatures should give the overlying slab a bit of strength, but it has yet to prove itself trustworthy. Unfortunately there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. As a precautionary measure, we recommend remaining suspicious of steep unsupported features at and above treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Freeze and thaw conditions have developed a crust on solar aspects at all elevations, and up to at least 2000 metres on shaded aspects. Recent storm snow has released as loose wet avalanches on steep solar aspects. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile. The make up of the late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 60 to 110 cm below the snow surface. Commercial operators continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests, which suggests that wide fracture propagations are possible. Forecast new snow may not bond well to hard crusts on solar aspects, and pockets of wind transported snow may develop in the alpine and at treeline. Wind transported snow may trigger fragile cornices.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack has undergone significant settlement with recent warm temperatures and rainfall.  The mid-pack is reported to be strong without any layers of concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Sunday night the region received between 12 and 30cm of new snow with highest amounts falling in the Southern Garibaldi/ Brandywine parts of the region. Moderate southerly winds formed soft slabs which seemed most reactive in lee alpine terrain. Warm temperatures and the &quot;greenhouse effect&quot; from cloudy skies on Tuesday have surely promoted significant settlement within the recent snow The new accumulations overlie a sun crust on sun-exposed slopes, dry settled powder on shady slopes and moist snow below 1800m. Below the new snow the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are huge and fragile. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes. Wind slabs can be found in some alpine areas. Snow surfaces have become moist up to around 2000 m with recent warm weather. The late February persistent weak layer down 70 to 120 cm remains a lingering concern. While unlikely, it may be triggered by a cornice fall or from a thin snowpack area.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light amounts of snow fell on Monday night. The new snow overlies older wind slabs in exposed terrain and settled powder on shaded, sheltered slopes. Spring conditions have continued to develop. With that, lower elevation and sun-exposed slopes will likely appear moist or refrozen. A layer of surface hoar or melt-freeze crust buried on March 3 is down 50-80cm and has been on the radar of professionals in the mountains north of Stewart. A more widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February can now be found down over a metre. Both of these deeper layers have become less likely to trigger, but have the potential for large avalanches especially with a large trigger such as a cornice fall. I'd be increasingly cautious during periods of warming or solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The fracture line from yesterday's avalanche was today's snowpack inspection. In the alpine and upper treeline, we are still noticing the deeper layers becoming more problematic. The Jan 6th facet layer's depth is dependant on aspect and wind exposure. It can range from 40-150cm of dense snow! Tests today were sobering. There were repeatable failures in the &quot;easy&quot; range, which translates to an extremely delicate snowpack. On the solar aspects and lower elevations, the various crusts are also major players. In some areas we have up to 5 crusts that we are watching. The Feb 11th is the most significant crust and seems to exist on non-polar aspects as a density change. On north aspects, surface hoar was observed up to 2200m. Below treeline, the travel is either on a crust or weak facetted snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In some areas, a dusting of new snow overlies wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain and settled dry (and faceting) powder on shaded and sheltered slopes. Spring conditions have continued to develop. With that, lower elevation and sun-exposed slopes will likely appear moist or refrozen. A layer of surface hoar from early March can be found down 50-70cm but only seems to be a problem for the northern half of the region. Professional operators are still tracking two deep weak layers from early-January and early-February which can be found down about 1m or more. These layers have been dormant for a couple weeks but could wake up with substantial warming or a heavy trigger (like a cornice fall). Basal facets exist in most areas and have recently become reactive in the north of the region</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Surface snow layers are becoming moist and weak in the heat of the day, but generally settling and bonding with warm temperatures and sunshine. Several crusts are buried in the upper snowpack. Some of these are breaking down on sunny aspects. The late February persistent weak layer down 70 to 120 cm remains a lingering concern. Test results are variable, with occasional sudden planar (pop) results. This interface may remain more reactive on northerly (shaded) aspects above about 1700 m, where buried surface hoar has the best chance of preservation. On sunny aspects, this interface may be a crust/ facet layer. It is most likely to be triggered by a cornice fall or from a thin snowpack area.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent moist surface snow has re-frozen into a crust at all elevations on solar aspects and up to at least 2000 metres on shaded aspects. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile, and may fail with additional loading from forecast snow, or from high daytime temperatures. Some recent storm snow or wind slabs are likely to release as loose wet snow during periods of daytime warming. Buried persistent weak layers continue to be a concern for remote triggering in isolated areas where crusts are not strong enough to &quot;bridge&quot; the weakness. The late February surface hoar/crust weak layer is down 40-90 cm. This layer is still reactive to human triggers in some places while in other spots it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. Deeper weak layers from mid-February and early January are now down 50-90cm and 70-120cm respectively. Triggering an avalanche on either of these layers has become unlikely but still has the potential to produce very large avalanches in isolated locations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">A melt-freeze crust has formed overnight and is slowly being covered with light snowfall and wind loading. Expect soft slab development in lee and cross loaded alpine and treeline areas with increasing snowfall and winds through tonight.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm temperatures and the &quot;greenhouse effect&quot; from cloudy skies on Tuesday have promoted significant settlement within the recent storm snow. Dry settled powder can be found on high, north facing slopes while classic spring melt-freeze conditions exist on solar aspects above 2000m and all aspects at lower elevations. Potentially deep storm slabs are expected to form on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Below the new snow the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are huge and fragile. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm temperatures and the &quot;greenhouse effect&quot; from cloudy skies on Tuesday have promoted significant settlement within the recent storm snow. Dry settled powder can be found on high, north facing slopes while classic spring melt-freeze conditions exist on solar aspects above 2000m and all aspects at lower elevations. Potentially deep storm slabs are expected to form on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Below the new snow the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are huge and fragile.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Cornices are large and looming in some areas. Recently formed melt freeze/ sun crusts may now be buried by storm snow. Recent warm temperatures have generally helped promote bonding. Several crusts are buried in the upper snowpack, some of which have broken down on sunny aspects. The late February persistent weak layer down 70 to 120 cm remains a lingering concern. Test results are variable, with occasional sudden planar (pop) results. This interface may remain more reactive on northerly (shaded) aspects above about 1700 m, where buried surface hoar has the best chance of preservation. On sunny aspects, this interface may be a crust/ facet layer. It is most likely to be triggered by a cornice fall or from a thin snowpack area.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and threaten to trigger avalanches on slopes below. Deep and hard wind slabs can also be found in some areas. Below around 2200 m, a couple of crust layers are buried in the upper snowpack. Snow surfaces became moist up to around treeline with recent warm weather and have formed surface crusts in many areas. Deeply buried weak layers near the ground may remain sensitive to triggering from thin snowpack areas or with large loads such as cornice fall. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast new snow and wind is expected to develop new storm slabs at all elevations. Daytime warming continues to melt surface snow, and overnight crust recovery has been variable depending on cloud cover. Large cornices loom over many ridge lines and many are teetering on the brink of failure. Old wind slabs may remain a problem on high elevation north facing features. The make up of the late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 70 to 100 cm below the snow surface. Large triggers like natural cornice fall and explosive control work continue to initiate avalanches failing on this interface. The recent warm to cool temperatures should give the overlying slab a bit of strength, but it has yet to prove itself trustworthy. Unfortunately there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. As a precautionary measure, we recommend remaining suspicious of steep unsupported features at and above treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes. New snow may sluff easily where it sits on a crust, or may add to wind slabs in some alpine areas. Snow surfaces became moist up to around treeline with recent warm weather and have formed crusts in many areas. The late February persistent weak layer down 70 to 120 cm remains a lingering concern. While unlikely, it may be triggered by a cornice fall or from a thin snowpack area.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">We continue to see evidence that our snowpack is not yet a spring snowpack and still very much a winter snowpack.  The upper snowpack is complex with 4-5 melt form crusts that vary in depth from just below the surface and up to 80cm deep.  These melt form crusts, particularly the Feb11th crust are highly suspicious as we saw many large size 2.5-3.0 avalanches out of steep hanging alpine walls. some initiated by cornice failures and others failing with heat (solar or ambient air temperatures approaching zero degrees).  The second and biggest concern for us at the moment is the Jan 6th interface (facets) buried anywhere from 60-110cm in the snowpack - a legitimate deep Persistent Weak Layer.  This is the layer that is associated with the very long drought we had that started shortly after Dec 20th and extended into the 2nd week of January before another storm buried these facets.  This layer is showing highly variable results in snowpack tests and high degree of variability in its distribution.  Essentially we have a very low degree of confidence as forecasters in the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">New storm slabs may be developing, especially in wind-loaded terrain features at upper elevations. The new snow should be landing on a generally strong snowpack which has undergone significant settlement with recent warm temperatures and rainfall. The mid-pack is reported to be strong without any layers of concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast new snow and wind is expected to develop new storm slabs above a mix of surfaces including, crusts on solar aspects up to the alpine, surface hoar that was buried on March 20th, moist snow on all aspects up to at least 1800 metres  (and up to 2200 metres in some areas), and dry snow or recent wind slabs on shaded alpine aspects. Cornices continue to be reported as large and fragile. The late February persistent weak layer of buried surface hoar, crust, and in some places facets on the crust, is now down 60-120 cm below the surface. During periods of strong solar radiation, this layer has recently been triggered naturally and by large cornice falls in motion. New loading from snow and wind may result in cornice failures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast new snow and wind is expected to develop new storm slabs above a mix of surfaces, including crusts on solar aspects, moist snow up to treeline, and dry snow or recent wind slabs in the alpine on shaded aspects. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile. The late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 60 to 110 cm below the snow surface. Commercial operators continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests, which suggests that wide fracture propagations are possible. New storm loading above the buried persistent weak layer may increase the likelihood of triggering large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast new snow and wind are expected to develop a new storm slab above a mix of crusts on solar aspects, moist snow up to about 1800 metres, and dry snow or recent wind slabs on shaded high alpine aspects. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile, and may fail with additional loading from forecast snow, or from high daytime temperatures. Buried persistent weak layers continue to be a concern for remote triggering in isolated areas where crusts are not strong enough to &quot;bridge&quot; the weakness. The late February surface hoar/crust weak layer is down 40-90 cm. This layer is still reactive to human triggers in some places while in other spots it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. Deeper weak layers from mid-February and early January are now down 50-90cm and 70-120cm respectively. Triggering an avalanche on either of these layers has become unlikely but still has the potential to produce very large avalanches in isolated locations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">As of Wednesday morning, up to 5cm of new snow had fallen with moderate to strong southerly winds. At treeline and in the alpine small wind slabs are expected to have formed. These wind slabs overlie a variety of surfaces which include a hard crust on solar aspects above 1300, moist or refrozen snow on all aspects below 1300, and settled wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain. A layer of surface hoar or melt-freeze crust buried on March 3 is down 50-80cm and has been on the radar of professionals in the mountains north of Stewart. A more widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February can now be found down over a metre. Both of these deeper layers have become less likely to trigger, but have the potential for large avalanches especially with a large trigger such as a cornice fall. I'd be increasingly cautious during periods of warming or solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">As of Wednesday morning, up to 5cm of new snow had fallen with moderate to strong southerly winds. At treeline and in the alpine small wind slabs are expected to have formed. These wind slabs overlie a variety of surfaces which include a hard crust on solar aspects above 1300, moist or refrozen snow on all aspects below 1300, and settled wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain. A layer of surface hoar from early March can be found down 50-70cm but only seems to be a problem for the northern half of the region. Professional operators are still tracking two deep weak layers from early-January and early-February which can be found down about 1m or more. These layers are generally dormant but could wake up with substantial warming or a heavy trigger (like a cornice fall). Basal facets exist in most areas and have recently been reactive in the north of the region</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">New storm slabs may have developed, especially in wind-loaded terrain features at upper elevations. The new snow overlies a generally strong snowpack which has undergone significant settlement with recent warm temperatures and rainfall. The mid-pack is reported to be strong without any layers of concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and threaten to trigger avalanches on slopes below. New storm slabs have developed at treeline and above. In some places, these have bonded poorly with an underlying crust. Weaknesses deeper in the snowpack, including the March crusts and the late February persistent weak layer, are now considered generally unlikely to be triggered. However, triggering may be possible with a cornice fall or from a thin snowpack area.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Cornices are large and looming in some areas. Recently formed melt freeze/ sun crusts are now buried by 10-15 cm storm snow. Several crusts are buried in the upper snowpack. The late February persistent weak layer down 70 to 120 cm remains a lingering concern. Test results are variable, with occasional sudden planar (pop) results. This interface may remain more reactive on northerly (shaded) aspects above about 1700 m, where buried surface hoar has the best chance of preservation. On sunny aspects, this interface may be a crust/ facet layer. While becoming unlikely, it could be triggered by a cornice fall or from a thin snowpack area.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast new snow and wind is expected to develop new storm slabs at all elevations. Daytime warming continues to melt surface snow, and overnight crust recovery has been variable depending on cloud cover. Large cornices loom over many ridge lines and many are teetering on the brink of failure. Old wind slabs may remain a problem on high elevation north facing features. The make up of the late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 70 to 100 cm below the snow surface. Large triggers like natural cornice fall and explosive control work continue to initiate avalanches failing on this interface. The recent warm to cool temperatures should give the overlying slab a bit of strength, but it has yet to prove itself trustworthy. Unfortunately there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. As a precautionary measure, we recommend remaining suspicious of steep unsupported features at and above treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">12 to 20 cm of storm snow fell Wednesday night and Thursday accompanied by moderate south/southwest wind which has likely formed storm slabs at and above treeline. Below the new snow the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are huge and fragile. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Storm totals in the northern portion of the region are between 10 and 15 cm. Slightly more snow fell in the south of the region where they received 20 to 25 cm of snow. The storm featured moderate south/southwest winds which have likely formed storm slabs at and above treeline. Below the new snow the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are huge and fragile.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the last 48 hours 5 to 20 cm of new snow has fallen with moderate to strong southerly winds. At treeline and in the alpine small wind slabs are expected to have formed. These wind slabs overlie a variety of surfaces which include a hard crust on solar aspects above 1300 m, moist or refrozen snow on all aspects below 1300 m, and settled wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain. A layer of surface hoar from early March can be found down 50 to 70 cm but only seems to be a problem for the northern half of the region. Professional operators are still tracking two deep weak layers from early-January and early-February which can be found down about 1 meter or more. These layers are generally dormant but could wake up with substantial warming or a heavy trigger (like a cornice fall). Basal facets exist in most areas and have recently been reactive in the north of the region</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Expect to find deep drifts and soft slabs in lee and cross loaded alpine and treeline areas. Conditions have been ideal for rapid cornice growth so watch out for fresh soft noses. A weak melt freeze crust is buried below the relatively cool new snow. Below these surface features the snowpack is well settled. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and threaten to trigger avalanches on slopes below. New storm slabs have developed in alpine terrain. Strong winds have also led to the development of new wind slabs. These overlie surfaces including crusts and old wind slabs. Deeply buried weak layers near the ground may remain sensitive to triggering from thin snowpack areas or with large loads such as cornice fall. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast new snow and wind are expected to develop a new storm slab above a mix of crusts on solar aspects, moist snow up to about 1800 metres, and dry snow or recent wind slabs on shaded high alpine aspects. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile, and may fail with additional loading from forecast snow, or from high daytime temperatures. Buried persistent weak layers continue to be a concern for remote triggering in isolated areas where crusts are not strong enough to &quot;bridge&quot; the weakness. The late February surface hoar/crust weak layer is down 40-90 cm. This layer is still reactive to human triggers in some places while in other spots it's really tough to trigger, and there's not much of a reliable pattern telling us what exact aspects are most suspect. Deeper weak layers from mid-February and early January are now down 50-90cm and 70-120cm respectively. Triggering an avalanche on either of these layers has become unlikely but still has the potential to produce very large avalanches in isolated locations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast new snow and wind is expected to develop new storm slabs above a mix of surfaces, including crusts on solar aspects, moist snow up to treeline, and dry snow or recent wind slabs in the alpine on shaded aspects. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile. The late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 60 to 110 cm below the snow surface. Commercial operators continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests, which suggests that wide fracture propagations are possible. New storm loading above the buried persistent weak layer may increase the likelihood of triggering large avalanches.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast new snow and wind is expected to develop new storm slabs above a mix of surfaces including, crusts on solar aspects up to the alpine, surface hoar that was buried on March 20th, moist snow on all aspects up to at least 1800 metres (and up to 2200 metres in some areas), and dry snow or recent wind slabs on shaded alpine aspects. Cornices continue to be reported as large and fragile. The late February persistent weak layer of buried surface hoar, crust, and in some places facets on the crust, is now down 60-120 cm below the surface. During periods of strong solar radiation, this layer has recently been triggered naturally and by large cornice falls in motion. New loading from snow and wind may result in cornice failures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the last 48 hours 5 to 10 cm of snow has fallen accompanied by moderate to strong southerly winds. At treeline and in the alpine small wind slabs are expected to have formed. These wind slabs overlie a variety of surfaces which include a hard crust on solar aspects above 1300 m, moist or refrozen snow on all aspects below 1300 m, and settled wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain. A layer of surface hoar or melt-freeze crust buried on March 3 is down 50-80 cm and has been on the radar of professionals in the mountains north of Stewart. A more widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February can now be found down over a metre. Both of these deeper layers have become less likely to trigger, but have the potential for large avalanches especially with a large trigger such as a cornice fall. I'd be increasingly cautious during periods of warming or solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 15cm of new snow has fallen in higher areas and/or areas near the divide. The winds have been light enough to prevent any major wind effect, but immediate lees are likely to have storm slabs from wind transport. Expect these on all easterly aspects in the alpine. This new snow is also adding to the load on the persistent layers. The Feb 11th layer depth varies, but expect to find it anywhere from 30-60cm down. It is a significant crust on solar aspects and a subtle density change on the polar aspects. There are also a number of other crusts present on solar aspects and low elevation non-polar aspects. The Jan 6th layer also varies in depth. In deeper areas it can be down as much as 1.8m, and in shallow areas it can be down as little as 40cm. Below treeline, heat has made for generally crusty conditions. The only exception is in shady areas, where the snowpack is weak still. Snow depths are: Burstall Pass 189cm &amp; Mud Lake 117cm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The sun will affect the surface layers on solar exposed slopes today. Expect to find deep drifts and soft slabs in lee and cross loaded alpine and treeline areas. These slabs were releasing with large triggers but were mostly unreactive to ski triggering. Conditions have been ideal for rapid cornice growth so watch out for fresh soft noses. A weak melt freeze crust is buried below the relatively cool new snow. Below these surface features the snowpack is well settled. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Little change has been noted, with total snowpack depths of around 2 m in sheltered alpine locations at White Pass, although forecast new snow and wind will set up fresh wind slabs in exposed lee areas. You can still find powder snow on higher elevation north aspect slopes, but expect crusts and/or moist snow at lower elevations and on south-facing slopes. Cornices are reported to be large, but have not been seen collapsing recently. A layer of surface hoar exists at Fan Tail Flats down 30 cm, but appears isolated to this area and possibly around Mt. Van Wegenan. In general, the mid and lower snowpack layers are well bonded and strong. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">As usual, you can expect lower snow depths in Powder Valley (around 120 cm) and Wheaton Valley (around 60 cm). These areas both have a weak layer of sugary facets / depth hoar at the base of the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Convective flurries have added some new snow to certain areas. The Aster Lake area had almost 10cm overnight while the Spray road area only had 5cm. The new snow hasn't&nbsp; added much in terms of load or additional avalanche problems. Solar input today made for moist snow on all aspects up to 2200m and all the way to peak height on southern aspects. Expect this to make yet another temperature crust overnight tonight. The complete lack of wind has kept any wind slab development minimal, however there may be settlement slabs on solar aspects as the new snow quickly settles.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and threaten to trigger avalanches on slopes below. Recently formed wind slabs and storm slabs are beginning to gain some strength. The sun may reawaken the storm slabs and create loose wet avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Weaknesses deeper in the snowpack, including the March crusts and the late February persistent weak layer, are now considered generally unlikely to be triggered. However, triggering may be possible with a cornice fall or from a thin snowpack area.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and threaten to trigger avalanches on slopes below. Recently formed wind slabs may be isolated to alpine wind-loaded terrain. In many places, the snow surface consists of a crust or moist snow and the snowpack is generally strong. Deeply buried weak layers near the ground are becoming hard to find, but may remain sensitive to triggering from thin snowpack areas or with large loads such as cornice fall. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Cornices are large and looming in some areas. Recently formed melt freeze/ sun crusts are now buried by storm slabs and variable wind slabs. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Several crusts are buried in the upper snowpack. The late February persistent weak layer down 70 to 120 cm remains a lingering concern. Test results are variable, with occasional sudden planar (pop) results. This interface may remain more reactive on northerly (shaded) aspects above about 1700 m, where buried surface hoar has the best chance of preservation. On sunny aspects, this interface may be a crust/ facet layer. While becoming unlikely, it could be triggered by a cornice fall or from a thin snowpack area.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Storm slabs may be lurking, especially in wind-loaded terrain features at upper elevations. New snow may turn to loose wet avalanches or a reactive storm slab with the kiss of the sun. Recent snow overlies a generally strong snowpack which has undergone significant settlement with recent warm temperatures and rainfall. The mid-pack is reported to be strong without any layers of concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the last 48 hours 5 to 10 cm of snow has fallen accompanied by moderate to strong southerly winds. At treeline and in the alpine small wind slabs are expected to have formed. These wind slabs overlie a variety of surfaces which include a hard crust on solar aspects above 1300 m, moist or refrozen snow on all aspects below 1300 m, and settled wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain. A layer of surface hoar or melt-freeze crust buried on March 3 is down 50-80 cm and has been on the radar of professionals in the mountains north of Stewart. A more widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February can now be found down over a metre. Both of these deeper layers have become less likely to trigger, but have the potential for large avalanches especially with a large trigger such as a cornice fall. I'd be increasingly cautious during periods of warming and intense solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recently, up to 20 cm of new snow has fallen in some parts of the region accompanied by moderate to strong southerly winds. At treeline and in the alpine small wind slabs are expected to have formed over a variety of surfaces that include a hard crust on solar aspects above 1300 m, moist or refrozen snow on all aspects below 1300 m, and settled wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain. Of note is a surface hoar from early March that can be found down 50 to 70 cm but only seems to be a problem for the northern half of the region. Professional operators are still tracking two deep weak layers from early-January and early-February that are now down about 1 meter or more. These layers are generally dormant but might wake up with increased warming or a heavy trigger (like a cornice fall). Basal facets exist in most areas and have been shown to be reactive in the north of the region.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15 to 30 cm of storm snow fell between Wednesday night and Thursday accompanied by moderate south/southwest wind.&nbsp; W now have storm and wind slabs at treeline and above. Below the new snow, the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. South slopes become moist/wet quickly with the strong spring sun. Cornices are huge and fragile. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Thin new wind slabs have formed in the alpine and at treeline. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile, and may fail with additional loading from forecast snow, or from high daytime temperatures. Buried persistent weak layers continue to be a concern for remote triggering in isolated areas where crusts are not strong enough to &quot;bridge&quot; the weakness. The late February surface hoar/crust weak layer is down 40-90 cm. This layer may continue to react to human triggers during periods of strong solar radiation and high daytime temperatures. Loose wet avalanches in motion, or cornice falls may step down to deeply buried weak layers. Conservative terrain without overhead hazard is a good strategy for avoiding the persistent slab problem.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Storm totals in the northern portion of the region are between 10 and 15 cm. Slightly more snow fell in the south of the region where they received 20 to 25 cm of snow. The storm featured moderate south/southwest winds which have likely formed storm slabs at and above treeline. Below the new snow, the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. Cornices are huge and fragile.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The dry new storm snow on Thursday settled with warm temperatures and periods of strong solar radiation. Moist snow was reported on solar aspects in the alpine, and up to at least 1800 metres on shaded aspects. There are several thin crusts in the upper snowpack on all but shaded north aspects. Expect a new surface crust to develop overnight with forecast freezing level dropping down to valley bottoms. The late February persistent weak layer continues to be a concern for wide propagations in isolated terrain, however it may take a large trigger like a cornice fall to initiate an avalanche. Watch for recent storm snow releasing as loose wet avalanches on steep solar aspects during periods of strong solar radiation and/or daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New storm slabs have developed above a mix of surfaces, including crusts on solar aspects, moist snow up to treeline, and dry snow or recent wind slabs in the alpine on shaded aspects. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile. The late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 60 to 110 cm below the snow surface. Commercial operators continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests, which suggests that wide fracture propagations are possible. New storm loading above the buried persistent weak layer may increase the likelihood of triggering large avalanches. Expect loose wet avalanches and natural cornice falls during periods of strong solar radiation and/or daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New storm slabs have developed that may be up to 50 cm deep in parts of the western Monashees. New storm slabs are sitting on a mix of surfaces including, crusts on solar aspects up to the alpine, surface hoar that was buried on March 20th, moist snow on all aspects up to at least 1800 metres (and up to 2200 metres in some areas), and dry snow or recent wind slabs on shaded alpine aspects. Cornices continue to be reported as large and fragile. The late February persistent weak layer of buried surface hoar, crust, and in some places facets on the crust, is now down 60-120 cm below the surface. Large triggers like cornice falls may continue to release large avalanches down to this deeply buried weak layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Expect to find loose dry snow in lee areas and wind affected slabs in cross loaded areas. The wind slabs are proving to be easily skier triggered in steep start zones, especially where they are sitting on the crust that was buried last week. Sun warming has affected the surface from east to west, forming a variable temperature affected surface ranging from breakable slab to melt freeze crust. Conditions have been ideal for rapid cornice growth so stay well back from corniced ridge lines. Below these surface features the snowpack is well settled. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snow was becoming moist on solar aspects early in the day right up to the peaks.  Light winds out of the SW were helping to keep the snowpack on the other aspects cool but as soon as you hit 2000m moist surface snow was being encountered.  Solar aspects have a series of crusts in the upper snowpack that are producing avalanches on these interfaces as temperatures warm up.  Northern aspects still have a full on winter snowpack above 2000m which includes the dribs of snow over the past week, a thick mid-pack layer and then a weak facetted base.  Thin areas where you can trigger the thin weak base will be places to avoid....</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Storm slabs may be lurking, especially in wind-loaded terrain features at upper elevations. New snow may turn to loose wet avalanches or a reactive storm slab with the kiss of the sun. Recent snow overlies a generally strong snowpack which has undergone significant settlement with recent warm temperatures and rainfall. The mid-pack is reported to be strong without any layers of concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the last 48 hours 5 to 10 cm of snow has fallen accompanied by moderate to strong southerly winds. At treeline and in the alpine small wind slabs are expected to have formed. These wind slabs overlie a variety of surfaces which include a hard crust on solar aspects above 1300 m, moist or refrozen snow on all aspects below 1300 m, and settled wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain. A layer of surface hoar or melt-freeze crust buried on March 3 is down 50-80 cm and has been on the radar of professionals in the mountains north of Stewart. A more widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February can now be found down over a metre. Both of these deeper layers have become less likely to trigger, but have the potential for large avalanches especially with a large trigger such as a cornice fall. I'd be increasingly cautious during periods of warming and intense solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 40 cm of recent storm snow has accumulated with thin new wind slabs in lee terrain, and a possible sun crust on solar aspects. Moist snow was reported on solar aspects in the alpine, and up to at least 1800 metres on shaded aspects. There are several thin crusts in the upper snowpack on all but shaded north aspects. The late February persistent weak layer continues to be a concern for wide propagations in isolated terrain, however it may take a large trigger like a cornice fall to initiate an avalanche. Watch for recent storm snow releasing as loose wet avalanches on steep solar aspects during periods of strong solar radiation and/or daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At treeline and above small wind slabs overlie a variety of surfaces include crust on solar aspects above 1300 m, moist or refrozen snow on all aspects below 1300 m, and settled wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain. There is a surface hoar layer formed in early March that may still be found down 50 to 70 cm. It is still being mentioned by operators in the northern half of the region. Professional operators are still tracking two deep weak layers from early-January and early-February that are now down about 1 meter or more. These layers are generally dormant but might wake up with increased warming or a heavy trigger (like a cornice fall). Basal facets exist in most areas and have been shown to be reactive in the north of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and threaten to trigger avalanches on slopes below. Recently formed wind slabs and storm slabs overlie a widespread hard crust, although reports suggest they are beginning to gain strength. Weaknesses deeper in the snowpack, including the March crusts and the late February persistent weak layer, are now considered generally unlikely to be triggered. However, triggering may be possible with a cornice fall or from a thin snowpack area.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and threaten to trigger avalanches on slopes below. Recently formed wind slabs may be isolated to alpine wind-loaded terrain. In many places, the snow surface consists of a crust or moist snow and the snowpack is generally strong. Deeply buried weak layers near the ground are becoming hard to find, but may remain sensitive to triggering from thin snowpack areas or with large loads such as cornice fall. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Cornices are large and looming in some areas. Recently formed melt freeze/ sun crusts are now buried by storm slabs and variable wind slabs. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D0464D1">Several crusts are buried in the upper snowpack. The late February persistent weak layer down 70 to 120 cm remains a lingering concern. Test results are variable, with occasional sudden planar (pop) results. This interface may remain more reactive on northerly (shaded) aspects above about 1700 m, where buried surface hoar has the best chance of preservation. On sunny aspects, this interface may be a crust/ facet layer. While becoming unlikely, it could be triggered by a cornice fall or from a thin snowpack area.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New storm slabs have developed above a mix of surfaces, including crusts on solar aspects, moist snow up to treeline, and dry snow or recent wind slabs in the alpine on shaded aspects. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile. The late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 60 to 110 cm below the snow surface. Commercial operators continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests, which suggests that wide fracture propagations are possible. New storm loading above the buried persistent weak layer may increase the likelihood of triggering large avalanches. Expect loose wet avalanches and natural cornice falls during periods of strong solar radiation and/or daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Thin new wind slabs have formed in the alpine and at treeline. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile, and may fail with additional loading from forecast snow, or from high daytime temperatures. Buried persistent weak layers continue to be a concern for remote triggering in isolated areas where crusts are not strong enough to &quot;bridge&quot; the weakness. The late February surface hoar/crust weak layer is down 40-90 cm. This layer may continue to react to human triggers during periods of strong solar radiation and high daytime temperatures. Loose wet avalanches in motion, or cornice falls may step down to deeply buried weak layers. Conservative terrain without overhead hazard is a good strategy for avoiding the persistent slab problem.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Last weeks blast of snow left up to 40cm in some parts of the Sea to Sky region. Winds associated with the storm produced wind and storm slabs at treeline and above. Below the new snow, the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. South slopes will become moist/wet quickly with the strong spring sun. Cornices are reported to be huge and fragile. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10 to 20cm of recent storm snow overlies multiple solar and melt-freeze crusts on all aspects up to 2000 m. Slightly more snow fell in the south of the region where they received 20 to 25 cm of snow. The storm featured moderate south/southwest winds that formed wind slabs on lee slopes around treeline and above. Below the new snow, the snowpack is strong and well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses, however, cornices are are reported to be huge and fragile.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New storm slabs have developed that may be up to 50 cm deep in parts of the western Monashees. New storm slabs are sitting on a mix of surfaces including, crusts on solar aspects up to the alpine, surface hoar that was buried on March 20th, moist snow on all aspects up to at least 1800 metres (and up to 2200 metres in some areas), and dry snow or fresh wind slabs on shaded alpine aspects. Cornices continue to be reported as large and fragile. The late February persistent weak layer of buried surface hoar, crust, and in some places facets on the crust, is now down 60-120 cm below the surface. Large triggers like cornice falls may continue to release large avalanches down to this deeply buried weak layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Expect to find drifts and soft slabs in lee and cross loaded alpine and treeline areas. There is a variable melt freeze on solar exposed slopes. A weak melt freeze crust is also buried below the relatively cool new snow. Below these surface features the snowpack is well settled. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5 to 10 cm of storm snow has fallen at higher elevations recently. At treeline and in the alpine small wind slabs will have formed. These wind slabs overlie a variety of surfaces which include a hard crust on solar aspects above 1300 m, moist or refrozen snow on all aspects below 1300 m. A layer of surface hoar from March 25th has been noted buried under 15 to 20 cm of storm snow and resting on a melt freeze crust. . A more widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February can now be found down over a metre. Both of these layers have the potential for large avalanches especially with a large trigger such as a cornice fall. Be cautious during periods of warming and intense solar radiation.&nbsp; As the winds from the incoming high pressure system change from west to north, the potential for reverse loading will exist, wind slabs may form on south slopes rather than north slopes,&nbsp; stay attuned to what the wind is doing!</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In the am, the surface crust was holding together pretty well with overnight lows of -10C at 2200m.  This crust is up to 20cm on solar aspects but it was fully broken down on these aspects by later in the day due to the solar radiation.  Expect to encounter a melt freeze crust on all aspects up to 2200m then the only place you wont find the crust will be on true north aspects.  The base of the snowpack still consists of weak facetted crystals that are the foundation of the stronger upper snowpack layers.  Thin shallow snowpack areas remain the most likely places to trigger a failure in these basal crystals that may propagate out into deeper areas.  Solar radiation is having a strong influence on the stability right now.  Expect stability to decrease as temperatures warm up throughout the day.  These decreases will be most apparent on solar aspects especially where the snowpack is shallow.  Cornices are also large and have been failing with the heat so be sure to keep and eye on these features. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">As of Sunday morning, 1-8cm of new snow sat above small surface hoar on shaded slopes and a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes. About 35cm below the surface, you'll likely find another hard crust which exists everywhere except high, north-facing terrain. The late February persistent weak layer down 70 to 120 cm remains a low probability / high consequence concern. Test results are variable, with occasional sudden planar (pop) results. While generally becoming unlikely to trigger, this layer could wake up with a cornice fall, warm temperatures or from a thin snowpack area. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Cornices are large and looming in some areas. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 25cm of new snow fell on Saturday night while rain saturated surfaces below about 1100m. The new snow is expected to settle and gain strength quickly, although reactive storm slabs may still exist in high elevation lee terrain. Recent snow overlies a generally strong snowpack which has undergone significant settlement with recent warm temperatures and rainfall. Over the next few days, clear spring weather should encourage a transition to a daily melt-freeze cycle at the snow surface.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow and wind on Sunday night and Monday are expected to form potent new storm slabs. About 30cm below the surface you'll likely find a widespread hard crust, although reports suggest a reasonable bond has developed between the crust and the overlying slab. Weaknesses deeper in the snowpack, including the March crusts and the late February persistent weak layer, have become generally unlikely to trigger. However, avalanches on these layers may be possible with a cornice fall, warming or from a thin snowpack area. Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and threaten to trigger avalanches on slopes below. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices loom above lee slopes at treeline and in the alpine. New snow and wind on Sunday night and Monday are expected to form potent new storm slabs.</span><span class="s_DDF6C5E8"> </span><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow will overlie stubborn wind slabs in shaded high elevation terrain and a hard crust in most other places. Deeply buried weak layers near the ground are becoming hard to find, but may remain sensitive to triggering from significant warming or with large loads such as cornice fall. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light new snow covers a variety of old surfaces including crusts on solar aspects, moist snow up to treeline, and dry snow or fresh wind slabs in the alpine on shaded aspects. Approximately 40-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 22. The late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 60-110 cm below the snow surface. Commercial operators continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests, which suggests that wide fracture propagations are possible. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile. Expect loose wet avalanches and natural cornice falls during periods of strong solar radiation and/or daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At treeline and above small wind slabs overly a variety of surfaces include crust on solar aspects above 1300 m, moist or refrozen snow on all aspects below 1300 m, and settled wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain. Surface hoar from March 23rd&nbsp; is still being mentioned in the northern half of the region, and now may be covered by up to 20cm of recent storm snow.&nbsp; Professional operators are&nbsp; tracking two deep weak layers from early-January and February that are now down about 1 meter or more. These layers are generally dormant but might wake up with increased warming or a heavy trigger (like a cornice fall). Basal facets exist in some areas and have been shown to be reactive in the north of the region.&nbsp; Rapid warming may wake up deeply buried weak layers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Thin new wind slabs have formed in exposed lee terrain in the alpine and at treeline. On solar aspects you might find a dusting of new snow on top of a melt-freeze crust. Buried persistent weak layers continue to be a concern for remote triggering in isolated areas where crusts are not strong enough to &quot;bridge&quot; the weakness. The late February surface hoar/crust layer is down 40-90 cm. This layer may continue to react to human triggers during periods of strong solar radiation and high daytime temperatures. Loose wet avalanches in motion, or cornice falls may step down to deeply buried weak layers. Conservative terrain without overhead hazard is a good strategy for avoiding the persistent slab problem. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile, and may fail with forecast warming and strong sunshine this week.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light new snow covers a variety of old surfaces including crusts on solar aspects, moist snow up to treeline, and dry snow or fresh wind slabs in the alpine on shaded aspects. Approximately 40-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 22. The late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 60-110 cm below the snow surface. Commercial operators continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests, which suggests that wide fracture propagations are possible. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile. Expect loose wet avalanches and natural cornice falls during periods of strong solar radiation and/or daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light new snow covers a melt-freeze crust on solar aspects and all aspects below treeline, dry snow on sheltered shady slopes, and wind affected snow in higher exposed terrain. There are several thin crusts in the upper snowpack on all but shaded north aspects. Approximately 30-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 20. The late February persistent weak layer continues to be a concern for wide propagations in isolated terrain, however it may take a large trigger like a cornice fall to initiate an avalanche. Watch for recent storm snow releasing as loose wet avalanches on steep solar aspects during periods of strong solar radiation and/or daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Parts of the Sea to Sky region have received up to 10cm of snow overnight along with moderate winds from the south.&nbsp; Wind slabs can be expected at treeline and above in terrain directly lee of ridges. There may still be wind and storm slabs hidden from the last precipitation event.&nbsp; Combined with the new snow, lee slopes may be touchy for a short time.&nbsp; Below these transient instabilities, the snowpack is&nbsp; generally well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. South slopes will become moist/wet quickly as the strong spring sun comes out tomorrow. Cornices are still growing and will become weak as the sun and clear skies associated with the high pressure ridge warms things up in the next few days.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5 to 10cm of recent storm snow overlies the last pulse of settled snow from yesterdays storm. All of the recent storm snow is sitting on a variety of crusts on all aspects except perhaps north above 2000m. Once again, it appears that slightly more snow fell in the south of the region where they received 10 to 15 cm of snow. The storm featured moderate south/southwest winds that have most likely formed wind slabs on lee slopes around treeline and above. Below the new snow, the snowpack is generally well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses, however, cornices are are reported to be huge and fragile.&nbsp; Be aware that as the high pressure comes into the region the winds will shift and be from the north.&nbsp; This could lead to reverse wind loading and build wind slabs on the south aspects below ridge tops.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">The snowpack is expected to change rapidly during this forecast period. Forecast new snow and strong winds will probably develop wind slabs and new cornice growth at higher elevations. During the forecast storm, the freezing level is expected to rise up to at least the mountain tops. This may result in some rain on snow, or at least a bit of an &quot;upside down&quot; snowpack (heavier moist snow above lighter drier snow). After the storm, a well developed ridge of high pressure over all of BC is forecast to expand northward to include the Yukon forecast region. This clearing combined with very warm temperatures will encourage the mountains to shed any weak layers of surface snow, including those new weakly bonded wind slabs, and new cornice growth.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Shallow weak facetted snowpack areas like the Powder Valley (120 cm base) and the Wheaton (60 cm base), may see loose wet avalanches scour down to the ground where the snow becomes isothermal. I don't like the first rapid warming of a weak shallow snowpack, I have found that conditions can deteriorate quickly. I suggest limiting travel to low angle terrain that is not exposed to overhead hazards.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Variable new snow amounts overnight ranging from 3 to 15cm. This snow overlies crusts everywhere except on northerly aspects above 2200m. Numerous buried crusts now exist on solar aspects. Moist surface snow observed today at lower elevations. The deep persistent layer from early January remains on our radar as a &quot;low probability - high consequence&quot; layer. Cornices continue to grow and sag.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 15 cm of new snow fell on Sunday, which was probably quickly affected by the sun on solar aspects (melt-freeze cycle), and northerly winds in exposed alpine terrain. There are several thin crusts in the upper snowpack on all but shaded north aspects. Approximately 30-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 20. The late February persistent weak layer continues to be a concern for wide propagations in isolated terrain, however it may take a large trigger like a cornice fall to initiate an avalanche. Watch for recent storm snow releasing as loose wet avalanches on steep solar aspects with strong solar radiation and daytime warming this week.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 25cm of new snow fell on Saturday night while rain saturated surfaces below about 1100m. The new snow has likely settled and gained strength quickly, although reactive storm slabs may still exist in isolated high elevation lee terrain. Recent snow overlies a generally strong snowpack which has undergone significant settlement with recent warm temperatures and rainfall. Over the next few days, clear spring weather should encourage a transition to a daily melt-freeze cycle at the snow surface.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moderate to heavy snowfall and wind on Monday are expected to form potent new storm slabs. A moderate westerly flow will taper-off, and extreme northeasterly winds are expected at the tail end of the system. With that, I'm sure the wind-effect will be variable and new wind slabs will be found in unsuspecting locations. </span><span class="s_DDF6C5E8"> </span><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow will overlie stubborn wind slabs in shaded high elevation terrain and a hard crust in most other places. Deeply buried weak layers near the ground are becoming hard to find, but may remain sensitive to triggering from significant warming or with large loads such as cornice fall. Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and will become increasingly weak with forecast solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow and wind on Monday are expected to have formed potent new storm slabs. A moderate westerly flow will taper-off, and extreme northeasterly winds are expected at the tail end of the system. With that, I'm sure the wind-effect will be variable and new wind slabs will be found in unsuspecting locations. About 30-60cm below the surface you'll likely find a widespread hard crust, although reports suggest a reasonable bond has developed between the crust and the overlying slab. Weaknesses deeper in the snowpack, including the March crusts and the late February persistent weak layer, have become generally unlikely to trigger. However, avalanches on these layers may be possible with a cornice fall, warming or from an avalanche in motion. Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and will become increasingly weak with forecast solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Thin new wind slabs have formed in exposed lee terrain in the alpine and at treeline. Southerly aspects should go through a daily melt-freeze cycle throughout the week. Buried persistent weak layers continue to be a concern for remote triggering in isolated areas where crusts are not strong enough to &quot;bridge&quot; the weakness. The late February surface hoar/crust layer is down 40-90 cm. This layer may continue to react to human triggers during periods of strong solar radiation and high daytime temperatures. Loose wet avalanches in motion, or cornice falls may step down to deeply buried weak layers. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile, and may fail with forecast warming and strong sunshine this week. Conservative terrain without overhead hazard is a good strategy for avoiding the persistent slab problem. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 5-10 cm of snow fell on Sunday, which will probably be sun-affected on solar aspects and wind-affected in exposed terrain from forecast northerly winds. Approximately 40-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 22. The late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 60-110 cm below the snow surface. Commercial operators continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests, which suggests that wide fracture propagations are possible. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile. Expect loose wet avalanches and natural cornice falls with strong solar radiation and significant warming this week.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 cm of new snow fell on Sunday, which is probably now sun-affected on solar aspects and wind-affected in exposed alpine terrain. Approximately 40-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 22. The late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 60-110 cm below the snow surface. Commercial operators continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests, which suggests that wide fracture propagations are possible. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile. Expect loose wet avalanches and natural cornice falls with forecast strong solar radiation and daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 15cm of new snow accumulated over the weekend in sheltered areas. Over the weekend, southerly winds were loading north aspect leeward slopes. However, outflow winds on Monday are reported to be loading south aspects in the alpine while exposed north aspect slopes are being wind pressed and scoured. Large cornices are lingering and are expected to become very weak this week. Below the surface problems, the mid snowpack is generally well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. On Monday, a sun crust is expected to have formed on south aspects. Melt-freeze conditions are expected to be widespread this week with very high freezing levels. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">13-25cm of new snow overlies small surface hoar on shaded slopes and a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes. About 30-50cm below the surface, you'll likely find another hard crust which exists everywhere except high, north-facing terrain. The late February persistent weak layer down 70 to 120 cm remains a low probability / high consequence concern. Test results are variable, with occasional sudden planar (pop) results. While generally becoming unlikely to trigger, this layer could wake up with a cornice fall, warm temperatures or from a thin snowpack area. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">Cornices are large and looming and will become weak with forecast warming and solar radiation</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-30cm of recent storm snow has accumulated in sheltered areas at higher elevations. In exposed terrain, southerly winds have formed soft slabs in leeward features. A weak crust/surface hoar layer which was buried last week is down 30-40cm in the north of the region. A widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February and a lingering surface hoar layer from January can now be found down over a metre. These layers still have the potential to produce large avalanches, especially with a large trigger such as a cornice fall. Extra caution is required during periods of substantial warming and intense solar radiation, as these layers have the biggest potential to wake up. At treeline and below, spring melt-freeze conditions are already being reported. These conditions are expected to extend well into the alpine this week with the forecast warming and sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20cm of new snow accumulated over the weekend in sheltered areas. Over the weekend, southerly winds were loading north aspect leeward slopes. However, outflow winds on Monday are reported to be loading south aspects in the alpine while exposed north aspect slopes are being wind pressed and scoured. Large cornices are lingering and are expected to become very weak this week. Below the surface problems, the mid snowpack is generally well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. On Monday, a sun crust is expected to have formed on south aspects. Melt-freeze conditions are expected to be widespread this week with very high freezing levels.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At treeline and above small wind slabs overly a variety of surfaces include crust on solar aspects above 1300 m, moist or refrozen snow on all aspects below 1300 m, and settled wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain. Surface hoar from March 23rd is still being mentioned in the northern half of the region, and now may be covered by up to 20cm of recent storm snow. Professional operators are tracking two deep weak layers from early-January and February that are now down about 1 meter or more. These layers are generally dormant but might wake up with increased warming or a heavy trigger (like a cornice fall). Basal facets exist in some areas and have been shown to be reactive in the north of the region. Rapid warming may wake up deeply buried weak layers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> There has been a dusting of snow overnight. You will find a variable crust on all aspects below treeline and on some aspects at treeline and in the alpine. The sunbreaks and cloud cover yesterday were extremely localized so it is difficult to pinpoint exactly where the surface layers were affected. Northerly aspects at the upper treeline and alpine elevations remain winter like.</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 snowpack is settling under the influence of intense solar radiation and daytime heating. Moist snow observed today on all solar aspects up to mountain top and on northerly aspects up to 2200m. Numerous buried crusts are found on all but sheltered north aspects, and many of these crusts are producing shears in snowpack stability tests in the easy to moderate range. We are also observing consistent shears in the hard range deep in the snowpack on the Jan 6th interface down between 100 and 130cm. The basal layers consist of large depth hoar and facets. Slabs up to 50cm thick are still found in lee and cross-loaded features in the Alpine. Much of the region has a snowpack with a dense mid-pack overlying very weak basal layers which indicates the potential for full depth avalanches, triggered either from a large load (such as a cornice) or from a step-down from an avalanche initiated in the upper snowpack. The snowpack is not yet in typical &quot;spring condition&quot;, though it is evolving that way.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow and wind on Monday formed new storm slabs, although reports suggest warming has promoted settlement and strengthening within the new snow. The current warming trend has also promoted a daily melt-freeze cycle on solar aspects at higher elevations, and on all aspects below treeline. About 15-45cm below the surface you'll likely find a widespread hard crust, although reports suggest a reasonable bond has developed between the crust and the overlying slab. Weaknesses deeper in the snowpack, including the March crusts and the late February persistent weak layer, have become generally unlikely to trigger. However, avalanches on these layers may be possible with a cornice fall, warming or from an avalanche in motion. Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and will become increasingly weak with forecast solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Approximately 5-10 cm of snow fell on Sunday, which will probably be sun-affected on solar aspects and wind-affected in exposed terrain from forecast northerly winds. Approximately 40-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 22. The late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 60-110 cm below the snow surface. Commercial operators continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests, which suggests that wide fracture propagations are possible. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile. Expect loose wet avalanches and natural cornice falls with strong solar radiation and significant warming this week.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast warming and strong solar is expected to result in loose wet avalanches on sun exposed aspects at all elevations. This warming trend may start to affect deeper snowpack layers each day. Surface crusts may break down early, and persistent weak layers may fail if the warming reaches their fragile structure. The late February surface hoar/crust layer is down 40-90 cm. This layer may continue to react to human triggers during periods of strong solar radiation and high daytime temperatures. Loose wet avalanches in motion, or cornice falls may step down to deeply buried weak layers. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile, and may fail with forecast warming and strong sunshine this week. Conservative terrain without overhead hazard is a good strategy for avoiding the persistent slab problem. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> A dusting of new snow fell Sunday night that now sits over a variable crust on all aspects to about 2000m. Yesterday's northeast wind redistributed some of this light density snow onto southwest aspects through the morning before abating early afternoon. Temperatures remained cool and preserved the snow in all but sheltered southwesterly aspects in the alpine. A well settled mid pack sits below the most recent melt-freeze crust. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 15cm of new snow accumulated over the weekend in sheltered areas. Over the weekend, southerly winds were loading north aspect leeward slopes. However, outflow winds on Monday are reported to be loading south aspects in the alpine while exposed north aspect slopes are being wind pressed and scoured. Large cornices are lingering and are expected to become very weak this week. Below the surface problems, the mid snowpack is generally well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. On Monday, a sun crust is expected to have formed on south aspects. Melt-freeze conditions are expected to be widespread this week with very high freezing levels. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20cm of new snow accumulated over the weekend in sheltered areas. Over the weekend, southerly winds were loading north aspect leeward slopes. However, outflow winds on Monday are reported to be loading south aspects in the alpine while exposed north aspect slopes are being wind pressed and scoured. Large cornices are lingering and are expected to become very weak this week. Below the surface problems, the mid snowpack is generally well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. On Monday, a sun crust is expected to have formed on south aspects. Melt-freeze conditions are expected to be widespread this week with very high freezing levels.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 15 cm of new snow fell on Sunday, which was probably quickly affected by the sun on solar aspects (melt-freeze cycle), and northerly winds in exposed alpine terrain. There are several thin crusts in the upper snowpack on all but shaded north aspects. Approximately 30-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 20. The late February persistent weak layer continues to be a concern for wide propagations in isolated terrain, however it may take a large trigger like a cornice fall to initiate an avalanche. Watch for recent storm snow releasing as loose wet avalanches on steep solar aspects with strong solar radiation and daytime warming this week.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow and wind on Monday formed storm slabs which were especially deep on the east side of the divide. Reports suggest warming has promoted settlement and strengthening within the new snow. The current warming trend has also promoted a daily melt-freeze cycle on solar aspects at higher elevations, and on all aspects below treeline. About 15-60cm below the surface you'll likely find a widespread hard crust, although reports suggest a reasonable bond has developed between the crust and the overlying slab.  Deeply buried weak layers near the ground are becoming hard to find, but may remain sensitive to triggering from significant warming or with large loads such as cornice fall. Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and will become increasingly weak with forecast solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-30cm of recent storm snow has accumulated in sheltered areas at higher elevations. In exposed terrain, southerly winds have formed soft slabs in leeward features. A weak crust/surface hoar layer which was buried last week is down 30-40cm in the north of the region. A widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February and a lingering surface hoar layer from January can now be found down over a metre. These layers still have the potential to produce large avalanches, especially with a large trigger such as a cornice fall. Extra caution is required during periods of substantial warming and intense solar radiation, as this is when these layers have the biggest potential to wake up. At treeline and below, spring melt-freeze conditions are already being reported. These conditions are expected to extend well into the alpine this week with the forecast warming and sun.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 cm of new snow fell on Sunday, which is probably now sun-affected on solar aspects and wind-affected in exposed alpine terrain. Approximately 40-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 22. The late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 60-110 cm below the snow surface. Commercial operators continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests, which suggests that wide fracture propagations are possible. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile. Expect loose wet avalanches and natural cornice falls with forecast strong solar radiation and daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">13-25cm of new snow from Sunday night overlies small surface hoar on shaded slopes at treeline and in the alpine. Snow surfaces are now well into a daily melt-freeze cycle on all aspects below treeline and sun-exposed slopes at higher elevations. Cornices are large and looming and will become increasingly weak with forecast warming and solar radiation. About 25-50cm below the surface, you'll likely find another hard crust which exists everywhere except high, north-facing terrain. The late February persistent weak layer down 70 to 120 cm remains a low probability / high consequence concern. Test results are variable, with occasional sudden planar (pop) results. While generally becoming unlikely to trigger, this layer could produce surprisingly large and destructive avalanches with a cornice fall or warm temperatures. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At treeline and above small wind slabs overly a variety of surfaces include crust on solar aspects above 1300 m, moist or refrozen snow on all aspects below 1300 m, and settled wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain. Surface hoar from March 23rd is still being mentioned in the northern half of the region, and now may be covered by up to 20cm of recent storm snow. Professional operators are tracking two deep weak layers from early-January and February that are now down about 1 meter or more. These layers are generally dormant but might wake up with increased warming or a heavy trigger (like a cornice fall). Basal facets exist in some areas and have been shown to be reactive in the north of the region. Rapid warming may wake up deeply buried weak layers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 25cm of new snow fell on Saturday night while rain saturated surfaces below about 1100m. The recent storm snow has now settled and gained strength. Recent snow overlies a generally strong snowpack which has undergone significant settlement with recent warm temperatures and rainfall. Over the next few days, clear spring weather should encourage a transition to a daily melt-freeze cycle at the snow surface.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moist surface snow is being reported to ridgetop on all aspects with wet surface snow at treeline and below. Warm overnight temperatures means there was a limited refreeze of the snow surface. A thin crust may have formed in some areas but is expected to quickly break down in the morning. A weak crust/surface hoar layer which was buried over a week ago is down 20-30cm in the north of the region. A widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February and a lingering surface hoar layer from January can now be found down a meter or more. Weak basal facets also exist in some areas and have been shown to be most reactive in the north of the region. All these old weak layers still have the potential to produce large avalanches, especially with a large trigger such as a cornice fall. Extra caution is required during this period of substantial warming and intense solar radiation, as this is when these layers have the biggest potential to wake up. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast warming and strong solar is expected to result in loose wet avalanches on sun exposed aspects at all elevations. This warming trend may start to affect deeper snowpack layers each day. Surface crusts may break down early, and persistent weak layers may fail if the warming reaches their fragile structure. The late February surface hoar/crust layer is down 40-90 cm. This layer may continue to react to human triggers during periods of strong solar radiation and high daytime temperatures. Loose wet avalanches in motion, or cornice falls may step down to deeply buried weak layers. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile, and may fail with forecast warming and strong sunshine this week. Conservative terrain without overhead hazard is a good strategy for avoiding the persistent slab problem. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New surface crusts have formed at all elevations on solar aspects, and on all but high alpine shaded aspects. Some areas have reported a new layer of surface hoar growing in high sheltered alpine locations above 2300 metres.&nbsp; Approximately 40-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 22. The late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 60-110 cm below the snow surface. Commercial operators continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests, which suggests that wide fracture propagations are possible. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile. Expect loose wet avalanches and natural cornice falls with strong solar radiation and significant warming this week. Forecast warming may trigger very large slab avalanches on one of the buried crusts or associated weak layers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D888173">Northeast wind on Monday redistributed some light density snow onto southwest aspects creating a wind slab in specific alpine start zones. All aspects heated up yesterday afternoon except true north aspects above 1900m, before radiant cooling and settling overnight created a variable melt freeze crust at all elevations. This crust is expected to break down once again will daytime warming. The mid snowpack pack continues to settle out. Cornices continue to be large and are expected to sag with daytime warming. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moist surface snow is being reported to ridgetop on all aspects with wet surface snow below 1500m.  Warm overnight temperatures means there was a limited refreeze of the snow surface.  A thin crust may have formed in some areas but is expected to quickly break down in the morning. A weak crust/surface hoar layer which was buried over a week ago is down 30-40cm in the north of the region. A widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February and a lingering surface hoar layer from January can now be found down over a meter. These old weak layers still have the potential to produce large avalanches, especially with a large trigger such as a cornice fall. Extra caution is required during this period of substantial warming and intense solar radiation, as this is when these layers have the biggest potential to wake up. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack is taking on a great deal of heat with the high freezing levels. Moist snow observed today on all aspects, limited observations on north but suspect moist snow to 2500 meters, possibly higher. The upper snowpack was exhibiting surface instabilities on steep slopes. The snowpack is highly variable but at treeline, it is a complex array of crusts in the upper snowpack from the warming events in February and March and the January 6th facets which are buried up to 110cm deep. In the alpine, the snowpack is again highly variable in depth and distribution making detection of the shallow areas critical.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A moist snow surface is reported to be widespread to mountaintops except for shaded true north aspects above 2000m. Warm overnight temperatures means there was a limited refreeze of the snow surface. A thin crust may have formed in some areas but is expected to quickly break down in the morning. Wind affected surfaces are reported in exposed alpine terrain in response to recently strong northerly winds. Large cornices are lingering and are expected to become very weak with the sustained warming this week. Below the snow surface, the mid snowpack is generally well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New surface crusts have developed at all elevations on solar aspects, and on all but high alpine slopes on shaded aspects. Thin new crusts may break down early with continued warm temperatures and strong solar. Approximately 40-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 22. The late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 60-110 cm below the snow surface. Commercial operators continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests, which suggests that wide fracture propagations are possible. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile. Expect loose wet avalanches and natural cornice falls with forecast strong solar radiation and daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A moist snow surface is reported to be widespread to mountaintops except for shaded true north aspects at the highest elevations. Warm overnight temperatures means there was a limited refreeze of the snow surface. A thin crust may have formed in some areas but is expected to quickly break down in the morning. Wind affected surfaces are reported in exposed alpine terrain in response to recently strong northerly winds. Large cornices are lingering and are expected to become very weak with the sustained warming this week. Below the snow surface, there are two layers of concern in the northern half of the region. Professionals are tracking a melt freeze crust down around 40cm and a thick layer of facets down 120cm. As the snowpack continues to heat up this week, these layers have the potential to wake-up and produce very large avalanches. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">At the North Shore ski area parking lots there's about 100cm of snow on the ground. At treeline there's still well over 4 metres of snow. Over the last few days, clear spring weather has encouraged a daily melt-freeze cycle on snow surfaces.  Aside from daily temperature-induced surface instabilities, the snowpack is strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New surface crusts have developed at all elevations on solar aspects and on all but high alpine elevations on shaded aspects. Thin surface crusts may break down early with continued warm temperatures. Approximately 30-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 20. The late February persistent weak layer continues to be a concern for wide propagations in isolated terrain, however it may take a large trigger like a cornice fall to initiate an avalanche. Watch for recent storm snow releasing as loose wet avalanches on steep solar aspects with strong solar radiation and daytime warming this week.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">On shaded slopes above 1900m you'll still find cold winter snow which is reported to be settled and faceted on sheltered slopes, and wind-affected in exposed areas. Warm temperatures have promoted a daily melt-freeze cycle on all other snow surfaces. Cornices are large and looming and have become increasingly weak with the sunny weather. In the upper snowpack you'll likely find a few hard crusts which exist everywhere except on high, north-facing terrain. The late February surface hoar/ crust interface (down 80 to 130 cm) remains a low probability/ high consequence concern. Test results are variable, with occasional sudden planar (pop) results. While generally becoming unlikely to trigger, this layer could produce surprisingly large and destructive avalanches with a cornice fall or warm temperatures. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow and wind on Monday formed storm slabs which were especially deep in areas east side of the divide. Reports suggest warming has promoted settlement and strengthening within the new snow, but the current warming trend has also promoted a daily melt-freeze cycle on all but the highest north facing terrain. About 25-60cm below the surface you'll likely find a widespread hard crust, although reports suggest a reasonable bond has developed between the crust and the overlying slab.</span><span class="s_3FE45715"> Deeply buried weak layers in the mid and lower snowpack are becoming hard to find, but may become sensitive to triggering from significant warming or with large loads such as cornice fall. Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and will become increasingly weak with forecast solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 10-20cm of snow fell between last Sunday and Monday. Reports suggest the new snow is generally bonding well to old surfaces and has stayed dry in north facing alpine terrain. On all other slopes warming and solar radiation have promoted a daily melt-freeze cycle and the snowpack below 1500m is now isothermal. About 15-45cm below the surface you'll likely find a widespread hard crust, although reports suggest a reasonable bond has developed between the crust and the overlying slab. Weaknesses deeper in the snowpack (including the March crusts and the late February surface hoar/crust interface) have become generally unlikely to trigger. However, avalanches on these layers may be possible with a cornice fall, warming or from an avalanche in motion. Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and are becoming increasingly weak with solar radiation and warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A supportive crust was reported on on all aspects to mountaintop in the south of the region on Thursday morning.  This crust is expected to have quickly broken down during the day. In the north of the region, no surface crust formed overnight.  On Wednesday, moist surface snow was being reported to mountain tops on all aspects with wet surface snow below 1500m. A weak crust/surface hoar layer which was buried over a week ago is down 30-40cm in the north of the region. A widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February and a lingering surface hoar layer from January can now be found down over a meter. These old weak layers still have the potential to produce large avalanches, especially with a large trigger such as a cornice fall. Extra caution is required during this period of substantial warming and intense solar radiation, as this is when these layers have the biggest potential to wake up. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A moist snow surface is reported to be widespread to mountaintops except for shaded true north aspects above 2000m. Warm overnight temperatures means there was a limited refreeze of the snow surface. A weak crust was reported to have formed in some areas but is expected to quickly break down in the morning. Wind affected surfaces are reported in exposed alpine terrain in response to recently strong northerly winds. Large cornices are lingering and are expected to become very weak with the sustained warming this week. Below the snow surface, the mid snowpack is generally well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">At the North Shore ski area parking lots there's about 100 cm of snow on the ground. At treeline there's still well over 4 metres of snow. Over the last few days, clear spring weather has encouraged a daily melt-freeze cycle on snow surfaces. Aside from daily temperature-induced surface instabilities, the snowpack is strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A good overnight refreeze was reported in the south of the region on Thursday morning.&nbsp; This crust is expected to have quickly broken down during the day. In the north of the region, no surface crust formed overnight.&nbsp; On Wednesday, moist surface snow was being reported to mountain tops on all aspects with wet surface snow at treeline and below. A weak crust/surface hoar layer which was buried over a week ago is down 20-30cm in the north of the region. A widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February and a lingering surface hoar layer from January can now be found down a meter or more. Weak basal facets also exist in some areas and have been shown to be most reactive in the north of the region. All these old weak layers still have the potential to produce large avalanches, especially with a large trigger such as a cornice fall. Extra caution is required during this period of substantial warming and intense solar radiation, as this is when these layers have the biggest potential to wake up. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_17AE1194">On shaded slopes above 2000 m you may still find cold winter snow (and unicorns), which is reported to be settled and faceted on sheltered slopes, and wind-affected in exposed areas. Warm temperatures have promoted a daily melt-freeze cycle on all other snow surfaces. Cornices are large and looming and have become increasingly weak with the sunny weather. In the upper snowpack you'll likely find a few hard crusts which exist everywhere except on high, north-facing terrain. The late February surface hoar/ crust interface (down 80 to 130 cm) remains a low probability/ high consequence concern. Test results are variable, with occasional sudden planar (pop) results. While generally becoming unlikely to trigger, this layer could produce surprisingly large and destructive avalanches with a cornice fall or warm temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow and wind on Monday formed storm slabs which were especially deep in areas east side of the divide. Reports suggest warming has promoted settlement and strengthening within the new snow, but the current warming trend has also promoted a daily melt-freeze cycle on all but the highest north facing terrain. About 25-60 cm below the surface you'll likely find a widespread hard crust, although reports suggest a reasonable bond has developed between the crust and the overlying slab. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground are becoming hard to find, but may become sensitive to triggering from significant warming or with large loads such as cornice fall. Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and are becoming increasingly weak with warming and solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast warming and strong solar is expected to result in loose wet avalanches on sun exposed aspects at all elevations. This warming trend may start to affect deeper snowpack layers each day. Surface crusts may break down early, and persistent weak layers may fail if the warming reaches their fragile structure. The late February surface hoar/crust layer is down 40-90 cm. This layer may continue to react to human triggers during periods of strong solar radiation and high daytime temperatures. Loose wet avalanches in motion, or cornice falls may step down to deeply buried weak layers. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile, and may fail with forecast warming and strong sunshine this week. Conservative terrain without overhead hazard is a good strategy for avoiding the persistent slab problem. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New surface crusts have developed at all elevations on solar aspects and on all but high alpine elevations on shaded aspects. Thin surface crusts may break down early with continued warm temperatures. Approximately 30-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 20. The late February persistent weak layer continues to be a concern for wide propagations in isolated terrain, however it may take a large trigger like a cornice fall to initiate an avalanche. Watch for recent storm snow releasing as loose wet avalanches on steep solar aspects with strong solar radiation and daytime warming this week.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New surface crusts have developed at all elevations on solar aspects, and on all but high alpine slopes on shaded aspects. Thin new crusts may break down early with continued warm temperatures and strong solar. Approximately 40-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 22. The late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 60-110 cm below the snow surface. Commercial operators continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests, which suggests that wide fracture propagations are possible. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile. Expect loose wet avalanches and natural cornice falls with forecast strong solar radiation and daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">All aspects heated up yesterday afternoon except true north aspects above 2000m, before radiant cooling and settling overnight created a variable melt freeze crust at all elevations. This crust is expected to break down once again will daytime warming. The mid snowpack pack continues to settle out. Cornices continue to be large and are expected to sag with daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The clouds held the heat in all day and temps at 2200m reached almost +10C.  The upper snowpack is rapidly settling and becomming isothermal in some areas (lower elevations).  The rapid settling is beginning to overload some of the basal interfaces and triggerring what will likely be the climax avalanche cycle of the season.  We should expect paths that have not yet slid to now start to release as large destructive avalanches.  These avalanches are/will likely fail on the weak basal layers down near the ground.  The sun is having a large impact on stability in terms of when it comes out, the solar radiation rapidly decreases the stability and natural avalancehs occur.  If you wanna start really early you may be able to hang onto the crusts for a few hours but start really early....  And be home early also...</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 10-20 cm of snow fell between last Sunday and Monday. Reports suggest this recent storm snow is now well bonded to old surfaces and has stayed dry in north facing alpine terrain. On all other slopes warming and solar radiation have promoted a daily melt-freeze cycle and the snowpack below 1500 m is now isothermal. About 15-45 cm below the surface you'll likely find a widespread hard crust, although reports suggest a reasonable bond has developed between the crust and the overlying slab. Weaknesses deeper in the snowpack (including the March crusts and the late February surface hoar/crust interface) have become generally unlikely to trigger. However, avalanches on these layers may be possible with a cornice fall, warming or from an avalanche in motion. Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and are becoming increasingly weak with solar radiation and warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A moist snow surface is reported to be widespread to mountaintops except for shaded true north aspects at the highest elevations. Warm overnight temperatures means there was a limited refreeze of the snow surface. A weak crust was reported to have formed in some areas but is expected to quickly break down in the morning. Wind affected surfaces are reported in exposed alpine terrain in response to recently strong northerly winds. Large cornices are lingering and are expected to become very weak with the sustained warming this week. Below the snow surface, there are two layers of concern in the northern half of the region. Professionals are tracking a melt freeze crust down around 40cm and a thick layer of facets down 120cm. As the snowpack continues to heat up this week, these layers have the potential to wake-up and produce very large avalanches. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New surface crusts have formed at all elevations on solar aspects, and on all but high alpine shaded aspects. Some areas have reported a new layer of surface hoar growing in high sheltered alpine locations above 2300 metres. Approximately 40-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 22. The late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 60-110 cm below the snow surface. Commercial operators continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests, which suggests that wide fracture propagations are possible. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile. Expect loose wet avalanches and natural cornice falls with strong solar radiation and significant warming this week. Forecast warming may trigger very large slab avalanches on one of the buried crusts or associated weak layers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New surface crusts have developed at all elevations on solar aspects, and on all but high alpine slopes on shaded aspects. Thin new crusts may break down early with continued warm temperatures and strong solar. Approximately 40-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 22. The late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 60-110 cm below the snow surface. Commercial operators continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests, which suggests that wide fracture propagations are possible. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile. Expect loose wet avalanches and natural cornice falls with forecast strong solar radiation and daytime warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and threaten to trigger avalanches on slopes below. These are likely to be fragile due to the warm weather. The snow surface is moist up to at least 2000 m on all aspects and may still be dry on shady aspects at higher elevations. At low elevations, the snowpack is isothermal.</span><span class="s_17AE1194"> The late February surface hoar/ crust interface (down 80 to 130 cm) remains a low probability/ high consequence concern. Test results are variable, with occasional sudden planar (pop) results. While generally becoming unlikely to trigger, this layer could produce surprisingly large and destructive avalanches with a cornice fall or warm temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices which overhang alpine slopes will be weak with prolonged warming and sunshine. Recent storm snow (which was deepest in the south-east) has settled with continued warm temperatures. Crusts which have been forming at the surface by night have been breaking down quickly by day. A hard crust buried around 20-60 cm down may act as a sliding layer for wet slabs. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground are becoming hard to find, but may become sensitive to triggering from significant warming or with large loads such as cornice fall. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and threaten to trigger avalanches on slopes below. These are likely to be fragile due to the warm weather. The snow surface is moist up to at least 2100 m on all aspects and may still be dry on shady aspects at higher elevations. Below about 1500 m, the snowpack is isothermal. A hard crust in the upper snowpack is acting as a sliding surface for wet snow avalanches. Weaknesses deeper in the snowpack (including the March crusts and the late February surface hoar/crust interface) have become generally unlikely to trigger. However, avalanches on these layers may be possible with a cornice fall, prolonged warming or from an avalanche in motion. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A moist/wet snow surface is reported to be widespread to mountaintops except for shaded true north aspects above 2600m. The last few nights have seen some limited overnight crust formation which has quickly broken down the following morning. With freezing levels dropping on Saturday, a surface crust is expected to form at higher elevations and not completely break down during the day. Large cornices are lingering and are expected to remain weak until there is a substantial period of cooling. Below the snow surface, the mid snowpack is generally well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the last couple days, the snow surface has been developing a weak crust overnight which has been quickly breaking down in the morning due to the warm temperatures. With the freezing levels dropping substantially Friday overnight, a more substantial crust is expected to form and is not expected to fully break down on Saturday at higher elevations. If the crust remains supportive, it is expected to cap any deeper weaknesses. The warm temperatures and sun over the last week have woken up deeply buried weak layers within the snowpack. This includes a weak crust/surface hoar layer which was buried down 20-30cm in the north of the region, a widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February down up to 1m, a lingering surface hoar layer from January down around a meter, and weak basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack. These old weak layers may still have isolated potential to produce large avalanches over the weekend, especially with a large trigger such as a cornice fall. Once the snowpack has seen substantial cooling, these layers are expected become inactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D888173">All aspects heated up during the past few days except true north aspects above 2000m.  Radiant cooling overnight created a variable melt freeze crust from 4 to 10cm at all elevations. This crust is expected to break down once again with daytime warming. The mid snowpack pack continues to settle. Cornices are very large and continue to sag through the day. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Widespread crusts can be found on all aspects except for true north above 2400m.  These crusts on south aspects are up to 20cm thick and fully supportive.  In travels on Friday, forecasters did not note any locations where the crust did not support the weight of a skier.  As temperatures warm up during the day, these crusts are breaking down, loose wet avalanches begin to occur and as the heat penetrates deeper into the snowpack, deep slab avalanches become likely.  There is a brief window between the two wherein there is good corn snow skiing but your timing has ton be bang on. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Very warm temperatures and strong sunshine have rapidly changed the look and feel of the snowpack in only a few days. We heard reports that the entire snowpack was moist or wet below around 1500 m on all aspects. Cooler temperatures this weekend should help a crust form on the surface, possibly covered by a few centimetres of snow. If it is a thick and supportive crust, danger will drop (and snow quality will probably be pretty poor). If it softens again during the day, we could see continued natural activity, especially on southerly aspects if the sun keeps shining. Some parts of the region are still reporting active buried surface hoar on sheltered north-facing slopes in the alpine. Im not sure of the exact depth of this weakness. As you move east to the Powder and Wheaton Valleys, snowpack depths decrease and youre likely to find weak snow at the base of the snowpack. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the last couple days, the snow surface has been developing a weak crust overnight which has been quickly breaking down in the morning due to the warm temperatures. With the freezing levels dropping substantially Friday overnight, a more substantial crust is expected to form and is not expected to fully break down on Saturday at higher elevations. If the crust remains supportive, it is expected to cap any deeper weaknesses. The warm temperatures and sun over the last week have woken up deeply buried weak layers within the snowpack. This includes a weak crust/surface hoar layer which was buried down 30-40cm in the north of the region, a widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February down around 1m, a lingering surface hoar layer from January down over a meter, and weak basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack. These old weak layers may still have isolated potential to produce large avalanches over the weekend, especially with a large trigger such as a cornice fall. Once the snowpack has seen substantial cooling, these layers are expected become inactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast warming and strong solar is expected to result in loose wet avalanches on sun exposed aspects at all elevations. This warming trend may start to affect deeper snowpack layers each day. Surface crusts may break down early, and persistent weak layers may fail if the warming reaches their fragile structure. The late February surface hoar/crust layer is down 40-90 cm. This layer may continue to react to human triggers during periods of strong solar radiation and high daytime temperatures. Loose wet avalanches in motion, or cornice falls may step down to deeply buried weak layers. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile, and may fail with forecast warming and strong sunshine this week. Conservative terrain without overhead hazard is a good strategy for avoiding the persistent slab problem. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The North Shore snowpack is still 1-4 m deep. Warm Spring weather has encouraged a daily melt-freeze cycle on snow surfaces. Aside from daily temperature-induced surface instabilities, the snowpack is strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New surface crusts have developed at all elevations on solar aspects and on all but high alpine elevations on shaded aspects. Thin surface crusts may break down early with continued warm temperatures. Approximately 30-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 20. The late February persistent weak layer continues to be a concern for wide propagations in isolated terrain, however it may take a large trigger like a cornice fall to initiate an avalanche. Watch for recent storm snow releasing as loose wet avalanches on steep solar aspects with strong solar radiation and daytime warming this week.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A moist/wet snow surface is reported to be widespread to mountaintops except for shaded true north aspects above 2600m. The last few nights have seen some limited overnight crust formation which has quickly broken down the following morning. With freezing levels dropping on Saturday, a surface crust is expected to form at higher elevations and not completely break down during the day. Large cornices are lingering and are expected to remain weak until there is a substantial period of cooling. Below the snow surface, there is a layer of concern in the northern half of the region. Professionals are tracking a thick layer of facets down over 1m which likely resulted in a couple deep persistent avalanches which were reported on Thursday.  Deep persistent weaknesses will remain a concern until there is a substantial period of cooling.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Widespread crusts can be found on all aspects except for true north above 2400m. These crusts on south aspects are up to 20cm thick and fully supportive. As temperatures warm up during the day, these crusts are breaking down, loose wet avalanches begin to occur and as the heat penetrates deeper into the snowpack, deep slab avalanches become likely. There is a brief window between the two wherein there is good corn snow skiing but your timing has ton be bang on. Lower elevations are turning into a full on isothermal snowpack. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The North Shore snowpack is still 1-4 m deep. Recent warm weather encouraged a daily melt-freeze cycle on snow surfaces. With cooling temperatures, this cycle should become much less pronounced. In general, the snowpack is strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and threaten to trigger avalanches on slopes below. These are likely to be fragile due to the warm weather. The snow surface is moist up to at least 2000 m on all aspects and may still be dry on shady aspects at higher elevations. At low elevations, the snowpack is isothermal.</span><span class="s_17AE1194"> The late February surface hoar/ crust interface (down 80 to 130 cm) remains a low probability/ high consequence concern. Test results are variable, with occasional sudden planar (pop) results. While generally becoming unlikely to trigger, this layer could produce surprisingly large and destructive avalanches with a cornice fall or warm temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and threaten to trigger avalanches on slopes below. These are likely to be fragile due to the warm weather. The snow surface is moist up to at least 2100 m on all aspects and may still be dry on shady aspects at higher elevations. Below about 1500 m, the snowpack is isothermal. A hard crust in the upper snowpack has been acting as a sliding surface for wet snow avalanches. Weaknesses deeper in the snowpack (including the March crusts and the late February surface hoar/crust interface) have become generally unlikely to trigger. However, avalanches on these layers may be possible with a cornice fall, prolonged warming or from an avalanche in motion. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A melt-freeze cycle is reported to be widespread to mountaintops except for shaded true north aspects above 2200m. The last few nights have seen some limited overnight crust formation which has quickly broken down the following morning. With freezing levels dropping on Saturday, a surface crust has likely formed at higher elevations and hasn't completely broken down during the day. Large cornices are lingering above many alpine slopes. Below the snow surface, there is a layer of concern in the northern half of the region. Professionals are tracking a thick layer of facets down over 1m which likely resulted in a couple deep persistent avalanches which were reported on Thursday. Deep persistent weaknesses and natural cornice failures will remain a concern until there is a substantial period of cooling.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A moist/wet snow surface is reported to be widespread to mountaintops except for shaded true north aspects above 2200m. The last few nights have seen some limited overnight crust formation which has quickly broken down the following morning. With freezing levels dropping on Saturday, a surface crust has likely formed at higher elevations and hasn't completely broken down during the day. Large cornices are lingering and are expected to remain weak until there is a substantial period of cooling. Below the snow surface, the mid snowpack is generally well-settled throughout with no notable persistent weaknesses. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the last couple days, the snow surface has been developing a weak crust overnight which has been quickly breaking down in the morning due to the warm temperatures. With the freezing levels dropping substantially Friday overnight, a more substantial crust has formed and is not expected to fully break down. If the crust remains supportive, it is expected to cap any deeper weaknesses. The warm temperatures and sun over the last week have woken up deeply buried weak layers within the snowpack. This includes a weak crust/surface hoar layer which was buried down 30-40cm in the north of the region, a widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February down around 1m, a lingering surface hoar layer from January down over a meter, and weak basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack. These old weak layers may still have isolated potential to produce large avalanches over the weekend, especially with a large trigger such as a cornice fall. Once the snowpack has seen substantial cooling, these layers are expected become inactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Over the last couple days, the snow surface has been developing a weak crust overnight which has been quickly breaking down in the morning due to the warm temperatures. With the freezing levels dropping substantially Friday overnight, a more substantial crust has likely formed and is not expected to fully break down on Saturday at higher elevations. If the crust remains supportive, it is expected to cap any deeper weaknesses. The warm temperatures and sun over the last week have woken up deeply buried weak layers within the snowpack. This includes a weak crust/surface hoar layer which was buried down 20-30cm in the north of the region, a widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February down up to 1m, a lingering surface hoar layer from January down around a meter, and weak basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack. These old weak layers may still have isolated potential to produce large avalanches over the weekend, especially with a large trigger such as a cornice fall. Once the snowpack has seen substantial cooling, these layers are expected become inactive.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New surface crusts have formed at all elevations on solar aspects, and on all but high alpine shaded aspects. Some areas have reported a new layer of surface hoar growing in high sheltered alpine locations above 2300 metres. Approximately 40-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 22. The late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 60-110 cm below the snow surface. Commercial operators continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests, which suggests that wide fracture propagations are possible. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile. Expect loose wet avalanches and natural cornice failure with continued warming Sunday. Forecast warming may also trigger very large slab avalanches on one of the buried crusts or associated weak layers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New surface crusts have developed at all elevations on solar aspects, and on all but high alpine slopes on shaded aspects. Thin new crusts may break down early with continued warm temperatures. Approximately 40-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 22. The late February persistent weak layer is an aspect dependant mix of surface hoar, facets and/or a thick crust down around 60-110 cm below the snow surface. Commercial operators continue to see hard sudden planar results in snowpack tests, which suggests that wide fracture propagations are possible. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile. Expect loose wet avalanches and natural cornice failure to continue with warm temperatures on Sunday.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D888173">All aspects heated up during the past few days except true north aspects above 2000m. Radiant cooling created a variable melt freeze crust at all elevations. This crust is expected to only break down on steep, rocky solar aspects in the alpine and treeline. The mid snowpack pack continues to settle. Cornices are large and looming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices which overhang alpine slopes will be weak with prolonged warming and sunshine. Recent storm snow (which was deepest in the south-east) has settled with continued warm temperatures. Crusts which have been forming at the surface by night have been breaking down quickly by day. A hard crust buried around 20-60 cm down may act as a sliding layer for wet slabs. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground are becoming hard to find, but may become sensitive to triggering from significant warming or with large loads such as cornice fall. Thin snowpack areas are becoming isothermal.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Ongoing warm daytime temperatures combined with mild nights continue to destabilized the upper snowpack.  On Sunday, any surface crust is expected to break down early, and persistent weak layers may fail if the warming reaches their fragile structure. The late February surface hoar/crust layer is down 40-90 cm. This layer may continue to react to human triggers during high daytime temperatures. Loose wet avalanches in motion, or cornice failure could result in an avalanche that steps down to deeply buried weak layers. Cornices continue to be described as large and fragile, and may fail with continued warming. Conservative terrain without overhead hazard is a good strategy for avoiding the persistent slab problem. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New surface crusts have developed at all elevations on solar aspects and on all but high alpine elevations on shaded aspects. Thin surface crusts may break down early with continued warm temperatures. Approximately 30-50 cm of settled storm snow sits on a melt-freeze crust buried on Mar. 20. The late February persistent weak layer continues to be a concern for wide propagations in isolated terrain, however it may take a large trigger like a cornice fall to initiate an avalanche. Watch for old storm snow releasing as loose wet avalanches on steep solar aspects with continued strong solar radiation and daytime warming this weekend.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D888173">All aspects heated up during the past few days.&nbsp; Well settled dry snow remains only in the upper alpine on north aspects above 2200 metres.&nbsp; Lower freezing levels combined with some radiant cooling overnight has formed the most significant melt freeze crust of the week at all elevations. This crust is not expected to completely break down today. At treeline, the snowpack continues to settle and is now moist throughout.&nbsp; Below treeline the snowpack is shrinking rapidly and becoming isothermal. Cornices are very large and continue to sag through the day. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes. Glide cracks have opened up on several slopes and herald more glide avalanches to come. Recent storm snow (which was deepest in the south-east) has settled with continued warm temperatures. Crusts which have been forming at the surface by night have been breaking down quickly by day and low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground appear to have woken up in some areas with prolonged warming (see avalanche discussion).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and threaten to trigger avalanches on slopes below. Glide cracks have opened up on several slopes and herald more glide avalanches to come. Below about 1500 m, the snowpack is isothermal. A hard crust in the upper snowpack was acting as a sliding surface for wet snow avalanches. Weaknesses deeper in the snowpack (including the March crusts and the late February surface hoar/crust interface) have become generally unlikely to trigger. However, avalanches on these layers may be possible with a cornice fall, prolonged warming or from an avalanche in motion. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The warm daytime temperatures and weak/non-existent overnight refreeze over the past few days have moistened the upper snowpack at all elevations. High elevation north may be the last hideout of relatively &quot;cold&quot; snow heading into Monday morning. Interestingly, there may also be some medium grain surface hoar remaining on these same high elevation north facing features. Below 1400 m, the snowpack is likely fully isothermal. The March 22nd rain crust is present to around 2000 m, but the warm temps have likely allowed the overlying 40 to 50 cm of snow to bond well. Once it freezes, March 22nd should not be much of a concern. The late February persistent weak layer is now down 60 to 120 cm below the surface. While it may be a concern in isolated terrain, it would probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to provoke it.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The warm daytime temperatures and weak/non-existent overnight refreeze over the past few days have moistened the upper snowpack at all elevations. High elevation north may be the last hideout of relatively &quot;cold&quot; snow heading into Monday morning. Interestingly, there may also be some surface hoar remaining on these same high elevation north facing features. Below 1400 m, the snowpack is likely fully isothermal. The March 22nd rain crust is present to around 2000 m, but the warm temps have likely allowed the overlying 30 to 40 cm of snow to bond well. Once it freezes, March 22nd should not be much of a concern. The late February persistent weak layer is now down 40 to 100 cm below the surface and it may remain sensitive to human triggering, especially in shallow weak spots.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The warm daytime temperatures and weak/non-existent overnight refreeze over the past few days have moistened the upper snowpack at all elevations. High elevation north may be the last hideout of relatively &quot;cold&quot; snow heading into Monday morning. Interestingly, there may also be some medium grain surface hoar remaining on these same high elevation north facing features. Below 1400 m, the snowpack is likely fully isothermal. The March 22nd rain crust is present to around 2000 m, but the warm temps have likely allowed the overlying 40 to 50 cm of snow to bond well. Once it freezes, March 22nd should not be much of a concern. The late February persistent weak layer is now down 40 to 160 cm below the surface. While it may be a concern in isolated terrain, it would probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to provoke it.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_E6FD2046"> </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">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and threaten to trigger avalanches on slopes below. New snow will be landing on mainly moist or crusty snow surfaces. At low elevations, the snowpack is isothermal. The late February surface hoar/ crust interface (down 80 to 130 cm) remains a low probability/ high consequence concern. Test results are variable, with occasional sudden planar (pop) results. While generally unlikely to trigger, this layer could produce surprisingly large avalanches with a cornice fall or warm temperatures.</span><span class="s_17AE1194" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The North Shore snowpack is still 1-4 m deep. Recent warm weather aided in settlement and quite likely created a surface crust. In general, the snowpack is strong and well-settled. Incoming snow and wind may create new storm slabs, especially at upper elevations. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">By Monday morning light to locally moderate amounts of snow are expected to have fallen. Due to the temperature trend in the storm (warm to cold), my feeling is the new snow will develop a reasonable bond to older surfaces which should include a mix of hard crusts on high elevation solar aspects, settled dry snow in high north-facing terrain, and moist snow everywhere else. Strong to extreme southwest winds should accompany the storm, so I would expect relatively short-lived yet potentially deep weaknesses to exist with the new snow, especially in high elevation lee terrain. The storm will also encourage ongoing cornice development and newly formed cornice tabs are expected to be sensitive to triggering. Below the new snow, the snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. The exception may be in the Duffey area where professionals are tracking a layer of facets down over 1m which likely resulted in a couple deep persistent avalanches which were reported during last week's warm-up. With forecast cooling on Monday and Tuesday, this layer should become dormant (until the next warm spell).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">By Monday morning moderate to locally heavy amounts of snow are expected to have fallen. Due to the temperature trend in the storm (warm to cold), my feeling is the new snow will develop a reasonable bond to older surfaces which should include a mix of hard crusts on high elevation solar aspects, settled dry snow in high north-facing terrain, and moist snow everywhere else. Strong to extreme southwest winds should accompany the storm, so I would expect relatively short-lived yet potentially deep weaknesses to exist with the new snow, especially in high elevation lee terrain. The storm will also encourage ongoing cornice development and newly formed cornice tabs are expected to be sensitive to triggering. Below the new snow, the snowpack is generally strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Widespread crusts can be found on all aspects except for true north above 2400m. These crusts on south aspects are up to 20cm thick and fully supportive. As temperatures warm up during the day, these crusts are breaking down, loose wet avalanches begin to occur and as the heat penetrates deeper into the snowpack, deep slab avalanches become likely. There is a brief window between the two wherein there is good corn snow skiing but your timing has ton be bang on. Lower elevations are turning into a full on isothermal snowpack. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The warm daytime temperatures and weak/non-existent overnight refreeze over the past few days have moistened the upper snowpack at all elevations. High elevation north may be the last hideout of relatively &quot;cold&quot; snow heading into Monday morning. Below 1400 m, the snowpack is likely fully isothermal. The March 20th rain crust is present to around 2000 m, but the warm temps have likely allowed the overlying 30 to 50 cm of snow to bond well. Once it freezes, March 20th should not be much of a concern. The late February persistent weak layer is now down 80 to 160 cm below the surface. While it may be a concern in isolated terrain, it would probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to provoke it. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">By Monday morning, 5-15 cm of new snow is expected to overlie a widespread melt-freeze crust. Below about 1300m, light rain is expected to further saturate the snowpack keeping the snow loose and unconsolidated. The warm temperatures and sun over the last week woke up deeply buried weak layers within the snowpack. This includes a weak crust/surface hoar layer which was buried down 20-30cm in the north of the region, a widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February down up to 1m, a lingering surface hoar layer from January down around a meter, and weak basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack. Cooling should dramatically limit the reactivity of these old layers; however, they may come back to life during future periods of warming, heavy rain or solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">By Monday morning, light to locally moderate amounts of new snow are expected to overlie a widespread melt-freeze crust. Below about 1300m, light rain is expected to further saturate the snowpack keeping the snow loose and unconsolidated. The warm temperatures and sun over the last week woke-up deeply buried weak layers within the snowpack. These includes a weak crust/surface hoar layer which was buried down 30-40cm in the north of the region, a widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February down around 1m, a lingering surface hoar layer from January down over a meter, and weak basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack. Cooling should dramatically limit the reactivity of these old layers; however, they may come back to life during future periods of warming, heavy rain or solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack is a mix of isothermal slop down low as last evenings recovery was almost non-existent.  At TL and above, it will depend on the extent of the freeze with elevation change.  The snowpack at treeline and above will be a mix of very well settled snow and variable strength crusts. Continue to monitor the freeze and warming as any heat inputs will undermine the delicate nature of the snowpack at this time and for the week ahead.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures, weak/non-existent overnight refreeze, and rain have moistened the upper snowpack at all elevations. Elevations above 2000 m may getting snow on Monday (5-15 cm is possible), and a cooling trend could create a crust at or near the surface down to around 1500 m. Below 1400 m, the snowpack is likely fully isothermal. The March 22nd rain crust is present to around 2000 m, but the warm temps have likely allowed the overlying 40 to 50 cm of snow to bond well. Once it freezes, this layer should not be much of a concern. The late February persistent weak layer is now down 60 to 120 cm below the surface. While it may be a concern in isolated terrain, it would probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to provoke it.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Sunday night and Monday 5-20cm of new snow fell with the highest accumulations in the southwest of the region. The new snow was shifted by strong southerly winds into fresh wind slabs in wind-exposed terrain. Due to the temperature trend in the storm (warm to cold), the new snow likely developed a reasonable bond to older surfaces which include a mix of hard crusts on high elevation solar aspects, settled dry snow in north-facing alpine terrain, and moist snow everywhere else. Below the new snow, the snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Cornices are huge and will become weak with future warming and solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Sunday night 3-24cm of new snow fell with the highest accumulations in the southwest of the region. The new snow was shifted by strong southerly winds into fresh wind slabs in wind-exposed terrain. Due to the temperature trend in the storm (warm to cold), the new snow likely developed a reasonable bond to older surfaces which include a mix of hard crusts on high elevation solar aspects, settled dry snow in north-facing alpine terrain, and moist snow everywhere else. Below the new snow, the snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Cornices are huge and will become weak with future warming and solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Very warm temperatures and sunshine last week caused substantial melting and settlement of the snowpack. Reports suggested that the entire snowpack was moist or wet below around 1600m on all aspects. Over the weekend we entered a melt-freeze cycle with a surface crust forming during the cold overnight periods and surface melting occurring during the day. The most recent observation from Sunday morning had a 5-8cm thick surface crust at Fraser camp weather plot. The new snowfall on Tuesday will bury this crust and strong southerly winds are expected to redistribute the new snow in wind exposed terrain. Wind slab formation is expected on Tuesday and again on Thursday. Some parts of the region have recently seen avalanche activity on a buried surface hoar on sheltered north-facing slopes in the alpine. WIth the colder overnight temperatures and surface crust formation, it has become unlikely to trigger an avalanche on this layer. As you move north to the Powder and Wheaton Valleys, snowpack depths decrease and the snowpack is heavily facetted with very little structure below the surface crust. Avalanches occurring in this part of the region may step down and fail on the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and threaten to trigger avalanches on slopes below. New snow will have landed on moist or crusty snow surfaces, and may have been shifted by strong winds into wind slabs. At low elevations, the snowpack is isothermal. The late February surface hoar/ crust interface (down 80 to 130 cm) remains a low probability/ high consequence concern. While generally unlikely to be triggered, this layer could produce surprisingly large avalanches with a cornice fall or warm temperatures.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and threaten to trigger avalanches on slopes below. Glide cracks have opened up on several slopes and herald more glide avalanches to come. Variable moist-wet snow or  crusts exist at the surface. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal. Deeply buried weak layers appear to have woken up with prolonged warming (see avalanche discussion). </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D888173">MFcr recovery last night before HST commenced. Mod to strong winds during the storm has distributed storm slab on North asp's. It is expected that Cornices have strengthened slightly with the Cooling temperature overnight but should still be avoided.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures, weak/non-existent overnight refreeze, and rain have moistened the upper snowpack at all elevations. Elevations above 2000 m may getting snow on Monday (5-10 cm is possible), and a cooling trend could create a crust at or near the surface down to around 1500 m. Below 1400 m, the snowpack is likely fully isothermal. The March 22nd rain crust is present to around 2000 m, but the warm temps have likely allowed the overlying 30 to 40 cm of snow to bond well. Once it freezes, this layer should not be much of a concern. The late February persistent weak layer is now down 40 to 100 cm below the surface, and may</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures, weak/non-existent overnight refreeze, and rain have moistened the upper snowpack at all elevations. Slopes above 1800-2000 m could have a healthy dusting of snow (up to 15 cm) by Tuesday morning, with the possibility of fresh winds slabs in exposed lee terrain. Below 1400 m, the snowpack is likely fully isothermal. The March 20th rain crust is present to around 2000 m, but the warm temps have likely allowed the overlying 30 to 50 cm of snow to bond well. Once it freezes, this layer should not be much of a concern. The late February persistent weak layer is now down 80 to 160 cm below the surface. While it may be a concern in isolated terrain, it would probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to provoke it. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent warm temperatures, weak/non-existent overnight refreeze, and rain have moistened the upper snowpack at all elevations. Elevations above 2000 m may getting snow on Monday (10-15 cm is possible), and a cooling trend could create a crust at or near the surface down to around 1500 m. Below 1400 m, the snowpack is likely fully isothermal. The March 22nd rain crust is present to around 2000 m, but the warm temps have likely allowed the overlying 40 to 50 cm of snow to bond well. Once it freezes, this layer should not be much of a concern. The late February persistent weak layer is now down 60 to 120 cm below the surface. While it may be a concern in isolated terrain, it would probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to provoke it.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes. Glide cracks have opened up on several slopes and herald more glide avalanches to come. Variable surface crusts exist. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground appear to have woken up in some areas with prolonged warming (see avalanche discussion).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">On Tuesday and Wednesday, moderate to locally heavy snowfall will form deep new storm slabs while rain at lower elevations will further saturate the snowpack. Extreme winds and progressive warming throughout the storm will encourage the formation of a slabby, &quot;upside-down&quot; upper snowpack. Cornice growth is also expected to be significant during the storm. New accumulations will overlie a widespread melt-freeze crust that formed as a result of last week's warm weather and more recent cooling. The warm temperatures and sun over the last week woke-up deeply buried weak layers within the snowpack. These includes a weak crust/surface hoar layer which was buried down 30-40cm in the north of the region, a widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February down around 1m, a lingering surface hoar layer from January down over a meter, and weak basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack. Cooling has dramatically limited the reactivity of these destructive old layers; however, they may come back to life during future periods of warming, solar radiation, or heavy storm loading.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Tuesday and Wednesday, moderate to locally heavy snowfall will form new storm slabs while rain at lower elevations will further saturate the snowpack. Extreme winds and progressive warming throughout the storm will encourage the formation of a slabby, &quot;upside-down&quot; upper snowpack. Cornice growth is also expected to be significant during the storm. New accumulations will overlie a widespread melt-freeze crust that formed as a result of last week's warm weather and more recent cooling. The warm temperatures and sun over the last week woke up deeply buried weak layers within the snowpack. This includes a weak crust/surface hoar layer which was buried down 20-30cm in the north of the region, a widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February down up to 1m, a lingering surface hoar layer from January down around a meter, and weak basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack. Cooling should dramatically limit the reactivity of these old layers; however, they may come back to life during future periods of warming, solar radiation or heavy storm loading.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm spring weather has aided in snowpack settlement. Wet snow and crusts are likely to make up much of the upper snowpack. In general, the snowpack is strong and well-settled. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches running to valley bottom. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches running to valley bottoms. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and may trigger large, destructive avalanches running to valley bottom. Up to 20cm of recent storm snow with moderate northwesterly winds will have created fresh wind slabs on lee aspects in the alpine and open treeline. The late February surface hoar/ crust interface down 80 to 130 cm. is currently dormant, however, a rapid warm up could awaken this sleeping dragon. At low elevations, the snowpack is isothermal. </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 spring weather has aided in snowpack settlement. Wet snow and crusts are likely to make up much of the upper snowpack. In general, the snowpack is strong and well-settled. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Last night we saw improved recovery (ie better freeze) that has improved snowpack stability by the development of a strong surface crust and has thus reduced the hazard.  Telemetry has indicated that we received 17 cm of snow at treeline elevations and so up to 20 cm may have accumulated in the alpine with light winds overnight.  The remainder of the snowpack will be largely settled grains with a mix of older buried crusts and conglomerated larger facets in shallow snowpack areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D888173">A melt freeze crust that formed yesterday is now covered by 10-20cms of new snow depending on aspect and elevation while ridge tops and exposed terrain remain scoured. Mod to strong southwest winds over the past 24 hours have created isolated pockets of wind slab in lee alpine start zones. This new crust exists down to 1500m. From below treeline the upper snowpack has become isothermal. It is expected that Cornices have strengthened with the Cooling temperature overnight, but should still be avoided.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15 cm of new snow fell on Monday (with another 20 cm possible on Tuesday), with cooling temperatures and moderate or strong W-NW winds. Fresh wind slabs are likely in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. A new melt-freeze crust may have formed below the fresh snow, which should help temporarily stabilize the snowpack. The March 22nd rain crust is buried 50-60 cm deep up to around 2000 m. We could see more activity on this layer when temperatures soar later in the week. The late February persistent weak layer is now down 60 to 120 cm below the surface. While it may be a concern in isolated terrain, it would probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to provoke it.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20 cm of new snow fell on Monday (above 1500 m) with cooling temperatures and moderate or strong W-NW winds. Fresh wind slabs are likely in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. A new melt-freeze crust may have formed below the fresh snow, which should help temporarily stabilize the snowpack. The March 22nd rain crust is buried 50-60 cm deep up to around 2000 m. We could see more activity on this layer when temperatures soar later in the week. The late February persistent weak layer is now down 60 to 120 cm below the surface. While it may be a concern in isolated terrain, it would probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to provoke it.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15 cm of new snow fell on Monday (with another 20 cm possible on Tuesday), combined with cooling temperatures and moderate or strong W-NW winds. Fresh wind slabs are likely in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. A new melt-freeze crust may have formed below the fresh snow, which should help temporarily stabilize the snowpack. The March 22nd rain crust is buried 50-60 cm deep up to around 2000 m. We could see more activity on this layer when temperatures soar later in the week. The late February persistent weak layer is now down 60 to 120 cm below the surface. While it may be a concern in isolated terrain, it would probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to provoke it.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A dusting of new snow sits on a fairly solid crust at all elevations and on all aspects. The exception to this could be high north-facing slopes where cold dry snow might still exist. Forecast snow and wind on Wednesday could combine to create fresh pockets of wind slab in lee alpine terrain. The March 22nd rain crust is 30-40 cm deep and is present to around 2000 m. The late February persistent weak layer is now down 40-100 cm below the surface. Both of these persistent weaknesses could wake up again as temperatures soar and the sun returns later this week. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 10-30cm of recent snowfall overlies a mix of hard crusts on high elevation solar aspects, settled dry snow in north-facing alpine terrain, and moist snow everywhere else. The recent snow has been shifted by strong southerly winds into fresh wind slabs in wind-exposed terrain. With forecast solar radiation and warm temperatures, most surfaces will transition to a daily melt-freeze cycle, while recently formed wind slabs will linger on high north-facing slopes. Below the new snow, the snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Cornices are huge and will become weak with future warming and solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 10-30cm of recent snowfall overlies a mix of hard crusts on high elevation solar aspects, settled dry snow in north-facing alpine terrain, and moist snow everywhere else. The recent snow has been shifted by strong southerly winds into fresh wind slabs in wind-exposed terrain. With forecast solar radiation and warm temperatures, most surfaces will transition to a daily melt-freeze cycle, while recently formed wind slabs will linger on high north-facing slopes. Below the new snow, the snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Cornices are huge and will become weak with future warming and solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Wednesday, moderate snowfall (10-25cm) formed new storm slabs. Extreme winds throughout the storm created a widespread wind effect at treeline and in the alpine and promoted continued cornice growth. Recent storm snow overlies a widespread melt-freeze crust that formed as a result of last week's warm weather and more recent cooling. The warm temperatures and sun over the last week woke-up deeply buried weak layers within the snowpack. These includes a weak crust/surface hoar layer which is buried down 40-60cm in the north of the region, a widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February down around 1m, a lingering surface hoar layer from January down over a meter, and weak basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack. More recent cooling has dramatically limited the reactivity of these destructive old layers; however, they may come back to life during future periods of warming, solar radiation, or heavy storm loading.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches running to valley bottom. 10cm of recent storm snow with moderate westerly winds have created thin fresh wind slabs on lee aspects in the alpine and open treeline. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches running to valley bottoms. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">On Wednesday, moderate to locally heavy snowfall (up to 45cm) formed deep new storm slabs. Extreme winds throughout the storm created a widespread wind effect at treeline and in the alpine and promoted continued cornice growth. The recent storm snow overlies a widespread melt-freeze crust that formed as a result of last week's warm weather and more recent cooling. The warm temperatures and sun over the last week woke-up deeply buried weak layers within the snowpack. These includes a weak crust/surface hoar layer which is buried down 40-60cm in the north of the region, a widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February down around 1m, a lingering surface hoar layer from January down over a meter, and weak basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack. More recent cooling has dramatically limited the reactivity of these destructive old layers; however, they may come back to life during future periods of warming, solar radiation, or heavy storm loading.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches running to valley bottoms. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-40 cm of new snow sits on melt-freeze crust with westerly winds forming fresh wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. The March 22nd rain crust is buried 50-70 cm deep up to around 2000 m. We could see more activity on this layer when temperatures soar later in the week. The late February persistent weak layer is now down 60 to 120 cm below the surface. While it may be a concern in isolated terrain, it would probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to provoke it. The lower elevation snowpack (below 1500 m) is moist and isothermal. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A dusting of new snow sits on a melt-freeze crust at all elevations and on all aspects. The exception to this could be high north-facing slopes where cold dry snow might still exist. Forecast snow and wind on Wednesday may have created fresh pockets of wind slab in lee alpine terrain. The March 22nd rain crust is 30-40 cm deep and is present to around 2000 m. The late February persistent weak layer is now down 40-100 cm below the surface. Both of these persistent weaknesses could wake up again as temperatures soar and the sun returns later this week. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The snowpack saw less affect from solar radiation today with the cooler temperatures but overall, the snowpack is isothermal down lower, and hard and frozen at higher elevations.  North aspects still have some sheers in the upper snowpack 2500m and above but below this the snowpack is a series of crusts and isothermal snow. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches running to valley bottom. 10cm of recent storm snow with moderate westerly winds have created thin wind slabs on lee aspects in the alpine and open treeline. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches running to valley bottoms. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-30 cm of new snow sits on melt-freeze crust with westerly winds forming fresh wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. The March 22nd rain crust is buried 50-60 cm deep up to around 2000 m. We could see more activity on this layer when temperatures soar later in the week. The late February persistent weak layer is now down 60 to 120 cm below the surface. While it may be a concern in isolated terrain, it would probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to provoke it. The lower elevation snowpack (below 1500 m) is moist and isothermal. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-40 cm of new snow sits on melt-freeze crust with westerly winds forming fresh wind slabs in exposed lee and cross-loaded terrain. The March 22nd rain crust is buried 50-70 cm deep up to around 2000 m. We could see more activity on this layer when temperatures soar later in the week. The late February persistent weak layer is now down 60 to 120 cm below the surface. While it may be a concern in isolated terrain, it would probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to provoke it. The lower elevation snowpack (below 1500 m) is moist and isothermal. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Large cornices overhang alpine slopes and may trigger large, destructive avalanches running to valley bottoms. Up to 20cm of recent storm snow with moderate northwesterly winds will have created wind slabs on lee aspects in the alpine and open treeline. These wind slabs will increase in sensitivity when they are warmed up for the first time by solar radiation and rising freezing levels. The late February surface hoar/ crust interface down 80 to 130 cm. is currently dormant, however, a rapid warm up could awaken this sleeping dragon. At low elevations, the snowpack is isothermal. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-30cm of recent snowfall overlies a mix of old surfaces that formed as a result of last week's big warm-up. These include hard crusts on high elevation solar aspects, settled dry snow in north-facing alpine terrain, and moist snow everywhere else. The recent snow has been shifted by strong southerly winds into fresh wind slabs in wind-exposed terrain. With forecast solar radiation and warm temperatures, most surfaces will transition to a daily melt-freeze cycle while recently formed wind slabs will linger on high north-facing slopes. Below the new snow, the snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Cornices are huge and will become weak with future warming and solar radiation.</span></p>
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.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm spring weather has aided in snowpack settlement. Wet snow and crusts are likely to make up much of the upper snowpack. In general, the snowpack is strong and well-settled. </span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-40cm of recent snowfall overlies a mix of old surfaces that formed as a result of last week's big warm-up. These include hard crusts on high elevation solar aspects, settled dry snow in north-facing alpine terrain, and moist snow everywhere else. The recent snow has been shifted by strong southerly winds into fresh wind slabs in wind-exposed terrain. With forecast solar radiation and warm temperatures, most surfaces will transition to a daily melt-freeze cycle, while recently formed wind slabs will linger on high north-facing slopes. Below the new snow, the snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Cornices are huge and will become weak with future warming and solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">On Tuesday between 25 and 45cm of new snow fell with highest accumulations noted in the south of the region. Extreme westerly winds throughout the storm promoted continued cornice growth and created a widespread wind effect at higher elevations. About 35-60cm below the surface you'll find a widespread hard melt-freeze crust that formed as a result of last week's warm weather and more recent cooling. A few deeply buried weak layers exist within the snowpack including a widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February down around 1.5 m and weak basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack. The near-surface crust has dramatically limited the reactivity of these destructive old layers; however, they have the potential for isolated yet very large avalanches with forecast warming and solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Tuesday, 10-20cm of new snow fell. Throughout the storm, extreme westerly winds promoted continued cornice growth and created a widespread wind effect at higher elevations. About 30cm below the surface you'll find a widespread hard melt-freeze crust that formed as a result of last week's warm weather and more recent cooling. A few persistent weak layers exist in the snowpack including lingering surface hoar layer from January (down over a meter), and weak basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack. The near-surface crust has dramatically limited the reactivity of these destructive old layers; however, they have the potential for isolated yet very large avalanches with forecast warming and solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D888173">A melt freeze crust that formed 2days ago is now covered by 10-20cms of new snow depending on aspect and elevation while ridge tops and exposed terrain remain scoured. Mod to strong southwest winds over the past 24 hours have created isolated pockets of wind slab in steep lee alpine start zones. This new crust exists down to 1700m. From below 1700m the upper snowpack has become isothermal. It is expected that Cornices will weaken with expected solar warming this afternoon and should  be avoided.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Much of the snowpack is now isothermal by mid afternoon, meaning that it is mostly un supportive and extremely weak when not frozen. The recent weather pattern has encouraged a predictable freeze/thaw cycle making for crusty conditions in the morning and a weak, wet snowpack in the afternoon. Freezing levels extended to 2400m yesterday. Today's alpine high reached 10 degrees. Higher elevations that face true north still have a hint of a winter snowpack, although these places are getting to be fewer and fewer. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sunshine and soaring temperatures may have resulted in moist or wet snow on all aspects and elevations, except possibly very high true-north slopes. The existence and strength of a surface crust will be important on Friday. If a crust doesn't form or it breaks down really early, then avalanche danger might stay elevated for the entire day. A couple crusts could exist in the top 60-80 cm up to around 2000 m. We could see loose wet snow sliding on the upper crust with the potential for wet slabs running on deeper crusts. The late February persistent weak layer is down 80 to 120 cm below the surface. This layer may be a concern in isolated terrain, but it will probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to set it off. </span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sunshine and soaring temperatures may have resulted in moist or wet snow on all aspects and elevations, except possibly very high true-north slopes. The existence and strength of a surface crust will be important on Friday. If a crust doesn't form or it breaks down really early, then avalanche danger might stay elevated for the entire day. A couple crusts could exist in the top 60-80 cm up to around 2000 m. We could see loose wet snow sliding on the upper crust with the potential for wet slabs running on deeper crusts. The late February persistent weak layer is down 80 to 120 cm below the surface. This layer may be a concern in isolated terrain, but it will probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to set it off. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-40cm of recent snowfall overlies a mix of old surfaces that formed as a result of last week's big warm-up. The old buried surface includes hard crusts on high elevation solar aspects, settled dry snow in high north-facing alpine terrain, and moist snow everywhere else. The recent snow has been shifted by strong southerly winds into fresh wind slabs in wind-exposed terrain. With forecast solar radiation and warm temperatures, most surfaces will transition to a daily melt-freeze cycle, while recently formed wind slabs will linger on high north-facing slopes. Below the new snow, the snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Cornices are huge and will become weak with warming and solar radiation.</span></p>
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.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Tuesday, 10-20cm of new snow fell. Throughout the storm, extreme westerly winds promoted continued cornice growth and created a widespread wind effect at higher elevations. About 30cm below the surface you'll find a widespread hard melt-freeze crust that formed as a result of last week's warm weather and more recent cooling. A few persistent weak layers exist in the snowpack including lingering surface hoar layer from January (down over a meter), and weak basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack. The near-surface crust has dramatically limited the reactivity of these destructive old layers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring.&nbsp; If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust.&nbsp; This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring.  If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust.  This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring.  If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust.  This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D888173">Melt freeze crust on all aspects and elevations to 2500m. Consolidated lower snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sunshine and soaring temperatures may have resulted in moist or wet snow on all aspects and elevations, except possibly very high true-north slopes. The existence and strength of a surface crust will be important on Friday. If a crust doesn't form or it breaks down really early, then avalanche danger might stay elevated for the entire day. The March 22nd rain crust is 30-40 cm deep and is present to around 2000 m. The late February persistent weak layer is now down 40-100 cm below the surface. Both of these persistent weaknesses could wake up during warm and sunny weather. Loose wet slides or cornice falls could both act as triggers for deeper weaknesses.</span></p>
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.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sunshine and soaring temperatures may have resulted in moist or wet snow on all aspects and elevations, except possibly very high true-north slopes. The existence and strength of a surface crust will be important on Friday. If a crust doesn't form or it breaks down really early, then avalanche danger might stay elevated for the entire day. A couple crusts could exist in the top 60-80 cm up to around 1800 m. We could see loose wet snow sliding on the upper crust with the potential for wet slabs running on deeper crusts. The late February persistent weak layer is down 80 to 120 cm below the surface. This layer may be a concern in isolated terrain, but it will probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to set it off. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Tuesday between 25 and 45cm of new snow fell with highest accumulations noted in the south of the region. Extreme westerly winds throughout the storm promoted continued cornice growth and created a widespread wind effect at higher elevations. About 35-60cm below the surface you'll find a widespread hard melt-freeze crust that formed as a result of last week's warm weather and more recent cooling. A few deeply buried weak layers exist within the snowpack including a widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February down around 1.5 m and weak basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack. The near-surface crust has dramatically limited the reactivity of these destructive old layers; however, they have the potential for isolated yet very large avalanches with forecast warming and solar radiation.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-30cm of recent snowfall overlies a mix of old surfaces that formed as a result of last week's big warm-up. The old buried surface includes hard crusts on high elevation solar aspects, settled dry snow in high north-facing alpine terrain, and moist snow everywhere else. The recent snow has been shifted by strong southerly winds into fresh wind slabs in wind-exposed terrain. With forecast solar radiation and warm temperatures, most surfaces will transition to a daily melt-freeze cycle, while recently formed wind slabs will linger on high north-facing slopes. Below the new snow, the snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Cornices are huge and will become weak with warming and solar radiation.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Warm spring weather has aided in snowpack settlement. Wet snow and crusts are likely to make up much of the upper snowpack. In general, the snowpack is strong and well-settled. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sunshine and soaring temperatures resulted in moist or wet snow on all aspects and elevations, except true-north slopes above around 2200 m. Temperatures did not cool much overnight on Thursday, which probably prevented a strong refreeze. This may be the case again heading into the weekend. A couple crusts could exist in the top 60-80 cm up to around 2000 m. The late February persistent weak layer is down 80 to 120 cm below the surface. This layer may be a concern in isolated terrain, but it will probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to set it off. A moist/wet, isothermal, and rapidly melting snowpack exists on all aspects below around 1500 m. </span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Newly developed 10-20 cm storm slabs were reactive in recent snowpack tests near Fraser camp. Wind slabs may be found on a variety of slopes due to switching wind directions (from south-westerly to northerly). Storm/wind slabs sit on top of a thick hard crust. The bond to this crust appears to be reasonable at and below about 1300 m, but touchier at higher elevations. If the sun is out this weekend, snow may slide easily on this crust, especially on steep south-facing slopes. In more inland parts of the region (e.g. Powder and Wheaton valleys), a shallow weak snowpack structure is reported. </span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sunshine and soaring temperatures resulted in moist or wet snow on all aspects and elevations, except true-north slopes above around 2200 m. Temperatures did not cool much overnight on Thursday, which probably prevented a strong refreeze. This may be the case again heading into the weekend. A couple crusts could exist in the top 60-80 cm up to around 2000 m. The late February persistent weak layer is down 80 to 120 cm below the surface. This layer may be a concern in isolated terrain, but it will probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to set it off. A moist/wet, isothermal, and rapidly melting snowpack exists on all aspects below around 1500 m. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sunshine and soaring temperatures resulted in moist or wet snow on all aspects and elevations, except true-north slopes above around 2200 m. Temperatures did not cool much overnight on Thursday, which probably prevented a strong refreeze. This may be the case again heading into the weekend. A couple crusts could exist in the top 60-80 cm up to around 2000 m. The late February persistent weak layer is down 80 to 120 cm below the surface. This layer may be a concern in isolated terrain, but it will probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to set it off. A moist/wet, isothermal, and rapidly melting snowpack exists on all aspects below around 1500 m. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A moist or wet surface snow is being reported on all aspects at all elevations. A surface crust is expected to form Friday overnight as temperatures drop but this crust may break down during the day with warm temperatures and sun exposure. A widespread crust layer from the last period of major warming sits below the storm snow from earlier in the week. This snow is reported to be settling rapidly and generally bonding well to the crust below. Prior to the current warm conditions, strong southerly and westerly winds promoted cornice growth and formed wind slabs. These wind slabs may still be lingering in leeward terrain features at the highest elevations. A few deeply buried weak layers exist within the snowpack including a widespread crust/facet layer buried in early February down around 1.5 m and weak basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack. The near-surface crust has dramatically limited the reactivity of these destructive old layers and they have become dormant; however, they have the potential for isolated yet very large avalanches with prolonged periods of warming and solar radiation.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Little to no overnight recovery was reported on Friday morning leaving a moist or wet snow surface on all aspects and elevations. The early-April crust layer is typically down 10-20cm and is reported to be breaking down due to the warm conditions. Prior to the warming, the recent storm snow had been shifted by strong southerly winds into wind slabs in wind-exposed terrain. These wind slabs may still be lingering in high north facing terrain. There is an old crust layer down about half a meter in the Duffey area and north of Pemberton.  This layer has generally be dormant but resulted in a couple avalanches during the last major warming event and produced a couple explosive triggered avalanches on Thursday.  With continued warming, this layer could wake-up and become a more widespread problem. Cornices are huge and will become weak with warming and solar radiation.</span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Data has become very limited for this region and some of the following is extrapolated from the NW Coastal region. A moist or wet surface snow is expected on all aspects at all elevations. A surface crust is expected to form Friday overnight as temperatures drop but this crust may break down during the day with warm temperatures and sun exposure. A widespread crust layer from the last period of major warming sits below the storm snow from earlier in the week. This snow is expected to be settling rapidly and generally bonding well to the crust below. Prior to the current warm conditions, strong southerly and westerly winds promoted cornice growth and formed wind slabs which may still be lingering in leeward terrain features at the highest elevations. A few deeply buried weak layers exist within the snowpack including a widespread crust/facet layer buried in February down around 1m and weak basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack. The near-surface crust has dramatically limited the reactivity of these destructive old layers and they have become dormant; however, they have the potential for isolated yet very large avalanches with prolonged periods of warming and solar radiation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D888173">Weak melt freeze crust on all aspects and elevations to 2500m. Consolidated lower snowpack in alpine and treeline. 160404 melt freeze crust still remains down 10-15cm on N aspects.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Little to no overnight recovery was reported on Friday morning leaving a moist or wet snow surface on all aspects and elevations. The early-April crust layer is typically down 10-20cm and is reported to be breaking down due to the warm conditions. Prior to the warming, the recent storm snow had been shifted by strong southerly winds into wind slabs in wind-exposed terrain. These wind slabs may still be lingering in high north facing terrain. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled. Cornices are huge and will become weak with warming and solar radiation.</span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Sunshine and soaring temperatures resulted in moist or wet snow on all aspects and elevations, except true-north slopes above around 2200 m. Temperatures did not cool much overnight on Thursday, which probably prevented a strong refreeze. This may be the case again heading into the weekend. A couple crusts could exist in the top 30-50 cm up to around 2000 m, particularly on solar aspects. The late February persistent weak layer is down 60-100 cm below the surface. This layer may be a concern in isolated terrain, but it will probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to set it off. A moist/wet, isothermal, and rapidly melting snowpack exists on all aspects below around 1500 m. </span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring.  If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. The snowpack is now isothermal in most areas, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
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.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3D888173 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #121212; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D888173">There is a weak melt freeze crust on all aspects and elevations to 2300m. The lower snowpack is consolidated in the alpine and at treeline. The 160404 melt freeze crust still remains down 10-15cm on north aspects above 2100m.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moist or wet snow exists on all aspects at all elevations. Any surface crusts that form overnight will quickly break down during the day. The snowpack's strength is directly related to the thickness and strength of these crusts. Where there are layers in the snowpack, they are generally bonding. A widespread crust/facet layer from early February and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack (primarily in northerly &amp; inland areas) are dormant. Strong, thick crusts in the upper parts of the snowpack have limited the reactivity of these old layers; however, they could potentially once again produce isolated yet large avalanches with prolonged periods of warming. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moist or wet snow exists on all aspects at all elevations. Any surface crusts that form overnight will quickly break down during the day. The snowpack's strength is directly related to the thickness and strength of these crusts. Where there are layers in the snowpack, they are generally bonding. A widespread crust/facet layer from early February and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack (primarily in northerly &amp; inland areas) are dormant. Strong, thick crusts in the upper parts of the snowpack have limited the reactivity of these old layers; however, they could potentially once again produce isolated yet large avalanches with prolonged periods of warming.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. A moist/wet, isothermal, and rapidly melting snowpack exists on all aspects below around 1500 m and probably even higher on solar aspects. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. The late February persistent weak layer is down 80 to 120 cm below the surface. This layer may be a concern in isolated terrain, but it will probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to set it off. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. There is an old crust layer down approximately 50cm in the Duffey area and north of Pemberton. This layer has generally been dormant but resulted in a couple large avalanches during the last major warming event and produced a couple explosive triggered avalanches on Thursday. With continued warming, this layer could wake-up in isolated locations such as steep, rocky faces. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day, especially on steep, rocky faces.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. A moist/wet, isothermal, and rapidly melting snowpack exists on all aspects below around 1500 m and probably even higher on solar aspects. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. A few lingering persistent weak layers still exist in the upper snowpack (50-130 cm deep). There has been no recent reported activity on any of these layers, but there is potential for wet slabs to release on one of these layers, or near the ground, when it's sunny and hot. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. A moist/wet, isothermal, and rapidly melting snowpack exists on all aspects below around 1500 m and probably even higher on solar aspects. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. The late February persistent weak layer is down 80 to 120 cm below the surface. This layer may be a concern in isolated terrain, but it will probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to set it off. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day, especially on steep, rocky faces.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. The snowpack is now isothermal in most areas, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. A moist/wet, isothermal, and rapidly melting snowpack exists on all aspects below around 1500 m and probably even higher on solar aspects. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. The late February persistent weak layer is down 80 to 120 cm below the surface. This layer may be a concern in isolated terrain, but it will probably take a large trigger like a cornice fall or surface avalanche in motion to set it off. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3D888173 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #121212; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D888173">There has been good crust recovery overnight on all elevations and aspects. The lower snowpack is consolidated in the alpine and at treeline. The 160404 melt freeze crust still remains down 10-15cm on north aspects above 2100m.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. A moist/wet, isothermal, and rapidly melting snowpack exists on all aspects below around 1500 m and probably even higher on solar aspects. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. The snowpack is now isothermal in most areas, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. A moist/wet, isothermal, and rapidly melting snowpack exists on all aspects below around 1500 m and probably even higher on solar aspects. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on.&nbsp; </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moist or wet snow exists on all aspects at all elevations; the only possible exception is high elevation northerly aspects in Northern areas. Any surface crusts that form overnight will quickly break down during the day. The snowpack's strength is directly related to the thickness and strength of these crusts. Where layers remain in the snowpack, they are generally bonding. A widespread crust/facet layer from early February and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack (primarily in northerly &amp; inland areas) are dormant. Cycles of melting and refreezing have limited the reactivity of these old layers. However they, or the ground, could potentially once again be the layer for an isolated yet large avalanche with prolonged periods of warming. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moist or wet snow exists on all aspects at all elevations. Any surface crusts that form overnight will quickly break down during the day. The snowpack's strength is directly related to the thickness and strength of these crusts. Where there are layers in the snowpack, they are generally bonding. A widespread crust/facet layer from early February and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack (primarily in northerly &amp; inland areas) are dormant. Strong, thick crusts in the upper parts of the snowpack have limited the reactivity of these old layers; however, they could potentially once again produce isolated yet large avalanches with prolonged periods of warming.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day, especially on steep, rocky faces.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. There is an old crust layer down approximately 50cm in the Duffey area and north of Pemberton. This layer has generally been dormant but resulted in a couple large avalanches during the last major warming event and produced a couple explosive triggered avalanches on Thursday. With continued warming, this layer could wake-up in isolated locations such as steep, rocky faces. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day, especially on steep, rocky faces.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. A moist/wet, isothermal, and rapidly melting snowpack exists on all aspects below around 1500 m and probably even higher on solar aspects. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_AA239A9B { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Last night the temperatures dropped and some light precipitation fell as dry snow.  The snowpack is in typical spring shape with conditions ranging from frozen crusts with light dusting over top to moist and wet surfaces by early to mid morning.  The name of the game is to get up early, pay attention to temperatures and complete your objectives well before things fall apart.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. A moist/wet, isothermal, and rapidly melting snowpack exists on all aspects below around 1500 m and probably even higher on solar aspects. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3D888173 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #121212; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D888173">There has been some crust recovery overnight at all elevations, but due to the cloud cover the surface is not as set up as it has been the last couple of nights. With the lower temperatures today and the predicted lack of sunshine, it is possible that the crust will remain intact at upper treeline and alpine elevations. Any breaks of sun through the clouds may produce a &quot;greenhouse effect&quot; which will soften the surface on all aspects. The lower snowpack is consolidated in the alpine and at treeline and below treeline the snow cover is rapidly approaching the &quot;below threshold&quot; category. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day, especially on steep, rocky faces.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. A moist/wet, isothermal, and rapidly melting snowpack exists on all aspects below around 1500 m and probably even higher on solar aspects. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. A moist/wet, isothermal, and rapidly melting snowpack exists on all aspects below around 1500 m and probably even higher on solar aspects. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Dry winter snow is being reported on northern aspects above 1700m in the area north of Stewart. South aspect slopes and lower elevations are most likely undergoing daily melt-freeze cycles. Around Terrace, melt-freeze conditions are being reported at all elevations. Surface crusts are forming overnight and breaking down during the day. The snowpack's strength is directly related to the thickness and strength of these crusts. Where layers remain in the snowpack, they are generally bonding. A widespread crust/facet layer from early February and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack (primarily in northerly &amp; inland areas) are dormant. Cycles of melting and refreezing have limited the reactivity of these old layers. However these layers, or the ground, could potentially once again be the layer for an isolated yet large avalanche with prolonged periods of warming. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Melt-freeze conditions are expected to be widespread except possibly on high elevation north aspects. Surface crusts are forming overnight and breaking down during the day. The snowpack's strength is directly related to the thickness and strength of these crusts. Where there are layers in the snowpack, they are generally bonding. A widespread crust/facet layer from early February and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack (primarily in northerly &amp; inland areas) are dormant. Strong, thick crusts in the upper parts of the snowpack have limited the reactivity of these old layers; however, they could potentially once again produce isolated yet large avalanches with prolonged periods of warming.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. There is an old crust layer down approximately 50cm in the Duffey area and north of Pemberton. This layer has generally been dormant but resulted in a couple large avalanches during the last major warming event and produced a couple explosive triggered avalanches on Thursday. With continued warming, this layer could wake-up in isolated locations such as steep, rocky faces. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day, especially on steep, rocky faces.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. The snowpack is now isothermal in most areas, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A widespread surface crust is expected at most elevations and aspects in response to the recent warm and sunny conditions, and ongoing melt-freeze conditions. The surface crust was reported to be 20cm thick at 1350m elevation in the Big Y area on Monday. Snowfall will bury this crust on Tuesday but the new snowfall amounts (and lack of wind) are not expected to be enough to create any major new problems. Loose sluffing is expected on steep slopes, especially once the sun comes back out, with the new snow sliding on the crust. Melt-freeze conditions are expected to resume on Wednesday and Thursday. Lingering cornices may become weak with daytime warming and sun exposure later in the week. The field team is reporting that the Wheaten Valley access is done for the season and the Powder Valley is very close to being inaccessible. The snowpack at valley bottom in the White Pass area is reported to be less than 1m and isothermal. Creeks are opening up and access is becoming more difficult. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. A moist/wet, isothermal, and rapidly melting snowpack exists on all aspects below around 1500 m and probably even higher on solar aspects. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. A moist/wet, isothermal, and rapidly melting snowpack exists on all aspects below around 1500 m and probably even higher on solar aspects. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. Forecast wind and snow may bring back a winter feel above treeline for a day or two. Watch for new wind slabs that may not bond to hard old surface crusts.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day, especially on steep, rocky faces.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snowfall will bury a widespread melt-freeze crust. Strong southerly winds in the alpine will have likely formed thin wind slabs. The region should return to melt-freeze conditions on Wednesday with surface crusts forming overnight and breaking down during the day. The snowpack's strength is directly related to the thickness and strength of these surface crusts. A widespread crust/facet layer from early February and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack are dormant. Cycles of melting and refreezing have limited the reactivity of these old layers. However these layers, or the ground, could potentially once again be the layer for an isolated yet large avalanche with prolonged periods of warming.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast new snow, wind, and cooler temperatures will bring back winter to higher elevations for a day or two. Expect the old surface to re-freeze overnight and some new wind slabs may form in the lee of southwest winds. These new wind slabs may not bond well to the old hard surface. Surface crusts may break down rapidly if the sun comes out, especially on steep slopes with direct sun exposure.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. There is an old crust layer down approximately 50cm in the Duffey area and north of Pemberton. This layer has generally been dormant but resulted in a couple large avalanches during the last major warming event and produced a couple explosive triggered avalanches on Thursday. With continued warming, this layer could wake-up in isolated locations such as steep, rocky faces. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day, especially on steep, rocky faces.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. The snowpack is now isothermal in most areas, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_2E6B95BE { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #121212; } 
.s_3D888173 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #121212; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_2E6B95BE">There has been good crust recovery overnight in the alpine and tree line. This supportive crust is approximately 15cms thick at 2100m with 10-15cms of moist snow below. Soft slabs can be expected to develop throughout the day in lee alpine terrain. . The mid and lower snowpack is consolidated in the alpine and at tree line and below tree line the snow cover is rapidly approaching the &quot;below threshold&quot; category.</span><span class="s_3D888173" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. We are expecting a cooler day with a few cm of new snow combined with strong southwest winds. It may suddenly feel a lot more like winter, and you should expect to find some new wind slabs that may not bond well to the surface crust.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. Forecast new snow and wind may bring back winter for a day or two. Watch for new windslabs in the lee of southwest winds.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Prior to the new snowfall, dry winter snow was being reported on northern aspects above 1700m in the area north of Stewart. South aspect slopes and lower elevations were undergoing daily melt-freeze cycles. Around Terrace, melt-freeze conditions were reported at all elevations. The new snow will bury this crust and strong southerly winds in the alpine will build wind slabs. The region should return to melt-freeze conditions on Wednesday with surface crusts forming overnight and breaking down during the day. The snowpack's strength is directly related to the thickness and strength of these surface crusts. A widespread crust/facet layer from early February and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack (primarily in northerly &amp; inland areas) are dormant. Cycles of melting and refreezing have limited the reactivity of these old layers. However these layers, or the ground, could potentially once again be the layer for an isolated yet large avalanche with prolonged periods of warming. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. Forecast new snow and wind are expected to develop new windslabs in the alpine and at treeline. Higher elevations may feel more like winter for the next day or two, and new wind slabs may not bond well to the old hard re-frozen surface.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-15cm of new snow fell at higher elevations on Tuesday. Strong southerly winds redistributed this snow in exposed alpine terrain and likely formed wind slabs in leeward features. The new snow has buried a widespread melt-freeze crust. With the exception of high elevation shaded terrain, the region has likely returned to melt-freeze conditions on Wednesday with surface melting during during the day and crust formation overnight. The snowpack's strength is directly related to the thickness and strength of these surface crusts. A widespread crust/facet layer from early February and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack are dormant. Cycles of melting and refreezing have limited the reactivity of these old layers. However these layers, or the ground, could potentially once again be the layer for an isolated yet large avalanche with prolonged periods of warming.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day, especially on steep, rocky faces.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_2E6B95BE { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #121212; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_2E6B95BE">Soft slabs from 10-15cm in depth have formed to the lee of ridge top terrain overnight, with isolated pockets up to 30cm to the lee of some terrain features. These soft slabs may not bond well to the underlying crust. The melt freeze crust that formed during the past 36hrs has continued to gradually strengthen in the alpine and at treeline elevations.  A well consolidated mid and lower snowpack can be found in the alpine and at tree line, while below tree line the snow cover is rapidly approaching the &quot;below threshold&quot; category as it becomes progressively more isothermal and continues to melt.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. It looks like it may flip back to spring after a day of winter. Watch for new snow releasing as loose wet avalanches when the sun comes out. Thin new wind slabs may be easy to trigger when they are exposed to strong solar radiation.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. Forecast new snow and wind may bring back winter for a day or two. Watch for new windslabs in the lee of southwest winds. If the sun comes out, conditions may change rapidly and crusts may quickly break down. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. Forecast wind and snow may bring back a winter feel above treeline for a day or two. Watch for new wind slabs that may not bond to hard old surface crusts. If the sun comes out, conditions may change rapidly and crusts may break down when exposed to strong solar radiation.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast new snow, wind, and cooler temperatures will bring back winter to higher elevations for a day or two. Expect the old surface to re-freeze overnight and some new wind slabs may form in the lee of southwest winds. These new wind slabs may not bond well to the old hard surface. Surface crusts may break down rapidly if the sun comes out, especially on steep slopes with direct sun exposure.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. Forecast new snow and wind are expected to develop new windslabs in the alpine and at treeline. Higher elevations may feel more like winter for the next day or two, and new wind slabs may not bond well to the old hard re-frozen surface.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-15cm of new snow fell at higher elevations on Tuesday. Strong southerly winds redistributed this snow in exposed alpine terrain and likely formed wind slabs in leeward features. The new snow has buried a widespread melt-freeze crust. With the exception of high elevation shaded terrain, the region has likely returned to melt-freeze conditions on Wednesday with surface melting during during the day and crust formation overnight. The snowpack's strength is directly related to the thickness and strength of these surface crusts. A widespread crust/facet layer from early February and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack (primarily in northern &amp; inland areas) are dormant. Cycles of melting and refreezing have limited the reactivity of these old layers. However these layers, or the ground, could potentially once again be the layer for an isolated yet large avalanche with prolonged periods of warming. </span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. There is an old crust layer down approximately 50cm in the Duffey area and north of Pemberton. This layer has generally been dormant but resulted in a couple large avalanches during the last major warming event and produced a couple explosive triggered avalanches on Thursday. With continued warming, this layer could wake-up in isolated locations such as steep, rocky faces. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day, especially on steep, rocky faces.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. The snowpack is now isothermal in most areas, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3D888173 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #121212; } 
.s_2E6B95BE { font-family: 'Times New Roman';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 16px;color: #121212; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D888173"> Cool temperatures and cloudy periods yesterday tempered the effects of the sun, with some size 1.0 loose wet surface instabilities observed during the more extended sunny periods. Soft slabs from 10-15cm in depth that formed to the lee of ridge top terrain on Tuesday night may still be found on high sheltered northerly aspects. These soft slabs are expected to continue to settle with daytime warming. The underlying melt freeze crust has continued to gradually strengthen in the alpine and at treeline elevations. A well consolidated mid and lower snowpack can be found in the alpine and at tree line, while below tree line the snow cover is rapidly approaching the &quot;below threshold&quot; category as it becomes progressively more isothermal and continues to melt.</span><span class="s_2E6B95BE" /></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. Watch for new snow releasing as loose wet avalanches when the sun comes out. Thin new wind slabs may be easy to trigger when they are exposed to strong solar radiation. Watch for very warm temperatures developing this weekend.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. Forecast wind and snow may bring back a winter feel above treeline for a day or two. Watch for new wind slabs that may not bond to hard old surface crusts. If the sun comes out, conditions may change rapidly and crusts may break down when exposed to strong solar radiation.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Forecast new snow, wind, and cooler temperatures will bring back winter to higher elevations for a day or two. Expect the old surface to re-freeze overnight and some new wind slabs may form in the lee of southwest winds. These new wind slabs may not bond well to the old hard surface. Surface crusts may break down rapidly if the sun comes out, especially on steep slopes with direct sun exposure.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. Forecast new snow and wind are expected to develop new windslabs in the alpine and at treeline. Higher elevations may feel more like winter for another day, and new wind slabs may not bond well to the old hard re-frozen surface.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day, especially on steep, rocky faces.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. There is an old crust layer down approximately 50cm in the Duffey area and north of Pemberton. This layer has generally been dormant but resulted in a couple large avalanches during the last major warming event and produced a couple explosive triggered avalanches on Thursday. With continued warming, this layer could wake-up in isolated locations such as steep, rocky faces. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day, especially on steep, rocky faces.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
<style type="text/css">
.p_CC664AAA { margin: 0px 0px 12px 0px;text-align: left;text-indent: 0pt;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; } 
.s_3FE45715 { font-family: 'Arial';font-style: Normal;font-weight: normal;font-size: 13.3333333333333px;color: #000000; } 
</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. Forecast new snow and wind may bring back winter for a day or two. Watch for new windslabs in the lee of southwest winds. If the sun comes out, conditions may change rapidly and crusts may quickly break down. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Four common spring scenarios are described at http://avalanche.ca/spring which may be relevant throughout the summer. It's up to you to decide which of the scenarios applies to your situation. Each scenario has specific weather, snowpack, and avalanche characteristics. Each requires a different approach in terms of risk management.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5 to 20 cm of new storm snow has fallen at higher elevations in the last 48 hours. Strong winds have generally been out of the south, but some wrap around east/southeast winds have also been reported. These winds have redistributed the recent storm snow in exposed alpine terrain and likely formed wind slabs in leeward features. The new snow has buried a widespread melt-freeze crust. With the exception of high elevation shaded terrain, the region likely returned to melt-freeze conditions on Wednesday allowing the surface to melt during the day resulting in crust formation overnight. The snowpack's strength is directly related to the thickness and strength of these surface crusts. A widespread crust/facet layer from early February and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack (primarily in northern &amp; inland areas) are dormant. Cycles of melting and refreezing have limited the reactivity of these old layers. However these layers, or the ground, could potentially be the layer for an isolated yet large avalanche with prolonged periods of warming. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3D888173">Moderate Easterly winds and cloudy periods yesterday tempered the effects of the sun with only isolated surface instabilities observed. Surface layers moistened on all aspects up to 2200m. Soft slabs from 10-15cm in depth that formed to the lee of ridge top terrain on Tuesday night may still be found in isolated areas on sheltered northerly aspects above 2200m. The underlying melt freeze crust has continued to gradually strengthen in the alpine and at treeline elevations. A well consolidated mid and lower snowpack can be found in the alpine and at tree line, while below tree line the snow cover is rapidly approaching the &quot;below threshold&quot; category as it becomes progressively more isothermal and continues to melt.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5 to 25 cm of new storm snow has fallen at higher elevations in the last 72 hours. The wind has primarily been out of the south during the storm, which has likely formed fresh wind slabs and created new cornice growth. The storm snow has buried a widespread melt-freeze crust which was thought to exist almost everywhere, the exception may be high elevation north facing terrain. A widespread crust/facet layer from early February and depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack (primarily in northern &amp; inland areas) has gone dormant for the time being. These layers have the potential to wake up during periods of prolonged warming.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. Watch for new snow releasing as loose wet avalanches when the sun comes out. Thin new wind slabs may be easy to trigger when they are exposed to strong solar radiation. Watch for very warm temperatures developing this weekend.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. Forecast very warm weather with high freezing levels and strong solar radiation is expected to start to effect high alpine north aspects over the next few days. In some areas this may be the first real heat that the snowpack in these areas has received. Watch for clues that the snowpack is warming up, and stay off big slopes in the afternoon. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. If the sun comes out, conditions may change rapidly and crusts may break down when exposed to strong solar radiation. The likelihood of wet slab avalanches releasing on a deeply buried crust or on the ground will increase as the forecast hot weather continues. High alpine shaded aspects may begin to see the effects of the high freezing levels over the weekend, resulting in loose wet avalanches of previously dry and cold snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. Forecast very warm weather with high freezing levels and strong solar radiation is expected to start to effect high alpine north aspects over the next few days. In some areas this may be the first real heat that the snowpack in these areas has received. Watch for clues that the snowpack is warming up, and stay off big slopes in the afternoon.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. Deeply buried weak layers in the mid snowpack and near the ground still have the potential to wake up and become active with a rapid warm up. While unlikely, releases on these deeply buried weak layers would result in very large avalanches. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day, especially on steep, rocky faces.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A widespread melt-freeze crust from early April is the most prominent snowpack feature and exists at all elevations and aspects.&nbsp; At lower elevations and on sun exposed slopes, this thick crust layer remains at or just below the snow surface with ongoing melt-freeze conditions over the last few days.&nbsp; Up to 25cm of recent snowfall has buried the crust on shaded north facing slopes above 1500m.&nbsp; This recent snow is reported to be right-side up and moist, with a good bond to the thick melt-freeze crust below.&nbsp; The field team is reporting that the access to Wheaten Valley and Powder Valley is done for the season. The snowpack at valley bottom in the White Pass area is reported to be less than 1m and isothermal. Creeks are opening up and access to riding areas is becoming difficult. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow surface is currently going through a typical spring melt-freeze cycle on all aspects and at all elevations, except possibly high true-north slopes which could be holding onto cold snow. The strength (thickness) of the surface crust and how quickly it breaks down during the day are important factors to focus on. Forecast very warm weather with high freezing levels and strong solar radiation is expected to start to effect high alpine north aspects over the next few days. In some areas this may be the first real heat that the snowpack in these areas has received. Watch for clues that the snowpack is warming up, and stay off big slopes in the afternoon.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Cornices are large, fragile, and could trigger deep slab avalanches that run to valley bottoms. Monitoring the overnight freeze of the snow surface is very important during the spring. If the snow surface does not freeze overnight or if the crust is only a few cm thick, the effect of daytime heating and solar radiation will weaken the snowpack much more quickly than it would if there is a well frozen thick crust. This is because the crust must first melt before the sun can weaken the snowpack. There is an old crust layer down approximately 50cm in the Duffey area and north of Pemberton. This layer has generally been dormant but did produce a couple large avalanches during the last major warming event. With continued warming, this layer could wake-up in isolated locations such as steep, rocky faces. Glide cracks are widespread, active, and best avoided. Low elevation and thin snowpack areas have become isothermal, meaning the snowpack is 0 degrees Celsius throughout. An isothermal snowpack is more prone to full depth wet slab avalanches during the heat of the day, especially on steep, rocky faces.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the alpine,5-10 cm of new snow has buried old wind slabs. A couple observers have reported small surface hoar forming over the past couple days which is now buried by the new snow. This layer's distribution is not expected to be widespread, though where it does exist, will be especially reactive with the new snow that is expected on Friday and Saturday. The mid-November crust is now down 60-120 cm. This layer has been may become active as the snow load increases. Below the crust the snowpack is generally well settled. Snowpack depths vary greatly throughout the region with an average of 110-190 cm at treeline elevations. Early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks remain the primary hazards below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Observations are limited in this region. Old wind slabs in wind affected alpine terrain, especially below ridge tops. The crust formed in mid-November is down 60-80 cm. Average snowpack depths at treeline are 70-150 cm with generally less snow in the southern portions of the region. Early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks remain the primary hazards below treeline.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow and strong winds will likely build wind slabs on open leeward slopes and behind terrain features. Early season snowpack observations are still very limited but the threshold for avalanches has been exceeded at treeline and in the alpine. Reports suggest that the snow depth at treeline is typically 110-150 cm but a report from the east side of region shows only 80 cm at treeline. The snowpack tapers off drastically below treeline and below 1700 m there is not yet enough snow for avalanches. Limited reports suggest the crust from the middle of November is down 50-80 cm and the crust from early November is down 80-110 cm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region but the threshold for avalanches is expected to have been exceeded at treeline and in the alpine. Limited reports suggest snow surfaces at higher elevations are wind-affected. This suggests wind slabs should be on your radar as you gain elevation. Kananaskis Country to the north of the region is currently reporting that 30-40 cm of snow is now overlying the mid-November crust layer. Conditions are likely similar in the South Rockies. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New storm slabs will blanket the region, continuing to bury a recent surface hoar layer. Areas with this layer and where buried wind blasted surfaces exist may be more reactive. Watch for shallow wind affected areas that may not gain strength as quickly as deeper well settled snowpack areas. Snow depths increased rapidly last week bringing treeline snow depths to about 200 cm. The mid- November crust is buried anywhere from 20-200 cm depending on aspect and elevation. So far this crust has been unreactive, however; this new load may be the breaking point especially in shallower snowpack areas. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A light snowfall overnight Tuesday has covered a layer of 15mm surface hoar that was reported on the snow surface in the north of the region on Monday. Treeline snowpack depths are around 140cm in the Duffey Lake area, but closer to 60cm in Coquihalla Pass. Slopes that were loaded by southwest winds during recent storms still hold deep pockets of touchy wind slab. A layer of 3-5mm surface hoar has been observed at approximately 60cm below the surface in the Pemberton area and has produced easy snowpack test results. A thick crust can be found in the mid-pack down roughly 70-100cm at treeline elevations or deeper in the alpine. Moist snow exists in the bottom 50cm of the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Heavy snowfall and extreme southwesterly winds will form touchy storm slabs on Friday. Storm snow totals could reach 30-50 cm by Friday afternoon, with the potential for much more on lee features. The new snow will load a buried surface hoar layer reported 60-80 cm below the surface in many parts of the region. On Wednesday, a ski tourer reported numerous whumpfs caused by the surface hoar layer in the Terrace area. Also, snowpack tests indicated the layer can be triggered with moderate loads and has the potential to propagate over long distances. A thick rain crust exists 20-30 cm below the surface hoar layer, with isolated reports of weak facets forming above the crust. Treeline snow depths are around 120-140 cm in the Terrace and Stewart areas, but substantially less further north. Snow in these thinner areas, such as Ningunsaw, may be facetting and developing weak basal layers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A frontal system crossing the region will bring 5-15 cm of new snow by Friday afternoon with extreme southerly winds. The new snow will likely form touchy wind slabs on lee features. A layer of surface hoar was reported around Hudson Bay Mountain last week, which now likely sits beneath 20-30 cm of settling snow. Wind slabs may be extra touchy above preserved surface hoar. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is now buried 30-40 cm deep, and recent snowpack tests produced sudden results on facets above this crust. Early season snowpack observations are still limited in the region, but reports suggest the average snowpack depth is 50-90 cm at treeline and 120 cm or greater in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the alpine,10-15 cm of new snow has buried old wind slabs. A couple observers have reported small surface hoar forming over the past couple days which is now buried by the new snow. This layer's distribution is not expected to be widespread, though where it does exist, will be especially reactive with the new snow that is expected on Friday and Saturday. The mid-November crust is now down 80-150 cm. This layer has been may become active as the snow load increases. Below the crust the snowpack is generally well settled. Snowpack depths vary greatly throughout the region with an average of 130-200 cm at treeline elevations. Early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks remain the primary hazards below treeline.</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">Observations are very limited in this region. In the alpine, 5-10 cm of new snow has buried old wind slabs.  The mid-November crust is down around 100 cm. Average snowpack depths at treeline are 140-180 cm with generally less snow in the northern parts of the region. Below treeline, rocks, stumps, and open creeks remain the primary hazards.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region, but the threshold for avalanches has been exceeded at treeline and in the alpine. Most areas below treeline are below threshold for avalanches with only the smoothest open slopes beginning to reach threshold. The snowpack depth is reported to be 140-180cm at treeline and above. Remote weather data and recent Mountain Information Network posts from the Kootenay Pass area suggest wind slabs may exist on lee slopes just below ridge crest; however, we are unsure of the reactivity or the distribution of the problem throughout the region. This problem may develop further with forecast winds and 5-10 mm over the next couple of days. A thick crust from mid-November is down around 70 cm and recent reports suggest the layer is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow. Below this crust layer the snowpack is reported to be moist or wet to the ground at treeline elevation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Overnight we had up to 7cm of new snow. This new snow came in very slow and was spotty in nature. Some areas saw only a few cm's. Like yesterday, there is no significant impact on the snowpack as a whole. The windslabs are still the main concern followed by the Nov 12th crust interface. Down 30 to 50cm respectively.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Forecast snowfall and wind on Friday will create deep, widespread, and very touchy storm slabs as low as treeline elevation. At higher elevations, this new snow will overlie existing storm slabs which are rapidly gaining strength. Total snowpack depths are likely around 160cm at treeline and over 2 metres at higher elevations. Aside from instabilities in storm snow, warm temperatures are promoting rapid settlement and strengthening of the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">The new snow and wind on Friday night will create fresh storm slabs in the alpine and open areas at treeline. A couple observers reported small surface hoar forming over the past week which is now buried. This layer's distribution is not expected to be widespread, though where it does exist, will be especially reactive with the new snow once it forms a slab. The mid-November crust is now down 60-120 cm. Test results on this layer have been highly variable ranging from easy to unreactive. This layer may become more active as facets begin to form on the crust and the snow load increases. Below the crust the snowpack is generally well settled. Snowpack depths vary greatly throughout the region with an average of 110-190 cm at treeline elevations. Watch out for stumps, rocks, and open creeks below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_1681A555">Observations are limited in this region. The new snow and wind on Friday night will create fresh storm slabs in the alpine and open areas at treeline. The Mid-November crust is now down 40-90 cm. This layer may become more active as facets begin to form on the crust and the snow load increases. Below the crust the snowpack is generally well settled. Snowpack depths vary greatly throughout the region with an average of 70-150 cm at treeline elevations. Watch out for stumps, rocks, and open creeks below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow and strong winds will likely build new storm slabs and wind slabs on open leeward slopes and behind terrain features. Early season snowpack observations are still very limited but the threshold for avalanches has been exceeded at treeline and in the alpine. Reports suggest that the snow depth at treeline is typically 110-150 cm but a report from the east side of region shows only 80 cm at treeline. The snowpack tapers off drastically below treeline and below 1700 m there is not yet enough snow for avalanches. Limited reports suggest the crust from the middle of November is down 50-80 cm and the crust from early November is down 80-110 cm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region but the threshold for avalanches is expected to have been exceeded at treeline and in the alpine. Limited reports suggest snow surfaces at higher elevations are wind-affected. This suggests wind slabs should be on your radar at treeline elevations and in the alpine. Kananaskis Country to the north of the region is currently reporting that 30-50 cm of snow is now overlying the mid-November crust layer. Conditions are likely similar in the South Rockies. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A fresh storm slab is blanketing the region, continuing to bury a surface hoar layer that could be found up to 15cm deep in the snowpack on Thursday. Areas with this layer and where previously wind affected surfaces exist will be more reactive as the new load increases. Watch for shallow wind affected areas that will not gain strength as quickly as deeper, well settled snowpack areas. Snow depths increased rapidly last week, bringing treeline snow depths to about 200 cm. The mid-November crust is buried anywhere from 20-200 cm depending on aspect and elevation. While this crust has been unreactive thus far, increasing load may bring it to its breaking point, especially in areas with shallow or variable snowpack depth.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">New snow and strong winds are building on existing wind slabs at higher elevations and in exposed areas throughout the region. These slabs may overlie a layer of well-developed surface hoar that was found approximately 15 cm below the snow surface in the north of the region on Monday.  Treeline snowpack depths are around 150cm in the Duffey Lake area, but closer to 60cm in Coquihalla Pass. A layer of 3-5mm surface hoar has been observed at approximately 60cm below the surface in the Pemberton area and has produced easy snowpack test results. A thick crust can be found in the mid-pack down roughly 70-100cm at treeline elevations or deeper in the alpine. Moist snow exists in the bottom 50cm of the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Storm snow totals reached 30-50 cm by Friday afternoon, with the potential for much more on lee features due to strong winds. The new snow will load a buried surface hoar layer reported 60-80 cm below the surface in many parts of the region. Recent snowpack tests indicated the layer can be triggered with moderate loads and has the potential to propagate over long distances. This layer will likely become reactive under the stress of this new load. A thick rain crust exists 20-30 cm below the surface hoar layer, with isolated reports of weak facets (sugary snow) forming above the crust. Treeline snow depths are around 120-140 cm in the Terrace and Stewart areas, but substantially less further north. Snow in these thinner areas, such as Ningunsaw, may be faceting and developing weak basal layers.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow combined with strong winds have likely formed touchy wind slabs on lee features. A layer of surface hoar was reported around Hudson Bay Mountain last week, which now likely sits beneath 20-30 cm of settling snow. Wind slabs may be extra touchy above preserved surface hoar. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is now buried 40-50 cm deep, and recent snowpack tests produced sudden results on facets (sugary snow) above this crust. Early season snowpack observations are still limited in the region, but reports suggest the average snowpack depth is 50-90 cm at treeline and 120 cm or greater in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow and wind on Friday night will create fresh storm slabs in the alpine and open areas at treeline. A couple observers reported small surface hoar forming over the past week which is now buried. This layer's distribution is not expected to be widespread, though where it does exist, will be especially reactive with the new snow once it forms a slab. The mid-November crust is now down 80-150 cm. Test results on this layer have been highly variable ranging from easy to unreactive. This layer may become more active as facets begin to form on the crust and the snow load increases. Below the crust the snowpack is generally well settled. Snowpack depths vary greatly throughout the region with an average of 130-200 cm at treeline elevations. Watch out for stumps, rocks, and open creeks below treeline.</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">Observations are very limited in this region. The new snow and wind on Friday night will create fresh storm slabs in the alpine and open areas at treeline. The mid-November crust is down around 100 cm. This layer may become more active as facets begin to form on the crust and the snow load increases. Below the crust the snowpack is generally well settled. Average snowpack depths at treeline are 140-200 cm with generally less snow in the northern parts of the region. Watch out for stumps, rocks, and open creeks below treeline.</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">Fresh storm slabs are building with new snow and wind at upper elevations. Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region, but the threshold for avalanches has been exceeded at treeline and in the alpine. Most areas below treeline are below threshold for avalanches with only the smoothest open slopes beginning to reach threshold. The snowpack depth is reported to be 140-180cm at treeline and above.  A thick crust from mid-November is down around 70 cm and recent reports suggest the layer is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow. Below this crust layer the snowpack is reported to be moist or wet to the ground at treeline elevation.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Not much change in the snowpack in terms of new snow. What was noted today was the increase in alpine winds. By the end of the day there was ongoing transport in most alpine areas. Windslabs remain the most significant problem in gullies. They may be growing in thickness, and becoming more reactive as they become stiffer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">15-20cm of new snow has formed fresh storm slabs in alpine and treeline elevations. Rain is beginning to saturate this new snow at lower elevations. At higher elevations, the new snow overlies existing storm slabs which are rapidly strengthening. Total snowpack depths are likely around 160cm at treeline and over 2 metres at higher elevations. Aside from instabilities in storm snow, warm temperatures are promoting rapid settlement and strengthening of the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snowfall and strong alpine winds from the southwest have formed storm slabs. These slabs are thickest and most reactive in leeward features in wind exposed terrain. In some areas, the recent storm snow may sit over a layer of small surface hoar. There is some uncertainty regarding the distribution of this surface hoar in the region but it was reported in a couple locations in the Monashees west of Revelstoke. The mid-November crust is now down 60-120 cm. Test results on this layer have been highly variable ranging from easy to unreactive. While there has not been much avalanche activity on this layer yet, it has many professionals concerned. It will be important to track how this layer evolves, especially with the upcoming period of cold weather. Below the crust the snowpack is generally well settled. Snowpack depths vary greatly throughout the region with an average of 110-190 cm at treeline elevations. Watch out for stumps, rocks, and open creeks below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowpack observations are still quite limited in this region. The new snowfall and strong alpine wind on Friday and Saturday is expected to have formed new storm slabs in the alpine and open areas at treeline in the deeper snowpack areas of the region. The mid-November crust is now down 40-90cm. This layer may become more reactive if weak facets form on the crust and the snow load increases. Below the crust the snowpack is generally well settled. Snowpack depths vary greatly throughout the region with an average of 70-150cm at treeline elevations. Watch out for stumps, rocks, and open creeks below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New storm slabs and wind slabs have formed on open leeward slopes and behind terrain features. On Friday these slabs were very touchy and failing as natural avalanches. The threshold for avalanches has been exceeded at treeline and in the alpine as reports suggest that the snow depth at treeline is typically 110-150 cm but a report from the east side of region shows only 80 cm at treeline. The snowpack is still developing below treeline and has yet to reach threshold. Limited reports suggest the crust from the middle of November is down 50-80 cm and the crust from early November is down 80-110 cm. </span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region but the threshold for avalanches is expected to have been exceeded at treeline and in the alpine. Limited reports suggest snow surfaces at higher elevations are wind-affected. This suggests wind slabs should be on your radar at treeline elevations and in the alpine. Kananaskis Country to the north and&nbsp; Waterton to the south of the region is currently reporting&nbsp; 30-50 cm of snow overlying the mid-November crust layer. Conditions are likely similar in the South Rockies. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">As of Saturday about 15cm of recent storm snow had been redistributed by strong southwest winds into reactive wind slabs in higher elevation terrain. With more snow and wind forecast for Saturday night, this developing slab will only increase in size and destructive potential. Below the recent storm snow you may find a layer of buried surface hoar which formed during last week's clear weather, although the size and distribution of this layer is largely unknown at this time. The mid-November melt-freeze crust is widespread and is buried anywhere from 20-200 cm depending on aspect and elevation. Although snowpack tests have shown this layer to be mainly unreactive, I'd expect increased reactivity with this layer in shallow, wind-affected alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">As of Saturday about 10cm of new snow had fallen in the Duffey area while about 35 cm had fallen in the Coquihalla area. Wind data has been limited, although wind stations in the neighbouring Sea to Sky region suggest strong southwest winds redistributed much of the new snow into reactive wind slabs in higher elevation terrain. With more snow and wind forecast for Saturday night, this developing slab will only increase in size and destructive potential. Below the recent storm snow you may find a layer of buried surface hoar which formed during last week's clear weather. This layer was reported to be well-developed in some parts of the Duffey area, although not much is know about its current size or distribution. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B">Another layer of 3-5mm surface hoar has been observed at approximately 60cm below the surface in the Pemberton area and has produced easy snowpack test results. A thick crust can be found in the mid-pack down roughly 70-100cm at treeline elevations or deeper in the alpine.</span><span class="s_1681A555"> </span><span class="s_3FE45715">Although snowpack tests have shown this layer to be mainly unreactive, I'd expect increased reactivity with this layer in shallow, wind-affected alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Storm snow totals reached 30-65 cm by Saturday, with the potential for much more on lee features due to strong winds. The new snow will load a buried surface hoar layer reported 60-80 cm below the surface in many parts of the region. Recent snowpack tests indicated the layer can be triggered with moderate loads and has the potential to propagate over long distances. This layer will likely become reactive under the stress of this new load. A thick rain crust exists 20-30 cm below the surface hoar layer, with isolated reports of weak facets (sugary snow) forming above the crust. Treeline snow depths are around 120-140 cm in the Terrace and Stewart areas, but substantially less further north. Snow in these thinner areas, such as Ningunsaw, may be faceting and developing weak basal layers.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow combined with strong winds have likely formed touchy wind slabs on lee features. A layer of surface hoar was reported around Hudson Bay Mountain last week, which now sits beneath 20-30 cm of settling snow. Wind slabs may be extra touchy above preserved surface hoar. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is now buried 40-50 cm deep, and recent snowpack tests produced sudden results on facets (sugary snow) above this crust. Early season snowpack observations are still limited in the region, but reports suggest the average snowpack depth is 50-90 cm at treeline and 120 cm or greater in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snowfall and strong alpine winds from the southwest have formed storm slabs. These slabs are thickest and most reactive in leeward features in wind exposed terrain. In some areas, the recent storm snow may sit over a layer of small surface hoar. There is some uncertainty regarding the distribution of this surface hoar in the region but it was reported in a couple locations in the Monashees west of Revelstoke. The mid-November crust is now down 80-150cm. Test results on this layer have been highly variable ranging from easy to unreactive. While there has not been much avalanche activity on this layer to this point, it has many professionals concerned. It will be important to track how this layer evolves, especially with the upcoming period of cold weather. Below the crust the snowpack is generally well settled and is reported to be moist at lower elevations. Snowpack depths vary greatly throughout the region with an average of 130-200 cm at treeline elevations. Watch out for stumps, rocks, and open creeks below treeline. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Observations are very limited in this region. The new snow and wind on Friday and Saturday are expected to have created new storm slabs in the alpine and open areas at treeline. The mid-November crust is down around 100 cm. This layer may become more reactive if facets form on the crust and the snow load increases. Below the crust the snowpack is generally well settled. Average snowpack depths at treeline are 140-200 cm with generally less snow in the northern parts of the region. Watch out for stumps, rocks, and open creeks below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region, but the threshold for avalanches has been exceeded at treeline and in the alpine. Some areas below treeline are below threshold for avalanches with only the smoothest open slopes beginning to reach threshold. Fresh storm slabs are building with new snow and wind, and are expected to be most reactive in high elevation, wind-affected terrain. A thick melt-freeze crust from mid-November is down around 70 cm. Recent observations indicate the layer is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow; however, reports of sudden test results in the South Columbia region suggest we shouldn't write this layer off just yet. The snowpack below this is generally strong and well-settled.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">30-50cm of snow is overlying the November 12th Melt freeze crust which is being found up to 2500m on all aspects.  So far, field tests are showing that overlying snow is bonding to this crust fairly well.  This may change as more load is applied to the crust.  In alpine area in immediate lees, pockets of pencil hard windslab are being encountered up to 20cm thick.  These slabs do not extend far downslope, but they are certainly in the realm of being triggerred by a skier.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">15-20cm of new snow and strong winds have formed fresh storm slabs at alpine and treeline elevations while rain may have saturated the snowpack at lower elevations. At higher elevations, the new snow overlies existing storm slabs which are rapidly strengthening. Total snowpack depths are likely around 160cm at treeline and over 2 metres at higher elevations. Aside from instabilities in storm snow, warm temperatures are promoting rapid settlement and strengthening of the snowpack.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weekend storm system brought 30-60cm of new snow to the region with strong southwest wind in the alpine. The resulting storm slabs are thickest and most reactive in leeward features in wind exposed terrain. In some areas, the recent storm snow may sit over a layer of small surface hoar. There is some uncertainty regarding the distribution of this surface hoar in the region but it was reported in a couple locations in the Monashees west of Revelstoke. The mid-November crust is now typically down 1-1.5m in the snowpack. Test results on this layer have been highly variable ranging from sudden and easy to unreactive. While there has not been much avalanche activity on this layer yet, it has many professionals concerned. It will be important to track how this layer evolves, especially with the upcoming period of cold weather. Below the crust the snowpack is generally well settled and is reported to be moist at lower elevations. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowpack observations are still very limited in this region. The new snowfall and strong alpine wind on Friday and Saturday formed wind slabs up to 40cm thick in the north of the region. The mid-November crust is typically down 50-90cm. Weak facets are reported to be forming above and below this crust layer in the north of the region. With the upcoming cold weather, continued faceting is expected around this layer and it has the potential to create a persistent slab problem in the future as more snow accumulates.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New storm slabs and wind slabs have formed on open leeward slopes and behind terrain features. The threshold for avalanches has been exceeded at treeline and in the alpine as reports suggest that the snow depth at treeline is typically 110-150 cm but a report from the east side of region shows only 80 cm at treeline. The snowpack is still developing below treeline and has yet to reach threshold. Limited reports suggest the crust from the middle of November is down 50-80 cm and the crust from early November is down 80-110 cm. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region but the threshold for avalanches is expected to have been exceeded at treeline and in the alpine. Some parts of the region to the east may have received up to 20 cm of new snow in the past 24hrs. This new snow may be sifted into new wind slabs on leeward slopes or burying old snow surfaces and hard wind slab. This suggests wind slabs should be on your radar at treeline elevations and in the alpine. Kananaskis Country to the north and Waterton to the south of the region is currently reporting 30-50 cm of snow overlying the mid-November crust layer. Conditions are likely similar in the South Rockies.&nbsp; </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong to extreme southwest winds have dramatically affected higher elevations by redistributing 20 cm of recent storm snow into stubborn wind slabs. Below the recent storm snow you may find a layer of buried surface hoar which formed during last week's clear weather, although the size and distribution of this layer is largely unknown at this time. The mid-November melt-freeze crust is widespread and is buried anywhere from 30-200 cm depending on aspect and elevation. Although snowpack tests have shown this layer to be mainly unreactive, I'd expect increased reactivity with this layer in shallow, wind-affected alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Saturday night, heavy snowfall brought up to 50 cm of new snow in the Coquihalla area, 25 cm around Manning Park, and 10 cm in the Duffey area. This new snow likely formed touchy storm slabs, especially on steep or wind loaded slopes. Below the recent storm snow you may find a layer of buried surface hoar which formed during last week's clear weather. This layer was reported to be well-developed in some parts of the Duffey area, although not much is know about its current size or distribution. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B">Another layer of 3-5 mm surface hoar has been observed 60 cm below the surface in the Pemberton area and has produced easy snowpack test results. A thick crust can be found throughout the region in the mid-pack, down 70-100 cm at treeline elevations or deeper in the alpine.</span><span class="s_1681A555"> </span><span class="s_3FE45715">Although snowpack tests have shown the crust to be mainly unreactive, I'd expect increased reactivity with this layer in shallow, wind-affected alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Storm snow totals reached 30-75 cm by Sunday, with the potential for much more on lee features due to strong southwest winds. The new snow buried a surface hoar layer reported 60-100 cm below the surface in many parts of the region. This layer was reportedly reactive during the storm. A thick rain crust exists 20-30 cm below the surface hoar layer, with isolated reports of weak facets (sugary snow) forming above the crust. Treeline snow depths are around 120-140 cm in the Terrace and Stewart areas, but substantially less further north. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow combined with strong winds from the southwest have likely formed touchy wind slabs on lee features. Forecast switching winds from the northeast may reverse load slopes and catch you by surprise. A layer of surface hoar was reported around Hudson Bay Mountain last week, which now sits beneath 40-50 cm of settling snow. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is now buried 50-60 cm deep, and recent snowpack tests produced sudden results on facets (sugary snow) above this crust. Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region, but reports suggest the average snowpack depth is 50-90 cm at treeline and 120 cm or greater in the alpine.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weekend storm system typically brought 30-60cm of new snow to the region with strong southwest wind in the alpine. The resulting storm slabs are thickest and most reactive in leeward features in wind exposed terrain. In some areas, the recent storm snow may sit over a layer of small surface hoar. There is some uncertainty regarding the distribution of this surface hoar in the region but it was reported in a couple locations in the Monashees west of Revelstoke. The mid-November crust is now typically down 1-1.5m in the snowpack. Test results on this layer have been highly variable ranging from sudden and easy to unreactive. While there has not been much avalanche activity on this layer yet, it has many professionals concerned. It will be important to track how this layer evolves, especially with the upcoming period of cold weather. Below the crust the snowpack is generally well settled and is reported to be moist at lower elevations.  The snowpack depth tapers off substantially below around 1700m elevation and many early season hazards are still a concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weekend storm system brought 40-60cm of new snow to the southern part of the region with strong southwest wind in the alpine.  The resulting storm slabs are thickest and most reactive in leeward features in wind exposed terrain. The mid-November crust appears to typically be down 1-1.5m in the south of the region, and around 80cm down in the north of the region. Test results on this layer suggest the crust is generally well bonded in the Cariboos region. However, test results from the North Columbia region suggest there may be an isolated weakness associated with this layer and it has professionals concerned. It will be important to track how this layer evolves, especially with the upcoming period of cold weather. </span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of new snow fell in the region on Saturday night, adding to the existing storm slab problem. Expect storm slabs to be most reactive at higher elevations and where winds have deposited greater amounts of snow. A thin surface hoar layer that formed last week may exist beneath the recent storm snow. A thick melt-freeze crust from mid-November is down around 75 cm. Recent observations indicate the layer is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow; however, reports of sudden test results in the South Columbia region suggest we shouldn't write this layer off just yet. The snowpack below the crust is generally strong and well-settled. Snowpack depths are 130-160 cm at treeline elevations. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">20-30 cm of storm snow is overlying a buried wind slab. This new snow and the buried wind slab down 50cm are both reactive to snow pit tests in the Alpine. These two layers are certainly a concern for triggering. The November 12th melt-freeze crust is now 40-60cm down from the surface and is still showing a good bond with the snow above. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Low density snow will accumulate on Monday as dropping temperatures will also bring snow to lower elevations. Saturday night saw 5 cm of new snow in the Howe Sound area and 15-25 cm towards the eastern parts of the region. With a total of 30-50 cm of recent storm snow, fresh storm slabs will continue to form in the alpine and at treeline. Total snowpack depths are around 160 cm at treeline and over 2 metres at higher elevations, with the mid-pack rapidly gaining strength.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weekend storm system brought 30-60cm of new snow to the region with strong southwest wind in the alpine. Reactive wind slabs are expected to be lingering in leeward features in wind exposed terrain. In some areas, the recent storm snow may sit over a layer of small surface hoar. There is some uncertainty regarding the distribution of this surface hoar in the region but it was reported in a couple locations in the Monashees west of Revelstoke. The mid-November crust is now typically down 1-1.5m in the snowpack. While isolated snowpack tests show a potential weakness associated with the crust, in most areas the crust is well bonded to the surrounding snow and the layer is generally considered unreactive for the time being. It will be important to track how this layer evolves, especially with the upcoming period of cold weather. Below the crust the snowpack is generally well settled and is reported to be moist at lower elevations. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weekend storm system brought 20-40cm of new snow to the region with strong southwest winds in the alpine. The resulting wind slabs are thickest and most reactive on north and east aspects in wind exposed terrain. The mid-November crust is typically down 50-80cm. Weak facet crystals are reported to be forming above and below this crust layer. With the ongoing cold weather, continued faceting is expected around this layer and it has the potential to create a persistent slab problem in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New storm slabs and wind slabs have formed on open leeward slopes and behind terrain features. The threshold for avalanches has been exceeded at treeline and in the alpine as reports suggest that the snow depth at treeline is typically 110-150 cm but a report from the east side of region shows only 80 cm at treeline. The snowpack is still developing below treeline and has yet to reach threshold. Limited reports suggest the crust from the middle of November is down 50-80 cm and the crust from early November is down 80-110 cm. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Fresh storm snow 25-30 cm has fallen on old, stiff wind slabs and may have a poor bond to the old snow surfaces. Early season snowpack observations are still limited in the region but the threshold for avalanches has been exceeded at treeline and in the alpine. Kananaskis Country to the north and Waterton to the south of the region is currently reporting 30-50 cm of snow overlying the mid-November crust layer. Conditions are likely similar in the South Rockies.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface conditions are highly variable throughout the region. Strong winds over the weekend formed hard and stubborn wind slabs on lee features, and scoured windward features. 10-20 cm of low density snow exists in sheltered areas an offers the best and safest riding. Thin sun crusts can be expected to form on steep south-facing slopes with clear skies. Surface snow will likely begin to facet with cold air temperatures in the upcoming days, possibly creating a weak interface when the next storm arrives. The mid-pack is generally strong, with a widespread mid-November crust buried anywhere from 30-200 cm depending on aspect and elevation. Snowpack tests have shown the crust to be mainly unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow from the weekend is settling throughout the region, as 70 cm of new snow fell in the Coquihalla area, 30 cm around Manning Park, and 20 cm in the Duffey area. Snowpack tests on Sunday suggest the new snow was poorly bonded with the old snow. Overall, the storm snow is likely more reactive than in the neighboring Sea to Sky region. Several surface hoar layers have been reported in the northern part of the region, including a 30 cm deep layer with 1-2 mm decomposing surface hoar at treeline in the Duffey area, and a 60 cm deep layer with 3-5 mm surface hoar in the Pemberton area. Information on the distribution and reactivity of these layers is limited. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B">A widespread crust can be found 70-100 cm deep throughout the region. Although this layer has been generally unreactive throughout all of the Coast Mountains, it may be possible to trigger this layer in shallow wind-affected starts zones, as recent observations in Manning Park found a mix of surface hoar and facets above the crust were reactive to snowpack tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Storm snow totals reached 30-80 cm over the weekend  with the potential for more on lee features due to strong southwest winds. The new snow buried a surface hoar layer reported 60-100 cm below the surface in many parts of the region. This layer was reportedly reactive during and after the storm. A thick rain crust exists 20-30 cm below the surface hoar layer, with isolated reports of weak facets (sugary snow) forming above the crust. Treeline snow depths are around 140-200 cm in the Terrace and Stewart areas, but substantially less further north. Concerns in the north are basal weaknesses that may exist in the shallower snowpack areas especially on smooth alpine features like glaciers. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow combined with strong winds from the southwest have likely formed touchy wind slabs on lee features. Forecast switching winds from the northeast may reverse load slopes and catch you by surprise. A layer of surface hoar was reported around Hudson Bay Mountain last week, which now sits beneath 40-50 cm of settling snow. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is now buried 50-60 cm deep, and recent snowpack tests produced sudden results on facets (sugary snow) above this crust. Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region, but reports suggest the average snowpack depth is 50-90 cm at treeline and 120 cm or greater in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The weekend storm system typically brought 40-70cm of new snow to the region with strong southwest wind in the alpine. The wind has redistributed the storm snow into leeward features in wind exposed terrain. In some areas, the recent storm snow may sit over a layer of small surface hoar. There is some uncertainty regarding the distribution of this surface hoar in the region but it was reported in a couple locations in the Monashees west of Revelstoke. The mid-November crust is now typically down 1-1.5m in the snowpack. Test results on this layer have been highly variable ranging from sudden and easy to unreactive. While there has not been much avalanche activity on this layer yet, it has many professionals concerned. It will be important to track how this layer evolves, especially with the upcoming period of cold weather. Below the crust the snowpack is generally well settled and is reported to be moist at lower elevations. The snowpack depth tapers off substantially below around 1700m elevation and many early season hazards are still a concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weekend storm system brought 40-60cm of new snow to the southern part of the region with strong southwest wind in the alpine. The resulting storm slabs are thickest and most reactive in leeward features in wind exposed terrain. The mid-November crust appears to typically be down 1-1.5m in the south of the region, and around 80cm down in the north of the region. Test results on this layer suggest the crust is generally well bonded in the Cariboos region. However, test results from the North Columbia region suggest there may be an isolated weakness associated with this layer and it has professionals concerned. It will be important to track how this layer evolves, especially with the upcoming period of cold weather.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">25 cm of low density snow from the weekend is settling and will be thickest and most reactive on leeward features in wind exposed terrain. In some areas, the storm snow may sit above either a thin drizzle crust or small surface hoar layer, possibly making it more reactive. Surface hoar or surface facets will likely develop in the upcoming days, possibly creating a weak interface when the next storm arrives. A thick melt-freeze crust from mid-November is buried 40-80 cm deep. Facets have recently been reported above this crust, suggesting it may be possible to trigger this layer in shallow alpine start zones. The lower snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Snowpack depths are 130-160 cm at treeline elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">We have about 40cm of snow that fell in the last storm.  This is sitting on top of a significant wind slab.  For the time being, the November crust is buried approximately 50-60cm and will be slower to deteriorate.</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">As of Monday afternoon, 30-45 cm of new snow has fallen in the South Coast mountains and is expected to continue into Monday evening. The new snow will form touchy storm slabs on Tuesday, especially at higher elevations and on wind loaded features. 30-50 cm of snow from last weekend's storm is rapidly settling, although a MIN report from Sunday suggests there were some instabilities in the old storm snow. Total snowpack depths are around 170 cm at treeline and over 2 metres at higher elevations, with the mid-pack rapidly gaining strength. Thanks to the riders in the Sky Pilot area for their recent MIN reports!</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weekend storm system brought 30-60cm of new snow to the region with strong southwest wind in the alpine. Reactive wind slabs are expected to be lingering in leeward features in wind exposed terrain. In some areas, the recent storm snow may sit over a layer of small surface hoar. There is some uncertainty regarding the distribution of this surface hoar in the region but it was reported in a couple locations in the Monashees west of Revelstoke. The mid-November crust is now typically down 1-1.5m in the snowpack. While isolated snowpack tests show a potential weakness associated with the crust, in most areas the crust is well bonded to the surrounding snow and the layer is generally considered unreactive for the time being. It will be important to track how this layer evolves, especially during this period of cold weather.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The weekend storm system brought 20-40cm of new snow to the region with strong southwest winds in the alpine. The resulting wind slabs are thickest and most reactive on north and east aspects in wind exposed terrain. The mid-November crust is typically down 50-80cm. Weak facet crystals are reported to be forming above and below this crust layer. With the ongoing cold weather, continued faceting is expected around this layer and it has the potential to create a persistent slab problem in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New storm slabs and wind slabs have formed on open leeward slopes and behind terrain features while the mid pack is reportedly well settled. The threshold for avalanches has been exceeded at treeline and in the alpine as reports suggest that the snow depth at treeline is typically 110-150 cm but a report from the east side of region shows only 90 cm at treeline. The snowpack is just reaching threshold below treeline. Limited reports suggest the crust from the middle of November is down 50-80 cm and the crust from early November is down 80-110 cm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 30 cm of recent storm snow has buried old snow surfaces including surface hoar hand old, stiff wind slabs. This new snow may have a poor bond to those underlying surfaces. Early season snowpack observations are still limited in the region but the threshold for avalanches has been exceeded at treeline and in the alpine. Kananaskis Country to the north and Waterton to the south of the region is currently reporting 30-50 cm of snow overlying the mid-November crust layer. Conditions are likely similar in the South Rockies. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface conditions are highly variable throughout the region. Strong winds over the weekend formed hard and stubborn wind slabs on lee features, and scoured windward features. With winds shifting to the northeast, new soft wind slabs may be forming on south and west aspects. 10-20 cm of low density snow exists in sheltered areas and offers the best riding. Surface snow has begun to facet with the cold air temperatures, and will likely create a weak interface when the next storm arrives. The mid-pack is generally strong, with a widespread mid-November crust buried 70-100 cm at treeline and anywhere from 30-200 cm deep in alpine terrain. Snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A trace of new snow sit above settling storm snow from the past weekend, with 60 cm of storm snow in the Coquihalla area, 30 cm around Manning Park, and 20 cm in the Duffey area. Storm snow instabilities appear to be settling out, with the greatest potential for triggering in wind affected terrain at higher elevations. Several surface hoar layers have been reported in the northern part of the region, including a 30 cm deep layer with 1-2 mm decomposing surface hoar at treeline in the Duffey area, and a 60 cm deep layer with 3-5 mm surface hoar in the Pemberton area. Information on the distribution and reactivity of these layers is limited. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B">A widespread crust can be found 70-100 cm deep throughout the region. Although this layer has been generally unreactive throughout all of the Coast Mountains, it may be possible to trigger this layer in shallow wind-affected starts zones, as recent observations in Manning Park found a mix of surface hoar and facets above the crust were reactive to snowpack tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Storm snow totals reached 30-80 cm over the weekend with the potential for more on lee features due to strong southwest winds. Switching winds from the northeast will likely reverse load slopes and new wind slabs may surprise you. The recent snow buried a surface hoar layer down 60-120 cm in many parts of the region. This layer was reactive during and after the storm and is likely still reactive to human triggers. A thick rain crust exists 20-30 cm below the surface hoar layer, with isolated reports of weak facets (sugary snow) forming above the crust, however; that interface hasnt become a concern as of yet. Treeline snow depths are around 140-200 cm in the Terrace and Stewart areas, but substantially less further north. Concerns in the north are basal weaknesses that may exist in the shallower snowpack areas especially on smooth alpine features like glaciers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Switching winds from the northeast may reverse load slopes, forming new atypical wind slabs that could catch you by surprise. A layer of surface hoar was reported around Hudson Bay Mountain last week, which now sits beneath 40-50 cm of settling snow. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is now buried 50-60 cm deep, and recent snowpack tests produced sudden results on facets (sugary snow) above this crust. Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region, but reports suggest the average snowpack depth is 50-90 cm at treeline and 120 cm or greater in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The weekend storm system typically brought 40-70cm of new snow to the region with strong southwest wind in the alpine. The wind has redistributed the storm snow into leeward features in wind exposed terrain. In some areas, the recent storm snow may sit over a layer of small surface hoar. There is some uncertainty regarding the distribution of this surface hoar in the region but it was reported in a couple locations in the Monashees west of Revelstoke. The mid-November crust is now typically down 1-1.5m in the snowpack. Test results on this layer have been highly variable ranging from sudden and easy to unreactive. While there has not been much avalanche activity on this layer yet, it has many professionals concerned. It will be important to track how this layer evolves, especially with the current period of cold weather. Below the crust the snowpack is generally well settled and is reported to be moist at lower elevations. The snowpack depth tapers off substantially below around 1700m elevation and many early season hazards are still a concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Last weekend's storm system brought 40-60cm of new snow to the southern part of the region with strong southwest wind in the alpine. The wind during the storm and more recent northerly wind has redistributed the storm snow forming wind slabs in alpine and tree line lees. The mid-November crust appears to typically be down 1-1.5m in the south of the region, and around 80cm down in the north of the region. Test results on this layer suggest the crust is generally well bonded in the Cariboos region. However, test results from the North Columbia region suggest there may be an isolated weakness associated with this layer and it has professionals concerned. It will be important to track how this layer evolves, especially with the current cold weather.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">25 cm of low density snow from last weekend is settling, but may be thicker and more reactive on leeward features in wind exposed terrain. In some areas, the new snow may sit above either a thin drizzle crust or small surface hoar layer. New surface hoar up to 8 mm in size has been reported growing on the surface, and will continue to develop during this fair weather period. Watch for slopes with developing surface hoar or surface facets because the new snow may bond poorly when the next storm arrives. A thick melt-freeze crust from mid-November is buried 40-80 cm deep. Facets have recently been reported above this crust and may continue to develop with the cold temperatures, suggesting it may be possible to trigger this layer in shallow start zones. The lower snowpack is generally strong and well-settled. Snowpack depths are 130-160 cm at treeline elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 25cm of low density recent storm snow overlies a buried wind slab. In the Alpine these buried wind slabs are reacting to stability tests in the &quot;hard&quot; range. Isolated pockets of recently formed wind slab were observed at ridge-crest in the Alpine, formed both by reverse loading and lee loading. The Nov 12th crust is now buried 65cm at Treeline and has not been reactive to stability tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Monday delivered 40-60 cm of new snow to the South Coast, with the heaviest accumulations on the North Shore. The new snow likely sits above a supportive melt-freeze crust, providing a bed surface for storm slabs to run on. The new snow was not bonding well with the crust on Tuesday, and may take longer than usual to stabilize due to the cold arctic air currently over the region. The lower snowpack is well settled and strong. Total snowpack depths are 160-200 cm at treeline, with isolated pockets deep enough for avalanches at below treeline elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm snow is settling slowly due to the cold temperatures. Variable wind effect has created wind slabs in the alpine in some areas, and others report little or no wind resulting in loose unconsolidated snow. The depth of the mid-november crust is also variable across the region. Reports have the crust down between 100-200 cm and snowpack tests have produced a wide array of results from moderate sudden planar to hard resistant planar. Watch for near surface facets developing in the upper snowpack that may develop a poor bonding layer before the next storm. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and/or below that may provide a weak layer above a smooth sliding surface in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snow has formed wind slabs on northerly aspects in the alpine that are reactive to light additional loads like a single skier/rider. The cold temperatures and clear skies are developing near surface facets, and may be preserving surface hoar that was buried on the weekend. Alpine snow depths are around 120-170 cm, and the widespread mid-november crust is buried down around 70-90 cm. Snowpack and crust depths increase as you move west into the Selkirks. It sounds like there is a bit less snow on the ground in the south of the region, but we have not had many observations at this time. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and below that may provide a hard surface with a weak sliding layer in the future. Please let us know what you find by posting to the MIN (Mountain Information Network).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent storm slabs and wind slabs have formed on open leeward slopes and behind terrain features in exposed areas. The mid pack is reported to be well settled. There is sufficient snow on the ground for avalanches at treeline and alpine elevations, and possibly in some below treeline locations. Reports suggest typical treeline snow depths are around 110-150 cm, but a report from the east side of region indicated a much lower snow depth of around 90 cm. Limited reports suggest the crust from the middle of November is down 50-80 cm and the crust from early November is down 80-110 cm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 30 cm of recent storm snow has buried old snow surfaces including surface hoar and old, stiff wind slabs. The cold temperatures will have promoted surface faceting, which probably means the top layer of snow is soft in most places. Treeline snow depths around Elkford are only around 60 cm; I suspect they are slightly higher in places like the Flathead, but generally conditions are lean. Threshold snow depths for avalanches have been exceeded in the alpine and at treeline, but not below treeline. In shallow areas, the snowpack is most likely facetted (sugary) throughout, and any crusts have probably broken down already. In deeper areas, you can probably find the mid-November crust buried under half a metre or so of snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface conditions are highly variable throughout the region. Last weekend strong southerly winds scoured windward features and formed hard and stubborn wind slabs on lee features. However, northeast winds are currently loading south and west aspects, resulting in a complex distribution of wind slabs in exposed terrain. Low density snow remains in sheltered areas and offers the best riding. Surface snow has begun to facet with the cold air temperatures, and will likely create a weak interface when the next storm arrives. The mid-pack is generally strong, with a widespread mid-November crust buried 70-100 cm at treeline and anywhere from 30-200 cm in alpine terrain. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Storm snow from the past weekend is gradually settling throughout the region. Storm snow totals in the Coquihalla area were 40-60 cm, while northern parts of the region only received 10-30 cm. Storm snow instabilities appear to be settling out, with the greatest potential for triggering in wind affected terrain at higher elevations. Surface snow has begun to facet and soften with the cold air temperatures, and will likely create a weak interface when the next storm arrives. Buried surface hoar layers have been reported in the northern part of the region, including a 30 cm deep layer at treeline in the Duffey area that was reactive to skier triggering on the weekend, and a 60 cm deep layer in the Pemberton area. There is no recent information on the reactivity of these layers. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B">A widespread crust can be found 70-100 cm deep throughout the region. Although this layer has been unreactive in recent snowpack tests, cold temperatures will promote facet growth around the crust and make it possible to trigger this layer in shallow wind-affected starts zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm from last weekend brought 30-80 cm of cold powder. This new snow has been blown around by the wind - first by southwesterly winds during the storm, then by northerly winds with the onset of arctic air, and now by easterly outflow winds. As a result, expect wind slabs in a wide variety of locations. Unless you're really certain about the recent local wind history, the safest bet is to assume wind slabs could be present on all aspects in exposed alpine, treeline, and even some below treeline locations. The recent snow buried a surface hoar layer, which now lies 60-120 cm in many parts of the region. This layer was reactive during and after the storm and is likely still reactive to human triggers. A thick rain crust exists 20-30 cm below the surface hoar layer, with isolated reports of weak facets (sugary snow) forming above the crust; however, that interface hasn't become a concern as of yet. Treeline snow depths are around 140-200 cm in the Terrace and Stewart areas, but substantially less further north. Concerns in the north are basal weaknesses that may exist in the shallower snowpack areas especially on smooth alpine features like glaciers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent winds have blown from many directions, most recently from the east. As a result, expect wind slabs to exist on a wide variety of exposed slopes. A layer of surface hoar was reported around Hudson Bay Mountain last week, which now sits beneath 40-50 cm of settling snow. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is now buried 50-60 cm deep, and recent snowpack tests produced sudden results on facets (sugary snow) above this crust. Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region, but reports suggest the average snowpack depth is 50-90 cm at treeline and 120 cm or greater in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The weekend storm system typically brought 40-70cm of new snow to the region with strong southwest wind in the alpine. The wind has redistributed the storm snow into leeward features in wind exposed terrain. In some areas, the recent storm snow may sit over a layer of small surface hoar. There is some uncertainty regarding the distribution of this surface hoar in the region but it was reported in a couple locations in the Monashees west of Revelstoke. The mid-November crust is now typically down 1-1.5m in the snowpack. Test results on this layer have been highly variable ranging from sudden and easy to unreactive. While there has not been much avalanche activity on this layer yet, it has many professionals concerned. It will be important to track how this layer evolves, especially with the current period of cold weather. Below the crust the snowpack is generally well settled and is reported to be moist at lower elevations. The snowpack depth tapers off substantially below around 1700m elevation and many early season hazards are still a concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Last weekend's storm system brought 40-60cm of new snow to the southern part of the region with strong southwest wind in the alpine. The wind during the storm and more recent northerly wind has redistributed the storm snow forming wind slabs in alpine and tree line lees. The mid-November crust appears to typically be down 1-1.5m in the south of the region, and around 80cm down in the north of the region. Test results on this layer suggest the crust is generally well bonded in the Cariboos region. However, test results from the North Columbia region suggest there may be an isolated weakness associated with this layer and it has professionals concerned. It will be important to track how this layer evolves, especially with the current cold weather.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">25 cm of low density snow from last weekend sits above a thin drizzle crust in many places and is gradually settling. Northerly winds have redistributed the snow, forming stubborn wind slabs in exposed areas. New surface hoar up to 10 mm in size has been reported growing on the surface, and will continue to develop during this fair weather period. Watch for slopes that develop surface hoar or surface facets, because new snow will bond poorly when the next storm arrives. A thick melt-freeze crust from mid-November is buried 40-80 cm deep. Facets have recently been reported above this crust and may continue to develop with the cold temperatures. Facet growth will be most pronounce in shallow alpine start zones, creating the potential for large avalanches in the future. Snowpack depths are 130-160 cm at treeline elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">40-60 cm of fresh snow from Monday's storm is slowly settling into a touchy storm slab. Storm slabs will be thicker and more reactive on wind loaded features. The new snow sits above a supportive melt-freeze crust, providing a bed surface for avalanches to run on. Cold temperatures are making it take longer than usual for the new snow to gain strength. It also prevents the new snow from bonding with the crust. Below the crust, the snowpack is settled and strong. Total snowpack depths are 160-200 cm at treeline. Isolated pockets are deep enough for avalanches below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm snow is settling slowly due to the cold temperatures. Variable wind effect has created wind slabs in the alpine in some areas, and others report little or no wind resulting in loose unconsolidated snow. The depth of the mid-november crust is also variable across the region. Reports have the crust down between 100-200 cm and snowpack tests have produced a wide array of results from moderate sudden planar to hard resistant planar, and in some cases no result. Watch for near surface facets developing in the upper snowpack that may develop a poor bonding layer before the next storm. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and/or below that may provide a weak layer above a smooth sliding surface in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snow has formed wind slabs on northerly aspects in the alpine that are reactive to light additional loads like a single skier/rider. The cold temperatures and clear skies are developing near surface facets, and may be preserving surface hoar that was buried on the weekend. Alpine snow depths are around 120-170 cm, and the widespread mid-november crust is buried down around 70-90 cm. Snowpack and crust depths increase as you move west into the Selkirks. It sounds like there is a bit less snow on the ground in the south of the region, but we have not had many observations at this time. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and below that may provide a hard surface with a weak sliding layer in the future. Please let us know what you find by posting to the MIN (Mountain Information Network).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent storm slabs and wind slabs have formed on open leeward slopes and behind terrain features in exposed areas. The mid pack is reported to be well settled. There is sufficient snow on the ground for avalanches at treeline and alpine elevations, and possibly in some below treeline locations. Reports suggest typical treeline snow depths are around 110-150 cm, but a report from the east side of region indicated a much lower snow depth of around 90 cm. Limited reports suggest the crust from the middle of November is down 50-80 cm and the crust from early November is down 80-110 cm.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 30 cm of recent storm snow has buried old snow surfaces including surface hoar and old, stiff wind slabs. The cold temperatures will have promoted surface faceting, which probably means the top layer of snow is soft in most places. Treeline snow depths around Elkford are only around 60 cm. I suspect they are slightly higher in places like the Flathead, but generally conditions are lean. Threshold snow depths for avalanches have been exceeded in the alpine and at treeline, but not below treeline. In shallow areas, the snowpack is most likely facetted (sugary) throughout, and any crusts have probably broken down already. In deeper areas, you can probably find the mid-November crust buried under half a metre or so of snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong outlflow winds for the past few days have created touchy wind slabs on west and south aspects. Wind slabs will continue to grow with the incoming storm. Alpine terrain has been dramatically affected by wind over the past week, but low density powder remains in sheltered areas. Surface snow has been faceting and softening with the cold air temperatures, and will likely create a weak interface with the incoming storm snow. The mid-pack is generally strong, with a widespread mid-November crust buried 70-100 cm at treeline and anywhere from 30-200 cm in alpine terrain. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong outflow winds have redistributed loose snow at higher elevations, forming touchy wind slabs in the lee of ridgetops. Surface snow has begun to facet and soften with the cold air temperatures, and will likely create a weak interface when the next storm arrives. Storm snow from last weekend remains unconsolidated. A 20 cm deep buried surface hoar layer has been reported in the Duffey area. This layer was reactive to skier triggering on the weekend, but there is no recent information on the distribution or reactivity of this layer. </span><span class="s_AA239A9B">A widespread crust can be found 70-100 cm deep throughout the region. Although this layer has been unreactive in recent snowpack tests, cold temperatures will promote facet growth around the crust and make it possible to trigger this layer in shallow wind-affected starts zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm from last weekend brought 30-80 cm of cold powder. This new snow has been blown around by the wind - first by southwesterly winds during the storm, then by northerly winds with the onset of arctic air, and now by easterly outflow winds. As a result, expect wind slabs in a wide variety of locations. Unless you're really certain about the recent local wind history, the safest bet is to assume wind slabs could be present on all aspects in exposed alpine, treeline, and even some below treeline locations. The recent snow buried a surface hoar layer, which now lies 60-120 cm in many parts of the region. This layer was reactive during and after the storm and is likely still reactive to human triggers. A thick rain crust exists 20-30 cm below the surface hoar layer, with isolated reports of weak facets (sugary snow) forming above the crust; however, that interface hasn't become a concern as of yet. Treeline snow depths are around 140-200 cm in the Terrace and Stewart areas, but substantially less further north. Concerns in the north are basal weaknesses that may exist in the shallower snowpack areas especially on smooth alpine features like glaciers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent winds have blown from many directions, most recently from the east. As a result, expect wind slabs to exist on a wide variety of exposed slopes. A layer of surface hoar was reported around Hudson Bay Mountain last week, which now sits beneath 40-50 cm of settling snow. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is now buried 50-60 cm deep, and recent snowpack tests produced sudden results on facets (sugary snow) above this crust. Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region, but reports suggest the average snowpack depth is 50-90 cm at treeline and 120 cm or greater in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In most areas there is 30-50 cm of recent storm snow that has stayed unconsolidated except where it has been transported into wind slabs. The surface snow has been facetting due to the cold temperatures, and some surface hoar has been developing in isolated areas. The mid-pack has been reported to be well settled above above a crust that was buried in mid-november. This crust may be buried less than a metre to close to 2 metres deep, depending on elevation and previous exposure to winds. Snowpack tests on the crust have shown variable results from sudden and planar to no result. Professionals continue to monitor this crust and are watching for facet development above and below that may increase reactivity. The basal layers of the snowpack continue to be reported to be moist in some of the deeper snowpack areas of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Last weekend's storm system brought 40-60cm of new snow to the southern part of the region with strong southwest wind in the alpine. The wind during the storm and more recent northerly wind has redistributed the storm snow forming wind slabs in alpine and tree line lees. The mid-November crust appears to typically be down 1-1.5m in the south of the region, and around 80cm down in the north of the region. Test results on this layer suggest the crust is generally well bonded in the Cariboos region. However, test results from the North Columbia region suggest there may be an isolated weakness associated with this layer and it has professionals concerned. It will be important to track how this layer evolves, especially with the current cold weather.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Northerly winds continue to redistributed loose snow, forming stubborn wind slabs in exposed alpine areas. New surface hoar up to 15 mm in size has been reported growing on the surface, and will continue to develop during this fair weather period. The top 25 cm of snow remains low density thanks to cold temperatures, and sits above a thin rain crust in parts of the region. The lower snowpack has been reported to be well settled. A widespread crust that was buried in November can be found 40-80 cm deep. Cold temperatures have promoted facet growth around the crust, which could make the layer reactive in shallow start zones. Snowpack depths are 130-160 cm at treeline elevations.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Surface hoar is definetly growing on all aspects and in all elevations right now.  We still have concerns about windslabs along ridgelines and in immediate lees on all aspects in alpine terrain.  These slabs do not extend far down slope but they should be expected at higher elevations.  The nov 24th interface as well as the Nov 12th interface are still producing mixed results.  Be sure to dig down and evaluate this interface before you commit to a feature. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A heavy pulse of new snow is expected for Friday and Saturday, although the weather forecast models don't agree on how much. By Friday afternoon there may be 20-30 cm of new snow on top of 30-50 cm of settling snow from last Monday. Northeast winds have likely formed thin wind slabs in exposed alpine terrain. A sun crust has been reported on the surface of steep southerly aspects, which may bond poorly with the new snow. A rain crust exists below Monday's storm slab, and recent reports suggest the storm snow may still be poorly bonded to the crust on shady north aspects. Below the crust, the snowpack is settled and strong. Total snowpack depths are 160-200 cm at treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm snow is settling slowly due to the cold temperatures. Variable wind effect has created wind slabs in the alpine in some areas, and others report little or no wind resulting in loose unconsolidated snow. The depth of the mid-november crust is also variable across the region. Reports have the crust down between 100-200 cm and snowpack tests have produced a wide array of results from moderate sudden planar to hard resistant planar, and in some cases no result. Watch for near surface facets developing in the upper snowpack that may develop a poor bonding layer before the next storm. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and/or below that may provide a weak layer above a smooth sliding surface in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snow has formed wind slabs on northerly aspects in the alpine that are reactive to light additional loads like a single skier/rider. The cold temperatures and clear skies are developing near surface facets, and may be preserving surface hoar that was buried on the weekend. Alpine snow depths are around 120-170 cm, and the widespread mid-november crust is buried down around 70-90 cm. Snowpack and crust depths increase as you move west into the Selkirks. It sounds like there is a bit less snow on the ground in the south of the region, but we have not had many observations at this time. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and below that may provide a hard surface with a weak sliding layer in the future. Please let us know what you find by posting to the MIN (Mountain Information Network).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow that fell last weekend has seen little wind effect in many areas throughout the region. If winds pick up this weekend, freshly formed wind slabs will be the primary concern. The mid pack is reported to be well settled. There is sufficient snow on the ground for avalanches at treeline and alpine elevations, and possibly in some below treeline locations. Reports suggest typical treeline snow depths are around 110-150 cm, but a report from the east side of region indicated a much lower snow depth of around 90 cm. Limited reports suggest the crust from the middle of November is down 50-80 cm and the crust from early November is down 80-110 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 30 cm of recent storm snow has buried old snow surfaces including surface hoar and old, stiff wind slabs. The cold temperatures will have promoted surface faceting, which probably means the top layer of snow is soft in most places. Treeline snow depths around Elkford are only around 60 cm. I suspect they are slightly higher in places like the Flathead, but generally conditions are lean. Threshold snow depths for avalanches have been exceeded in the alpine and at treeline, but not below treeline. In shallow areas, the snowpack is most likely facetted (sugary) throughout, and any crusts have probably broken down already. In deeper areas, you can probably find the mid-November crust buried under half a metre or so of snow.</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">High elevations were blasted with strong northeast outflow winds this week and are now experiencing moderate south winds. The result is extensive wind scouring and wind slab formation in exposed terrain. Intermittent flurries the next few days will deposit a total of 20-30 cm low density snow on a variable surface consisting of wind slabs, small isolated pockets of surface hoar, and surface facets. Expect the new snow to bond poorly with this interface. The mid-pack is generally strong, with a widespread mid-November crust buried 70-100 cm at treeline and anywhere from 30-200 cm in alpine terrain. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The incoming storm is bringing light amounts of new snow with moderate winds. These conditions will continue to form wind slabs in exposed terrain. Southern parts of the region could see larger accumulations. The cold arctic air has left a complex surface for this new snow to fall onto. Changing wind directions over the past week have formed wind slabs on various aspects in exposed terrain. Small 2-3 mm surface hoar has been reported throughout the region in sheltered terrain and sits above loose faceted snow. This structure will likely become weak when loaded by new snow or wind. In the Duffey area, another small surface hoar layer can be found 20 cm deep and may become reactive with new loading. The mid-pack is generally well settled down to a widespread crust near the bottom of the snowpack. Recent reports suggest facets have formed above the crust. Although tests are indicating the layer is unreactive, it may be possible to trigger this layer in shallow rocky start zones. Total snowpack depths are 80-130 cm at treeline, and significantly less below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Clear skies and strong outflow winds have created a variety of snow surfaces including scouring and hard wind slabs in exposed areas and up to 12 mm surface hoar formation in sheltered areas. Strong to extreme easterly winds over the past few days have created wind slabs on aspects you may not expect them. Wind slabs could be present on all aspects in exposed alpine, treeline, and even some below treeline locations. A layer of surface hoar which was buried around November 22nd is down 60-120 cm in many parts of the region. This layer is likely still reactive to human triggers. A thick rain crust exists 20-30 cm below the surface hoar layer, with isolated reports of weak facets (sugary snow) forming above the crust; however, that interface has not become a concern as of yet. Treeline snow depths are around 140-200 cm in the Terrace and Stewart areas, but substantially less further north. Concerns in the north are basal weaknesses that may exist in the shallower snowpack areas especially on smooth alpine features like glaciers.</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">Clear skies and strong outflow winds have created a variety of snow surfaces including scouring and hard wind slabs in exposed areas and surface hoar formation in sheltered areas. Recent winds have blown from many directions, most recently from the east. As a result, expect wind slabs to exist on a wide variety of exposed slopes. A layer of surface hoar was reported around Hudson Bay Mountain last week, which now sits beneath 40-50 cm of settling snow. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is now buried 50-60 cm deep, and recent snowpack tests produced sudden results on facets (sugary snow) above this crust. Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region, but reports suggest the average snowpack depth is 50-90 cm at treeline and 120 cm or greater in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In most areas there is 30-50 cm of recent storm snow that has stayed unconsolidated except where it has been transported into wind slabs. The surface snow has been facetting due to the cold temperatures, and some surface hoar has been developing in isolated areas. The mid-pack has been reported to be well settled above above a crust that was buried in mid-november. This crust may be buried less than a metre to close to 2 metres deep, depending on elevation and previous exposure to winds. Snowpack tests on the crust have shown variable results from sudden and planar to no result. Professionals continue to monitor this crust and are watching for facet development above and below that may increase reactivity. The basal layers of the snowpack continue to be reported to be moist in some of the deeper snowpack areas of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Surface snow has been facetting during this period of cold weather, and last weeks storm snow has been settling slowly. Areas sheltered from the wind may be developing a new surface hoar layer. The mid-november crust is buried down 100-180 cm and produces variable results in snowpack tests. Moderate results may be more likely in shallower snowpack areas, and deeper snowpack areas may be more likely to show no results on this layer. Professionals continue to monitor the crust for facet develop that may provide a weak layer above a hard sliding surface in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Isolated flurries with moderate winds are burying cold and loose surface snow. Surface hoar growing up to 15 mm in size was reported this week, and widespread faceting has occurred in the top 25 cm of low density snow. Expect new snow to bond poorly with this interface, especially in deeper wind-loaded pockets. The lower snowpack is settled and strong. A widespread crust that was buried in November can be found 50-100 cm deep. Cold temperatures have promoted facet growth around the crust, which could possibly make the layer reactive in shallow rocky start zones. Snowpack depths are 130-160 cm at treeline, and significantly less below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Not a lot of change in the snowpack as a whole. We are seeing some surface hoar start to develop. The northern region has 10-15mm, while the southern areas have up to 5mm. The treeline snowpack continues to lose strength due to the cold temps. Limited settlement has kept the Nov 12th crust down 50-70cm at treeline elevations. Luckily the winds have also been light keeping snow transport and slab development minimal. Snow depth at Burstall Pass is 110m.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain, but expect 20-40 cm of fresh snow by Saturday afternoon. The new snow is falling on a variable surface that includes settled snow on southerly aspects, loose snow on shaded aspects, isolated pockets of surface hoar, and sun crusts on steep solar aspects. Overall the incoming snow will likely bond poorly to this interface. The thickest and most touchy storm slabs can be expected on north-facing wind-loaded features. A rain crust exists 30-50 cm deep, and recent reports suggest the storm snow may still be poorly bonded to the crust on shady north aspects. Below the crust, the snowpack is settled and strong. Total snowpack depths are 160-200 cm at treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The recent storm snow is settling slowly due to the cold temperatures. Variable wind effect has created wind slabs in the alpine in some areas, and others report little or no wind resulting in loose unconsolidated snow. The depth of the mid-november crust is also variable across the region. Reports have the crust down between 100-200 cm and snowpack tests have produced a wide array of results from moderate sudden planar to hard resistant planar, and in some cases no result. Watch for near surface facets developing in the upper snowpack that may develop a poor bonding layer before the next storm. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and/or below that may provide a weak layer above a smooth sliding surface in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snow has formed wind slabs on northerly aspects in the alpine that are reactive to light additional loads like a single skier/rider. The cold temperatures and clear skies are developing near surface facets, and may be preserving surface hoar that was buried on the weekend. Alpine snow depths are around 120-170 cm, and the widespread mid-november crust is buried down around 70-90 cm. Snowpack and crust depths increase as you move west into the Selkirks. It sounds like there is a bit less snow on the ground in the south of the region, but we have not had many observations at this time. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and below that may provide a hard surface with a weak sliding layer in the future. Please let us know what you find by posting to the MIN (Mountain Information Network).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The snow that fell last weekend has seen little wind effect in many areas throughout the region. If winds pick up this weekend, freshly formed thin wind slabs will be the primary concern. The mid pack is reported to be well settled. There is sufficient snow on the ground for avalanches at treeline and alpine elevations, and possibly in some below treeline locations. Reports suggest typical treeline snow depths are around 110-150 cm, but a report from the east side of region indicated a much lower snow depth of around 90 cm. Limited reports suggest the crust from the middle of November is down 50-80 cm and the crust from early November is down 80-110 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The cold temperatures will have promoted surface faceting, which probably means the top layer of snow is soft in most places. Treeline snow depths around Elkford are only around 60 cm. I suspect they are slightly higher in places like the Flathead, but generally conditions are lean. Threshold snow depths for avalanches have been exceeded in the alpine and at treeline, but not below treeline. In shallow areas, the snowpack is most likely facetted (sugary) throughout, and any crusts have probably broken down already. In deeper areas, you can probably find the mid-November crust buried under half a metre or so of snow. Early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</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">High elevations were blasted with strong northeast outflow winds at the end of last week and are now experiencing moderate south winds and light snowfall. The result is extensive wind scouring and wind slab formation in exposed terrain. The new snowfall sits over a variable surface consisting of wind slabs, small isolated pockets of surface hoar, and surface facets. Expect the new snow to bond poorly with this interface. The mid-pack is generally strong, with a widespread mid-November crust buried 70-100 cm at treeline and anywhere from 30-200 cm in alpine terrain. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm is bringing light amounts of new snow with moderate winds. These conditions will continue to form wind slabs in exposed terrain throughout the region. Southern parts of the region could see larger accumulations and storm slab formation is possible by the end of the storm on Sunday. The cold arctic air has left a complex surface for this new snow to fall onto. Changing wind directions over the past week have formed wind slabs on various aspects in exposed terrain. Small 2-3mm surface hoar has been reported throughout the region in sheltered terrain and sits above loose faceted snow. This structure will likely become weak when loaded by new snow or wind. In the Duffey area, another small surface hoar layer can be found 20cm deep and may become reactive with new loading. The mid-pack is generally well settled down to a widespread crust near the bottom of the snowpack. Recent reports suggest facets have formed above the crust. Although tests are indicating the layer is unreactive, it may be possible to trigger this layer in shallow rocky start zones. Total snowpack depths are 80-130cm at treeline, and significantly less below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Clear skies and strong outflow winds have created a variety of snow surfaces including scouring and hard wind slabs in exposed areas and up to 12 mm surface hoar formation in sheltered areas. Strong to extreme easterly winds over the past few days have created wind slabs on aspects you may not expect them. Wind slabs could be present on all aspects in exposed alpine, treeline, and even some below treeline locations. A layer of surface hoar which was buried around November 22nd is down 60-120 cm in many parts of the region. This layer is likely still reactive to human triggers. A thick rain crust exists 20-30 cm below the surface hoar layer, with isolated reports of weak facets (sugary snow) forming above the crust; however, that interface has not become a concern as of yet. Treeline snow depths are around 140-200 cm in the Terrace and Stewart areas, but substantially less further north. Concerns in the north are basal weaknesses that may exist in the shallower snowpack areas especially on smooth alpine features like glaciers.</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">Clear skies and strong outflow winds have created a variety of snow surfaces including scouring and hard wind slabs in exposed areas and surface hoar formation in sheltered areas. Recent winds have blown from many directions, most recently from the east. As a result, expect wind slabs to exist on a wide variety of exposed slopes. A layer of surface hoar was reported around Hudson Bay Mountain last week, which now sits beneath 40-50 cm of settling snow. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is now buried 50-60 cm deep, and recent snowpack tests produced sudden results on facets (sugary snow) above this crust. Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region, but reports suggest the average snowpack depth is 50-90 cm at treeline and 120 cm or greater in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In most areas there is 30-50 cm of recent storm snow that has stayed unconsolidated except where it has been transported into wind slabs. The surface snow has been facetting due to the cold temperatures, and some surface hoar has been developing in isolated areas. The mid-pack has been reported to be well settled above above a crust that was buried in mid-november. This crust may be buried less than a metre to close to 2 metres deep, depending on elevation and previous exposure to winds. Snowpack tests on the crust have shown variable results from sudden and planar to no result. Professionals continue to monitor this crust and are watching for facet development above and below that may increase reactivity. The basal layers of the snowpack continue to be reported to be moist in some of the deeper snowpack areas of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Surface snow has been facetting during this period of cold weather, and last weeks storm snow has been settling slowly. Areas sheltered from the wind may be developing a new surface hoar layer. The mid-november crust is buried down 100-180 cm and produces variable results in snowpack tests. Moderate results may be more likely in shallower snowpack areas, and deeper snowpack areas may be more likely to show no results on this layer. Professionals continue to monitor the crust for facet develop that may provide a weak layer above a hard sliding surface in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Light snowfall with moderate winds are burying cold and loose surface snow. Surface hoar growing up to 15mm in size was reported this week, and widespread faceting has occurred in the top 25cm of low density snow. Expect new snow to bond poorly with this interface, especially in deeper wind-loaded pockets. The lower snowpack is settled and strong. A widespread crust that was buried in November can be found 50-100cm deep. Cold temperatures have promoted facet growth around the crust, which could possibly make the layer reactive in shallow rocky start zones. Snowpack depths are 130-160cm at treeline, and significantly less below treeline.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Trace to 3cm of new snow in past 24hrs has added to an average of 15cm of low density snow overlying buried wind slabs in the Alpine. These slabs are 5 to 15cm thick and sit on a pronounced layer of weak facets just above the Nov 12th crust layer which is now buried between 40 and 60cm. Snowpack stability tests are giving widely variable results below these buried wind slabs.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">As of Saturday afternoon parts of the region have seen 40-60cm of new snowfall, with a lot more expected by Sunday afternoon. The new snow is falling on a variable surface that includes settled snow on southerly aspects, loose snow on shaded aspects, isolated pockets of surface hoar, and sun crusts on steep solar aspects. Overall the incoming snow will likely bond poorly to this interface. The thickest and most touchy storm slabs can be expected on north-facing wind-loaded features. An old rain crust was down 30-50 cm prior to the storm, and reports had suggested that the snow above it was poorly bonded to the crust on some shady north aspects. Below the crust, the snowpack is settled and strong. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-50cm of recent low density storm snow is settling slowly due to the cold temperatures. Variable wind effect has created wind slabs in the alpine in some areas, while other operations report little or no wind resulting in loose unconsolidated snow. The depth of the mid-november crust is also variable across the region. Reports have the crust down between 100-200 cm and snowpack tests have produced a wide array of results from moderate sudden planar to hard resistant planar, and in some cases no result. Watch for near surface facets developing in the upper snowpack that may develop a poor bonding layer before the next storm. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and/or below that may provide a weak layer above a smooth sliding surface in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snow has formed wind slabs on northerly aspects in the alpine that are reactive to light additional loads like a single skier/rider. The cold temperatures and clear skies are developing near surface facets, and may be preserving surface hoar that was buried on the weekend. Alpine snow depths are around 120-170 cm, and the widespread mid-november crust is buried down around 70-90 cm. Snowpack and crust depths increase as you move west toward the Selkirks. It sounds like there is a bit less snow on the ground in the south of the region, but we have not had many observations at this time. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and below that may provide a hard surface with a weak sliding layer in the future. Please let us know what you find by posting to the MIN (Mountain Information Network).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Much of the region received 10-15 cm of new snow with locally higher amounts (30-40 cm) around Fernie. So far this new snow has fallen with no wind and made for great skiing. If winds increase, expect touchy soft slabs to form in wind affected terrain. This new snow is sitting on top of a mixture of surface hoar and weak surface facets. The mid pack is reported to be well settled. There is sufficient snow on the ground for avalanches at treeline and alpine elevations, and possibly in some below treeline locations. Reports suggest typical treeline snow depths are around 110-150 cm, but a report from the east side of region indicated a much lower snow depth of around 90 cm. Limited reports suggest the crust from the middle of November is down 50-80 cm and the crust from early November is down 80-110 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">If the winds increase to moderate Sunday night, there may be fresh wind slabs in lee features below ridge tops in the alpine. The cold temperatures will have promoted surface faceting, which probably means the top layer of snow is soft in sheltered areas. Treeline snow depths around Elkford are only around 60 cm. I suspect they are slightly higher in places like the Flathead, but generally conditions are lean. Threshold snow depths for avalanches have been exceeded in the alpine and at treeline, but not below treeline. In shallow areas, the snowpack is most likely facetted (sugary) throughout, and any crusts have probably broken down already. In deeper areas, you can probably find the mid-November crust buried under half a metre or so of snow. Early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20cm of new low density snow has buried the heavily wind affected surfaces from the strong outflow winds last week. The old surface is highly variable and may include hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or small surface hoar. Expect the new snow to be bonding poorly with this interface. The cold temperatures appear to be preserving the old wind slabs from the end of last week and they still may be reactive to human triggering in isolated areas. In high elevation terrain, moderate southwest winds over the weekend may have redistributed some of the new storm snow and soft slabs may exist in immediate leeward features. The widespread mid-November crust typically down 1-2m in the snowpack. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, 40-60cm of new low density snow has buried the heavily wind affected surfaces from the strong outflow winds last week. The old surface is highly variable and may include hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or small surface hoar. Storm slabs are possible in the south of the region and it is expected that the new snow is bonding poorly to the old interface. The cold temperatures appear to be preserving the old wind slabs from the end of last week and they still may be reactive to human triggering in isolated areas throughout the region. In high elevation terrain in the north of region, 15-25cm of new snow and moderate south winds over the weekend may have formed soft wind slabs in immediate leeward features. The widespread mid-November crust typically down over 1m in the snowpack. Recent snowpack tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could become a problem in shallow alpine start zones. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Clear skies and strong outflow winds have created a variety of snow surfaces including scouring and hard wind slabs in exposed areas and up to 12 mm surface hoar formation in sheltered areas. Strong to extreme easterly winds over the past few days have created wind slabs on aspects you may not expect them. Wind slabs could be present on all aspects in exposed alpine, treeline, and even some below treeline locations. A layer of surface hoar which was buried around November 22nd is down 60-120 cm in many parts of the region. This layer is likely still reactive to human triggers. A thick rain crust exists 20-30 cm below the surface hoar layer, with isolated reports of weak facets (sugary snow) forming above the crust; however, that interface has not become a concern as of yet. Treeline snow depths are around 140-200 cm in the Terrace and Stewart areas, but substantially less further north. Concerns in the north are basal weaknesses that may exist in the shallower snowpack areas especially on smooth alpine features like glaciers.</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">Clear skies and strong outflow winds have created a variety of snow surfaces including scouring and hard wind slabs in exposed areas and surface hoar formation in sheltered areas. Recent winds have blown from many directions, most recently from the east. As a result, expect wind slabs to exist on a wide variety of exposed slopes. According to reports near Smithers, there is a layer of surface hoar down 40-50 cm. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is now buried 50-60 cm deep. Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region, but reports suggest the average snowpack depth is 50-90 cm at treeline and 120 cm or greater in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In most areas there is 30-50 cm of recent low density storm snow that has stayed unconsolidated except where it has been transported into wind slabs. The surface snow has been facetting due to the cold temperatures, and some surface hoar has been developing in isolated areas. The mid-pack has been reported to be well settled above above a crust that was buried in mid-november. This crust may be buried less than a metre to close to 2 metres deep, depending on elevation and previous exposure to winds. Snowpack tests on the crust have shown variable results from sudden and planar to no result. Professionals continue to monitor this crust and are watching for facet development above and below that may increase reactivity. The basal layers of the snowpack continue to be reported to be moist in some of the deeper snowpack areas of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Continued cold temperatures are promoting surface faceting at all elevations. Surfaces are reported to be wind-affected in exposed areas, and wind slabs exist in lee terrain at treeline and in the alpine. Areas sheltered from the wind may be developing a new surface hoar layer. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The mid-november crust is buried down 100-180 cm and produces variable results in snowpack tests. Moderate results may be more likely in shallower snowpack areas, and deeper snowpack areas may be more likely to show no results on this layer. Professionals continue to monitor the crust for facet develop that may provide a weak layer above a hard sliding surface in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 15-25cm of new snow over the weekend has buried the surface hoar layer that formed last week. The surface hoar appears to have typically been 3-10mm in size. Widespread faceting of the old snow surface was also reported prior to the snowfall. The new snow is expected to bond poorly to the old interface but is reported to be low density and appears to only be a concern in wind loaded features at the moment. If winds persist on Monday, additional wind transport and wind slab formation is possible. The lower snowpack is settled and strong. A widespread crust that was buried in November is typically down 80-100cm. Recent tests show the layer is unreactive but cold temperatures have promoted facet growth around the crust and this layer could become a problem in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Trace to 1cm of new snow in past 24hrs with very little wind effect in the upper 20cm of surface snow. Buried wind slabs are found on all aspects in the Alpine and just down into Treeline elevations, but they are variable in nature. These slabs are 5 to 20cm thick and sit on a pronounced layer of weak facets just above the Nov 12th crust layer which is now buried between 40 and 60cm. Recent snowpack stability tests are giving widely variable results below these buried wind slabs.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Highly variable snowfall amounts were reported across the region. In the deepest areas in the south of the region, upwards of 1m of new storm snow accumulated over the weekend. Closer to Squamish, new snowfall amounts are expected to be around 30cm. The new snow sits on an old surface that was highly variable and may include well settled snow on southerly aspects, loose snow on shaded aspects, isolated pockets of surface hoar, and sun crusts on steep solar aspects. The new snow will likely bond poorly to this interface and due to the cold temperature, may take longer than normal to stabilize. The thickest and most touchy storm slabs can be expected in wind-loaded terrain features. An old rain crust was down 30-50 cm prior to the storm, and reports had suggested that the snow above it was poorly bonded to the crust on some shady north aspects. Below the crust, the snowpack is well settled and strong. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-50cm of recent low density storm snow is settling slowly due to the cold temperatures. Variable wind effect has created wind slabs in the alpine in some areas, while other operations report little or no wind resulting in loose unconsolidated snow. The depth of the mid-november crust is also variable across the region. Reports have the crust down between 100-200 cm and snowpack tests have produced a wide array of results from moderate sudden planar to hard resistant planar, and in some cases no result. Watch for near surface facets developing in the upper snowpack and a recently buried layer of surface hoar that may develop a poor bonding layer before the next storm. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and/or below that may provide a weak layer above a smooth sliding surface in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent snow has formed wind slabs on northerly aspects in the alpine that are reactive to light additional loads like a single skier/rider. The cold temperatures and clear skies are developing near surface facets, and may be preserving surface hoar that was buried on the weekend. Alpine snow depths are around 120-170 cm, and the widespread mid-november crust is buried down around 70-90 cm. Snowpack and crust depths increase as you move west toward the Selkirks. It sounds like there is a bit less snow on the ground in the south of the region, but we have not had many observations at this time. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and below that may provide a hard surface with a weak sliding layer in the future. Please let us know what you find by posting to the MIN (Mountain Information Network).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Much of the region received 10-15 cm of new snow with locally higher amounts (30-45 cm) around Fernie. So far this new snow has fallen with no wind and made for great skiing. If winds increase, expect touchy soft slabs to form in wind affected terrain. This new snow is sitting on top of a mixture of surface hoar and weak surface facets which means the storm snow could become quite reactive when it settles into a slab. The mid pack is reported to be well settled. Reports suggest typical treeline snow depths are around 120-170 cm, but a report from the east side of region indicated a much lower snow depth of around 90 cm. Limited reports suggest the crust from the middle of November is down 50-80 cm and the crust from early November is down 80-110 cm.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">If the winds increase to moderate Monday night, there may be fresh wind slabs in lee features below ridge tops in the alpine. The cold temperatures will have promoted surface faceting, which probably means the top layer of snow is soft in sheltered areas. Treeline snow depths around Elkford are only around 60 cm. I suspect they are slightly higher in places like the Flathead, but generally conditions are lean. Threshold snow depths for avalanches have been exceeded in the alpine and at treeline, but not below treeline. In shallow areas, the snowpack is most likely facetted (sugary) throughout, and any crusts have probably broken down already. In deeper areas, you can probably find the mid-November crust buried under half a metre or so of snow. Early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20cm of new low density snow has buried the heavily wind affected surfaces from the strong outflow winds last week. The old surface is highly variable and may include hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or small surface hoar. Expect the new snow to be bonding poorly with this interface. The cold temperatures appear to be preserving the old wind slabs from the end of last week and they still may be reactive to human triggering in isolated areas. In high elevation terrain, moderate southwest winds over the weekend may have redistributed some of the new storm snow and soft slabs may exist in immediate leeward features. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down 1-2m in the snowpack. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the south of the region, 40-60cm of new low density snow has buried the heavily wind affected surfaces from the strong outflow winds last week. The old surface is highly variable and may include hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or small surface hoar. Wind slabs that have formed in response to southwest winds during the storm, or subsequent northerly winds are likely to be touchiest in the south of the region where the most snow fell. The widespread mid-November crust typically down over 1m in the snowpack. Recent snowpack tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could become a problem in shallow alpine start zones. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Clear skies and strong outflow winds have created a variety of snow surfaces including scouring and hard wind slabs in exposed areas and up to 12 mm surface hoar formation in sheltered areas. Strong easterly winds over the past week have created wind slabs on aspects you may not expect them. Wind slabs could be present on all aspects in open areas at treeline and above. A layer of surface hoar which was buried mid-November is down 60-120 cm in many parts of the region. This layer may be reactive to human triggers in isolated locations or could be triggered by a smaller wind slab that 'steps-down' to this layer. Treeline snow depths are around 140-200 cm in the Terrace and Stewart areas, but substantially less further north. Concerns in the north are basal weaknesses that may exist in the shallower snowpack areas especially on smooth alpine features like glaciers.</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">Clear skies and strong outflow winds have created a variety of snow surfaces including scouring and hard wind slabs in exposed areas and surface hoar formation in sheltered areas. Recent winds have blown from many directions, most recently from the east. As a result, expect wind slabs to exist on a wide variety of exposed slopes. According to reports near Smithers, there is a layer of surface hoar down 40-50 cm. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is now buried 50-60 cm deep. Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region, but reports suggest the average snowpack depth is 50-90 cm at treeline and 120 cm or greater in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In most areas there is 30-50 cm of recent low density storm snow that has stayed unconsolidated except where it has been transported into wind slabs. The surface snow has been facetting due to the cold temperatures, and some surface hoar has been developing in isolated areas. The mid-pack has been reported to be well settled above above a crust that was buried in mid-november. This crust may be buried less than a metre to close to 2 metres deep, depending on elevation and previous exposure to winds. Snowpack tests on the crust have shown variable results from sudden to no result. Professionals continue to monitor this crust and are watching for facet development above and below that may increase reactivity. The basal layers of the snowpack continue to be reported to be moist in some of the deeper snowpack areas of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Continued cold temperatures are promoting surface faceting at all elevations. Surfaces are reported to be wind-affected in exposed areas, and wind slabs exist in lee terrain at treeline and in the alpine. Areas sheltered from the wind may be developing a new surface hoar layer. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The mid-november crust is buried down 100-180 cm and produces variable results in snowpack tests. Moderate results may be more likely in shallower snowpack areas, and deeper snowpack areas may be more likely to show no results on this layer. Professionals continue to monitor the crust for facet development that may provide a weak layer above a hard sliding surface in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 15-25cm of new snow over the weekend has buried the surface hoar layer that formed last week. The surface hoar appears to have typically been 3-10mm in size. Widespread faceting of the old snow surface was also reported prior to the snowfall. The new snow is expected to bond poorly to the old interface but is reported to be low density and appears to only be a concern in wind loaded features at the moment. If winds increase, additional wind transport and wind slab formation is likely. The lower snowpack is settled and strong. A widespread crust that was buried in November is typically down 80-100cm. Recent tests show the layer is unreactive but cold temperatures have promoted facet growth around the crust and this layer could become a problem in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">2cm of new snow overnight. Above 2500m fresh wind slabs up to 15cm thick have developed on all aspects in the Alpine. Some minor cracking was observed in wind loaded areas. In addition, a buried wind slab is still found in Alpine areas on all aspects sitting on a layer of facets over the Nov 12 crust down 40 to 60cm. These slabs are highly variable in character, thickness and reactivity.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Highly variable snowfall amounts were reported across the region. In the deepest areas in the south of the region, upwards of 1 m of new storm snow accumulated over the weekend; closer to Squamish, it was more like 30 cm. The new snow sits on an old surface that was highly variable and may include well settled snow on southerly aspects, loose snow on shaded aspects, isolated pockets of surface hoar, and sun crusts on steep solar aspects. The nature of the bond between the new snow and old is critical right now. Colder than usual temperatures mean this interface will take longer than normal to stabilize. There may be isolated pockets of buried surface hoar that could act as a good sliding layer in open sheltered areas. Wind slabs can be expected behind exposed, wind-loaded terrain features. An old rain crust is reported to be buried 110-120 cm below the surface in the North Shore mountains. This layer is still failing on snowpack tests, but is likely difficult to trigger in most places now. Below the crust, the snowpack is well settled and strong. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-50cm of recent low density storm snow is settling slowly due to the cold temperatures. Variable wind effect has created wind slabs in the alpine. Watch for facets developing in the upper snowpack and a recently buried layer of surface hoar down 30-40cm that may develop a poor bonding layer. The depth of the mid-november crust is also variable across the region. Reports have the crust down between 100-200 cm and snowpack tests have produced a variety of results from moderate and sudden to hard and resistant, and in some cases no result. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and/or below. This may provide a weak layer above a smooth sliding surface in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent wind has formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects in the alpine. The cold temperatures and clear skies are developing facets near the surface. There may be a layer of surface hoar buried 20-40cm deep in sheltered areas. Alpine snow depths are around 120-170 cm, and the widespread mid-november crust is buried down around 70-90 cm. Snowpack and crust depths increase as you move west toward the Selkirk Range. It sounds like there is a bit less snow on the ground in the south of the region, but we have not had many observations at this time. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and below. This may provide a hard surface with a weak sliding layer in the future. Please let us know what you find by posting to the MIN (Mountain Information Network).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Much of the region received 10-15 cm of new snow with locally higher amounts (30-45 cm) around Fernie on Sunday. In many areas this new snow has seen little wind effect and made for great skiing. If winds increase, expect fresh wind slabs to form in lee features below ridgetops. This new snow is sitting on top of a mixture of surface hoar and weak surface facets which means the storm snow could become reactive when it settles into a slab. The mid pack is reported to be well settled. Reports suggest typical treeline snow depths are around 120-170 cm, but a report from the east side of region indicated a much lower snow depth of around 90 cm. Limited reports suggest the snow is well bonded to the crusts buried in mid and early November which are down 50-80 cm and 80-110 cm respectively.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> Wind slabs may exist in isolated lee features below ridgetops but are not expected to be widespread due to light wind speeds. The cold temperatures will have promoted surface faceting, which probably means the top layer of snow is soft in sheltered areas. Treeline snow depths around Elkford are only around 60 cm. I suspect they are slightly higher in places like the Flathead, but generally conditions are lean. Threshold snow depths for avalanches have been exceeded in the alpine and at treeline, but not below treeline. In shallow areas, the snowpack is most likely facetted (sugary) throughout, and any crusts have probably broken down already. In deeper areas, you can probably find the mid-November crust buried under half a metre or so of snow. Below treeline early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715"> </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20cm of low density snow recently buried the previous variable snow surface, which includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or small surface hoar. The cold temperatures appear to be preserving the old (now buried) wind slabs from the end of last week and they still may be reactive to human triggering in isolated areas. In high elevation terrain, moderate southwest winds over the weekend may have redistributed some of the new storm snow and soft slabs may exist in immediate leeward features. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down 1-2m in the snowpack. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-70 cm of low density snow recently buried the previous variable snow surface, including hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or small surface hoar. Wind slabs that have formed in response to southwest winds during the storm, or subsequent northerly winds, are likely to be touchiest in the south of the region where the most snow fell. Weaknesses have also been found within the recent storm snow with reports of moderate snowpack test results on preserved stellars down 48cm in the Coquihalla Pass area. The widespread mid-November crust typically down around a metre. Recent snowpack tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could become a problem in shallow alpine start zones. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Clear skies and strong outflow winds have created a variety of snow surfaces including scouring and hard slabs in exposed areas and up to 12 mm surface hoar formation in sheltered areas. Strong easterly winds over the past week have created wind slabs on aspects you may not expect them. Wind slabs could be present on all aspects in open areas at treeline and above. A layer of surface hoar which was buried mid-November is down 60-120 cm in many parts of the region. This layer may be reactive to human triggers in isolated locations or could be triggered by a smaller slab that 'steps-down' to this layer. Treeline snow depths are around 140-200 cm in the Terrace and Stewart areas, but substantially less further north. Concerns in the north are basal weaknesses that may exist in the shallower snowpack areas especially on smooth alpine features like glaciers.</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">Clear skies and strong outflow winds have created a variety of snow surfaces including scouring and hard wind slabs in exposed areas and surface hoar formation in sheltered areas. Recent winds have blown from many directions, most recently from the east. As a result, wind slabs may exist on a wide variety aspects. According to reports near Smithers, there is a layer of surface hoar down 40-50 cm, though no recent activity has been reported on this layer. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is now buried 50-60 cm deep. Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region, but reports suggest the average snowpack depth is 50-90 cm at treeline and 120 cm or greater in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In most areas there is 30-50 cm of recent low density storm snow that has stayed unconsolidated except where it has been transported into wind slabs. The surface snow has been facetting due to the cold temperatures, and some surface hoar has been developing in isolated areas. The mid-pack has been reported to be well settled above above a crust that was buried in mid-november. This crust may be buried less than a metre to close to 2 metres deep, depending on elevation and previous exposure to winds. Snowpack tests on the crust have shown variable results from sudden to no result. Professionals continue to monitor this crust and are watching for facet development above and below that may increase reactivity. The basal layers of the snowpack continue to be reported to be moist in some of the deeper snowpack areas of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Continued cold temperatures are promoting surface faceting at all elevations. Surfaces are reported to be wind-affected in exposed areas well into treeline. Wind slabs exist in lee terrain at treeline and in the alpine. Areas sheltered from the wind may be developing a new surface hoar layer. The mid-november crust is buried down 100-180 cm and produces variable results in snowpack tests. Moderate results may be more likely in shallower snowpack areas, and deeper snowpack areas may be more likely to show no results on this layer. Professionals continue to monitor the crust for facet development that may provide a weak layer above a hard sliding surface in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 15-25cm of fresh snow recently buried the weak surface hoar and surface facets that formed last week. The new snow is expected to bond poorly to the old interface on it has settled into a cohesive slab, but is reported to be low density and appears to only be a concern in wind loaded features at the moment. The lower snowpack is settled and strong. A widespread crust that was buried in November is typically down 80-100cm. Recent tests show the layer is unreactive but cold temperatures have promoted facet growth around the crust and this layer could become a problem in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Two words: Complex and Variable!! Below treeline the snowpack is shallow and weak. Treeline is where the whole thing gets interesting. The Nov 12th crust is down 60cm and is starting to break down with a fine layer of facets immediately above and below. On top of these new facets, there is a 15cm thick layer of facets that have been growing throughout the cold snap. This thick layer was known as the Nov 24th persistent layer-despite being 15cm thick. To make it more complex, the recent winds have now created a windslab that is on the surface (at treeline). Its thought that the Nov 24th layer will instantly step down to the crust surface if initiated.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Now for the alpine...take the treeline story and add yet another windslab to the surface. Working surface down, that leaves us with a surface windslab, followed by a buried windslab, followed by the 15cm thick facet layer...then the Nov 12 crust. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Better read that a few times...</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Anywhere from 30 cm (near Squamish) to 75 cm (North Shore) of fresh snow recently buried the old variable snow surface that includes well settled snow on southerly aspects, loose snow on shaded aspects, isolated pockets of surface hoar, and sun crusts on steep southerly aspects. Recent easy to moderate sudden planar snowpack tests suggest poor bonds within and under the recent storm snow. Colder than usual temperatures and the potential for buried surface hoar means these weaknesses will take longer than normal to stabilize. An old rain crust is reported to be down 150 cm in the North Shore mountains. This layer is still failing on snowpack tests, but is likely difficult to trigger in most places now.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent low density storm snow has been facetting due to the cold temperatures. Variable wind effect has created wind slabs in the alpine. Watch for a recently buried layer of surface hoar down 30-40cm that may develop a poor bonding layer. The depth of the mid-november crust is also variable across the region. Reports have the crust down between 100-200 cm and snowpack tests have produced a variety of results from moderate and sudden to hard and resistant, and in some cases no result. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and/or below. This may provide a weak layer above a smooth sliding surface in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent wind has formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects in the alpine. The cold temperatures and clear skies are developing facets near the surface. There may be a layer of surface hoar buried 20-40cm deep in sheltered areas. Alpine snow depths are around 120-170 cm, and the widespread mid-november crust is buried down around 70-90 cm. Snowpack and crust depths increase as you move west toward the Selkirk Range. It sounds like there is a bit less snow on the ground in the south of the region, but we have not had many observations at this time. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and below. This may provide a hard surface with a weak sliding layer in the future. Please let us know what you find by posting to the MIN (Mountain Information Network).</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 30 cm of low density storm snow from the weekend is being redistributed into soft slabs in wind exposed terrain. The new snow is sitting on top of a mixture of surface hoar and weak surface facets which means the storm snow could become reactive when it settles into a slab. The mid pack is reported to be well settled. Reports suggest typical treeline snow depths are around 120-170 cm, but a report from the east side of region indicated a much lower snow depth of around 90 cm. Limited reports suggest the snow is well bonded to the crusts buried in mid and early November which are down 50-80 cm and 80-110 cm, respectively.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs may exist in isolated lee features below ridgetops but are not expected to be widespread due to relatively light wind speeds thus far. The cold temperatures have promoted surface faceting, which probably means the top layer of snow is soft in sheltered areas. Treeline snow depths around Elkford are only around 60 cm. In shallow areas, the snowpack is most likely facetted (sugary) throughout, and any crusts have probably broken down already. In deeper areas, you can probably find the mid-November crust buried down around 50 cm. Below treeline, early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20cm of low density snow recently buried the previous variable snow surface, which includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or small surface hoar. The cold temperatures appear to be preserving the old (now buried) wind slabs from the end of last week and they still may be reactive to human triggering in isolated areas. Recent snowpack tests near Whistler gave moderate, albeit resistant, results in faceted snow under the old hard wind slab. Moderate southwest winds over the weekend and more recent northerly winds have formed soft wind slabs in immediate leeward features. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down 1-2m in the snowpack. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-70 cm of low density snow recently buried the previous variable snow surface, including hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or small surface hoar. Wind slabs that have formed in response to southwest winds during the storm, or subsequent northerly winds, are sensitive to light triggers with recent reports of easy hand shears and cracking around skis. In the Duffey Lake area, recent snowpack tests gave moderate sudden planar results down 36 cm on buried surface hoar. Weaknesses have also been found within the recent storm snow with reports of moderate snowpack test results on preserved stellars down 48cm in the Coquihalla Pass area. The widespread mid-November crust typically down around a metre. Recent snowpack tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could become a problem in shallow alpine start zones. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Clear skies and strong outflow winds have created a variety of snow surfaces including scouring and hard wind slabs in exposed areas. Faceting of the upper snowpack and surface hoar up to 12 mm has in reported in sheltered areas. Strong easterly winds over the past week have created wind slabs on aspects you may not expect them. Wind slabs could be present on all aspects in open areas at treeline and above. A layer of surface hoar which was buried mid-November is down 60-120 cm in many parts of the region. This layer may be reactive to human triggers in isolated locations or could be triggered by a smaller avalanche that steps down to this layer. Treeline snow depths are around 140-200 cm in the Terrace and Stewart areas, but substantially less further north. Concerns in the north are basal weaknesses that may exist in the shallower snowpack areas especially on smooth alpine features like glaciers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Clear skies and strong outflow winds have created a variety of snow surfaces including scouring and hard wind slabs in exposed areas and surface hoar formation in sheltered areas. Recent winds have blown from many directions, most recently from the east. As a result, wind slabs may exist on a wide variety aspects. According to reports near Smithers, there is a layer of surface hoar down 40-50 cm, though no recent activity has been reported on this layer. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is now buried 50-60 cm deep. Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region, but reports suggest the average snowpack depth is 50-90 cm at treeline and 120 cm or greater in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In most areas recent low density storm snow has stayed unconsolidated except where it has been transported into wind slabs. The surface snow has been facetting due to the cold temperatures, and some surface hoar has been developing in isolated areas. The mid-pack has been reported to be well settled above above a crust that was buried in mid-november. This crust may be buried less than a metre to close to two metres deep, depending on elevation and previous exposure to winds. Snowpack tests on the crust have shown variable results from sudden to no result. Professionals continue to monitor this layer and are watching for facet development above and below that may increase reactivity. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Continued cold temperatures are promoting surface faceting at all elevations. Surfaces are reported to be wind-affected in exposed areas well into treeline. Wind slabs exist in lee terrain at treeline and in the alpine. Areas sheltered from the wind may be developing a new surface hoar layer. The mid-november crust is buried down 100-180 cm and produces variable results in snowpack tests. Moderate results may be more likely in shallower snowpack areas, and deeper snowpack areas may be more likely to show no results on this layer. Professionals continue to monitor the crust for facet development that may provide a weak layer above a hard sliding surface in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 15-35cm of fresh snow recently buried the weak surface hoar and surface facets that formed last week. The new snow is expected to bond poorly to the old interface on it has settled into a cohesive slab, but is reported to be low density and faceted and appears to only be a concern in wind loaded features at the moment. The lower snowpack is settled and strong. A widespread crust that was buried in November is typically down 80-100cm. Recent tests show the layer is unreactive but cold temperatures have promoted facet growth around the crust and this layer could become a problem in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Not a lot of change out there in the last 24 hours. The cold snap has continued (-32 at Burstall parking this AM) which will keep the faceting trend going strong. Below treeline has nothing in the way of avalanche concerns. Treeline still has those surface windslabs in open, wind exposed areas. The cold will eventually lower the windslab problem, but for now they are front and center as the main treeline avalanche problem. They are 10-20cm thick, and because of the rotten snow underneath propagations may be surprisingly large The Nov 12th crust is down up to 60cm and is still intact, but sugary facets are immediately above and below. One more thing to ponder...above the Nov 12th there is a healthy layer of facets. It's thought that this layer will be entrained by any avalanche that may occur in the windslabs. Food for thought when thinking of a larger piece of terrain.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The Alpine. Same as treeline, but a thicker surface slab. Awhile back we had a buried windslab that was an issue. In the last week or so that has blended with the the surface snow to create the current windslab issue.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snow depths are: Burstall Pass 90cm, Mud Lake 35, Aster Lake 90cm</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Anywhere from 30 cm (near Squamish) to 75 cm (North Shore) of fresh snow recently buried the old variable snow surface that includes well settled snow on southerly aspects, loose snow on shaded aspects, isolated pockets of surface hoar, and sun crusts on steep southerly aspects. Recent easy to moderate sudden planar snowpack tests suggest poor bonds within and under the recent storm snow. Colder than usual temperatures and the potential for buried surface hoar means these weaknesses will take longer than normal to stabilize. An old rain crust is reported to be down 150 cm in the North Shore mountains. This layer is still failing on snowpack tests, but is likely difficult to trigger in most places now.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Due to cold and clear conditions a variety of surface snow exists from faceted (sugary) crystals to surface hoar crystals up to 8 mm in size. Variable wind effect has created wind slabs in isolated areas at upper elevations. Watch for a recently buried layer of surface hoar down 30-40cm that may develop a poor bonding layer. The depth of the mid-November crust is also variable across the region. Reports have the crust down between 100-200 cm and snowpack tests have produced a variety of results from moderate and sudden to hard and resistant, and in some cases no result. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and/or below. This may provide a weak layer above a smooth sliding surface in the future.</span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent wind has formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects in the alpine. The cold temperatures and clear skies are developing facets near the surface. There may be a layer of surface hoar buried 20-30cm deep in sheltered areas. Alpine snow depths are around 120-170 cm, and the widespread mid-november crust is buried down around 70-90 cm. Snowpack and crust depths increase as you move west toward the Selkirk Range. It sounds like there is a bit less snow on the ground in the south of the region, but we have not had many observations at this time. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and below. This may provide a hard surface with a weak sliding layer in the future. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 30 cm of low density storm snow from the weekend is being redistributed into soft slabs in wind exposed terrain. The new snow is sitting on top of a mixture of surface hoar and weak surface facets which means the storm snow could become reactive when it settles into a slab. The mid pack is reported to be well settled. Reports suggest typical treeline snow depths are around 120-170 cm, but a report from the east side of region indicated a much lower snow depth of around 90 cm. Limited reports suggest the snow is well bonded to the crusts buried in mid and early November which are down 50-80 cm and 80-110 cm, respectively.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs may exist in isolated lee features below ridgetops but are not expected to be widespread due to relatively light wind speeds thus far. The cold temperatures have promoted surface faceting, which probably means the top layer of snow is soft in sheltered areas. Treeline snow depths around Elkford are only around 60 cm. In shallow areas, the snowpack is most likely facetted (sugary) throughout, and any crusts have probably broken down already. In deeper areas, you can likely find the mid-November crust buried down around 50 cm. Below treeline, early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface hoar is growing in sheltered lower elevation areas, and the upper snowpack is faceting. Around 20cm of low density snow recently buried the previous variable snow surface, which includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or small surface hoar. The cold temperatures appear to be preserving the old (now buried) wind slabs from the end of last week and they still may be reactive to human triggering in isolated areas. Recent snowpack tests near Whistler gave hard but sudden results in faceted snow under the old hard wind slab. Moderate southwest winds over the weekend and more recent northerly winds have formed soft wind slabs in immediate leeward features. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down 1-2m in the snowpack. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Surface hoar is growing and surface snow is faceting. 30-70 cm of low density snow recently buried the previous variable snow surface, including hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or small surface hoar. Wind slabs that have formed in response to southwest winds during the storm, or subsequent northerly winds, are sensitive to light triggers with recent reports of easy hand shears and cracking around skis. In the Duffey Lake area, recent snowpack tests gave moderate sudden planar results down 36 cm on buried surface hoar. Weaknesses have also been found within the recent storm snow with reports of moderate snowpack test results on preserved stellars down 48cm in the Coquihalla Pass area. The widespread mid-November crust typically down around a metre. Recent snowpack tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could become a problem in shallow alpine start zones. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Clear skies and strong outflow winds have created a variety of snow surfaces including scouring and hard wind slabs in exposed areas. Faceting of the upper snowpack and surface hoar up to 12 mm has in reported in sheltered areas. Strong easterly winds over the past week have created wind slabs on aspects you may not expect them. Wind slabs could be present on all aspects in open areas at treeline and above. A layer of surface hoar which was buried mid-November is down 60-120 cm in many parts of the region. This layer may be reactive to human triggers in isolated locations or could be triggered by a smaller avalanche that steps down to this layer. Treeline snow depths are around 140-200 cm in the Terrace and Stewart areas, but substantially less further north. Concerns in the north are basal weaknesses that may exist in the shallower snowpack areas especially on smooth alpine features like glaciers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Clear skies and strong outflow winds have created a variety of snow surfaces including scouring and hard wind slabs in exposed areas and surface hoar formation in sheltered areas. Recent winds have blown from many directions, most recently from the east. As a result, wind slabs may exist on a wide variety aspects. According to reports near Smithers, there is a layer of surface hoar down 40-50 cm, though no recent activity has been reported on this layer. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is now buried 50-60 cm deep. Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region, but reports suggest the average snowpack depth is 50-90 cm at treeline and 120 cm or greater in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In most areas recent low density storm snow has stayed unconsolidated except where it has been transported into wind slabs. The surface snow has been faceting due to the cold temperatures, and some surface hoar has been developing in isolated areas. The mid-pack has been reported to be well settled above a crust that was buried in mid-November. This crust may be buried less than a metre to close to two metres deep, depending on elevation and previous exposure to winds. Snowpack tests on the crust have shown variable results from sudden to no result. Professionals continue to monitor this layer and are watching for facet development above and below that may increase reactivity.</span><span class="s_AA239A9B" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Continued cold temperatures are promoting surface faceting at all elevations. Surfaces are reported to be wind-affected in exposed areas well into treeline. Wind slabs exist in lee terrain at treeline and in the alpine. Areas sheltered from the wind may be developing a new surface hoar layer. The mid-November crust is buried down 100-180 cm and produces variable results in snowpack tests. Moderate results may be more likely in shallower snowpack areas, and deeper snowpack areas may be more likely to show no results on this layer. Professionals continue to monitor the crust for facet development that may provide a weak layer above a hard sliding surface in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 30cm of faceted powder overlies the facets and surface hoar that was buried last weekend. Variable light to moderate winds have loaded immediate leeward features with touchy wind slabs. A widespread crust that was buried in November is typically down 80-100cm. Recent tests show this persistent weakness has the propensity to propagate large avalanches if triggered, from thin rocky areas, for instance.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Forecasters went to Burstall Pass for today's snowpack assessment. Interestingly, we found a snowpack that is quite different than other areas. Below treeline is still horrendously bad skiing with only enough snow to barely cover the fallen trees and rocks. To top if off, this snow is facetted/rotten enough now to offer no cushioning when the inevitable ski tip snag sends the pilot flying. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Treeline has a deeper (90cm) snowpack that is still supportive in most areas. The Nov 12 crust is down 50-60cm and was unreactive in stability tests. As the terrain opens up, some windslabs are encountered.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The Alpine. This is where we start to have a winter snowpack. The depth increases significantly and the windslab problems are amplified. The slabs are more prevalent in terms of depth and distribution, but they seem to be more facetted and less of a concern than the more southern forecast areas. The Nov 12 crust starts to disappear at about 2400m and we're thinking it is gone by 2550m. Keep in mind, it may be a thin layer of facets that is hard to feel probing. Dig to confirm before jumping on a slope for the first time. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Anywhere from 30 cm (near Squamish) to 75 cm (North Shore) of fresh snow recently buried the old variable snow surface that includes well settled snow on southerly aspects, loose snow on shaded aspects, isolated pockets of surface hoar, and sun crusts on steep southerly aspects. Recent easy to moderate sudden planar snowpack tests suggest poor bonds within and under the recent storm snow. Colder than usual temperatures and the potential for buried surface hoar means these weaknesses will take longer than normal to stabilize. An old rain crust is reported to be down 150 cm in the North Shore mountains. This layer is still failing on snowpack tests, but is likely difficult to trigger in most places now.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Due to cold and clear conditions a variety of surface snow exists from faceted (sugary) crystals to surface hoar crystals up to 8 mm in size. Variable wind effect has created wind slabs in isolated areas at upper elevations. Watch for a recently buried layer of surface hoar down 30-40cm that may develop a poor bonding layer. The depth of the mid-November crust is also variable across the region. Reports have the crust down between 100-200 cm and snowpack tests have produced a variety of results from moderate and sudden to hard and resistant, and in some cases no result. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and/or below. This may provide a weak layer above a smooth sliding surface in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent wind has formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects in the alpine. The cold temperatures and clear skies are developing facets near the surface and new surface hoar growth in sheltered locations. There may be a layer of surface hoar buried 20-30 cm deep in sheltered areas, especially in the Dogtooth Range. Alpine snow depths are around 120-170 cm, and the widespread mid-November crust is buried down around 70-90 cm. In shallower snowpack areas reports indicate that the bond to the crust is weakening and something to keep track of. Snowpack and crust depths increase as you move west toward the Selkirk Range. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets (sugary crystals) developing above and below. This may provide a hard surface with a weak sliding layer in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 30 cm of low density storm snow from last weekend has been redistributed into wind slabs in exposed terrain. Widespread surface faceting has been reported as well as surface hoar up to 20 mm in sheltered areas. In sheltered areas, there is also a layer of surface hoar below the snow from last weekend. The mid pack is reported to be well settled. Two crusts buried in mid and early November are down 50-80 cm and 80-110 cm, respectively, and reports suggest that these crusts are currently well bonded to the surrounding snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Ongoing strong alpine winds are forming wind slabs in exposed terrain. The prolonged cold temperatures have been causing widespread surface faceting and in sheltered areas, surface hoar formation is reported.&nbsp; In shallow areas, the snowpack is most likely facetted (sugary) throughout, and any crusts have probably broken down already. In deeper areas, you can likely find the mid-November crust buried down around 50 cm. Below treeline, early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 20-40 cm of low density faceted powder overlies the previous variable snow surface from late last week, which includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or small surface hoar. The cold temperatures appear to be preserving the old (now buried) wind slabs from the end of last week and they still may be reactive to human triggering in isolated areas. Recent snowpack tests near Whistler gave hard but sudden results in faceted snow under the old hard wind slab. Moderate southwest winds over the weekend and more recent northerly winds have formed soft wind slabs in immediate leeward features. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down 1-2m in the snowpack. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-70 cm of faceted powder overlies the previous variable snow surface from last week, which includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or small surface hoar. Wind slabs that have formed in response to southwest winds during the storm, or subsequent northerly winds, are sensitive to light triggers with recent reports of easy hand shears and cracking around skis. In the Duffey Lake area, recent snowpack tests gave moderate sudden planar results down 36 cm on buried surface hoar. Weaknesses have also been found within the recent storm snow with reports of moderate snowpack test results on preserved stellars down 48cm in the Coquihalla Pass area. The widespread mid-November crust typically down around a metre. Recent snowpack tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could become a problem in shallow alpine start zones. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Clear skies and strong outflow winds have created a variety of snow surfaces including scouring and hard wind slabs in exposed areas. Faceting of the upper snowpack and surface hoar up to 12 mm has in reported in sheltered areas. The new snow is expected to bond poorly to this interface. A layer of surface hoar which was buried mid-November is down 60-120 cm in many parts of the region. This layer has been dormant recently but may increase in reactivity as the storm adds new load to the snowpack. Treeline snow depths are around 140-200 cm in the Terrace and Stewart areas, but substantially less further north. Concerns in the north are basal weaknesses that may exist in the shallower snowpack areas especially on smooth alpine features like glaciers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Clear skies and strong outflow winds have created a variety of snow surfaces including scouring and hard wind slabs in exposed areas.&nbsp; Faceting of the upper snowpack and surface hoar formation has been reported in sheltered areas. The new snow is expected to bond poorly to this interface. According to reports near Smithers, there is a layer of surface hoar down 40-50 cm, though no recent activity has been reported on this layer. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is now buried 50-60 cm deep. Early season snowpack observations are still very limited in the region, but reports suggest the average snowpack depth is 50-90 cm at treeline and 120 cm or greater in the alpine.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent wind has formed isolated wind slabs on a variety of aspects in the alpine. The surface snow has been faceting due to the cold temperatures, and some surface hoar has been developing in sheltered locations. The mid-pack has been reported to be well settled above a crust that was buried in mid-November. This crust is be buried 90-160cm deep, depending on elevation and previous exposure to winds. Snowpack tests on the crust have shown variable results from sudden to no result. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets (sugary crystals) developing above and below. This may provide a hard surface with a weak sliding layer in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Continued cold temperatures are promoting surface faceting at all elevations. Surfaces are reported to be wind-affected in exposed areas well into treeline. Wind slabs exist in lee terrain at treeline and in the alpine. Areas sheltered from the wind may be developing a new surface hoar layer. The mid-November crust is buried down 100-180 cm and produces variable results in snowpack tests. Moderate results may be more likely in shallower snowpack areas, and deeper snowpack areas may be more likely to show no results on this layer. Professionals continue to monitor the crust for facet development that may provide a weak layer above a hard sliding surface in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 30cm of faceted powder overlies the facets and surface hoar that was buried last weekend. Variable light to moderate winds have loaded immediate leeward features with touchy wind slabs. A widespread crust that was buried in November is typically down 80-100cm. Recent tests show this persistent weakness has the propensity to propagate large avalanches if triggered, from thin rocky areas, for instance.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Today's adventure was to Murray Moraines. This area holds cold air and tends to be a known area for a weak snowpack. Below treeline, the story is the same as always- get out of there ASAP! Treeline is where we start to see a significant change in the snowpack depth and quality. The majority of areas at treeline have a consistently thick layer of facets above the crust. The older windslabs that were everywhere earlier in the month have rotted out and become less of a problem. The exception is in areas that had seen severe windloading. Any area that had a hard slab prior ro the cold snap, tends to still have the slab intact. That hard slab appears to have acted like a barrier and increased the amount of facetting below. We encountered some VERY hollow sections today. Here's the word: variable! Every ski turn brought a different character. The alpine is similar, but expect the Nov 12 crust to fade away at about 2400m. It is likely present as a weak facet layer, but at this time the whole snowpack is weak so its hard to distinguish where exactly it is.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Anywhere from 30 cm (near Squamish) to 75 cm (North Shore) of faceted powder overlies the variable old snow surface from late last week, which includes well settled snow on southerly aspects, loose snow on shaded aspects, isolated pockets of surface hoar, and sun crusts on steep southerly aspects. Recent easy to moderate sudden planar snowpack tests suggest poor bonds within and under the recent storm snow. Colder than usual temperatures and the potential for buried surface hoar means these weaknesses will take longer than normal to stabilize. An old rain crust is reported to be down 150 cm in the North Shore mountains. This layer is still failing on snowpack tests, but is likely difficult to trigger in most places now.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Due to recent cold and clear conditions a variety of surface snow exists from faceted (sugary) crystals to surface hoar crystals up to 8 mm in size. Forecast new snow will likely have a poor bond  to these surfaces. Variable wind effect has created wind slabs in isolated areas at upper elevations. A buried surface hoar layer may exist down 30-40cm. The depth of the mid-November crust is also variable across the region. Reports have the crust down between 100-200 cm and snowpack tests have produced a variety of results from moderate and sudden to hard and resistant, and in some cases no result. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets developing above and/or below. This may provide a weak layer above a smooth sliding surface in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent wind has formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects in the alpine and at treeline. The persistent cold temperatures have developed facets near the surface and new surface hoar growth in sheltered locations. There may be a layer of surface hoar buried 20-40 cm deep in sheltered areas, especially in the Dogtooth Range. This layer may me reactive with additional load in certain areas. Alpine snow depths are around 120-170 cm, and the widespread mid-November crust is buried down around 70-90 cm. In shallower snowpack areas reports indicate that the bond to the crust is weakening. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets (sugary crystals) developing above and below. This may provide a hard surface with a weak sliding layer in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 30 cm of low density storm snow from last weekend has been redistributed into wind slabs in exposed terrain. Widespread surface faceting has been reported as well as surface hoar up to 20 mm in sheltered areas. In sheltered areas, there is also a layer of surface hoar down 20-30 cm. The mid pack is reported to be well settled. Two crusts buried in mid and early November are down 50-80 cm and 80-110 cm, respectively, and reports suggest that these crusts are currently well bonded to the surrounding snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Ongoing strong alpine winds have formed wind slabs in exposed terrain. The prolonged cold temperatures have been causing widespread surface faceting and in sheltered areas, surface hoar formation is reported. A layer of surface hoar from early December is reported to be down 20-40 cm in the southeast of the region. The thick mid-November crust layer is buried near the bottom of the snowpack and recent tests suggest it is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow. Below treeline, the snowpack is very shallow and early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 10cm of new snow overlies the previous variable snow surface from late last week, which includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or small surface hoar. The cold temperatures appear to be preserving the old (now buried) wind slabs from the end of last week and they still may be reactive to human triggering in isolated areas. Recent snowpack tests near Whistler gave hard but sudden results in faceted snow under the old hard wind slab. Moderate southwest winds over the weekend and more recent northerly winds have formed soft wind slabs in immediate leeward features. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down 1-2m in the snowpack. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow overlies the previous variable snow surface from last week, which includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or surface hoar. New wind slabs that have formed in response to southwest winds, or subsequent northerly winds, are sensitive to light triggers with recent reports of easy hand shears and cracking around skis. In the Duffey Lake area, recent snowpack tests gave moderate sudden planar results down 36 cm on buried surface hoar. Weaknesses have also been found within the recent storm snow with reports of moderate snowpack test results on preserved stellars down 48cm in the Coquihalla Pass area. The widespread mid-November crust typically down around a metre. Recent snowpack tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could become a problem in shallow alpine start zones. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new storm snow sits over a highly variable interface resulting from over a week of clear skies, cold temperatures, and strong outflow winds. This mid-December interface consists of scoured surfaces and hard wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and 5-10 mm surface hoar in sheltered areas. The new snow is expected to bond poorly to this interface. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A layer of surface hoar which was buried mid-November was down 50-80 cm in many parts of the region prior to the storm. This layer has been dormant recently but may increase in reactivity as the storm adds new load to the snowpack. In many areas in the region, the snowpack is reported to be very thin and faceting is being reported through the entire snowpack. In these areas, old rain crusts from November are developing weak facets. Concerns in the north of the region are basal weaknesses that may exist in the shallower snowpack areas especially on smooth alpine features like glaciers.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new storm snow sits over a highly variable interface resulting from over a week of clear skies, cold temperatures, and strong outflow winds. This mid-December interface consists of scoured surfaces and hard wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and surface hoar in sheltered areas. The new snow is expected to bond poorly to this interface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowpack observations have been very limited recently. An old social media post near Smithers suggests there is a layer of surface hoar in the upper snowpack. The snowpack is very shallow throughout the region and widespread faceting of the entire snowpack is expected in most areas. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is probably near the bottom of the snowpack and is expected to be developing facets. A report from the Ningunsaw Pass area suggests that depth hoar is developing in shallow snowpack areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent wind has formed isolated wind slabs on a variety of aspects in the alpine. The surface snow has been faceting due to the cold temperatures, and some surface hoar has been developing in sheltered locations. The mid-pack has been reported to be well settled above a crust that was buried in mid-November. This crust is be buried 90-160cm deep, depending on elevation and previous exposure to winds. Snowpack tests on the crust have shown variable results from sudden to no result. If you dig down to the crust, watch for facets (sugary crystals) developing above and below. This may provide a hard surface with a weak sliding layer in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Continued cold temperatures have left us with a variety of snow surfaces including  facets at all elevations and some surface hoar in sheltered locations. Wind slabs exist in lee terrain at treeline and in the alpine. The mid-November crust is buried down 100-180 cm and produces variable results in snowpack tests. Moderate results may be more likely in shallower snowpack areas, and deeper snowpack areas may be more likely to show no results on this layer. Professionals continue to monitor the crust for facet (sugary snow crystals) development that may provide a weak layer above a hard sliding surface in the future.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 30cm of faceted powder overlies the facets and surface hoar that was buried last weekend. Variable light to moderate winds have loaded immediate leeward features with touchy wind slabs. A widespread crust that was buried in November is typically down 80-100cm. Recent tests show this persistent weakness has the propensity to propagate large avalanches if triggered, from thin rocky areas, for instance.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Expect to encounter windslabs in open terrain in the alpine and at treeline and some un-distrubed snow in more sheltered areas. The 1112cr is down 50-70cm and producing variable results often within a few meters so be sure to evaluate this layer. The cold temps have certainly taken their toll on lower snowpack areas and they are weak and facetted. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">5-10cm of new snow overlies the variable old snow surface from late last week, which includes well settled snow on southerly aspects, loose snow on shaded aspects, isolated pockets of surface hoar, and sun crusts on steep southerly aspects. Recent easy to moderate sudden planar snowpack tests suggest poor bonds within and under the recent storm snow. Colder than usual temperatures last week and the potential for buried surface hoar means these weaknesses will take longer than normal to stabilize. An old rain crust is reported to be down 150 cm in the North Shore mountains. This layer is still failing on snowpack tests, but is likely difficult to trigger in most places now.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of storm snow (more to come!) sits over a plethora of old snow surfaces including wind effected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals and surface hoar crystals and a thin sun crust on some steep solar aspects. The new snow will likely have a poor bond to these surfaces. Deeper in the snowpack exist two layers that may become reactive through these next series of storms. The first being a spotty surface hoar layer that sits 30-40 cm down and the mid-November crust that sits 100-200 cm down. Recent test results on these layers have varied from moderate and sudden to hard and resistant, and in some cases no result. In shallower snowpack areas faceting is happening below and above the crust. Tracking and monitoring this potentially weak interface is crucial especially while it's being loaded by new snow. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 15 cm of storm snow sits over a plethora of old snow surfaces including stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals and surface hoar crystals that formed in locations sheltered from the wind. The new snow will likely have a poor bond to these surfaces. 20-40 cm below this new snow sits an older buried surface ho</span><span class="s_3FE45715">ar layer, reported from the Dogtooth Range. This layer may me reactive with additional load. The mid-November crust is buried down around 70-90 cm and test results have been variable from sudden failures to no results. In shallower snowpack areas reports indicate that the bond to the crust is weakening. Tracking and monitoring this potentially weak interface is crucial especially as we move forward into this snowy period where the snowpack will see more load. </span><span class="s_1681A555" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow buries a variable surface that developed over the last week of cold, dry, and windy conditions. This interface consists of scoured surfaces and wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and surface hoar up to 20 mm in sheltered areas. In sheltered areas, there may be a layer of surface hoar in the upper snowpack which was buried around December 10. The mid pack is generally well settled. The thick crust from mid-November is near the bottom of the snowpack and reports suggest that the crust is currently well bonded to the surrounding snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new snow buries a variable surface that developed over the last week of cold, dry, and windy conditions. This interface consists of scoured surfaces and wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and surface hoar up to 20 mm in sheltered areas. In sheltered areas, there may be a layer of surface hoar in the upper snowpack which was buried around December 10. The mid pack is generally well settled. The thick crust from mid-November is near the bottom of the snowpack and recent tests suggest that the crust is currently well bonded to the surrounding snow. Below treeline, the snowpack is very shallow and early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-30cm of new snow overlies the previous variable snow surface from last week, which includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or surface hoar. Moderate to strong southwest have redistributed this new snow to form windslabs in the lee of terrain features in the alpine and treeline. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down 1-2m in the snowpack. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow overlies the previous variable snow surface from last week, which includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or surface hoar. New wind slabs that have formed in response to southwest winds. In the Duffey Lake area, recent snowpack tests gave moderate sudden planar results down 36 cm on buried surface hoar. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down approximately 1 metre. Recent snowpack tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could become a problem in shallow alpine start zones. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new storm snow sits over a highly variable interface resulting from over a week of clear skies, cold temperatures, and strong outflow winds. This mid-December interface consists of scoured surfaces and hard wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and 5-10 mm surface hoar in sheltered areas. The new snow is expected to bond poorly to this interface. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A layer of surface hoar which was buried mid-November was down 50-80 cm in many parts of the region prior to the storm. This layer has been dormant recently but may increase in reactivity as the storm adds new load to the snowpack. In many areas in the region, the snowpack is reported to be very thin and faceting has been reported through the entire snowpack. In these areas, old rain crusts from November are developing weak facets. Concerns in the north of the region are basal weaknesses that may exist in the shallower snowpack areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The new storm snow sits over a highly variable interface resulting from over a week of clear skies, cold temperatures, and strong outflow winds. This mid-December interface consists of scoured surfaces and hard wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and surface hoar in sheltered areas. The new snow is expected to bond poorly to this interface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowpack observations have been very limited recently in the region. An old social media post near Smithers suggests there is a layer of surface hoar in the upper snowpack. The snowpack is very shallow throughout the region and widespread faceting of the entire snowpack is expected in most areas. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is probably near the bottom of the snowpack and is expected to be developing facets. Reports from the Ningunsaw Pass area and the far north of the region suggest that depth hoar is developing in shallow snowpack areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of storm snow (more to come!) sits over a plethora of old snow surfaces including stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals and surface hoar crystals that formed in locations sheltered from the wind. The new snow will likely have a poor bond to these surfaces. Deeper in the snowpack exist two layers that may become reactive through these next series of storms. The first being a spotty surface hoar layer that sits 30-40 cm down and the mid-November crust buried 90-160 cm deep, depending on elevation and previous exposure to winds. Snowpack tests on the crust have shown variable results from sudden to no result. Tracking and monitoring this potentially weak interface is crucial especially as we move forward into this snowy period where the snowpack will see more load. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of new storm snow sits above a plethora of old snow surfaces including stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals and surface hoar crystals that formed in locations sheltered from the wind. The new storm snow will likely have a poor bond to these. The mid-November crust is buried down 70-150 cm and produces variable results in snowpack tests. Moderate results may be more likely in shallower snowpack areas, and deeper snowpack areas may be more likely to show no results on this layer. Tracking and monitoring this potentially weak interface is crucial especially as we move forward into this snowy period where the snowpack will see more load.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20cm of new snow has buried previously formed winslabs, facets and surface hoar. Moderate to strong winds have loaded leeward features with new touchy wind slabs. A widespread crust that was buried in November is typically down 80-100cm. Recent tests show variable results with this persistent weakness. Some show results as hard and resistant and other show it may have the propensity to propagate large avalanches if triggered from thin rocky areas. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Variable wind slab conditions exist in the Alpine and open areas at Treeline. Strong winds today are contributing further to this issue. The November 12th crust layer is buried 50 to 70cm and continues to give widely variable test results, indicating the need to carefully evaluate each terrain feature. Otherwise the snowpack is weak and facetted after almost 2 weeks of continuously cold temperatures.</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">New moist or wet new snow overlies the variable old snow surface from late last week, which includes well settled snow on southerly aspects, loose snow on shaded aspects, isolated pockets of surface hoar, and sun crusts on steep southerly aspects. With the potential for buried surface hoar means storm snow weaknesses from this latest storm will take longer than normal to stabilize. An old rain crust is reported to be down 150 cm in the North Shore mountains. This layer is still failing on snowpack tests, but is likely difficult to trigger in most places now.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 35 cm of storm snow (more to come!) sits over a plethora of old snow surfaces including wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, surface hoar crystals and a thin sun crust on steep solar aspects. The new snow will likely have a poor bond to these surfaces. Deeper in the snowpack exist two layers that could become reactive through the next series of storms. The first being a spotty surface hoar layer that sits 30-40 cm down and the mid-November crust that sits 100-200 cm down. Recent test results on these layers have varied from moderate and sudden to hard and resistant, and in some cases no result. In shallower snowpack areas faceting is happening below and above the crust. Tracking and monitoring this potentially weak interface is crucial especially while it's being loaded by new snow. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 15 cm of storm snow sits over a plethora of old snow surfaces including stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals and surface hoar crystals that formed in locations sheltered from the wind. The new snow will likely have a poor bond to these surfaces. 20-40 cm below this new snow sits an older buried surface hoar layer, reported from the Dogtooth Range. This layer may me reactive with additional load. The mid-November crust is buried down around 70-90 cm and test results have been variable from sudden failures to no results. In shallower snowpack areas reports indicate that the bond to the crust is weakening. Tracking and monitoring this potentially weak interface is crucial especially as we move forward into this snowy period where the snowpack will see more load. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">By Monday afternoon, up to 45cm of low-density snow had fallen with the highest amounts accumulating in the Lizard Range. Intense wind transport was reported to have occurred at all elevations, and reactive wind slabs are expected to exist. The new snow buries a variable surface that developed over the last week of cold, dry, and windy conditions. This interface consists of scoured surfaces and wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and surface hoar up to 20 mm in sheltered areas. In sheltered areas, you may find another layer of surface hoar in the mid to upper snowpack which was buried around December 10. The mid pack is generally well settled. The thick crust from mid-November is near the bottom of the snowpack and reports suggest that the crust is currently well bonded to the surrounding snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow on Sunday night and strong southerly winds have likely created fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain. The new snow buries a variable surface that developed over the last week of cold, dry, and windy conditions. This interface consists of scoured surfaces and wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and surface hoar up to 20 mm in sheltered areas. In sheltered areas, there may be another layer of surface hoar in the upper snowpack which was buried around December 10. The mid pack is generally well settled. The thick crust from mid-November is near the bottom of the snowpack and recent tests suggest that the crust is currently well bonded to the surrounding snow. Below treeline, the snowpack is very shallow and early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50cm of new snow overlies the previous variable snow surface from last week, which includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or surface hoar. Moderate to strong southwest wind has redistributed this new snow to form windslabs in the lee of terrain features in the alpine and treeline. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down 1-2m in the snowpack. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50cm new snow overlies the previous variable snow surface from last week, which includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or surface hoar. New wind slabs that have formed in response to southwest winds. In the Duffey Lake area, recent snowpack tests gave moderate sudden planar results down 36 cm on buried surface hoar. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down approximately 1 metre. Recent snowpack tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could become a problem in shallow alpine start zones. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Sunday night the region got pummeled by heavy snowfall and extreme westerly winds. By Monday morning, 24 hour totals were around 40cm around Bear Pass, and between 40 and 85 cm along the Hwy 16 corridor. The resulting deep storm slab sits over a highly variable interface resulting from over a week of clear skies, cold temperatures, and strong outflow winds. This mid-December interface consists of scoured surfaces and hard wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and 5-10 mm surface hoar in sheltered areas. The new snow is expected to bond poorly to this interface. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A layer of surface hoar which was buried mid-November was down 50-80 cm in many parts of the region prior to the storm. This layer has been dormant recently but may increase in reactivity as the storm adds new load to the snowpack. In many areas in the region, the snowpack is reported to be very thin and faceting has been reported through the entire snowpack. In these areas, old rain crusts from November are developing weak facets. Concerns in the north of the region are basal weaknesses that may exist in the shallower snowpack areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 3 and 15 cm of new snow fell on Sunday night. Extreme winds have redistributed the new snow into fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain. The new storm snow sits over a highly variable interface resulting from over a week of clear skies, cold temperatures, and strong outflow winds. This mid-December interface consists of scoured surfaces and hard wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and surface hoar in sheltered areas. The new snow is expected to bond poorly to this interface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowpack observations have been very limited recently in the region. The snowpack is very shallow throughout the region and widespread faceting of the entire snowpack is expected in most areas. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is probably near the bottom of the snowpack and is expected to be developing facets. Reports from the Ningunsaw Pass area and the far north of the region suggest that depth hoar is developing in shallow snowpack areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 35 cm of storm snow (more to come!) sits over a plethora of old snow surfaces including stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals and surface hoar crystals that formed in locations sheltered from the wind. The new snow will likely have a poor bond to these surfaces. Deeper in the snowpack exist two layers that may become reactive through these next series of storms. The first being a spotty surface hoar layer that sits 30-40 cm down and the mid-November crust buried 90-160 cm deep. Snowpack tests on the crust have shown variable results from sudden to no result. Tracking and monitoring this potentially weak interface is crucial, especially as we move forward into this stormy period where the snowpack will see more load.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-50 cm of new storm snow sits above a plethora of old snow surfaces including stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals and surface hoar crystals that formed in locations sheltered from the wind. The new storm snow will likely have a poor bond to these. The mid-November crust is buried down 70-150 cm and produces variable results in snowpack tests. Moderate results may be more likely in shallower snowpack areas, and deeper snowpack areas may be more likely to show no results on this layer. Tracking and monitoring this potentially weak interface is crucial especially as we move forward into this stormy period where the snowpack will see more load.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-25cm of new snow has buried previously formed windslabs, facets and surface hoar. Moderate to strong winds have loaded leeward features with new touchy wind slabs. A widespread crust that was buried in November is typically down 80-100cm. Recent tests show variable results with this persistent weakness. Some show results as hard and resistant and other show it may have the propensity to propagate large avalanches if triggered from thin rocky areas. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-15cm new snow in last 36 hrs with strong westerly winds. Extensive wind slabs in Alpine and open areas at TL.. The Nov 12th crust layer is buried 50-70cm and continues to give variable test results. Most of the snow pack is faceted and weak, especially where more shallow. The weather forecast is indicating another 10-15cm with strong winds which means the wind slabs will continue to grow and become more sensitive to human triggering.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 50cm new moist or wet new snow overlies the variable old snow surface from late last week, which includes well settled snow on southerly aspects, loose snow on shaded aspects, isolated pockets of surface hoar, and sun crusts on steep southerly aspects. With the potential for buried surface hoar means storm snow weaknesses from this latest storm will take longer than normal to stabilize. An old rain crust is reported to be down 150 cm in the North Shore mountains. This layer is still failing on snowpack tests, but is likely difficult to trigger in most places now.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 50 cm of storm snow sits above a plethora of old snow surfaces including wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, surface hoar crystals and a thin sun crust on steep solar aspects. The new snow will likely have a poor bond to these old surfaces. Deeper in the snowpack exist two potentially weak layers that may become reactive under the new load from the recent storm snow. The first being a spotty surface hoar layer down 40-80 cm and the mid-November crust that sits 100-200 cm down. Recent test results on these layers have varied from moderate and sudden to hard and resistant, and in some cases no result. In shallower snowpack areas faceting is happening below and above the crust. Tracking and monitoring this potentially weak interface is crucial as it adjust to the new load of snow above it. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-30 cm of storm snow sits over a plethora of old snow surfaces including stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals and surface hoar crystals that formed in locations sheltered from the wind. The new storm snow may have a poor bond to these surfaces. 25-65 cm below this new snow sits an older buried surface hoar layer which was reported from the Dogtooth Range. This layer may become reactive with additional load. The mid-November crust is buried down around 85-150 cm and test results have been variable from sudden failures to no results. In shallower snowpack areas reports indicate that the bond to the crust is weakening. Tracking and monitoring this potentially weak interface is crucial as it adapts to the new load of snow above it. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Since Sunday up to 60cm of low-density snow has fallen with the highest amounts accumulating in the Lizard Range. Strong winds and slight warming have added cohesion to the new snow and reactive storm slabs exist in wind-exposed terrain. The new snow buries a variable surface that developed over the last week of cold, dry, and windy conditions. This interface consists of scoured surfaces and wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and surface hoar up to 20 mm in sheltered areas. In sheltered areas, you may find another layer of surface hoar in the mid to upper snowpack which was buried around December 10. The mid pack is generally well settled. The thick crust from mid-November is near the bottom of the snowpack and reports suggest that the crust is currently well bonded to the surrounding snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Since Sunday night, up to 40cm of new snow has fallen. In exposed terrain, strong to extreme winds have redistributed much of this snow into fresh wind slabs. The new snow buries a variable surface that developed over the last week of cold, dry, and windy conditions. This interface consists of scoured surfaces and wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and surface hoar up to 20 mm in sheltered areas. In sheltered areas, there may be another layer of surface hoar in the upper snowpack which was buried around December 10. Observations have been limited, however, the reports we've received suggest the mid and lower snowpack are somewhat unconsolidated and faceting exists to varying degrees.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline, the snowpack is very shallow and early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50cm of new snow overlies the previous variable snow surface from last week, which includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or surface hoar. Moderate to strong southwest wind has redistributed this new snow to form windslabs in the lee of terrain features in the alpine and treeline. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down 1-2m in the snowpack. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60cm new snow overlies the previous variable snow surface from last week, which includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or surface hoar. New wind slabs that have formed in response to southwest winds. In the Duffey Lake area, recent snowpack tests gave moderate sudden planar results down 50 cm on buried surface hoar. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down approximately 1 metre. Recent snowpack tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could become a problem in shallow alpine start zones. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Sunday night the region got pummeled by heavy snowfall and extreme westerly winds. By Monday morning, 24 hour totals were around 40cm in Bear Pass, and between 40 and 85 cm along the Hwy 16 corridor west of Terrace. With heavy snowfall and extreme winds forecast for Tuesday night, the developing storm slab will increase in depth and destructive potential. The new snow sits over a highly variable interface resulting from last week's cold snap. This mid-December interface consists of hard wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and 5-10 mm surface hoar in sheltered areas. The new snow may bond poorly to this interface. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A layer of surface hoar which was buried mid-November was down 50-80 cm in many parts of the region prior to the storm. This layer has been dormant recently but may increase in reactivity with storm loading. In many areas in the region, the snowpack is reported to be very thin and faceting has been reported through the entire snowpack. In these areas, old rain crusts from November are developing weak facets. Concerns in the north of the region are basal weaknesses that may exist in the shallower snowpack areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 3 and 15 cm of new snow fell on Sunday night. Extreme winds have redistributed the new snow into fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain. More wind and snow on Tuesday night will add to this developing wind slab problem. The recent storm snow sits over a highly variable interface resulting from over a week of clear skies, cold temperatures, and strong outflow winds. This mid-December interface consists of scoured surfaces and hard wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and surface hoar in sheltered areas. The new snow may bond poorly to this interface.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowpack observations have been very limited recently in the region. The snowpack is very shallow throughout the region and widespread faceting of the entire snowpack is expected in most areas. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is probably near the bottom of the snowpack and is expected to be developing facets. Reports from the Ningunsaw Pass area and the far north of the region suggest that depth hoar is developing in shallow snowpack areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 60 cm of recent storm snow sits on a plethora of old snow surfaces including stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals and surface hoar crystals that formed in locations sheltered from the wind. The new snow will likely have a poor bond to these surfaces. Deeper in the snowpack exist two layers that may become reactive under the new load from the recent storm snow. The first being a spotty surface hoar layer that sits 40-100 cm down and the mid-November crust buried 100-200 cm deep. Snowpack tests on the crust have shown variable results from sudden to no result. Tracking and monitoring these potentially weak layers is important as they adjust to the new load of snow above. </span><span class="s_3FE45715" /></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">50-70 cm of new storm snow sits above a plethora of old snow surfaces including stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals and surface hoar crystals that formed in locations sheltered from the wind. The new storm snow will likely have a poor bond to these old surfaces. The mid-November crust is buried down 70-150 cm and produces variable results in snowpack tests. Moderate results may be more likely in shallower snowpack areas, and deeper snowpack areas may be more likely to show no results on this layer. Tracking and monitoring this potentially weak interface is crucial especially as the snowpack adjusts to the new load. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-40 cm of new snow has buried previously formed windslabs, facets and surface hoar. Moderate to strong winds have loaded leeward features with new touchy wind slabs. A widespread crust that was buried in November is typically down 80-100cm. Recent tests show variable results with this persistent weakness. Some show results as hard and resistant and other show it may have the propensity to propagate large avalanches if triggered from thin rocky areas. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Strong alpine and treeline winds have transported a huge amount of snow. Any new snow that fell has been blown into storm slabs. Even the older facetted snow has been blown around to create fresh windslabs. Areas near the divide (Burstall Pass) saw up to 20cm of new snow in the last 24-48 hours. When that fresh snow is combined with wind, slabs up to 60cm thick are common. Open areas at treeline and alpine have a widespread windslab problem and alpine areas have an additional storm slab problem in immediate lees(easterly aspects). It feels as though we are on the verge of a small natural cycle. These slabs appear to be running on the older windslabs, but quickly involving the midpack facets. The mid pack is weak enough that entrainment after the initial failure is a real concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 60cm new moist or wet new snow overlies the variable old snow surface from late last week, which includes well settled snow on southerly aspects, loose snow on shaded aspects, isolated pockets of surface hoar, and sun crusts on steep southerly aspects. With the potential for buried surface hoar means storm snow weaknesses from this latest storm will take longer than normal to stabilize. An old rain crust is reported to be down 150 cm in the North Shore mountains. This layer is still failing on snowpack tests, but is likely difficult to trigger in most places now.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 60 cm of storm snow sits above a variety of old snow surfaces including wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, surface hoar crystals and a thin sun crust on steep solar aspects. There is a bit of uncertainty regarding how the new snow is bonding to these old snow surfaces. Two potential weak layers deeper in the snowpack may become reactive under the new load from the recent storm snow. The first being a spotty surface hoar layer down 40-80 cm and then the mid-November crust that sits 100-200 cm down. Recent test results on these layers have varied from moderate and sudden to hard and resistant, and in some cases no result. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">15-30 cm of storm snow sits over a variety of old snow surfaces including stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals and surface hoar crystals that formed in locations sheltered from the wind. The new storm snow may have a poor bond to these surfaces. So far the upper snowpack has remained soft. As it becomes denser and stiffer, we may start to see slab avalanches occur at this interface. 30-50 cm below the surface sits an older buried surface hoar layer, which was reported from the Dogtooth Range. This layer may become reactive as the upper snowpack becomes denser. The mid-November crust is buried down around 85-150 cm and test results have been variable from sudden failures to no results. In shallower snowpack areas reports indicate that the bond to the crust is weakening. Tracking and monitoring this potentially weak interface is crucial as it adapts to the new load of snow above it. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Since Sunday up to 60cm of low-density snow has fallen with the highest amounts accumulating in the Lizard Range. Strong winds and slight warming have added cohesion to the new snow and reactive storm slabs exist in wind-exposed terrain. The new snow buries a variable surface that developed over the last week of cold, dry, and windy conditions. This interface consists of scoured surfaces and wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and surface hoar up to 20 mm in sheltered areas. In sheltered areas, you may find another layer of surface hoar in the mid to upper snowpack which was buried around December 10. The mid pack is generally well settled. The thick crust from mid-November is near the bottom of the snowpack and reports suggest that the crust is currently well bonded to the surrounding snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Since Sunday night, 15-40cm of new snow has fallen. In exposed terrain, strong to extreme winds have redistributed much of this snow into fresh wind slabs. The new snow buries a variable surface that developed over the last week of cold, dry, and windy conditions. This interface consists of scoured surfaces and wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and surface hoar up to 20 mm in sheltered areas. In sheltered areas, there may be another layer of surface hoar in the upper snowpack which was buried around December 10. Observations have been limited, however, the reports we've received suggest the mid and lower snowpack are somewhat unconsolidated and faceting exists to varying degrees.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Below treeline, the snowpack is very shallow and early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50cm of new snow overlies the previous variable snow surface from last week, which includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or surface hoar. Moderate to strong southwest wind has redistributed this new snow to form windslabs in the lee of terrain features in the alpine and treeline. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down 1-2m in the snowpack. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60cm new snow overlies the previous variable snow surface from last week, which includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or surface hoar. New wind slabs that have formed in response to southwest winds. In the Duffey Lake area, recent snowpack tests gave hard sudden results down 60 cm at the interface between the recent storm snow and old snow on rounding faceted crystals. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down approximately 1-1.5m. Recent snowpack tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could become a problem in shallow alpine start zones. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 125 cm new snow has been recorded in this region since the storm started last Saturday. Winds have also been cranking. All this new snow sits over a highly variable interface comprising of hard wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and 5-10 mm surface hoar in sheltered areas. The new snow was expected to bond poorly to this interface, but it's been notable how few avalanches have been reported, and the ones that have have been on the smaller side (typically size 2). Did the outflow winds scour the surface of any surface hoar before the new snow arrived? Has the upper snowpack remained soft preventing large slab avalanches? Is nobody out there looking because the storm has been so severe? </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In areas with less snow, there are two additional layers that should be on your radar. The first is a layer of surface hoar which was buried mid-November and may now be down around a metre in thinner spots. The second is an old rain crust from November that may have developed weak facets, particularly in the north of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 60 cm new storm snow now sits over a highly variable interface comprising of wind-scoured surfaces, hard wind slabs, faceted (sugary) snow, and maybe some feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas. The new snow is expected to bond poorly to this interface, but observations to confirm this are hard to come by. The winds have been cranking, and the new snow has been blowing into wind slabs behind exposed terrain features. The snowpack is still shallow throughout the region and widespread faceting of the entire snowpack is likely in most areas. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is probably near the bottom of the snowpack and is probably surrounded by sugary facets. Reports from the Ningunsaw Pass area and the far north of the region suggest that depth hoar is developing in shallow snowpack areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 60 cm of recent storm snow sits on a plethora of old snow surfaces including stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals and surface hoar crystals that formed in locations sheltered from the wind. Snowpack tests indicate easy, sudden shears on this interface, indicating a poor bond with the underlying snow. However, so far, avalanches associated with this layer have been relatively small (size 1 to 2) and mostly limited to windy areas or unsupported features. This may change as the upper snowpack starts to become stiffer and denser - if it does we may start to see wider propagation resulting in the potential for larger avalanches. Telltale signs of this will be whumpfs or remote-triggering of avalanches from flat terrain. Deeper in the snowpack exist two layers that could still be important in isolated areas. The first is a spotty surface hoar layer that sits 40-100 cm down, the second is the mid-November crust now buried 100-200 cm deep.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">50-70 cm of new storm snow sits above a plethora of old snow surfaces including stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals and surface hoar crystals that formed in locations sheltered from the wind. The new storm snow was expected to bond poorly to these old surfaces; however, less avalanche activity than expected has been noted on this layer, indicating the bond may not be quite as poor as expected. The upper snowpack is still soft - as this becomes stiffer and denser, we may start to see more slab avalanche activity on this layer. The mid-November crust is now buried down 70-150 cm and produces variable results in snowpack tests.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-40 cm of new snow has buried previously formed windslabs, facets and surface hoar. There is a bit of uncertainty regarding how the new snow is bonding to old surfaces which formed during last week's cold clear period. Moderate to strong winds have loaded leeward features with new touchy wind slabs. A widespread crust that was buried in November is typically down 80-100cm. Recent tests show variable results with this persistent weakness. Some show results as hard and resistant and other show it may have the propensity to propagate large avalanches if triggered from thin rocky areas. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Another 10 to 12cm of new snow in the past 24 hours pushes the recent storm snow up to between 30 to 40cm. The storm snow interface produced moderate shears today in snowpack tests. Wind slabs are dominant in Alpine and Treeline areas, especially in lee and cross-loaded features. The November crust layer buried between 50 and 90cm continues to be a layer we are watching closely, but snowpack test results remain highly variable at this interface. The low elevation snowpack remains weak and facetted.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 70cm moist or wet new snow overlies the variable old snow surface from late last week, which includes well settled snow on southerly aspects, loose snow on shaded aspects, isolated pockets of surface hoar, and sun crusts on steep southerly aspects. With the potential for buried surface hoar means storm snow weaknesses from this latest snowfall will take longer than normal to stabilize. An old rain crust is reported to be down 170 cm in the North Shore mountains. This layer is strengthening in snowpack tests and is likely difficult to trigger in most places now.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 60 cm of recent storm snow sits above a variety of old snow surfaces including wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, surface hoar crystals, and/or a thin sun crust on steep solar aspects. There is still some uncertainty regarding how the new snow is bonding to these old snow surfaces. The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layers have varied from moderate and sudden to hard and resistant, and in many cases no result. This layer is generally considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-40 cm of storm snow sits over a variety of old snow surfaces including stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and surface hoar crystals that formed in locations sheltered from the wind. The new storm snow may have a poor bond to these surfaces in some areas. So far the upper snowpack has remained soft. As it becomes denser and stiffer, we may start to see slab avalanches occur at this interface. 30-50 cm below the surface sits an older buried surface hoar layer, which was reported from the Dogtooth Range. This layer may become reactive as the upper snowpack becomes denser. The mid-November crust is buried down around 85-150 cm and test results have been variable from sudden failures to no results. In shallower snowpack areas, reports indicate that the bond to the crust is weakening. Tracking and monitoring this potentially weak interface is crucial as it adapts to the new load of snow above it. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Since Sunday up to 60cm of low-density snow has fallen with the highest amounts accumulating in the Lizard Range. Strong winds and slight warming have added cohesion to the new snow and reactive wind slabs exist in exposed terrain. The new snow buries a variable surface that developed over the last week of cold, dry, and windy conditions. This interface consists of scoured surfaces and wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and surface hoar up to 20mm in sheltered areas. In sheltered areas, you may find another layer of surface hoar in the mid to upper snowpack which was buried around December 10. The mid pack is generally well settled. The thick crust from mid-November is near the bottom of the snowpack and reports suggest that the crust is currently well bonded to the surrounding snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Since Sunday night, 15-40cm of new snow has fallen. In exposed terrain, strong to extreme winds have redistributed much of this snow into fresh wind slabs. The new snow buries a variable surface that developed over the last week of cold, dry, and windy conditions. This interface consists of scoured surfaces and wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and surface hoar up to 20 mm in sheltered areas. In sheltered areas, there may be another layer of surface hoar in the upper snowpack which was buried around December 10. Observations have been limited, however, the reports we've received suggest the mid and lower snowpack are somewhat unconsolidated and faceting exists to varying degrees. Below treeline, the snowpack is very shallow and early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm snow from earlier this week has been redistributed in the alpine and exposed treeline by strong to extreme winds. This has left a variety of hard surfaces that may include sastrugi, wind crust and hard wind slab. This surface has now been covered by 5-10cm of new snow that fell on Thursday. In sheltered areas treeline and below 30-50cm of snow overlies the previous variable snow surface from last week, which included weak faceted snow or surface hoar. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down 1-2m in the snowpack. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60cm new snow overlies the previous variable snow surface from last week, which includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or surface hoar. New wind slabs that have formed in response to southwest winds. In the Duffey Lake area, recent snowpack tests gave hard sudden results down 60 cm at the interface between the recent storm snow and old snow on rounding faceted crystals. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down approximately 1-1.5m. Recent snowpack tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could become a problem in shallow alpine start zones. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 125 cm new snow was recorded in this region between 17 and 21 December. Winds were often extreme, and fresh hard wind slabs are reported to be widespread. All this new snow sits over a highly variable interface comprising of hard wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, widespread faceting of the upper snowpack, and 5-10 mm surface hoar in sheltered areas. The new snow was expected to bond poorly to this interface, but it's been notable how few avalanches have been reported, and the ones that have have been on the smaller side (typically size 2). Did the outflow winds scour the surface of any surface hoar before the new snow arrived? Has the upper snowpack remained soft preventing large slab avalanches? Is nobody out there looking because the storm has been so severe? </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In areas with less snow, there are two additional layers that should be on your radar. The first is a layer of surface hoar which was buried mid-November and may now be down around a metre in thinner spots. The second is an old rain crust from November that may have developed weak facets, particularly in the north of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 50 cm new storm snow now sits over a highly variable interface comprising of wind-scoured surfaces, hard wind slabs, faceted (sugary) snow, and maybe some feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas. The new appears to have bonded poorly to this interface. The winds were extreme through much of the storm, and hard wind slabs now exist behind exposed terrain features. The snowpack is still shallow throughout the region and widespread faceting of the entire snowpack is likely in most areas. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is probably near the bottom of the snowpack and is probably surrounded by sugary facets. Basal facets and depth hoar (more sugary crystals) right at the bottom of the snowpack are reportedly widespread.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 60 cm of recent storm snow sits on a plethora of old snow surfaces including stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals and surface hoar crystals that formed in locations sheltered from the wind. Snowpack tests indicate easy, sudden shears on this interface, indicating a poor bond with the underlying snow. However, so far, avalanches associated with this layer have been relatively small (size 1 to 2) and mostly limited to windy areas or unsupported features. This may change as the upper snowpack starts to become stiffer and denser - if it does we may start to see wider propagation resulting in the potential for larger avalanches. Telltale signs of this will be whumpfs or remote-triggering of avalanches from flat terrain. The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layers have varied from moderate and sudden to hard and resistant, and in many cases no result. This layer is generally considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">50-70 cm of new storm snow sits above a plethora of old snow surfaces including stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals and surface hoar crystals that formed in locations sheltered from the wind. The new storm snow was expected to bond poorly to these old surfaces; however, less avalanche activity than expected has been noted on this layer, indicating the bond may not be quite as poor as expected. The upper snowpack is still soft - as this becomes stiffer and denser, we may start to see more slab avalanche activity on this layer. The thick mid-November crust is now buried down 70-150 cm and produces variable results in snowpack tests. This layer is generally considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-40 cm of new snow from earlier in the week has buried old wind slabs, facets and surface hoar. There is a bit of uncertainty regarding how the new snow is bonding to old surfaces which formed during last week's cold clear period. Moderate to strong winds have loaded leeward features with wind slabs. A widespread crust that was buried in November is typically down 80-100cm. Recent tests show variable results with this persistent weakness. Some show results as hard and resistant and other show it may have the propensity to propagate if triggered from thin rocky areas. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Not much is changing out there at this time.  Our main concern at this time is the widespread hard slabs that should be expected in alpine areas.  These slabs are up to 50cm thick in some areas and are quite stiff so they have the ability to propagate across a terrain features such as a bowl or gully.  The areas where you may be able to trigger the weak underlying facets will be important to be aware of.  Avoid thin snowpack areas especially in steep or unsupported terrain.  Sheltered areas are the place to be but the problem is the snowpack below 2000m is still quite thin, or weak and facetted.  Happy hunting. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A 2-3cm rain crust is now buried by 5-10cm of new snow in the alpine and at tree line. This all overlies well settled storm snow from last week's series of storms that seems to have a good bond to the layers below. An old rain crust is reported to be down 150-180cm in the North Shore mountains. This layer has strengthened in snowpack tests and is unlikely to trigger in most places now.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">50-70 cm of recent storm snow typically overlies the mid-December interface which consists of a variety of old snow surfaces including wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, surface hoar crystals, and/or a thin sun crust on steep solar aspects. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is well bonded to the interface in many areas. However, where surface hoar has been preserved, the interface is still reactive. In wind affected terrain, the recent storm snow has been redistributed into reactive wind slabs. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest it is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow with the possible exception of shallow snowpack areas. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50 cm of storm snow typically overlies the mid-December interface which consists of a variety of old snow surfaces including stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and surface hoar crystals that formed in locations sheltered from the wind. The new storm snow appears to have a poor bond to these surfaces in some areas. In wind exposed terrain, the recent storm snow has been redistributed into reactive wind slabs. The weak layer appears to be increasing the reactivity of these wind slabs. In sheltered terrain, the recent storm snow has remained soft. As it continues to settle and become stiffer, we may start to see a more widespread persistent slab problem develop. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 70-140 cm down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest that the layer may still be reactive in some places, especially in shallow snowpack areas. There have not been any recent avalanches on this layer and it is generally considered dormant but tracking and monitoring this potentially weak interface is crucial as it adapts to the new load of snow above it. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of new low density snow sits above 30-40 cm of settling storm snow from earlier this week. The storm snow sits above a variable surface that developed during the cold, dry, and windy conditions earlier this month and has been most reactive in wind-exposed terrain. The old interface consists of scoured surfaces and wind slabs in exposed terrain, weak faceted (sugary) snow, and surface hoar up to 20 mm in sheltered areas. In sheltered areas, you may find another layer of surface hoar and facets in the mid-pack that was buried around December 10. The thick crust from mid-November is near the bottom of the snowpack and reports suggest that the crust is currently well bonded to the surrounding snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of new low density snow sits above 15-40 cm of settled storm snow. The storm snow has been redistributed into wind slabs in exposed terrain by strong to extreme winds. The new snow buries a variable surface that developed during the cold, dry, and windy conditions from earlier this month. This interface consists of scoured surfaces and wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, weak faceted (sugary) snow, and feathery surface hoar up to 20 mm in sheltered areas. In sheltered areas, there may be another layer of surface hoar in the upper snowpack which was buried around December 10. Observations have been limited, however, the reports we've received suggest the mid and lower snowpack are somewhat unconsolidated and faceting exists to varying degrees. Below treeline, the snowpack is very shallow and early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A light snowfall from Thursday deposited 5-10cm of new snow on the surface. Strong winds overnight caused redistribution of this snow in high elevation and wind exposed areas. Where it hasn't blown away, the new snow lies above a variety of hard surfaces that may include sastrugi, wind crust and hard wind slab. Strong to extreme winds formed this surface and caused significant wind redistribution of the underlying storm snow from earlier this week. This 30-50cm of storm snow overlies a variable snow surface from last week that includes either weak faceted snow or surface hoar in sheltered areas at treeline and below. The widespread mid-November crust is buried 1-2m deep in the snowpack. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15cm of new snow fell on Thursday, adding to the 30-60cm of storm snow the region has seen since Sunday. In higher elevation and exposed areas, the storm snow formed wind slabs in response to southwest winds. The new snow and wind slabs overlie a variable snow surface from last week that includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or surface hoar. In the Duffey Lake area, recent snowpack tests gave hard sudden results down 60 cm at the interface between the recent storm snow and old snow on rounding faceted crystals. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down approximately 1-1.5m. Recent snowpack tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could become a problem in shallow alpine start zones. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Clear cold weather has limited settlement of the recent storm snow. New surface hoar and sun crusts have been reported forming on the snow surface and intense snow transport has been observed in the alpine. The region received up to 125 cm of new snow between 17 and 21 December. The new snow arrived with extreme winds, which has left widespread hard wind slabs in exposed terrain. All this new snow sits over a highly variable interface comprising of hard wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, weak faceted (sugary) snow, and 5-10 mm feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas. The new snow was expected to bond poorly to this interface, but it's been notable how few avalanches have been reported. In areas with less snow, there are two additional layers that should be on your radar. The first is a layer of surface hoar which was buried mid-November and may now be down around a metre in thinner spots. The second is an old rain crust from November that may have developed weak facets, particularly in the north of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 50 cm new storm snow now sits over a highly variable interface comprising of wind-scoured surfaces, hard wind slabs, faceted (sugary) snow, and maybe some feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas. The new snow appears to have bonded poorly to this interface. The winds were extreme through much of the storm, and hard wind slabs now exist behind exposed terrain features. The snowpack is still shallow throughout the region and widespread faceting of the entire snowpack is likely in most areas. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is probably near the bottom of the snowpack and is probably surrounded by sugary facets. Basal facets and depth hoar (more sugary crystals) right at the bottom of the snowpack are reportedly widespread.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">50-70 cm of recent storm snow typically overlies the mid-December interface which consists of a variety of old snow surfaces including wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and/or surface hoar crystals. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is generally well bonded to the interface in many areas. However, where surface hoar has been preserved, the interface is still reactive. In wind affected terrain, the recent storm snow has been redistributed into reactive wind slabs.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest it is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow with the possible exception of shallow snowpack areas. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">50-70 cm of recent storm snow typically overlies the mid-December interface which consists of a variety of old snow surfaces including wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and/or surface hoar crystals. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is generally well bonded to the interface in many areas. However, where surface hoar has been preserved, I would be concerned that the interface is still reactive. In wind affected terrain, the recent storm snow has been redistributed into reactive wind slabs.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest it is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow with the possible exception of shallow snowpack areas. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 10cm of new snow on Friday has brought storm snow totals to 30-60cm since snowfall began at the beginning of the week. The storm snow has buried old wind slabs, facets and surface hoar. There is some uncertainty regarding how the new snow is bonding to old surfaces which formed during last week's cold clear period. Moderate to strong winds have loaded leeward features with wind slabs. A widespread crust that was buried in November is now buried 80-100cm deep. Recent tests show variable results with this persistent weakness. Some show results as hard and resistant and others show a sudden character, suggesting it may be likely to propagate if triggered from thin, rocky areas. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">6-8cm of new snow over the past 24hrs is adding up to 30-40cm of recent snow over the past 7 days.  Earlier in the week widespread windslabs were observed in alpine areas and isolated areas at treeline.  These previous windslabs are now buried by the most recent snow making them slightly more difficult to locate.  Forecasters throughout the week have been able to trigger sz 2 avalanches in low alpine terrain failing down 30-100cm.  What we are noticing is how fast these slabs become reactive as soon as one transitions into wind affected terrain (often just a few steps).  Be especially careful as you move into any open feature in alpine and treeline areas, especially on N and E aspects.  </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snowfall from the past 24 hours has deposited up to 15cm in the alpine and at treeline on the South Coast. This new snow covers a 2-3cm rain crust that formed on December 20. The crust overlies well settled storm snow from last week's series of storms. The storm snow seems to have a good bond to the layers below, despite the surface hoar and faceted snow that can still be found here. An old rain crust is reported to be down 150-180cm in the North Shore mountains. This layer has strengthened in snowpack tests and is considered unlikely to trigger in most places now.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">40-60 cm of recent storm snow typically overlies the mid-December interface which consists of a variety of old snow surfaces including wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, surface hoar crystals, and/or a thin sun crust on steep solar aspects. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is well bonded to the interface in many areas. However, where a spotty layer of surface hoar has been preserved, the interface is still reactive. In wind affected terrain, the recent storm snow has been redistributed into reactive wind slabs. These wind slabs may now be buried under 10-20 cm of low density snow which fell without much wind on Friday.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest it is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow with the possible exception of shallow snowpack areas. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50 cm of storm snow typically overlies the mid-December interface which consists of a variety of old snow surfaces including stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and surface hoar crystals that formed in locations sheltered from the wind. The new storm snow appears to have a poor bond to these surfaces in some areas. In wind exposed terrain, the recent storm snow has been redistributed into reactive wind slabs. The weak layer appears to be increasing the reactivity of these wind slabs. In sheltered terrain, the recent storm snow has remained soft. As it continues to settle and become stiffer, we may start to see a more widespread persistent slab problem develop. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 70-140 cm down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest that the layer may still be reactive in some places, especially in shallow snowpack areas. There have not been any recent avalanches on this layer and it is generally considered dormant but tracking and monitoring this potentially weak interface is crucial as it adapts to the new load of snow above it. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent flurries delivered 10-20 cm of low density powder, which now sits above hard wind slabs and 20-40 cm of settling storm snow from last week's storm. A variable interface that formed during the early December cold snap can be found under the recent storm snow. This interface consists of hard wind packed snow in exposed terrain, weak faceted (sugary) snow, and surface hoar up to 20 mm in sheltered areas. This interface could evolve into a persistent slab problem once the recent storm snow settles into a slab. In the mid-pack you may find another layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas or weak facets that were buried around December 10. The thick crust from mid-November is near the bottom of the snowpack and reports suggest that the crust is currently well bonded to the surrounding snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent flurries delivered 10-15 cm of low density powder, which now sits above hard wind slabs and settling storm snow from early last week. A variable interface that formed during the cold snap in early December can be found 20-40 cm under the new snow. This interface consists of hard wind packed snow in exposed terrain, weak</span><span class="s_6A269DDD"> </span><span class="s_3FE45715">faceted (sugary) snow, and feathery surface hoar up to 20 mm in sheltered areas. This interface could evolve into a persistent slab problem once the recent storm snow settles into a slab. The snowpack is a generally weak and faceted below this interface, including another interface with surface hoar or facets that was buried in early December. Below treeline, the snowpack is very shallow and early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall from Thursday and Friday deposited 5-20cm of new snow on the surface. Strong winds have continued to redistribute this snow in high elevation and wind exposed areas. Where it hasn't blown away, the new snow lies above a variety of hard surfaces that may include sastrugi, wind crust and hard wind slab. Strong to extreme winds formed these surfaces and caused significant wind redistribution of the underlying storm snow from earlier this week. This 30-50cm of storm snow overlies a variable snow surface from last week that includes either weak faceted snow or surface hoar in sheltered areas at treeline and below. The widespread mid-November crust is buried 1-2m deep in the snowpack. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A layer of 3-5mm surface hoar has grown on the surface in the Duffey Lake area. Below this, 10-20cm of new snow fell over Thursday and Friday. This new snow has been redistributed in some exposed areas and added to the 30-60cm of storm snow the region has seen since Sunday. In higher elevation and exposed areas, this storm snow formed wind slabs in response to southwest winds. The new snow and wind slabs overlie a variable snow surface from last week that includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or surface hoar. In the Duffey Lake area, recent snowpack tests gave hard sudden results down 60 cm at the interface between the recent storm snow and old snow on rounding faceted crystals. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down approximately 1-1.5m. Recent snowpack tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could become a problem in shallow alpine start zones. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Clear cold weather has limited settlement of the recent storm snow. New surface hoar (up to 15 mm) and sun crusts have been reported forming on the snow surface, and intense snow transport has been observed in the alpine. The region received up to 125 cm of new snow between 17 and 21 December. The new snow arrived with extreme winds, which has left widespread hard wind slabs in exposed terrain. All this new snow sits over a variable interface composed of hard wind slabs in wind exposed terrain, weak faceted (sugary) snow, and 5-10 mm feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas. The bond between the newer storm snow and this interface is a concern and could develop into a persistent slab problem. In areas with less snow, there are two additional layers that should be on your radar. The first is a layer of surface hoar that was buried in mid-November and may now be down around a metre in thinner spots. The second is an old rain crust from November that may have developed weak facets, particularly in the north of the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Clear cold weather has limited the settlement of recent storm snow and resulted in the formation of new surface hoar and surface facets. Last week, extreme winds formed hard wind slabs behind exposed terrain features. Elsewhere, up to 50 cm of low density snow sits over a highly variable interface comprised of wind-scoured surfaces, hard wind slabs, faceted (sugary) snow, and feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas. The new snow appears to have bonded poorly to this interface. The snowpack is still shallow throughout the region and widespread faceting of the entire snowpack is likely in most areas. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is probably near the bottom of the snowpack and is likely surrounded by sugary facets. Basal facets and depth hoar (more sugary crystals) right at the bottom of the snowpack are reportedly widespread.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">50-70 cm of recent storm snow typically overlies the mid-December interface which consists of a variety of old snow surfaces including wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and/or surface hoar crystals. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is well bonded to the interface in many areas. However, where a spotty layer of surface hoar has been preserved, the interface is still reactive. In wind affected terrain, the recent storm snow has been redistributed into reactive wind slabs. These wind slabs may now be buried under 10-20 cm of low density snow which fell without much wind on Friday.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest it is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow with the possible exception of shallow snowpack areas. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">50-70 cm of recent storm snow typically overlies the mid-December interface which consists of a variety of old snow surfaces including wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and/or surface hoar crystals. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is well bonded to the interface in many areas. However, where a spotty layer of surface hoar has been preserved, the interface is still reactive. In wind affected terrain, the recent storm snow has been redistributed into reactive wind slabs. These wind slabs may now be buried under 10-20 cm of low density snow which fell without much wind on Friday.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest it is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow with the possible exception of shallow snowpack areas. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15cm of new snow over Thursday and Friday has brought storm snow totals to 30-60cm since snowfall began at the beginning of the week. The storm snow has buried old wind slabs, facets and surface hoar. There is some uncertainty regarding how the new snow is bonding to old surfaces which formed during last week's cold clear period. Moderate to strong winds have loaded leeward features with wind slabs. A widespread crust that was buried in November is now 80-100cm deep in the snowpack. Recent tests show variable results with this persistent weakness. Some show results as hard and resistant and others show a sudden character, suggesting it may be likely to propagate if triggered from thin, rocky areas. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">An additional 10cm of snow fell overnight on the 23rd giving us up to 20cm of snow over the past 48hrs at treeline.  Lower elevations saw about half that amount. This new snow fell under the influence of light winds and as a result, has made it tougher to locate the previous windslabs that formed earlier in the week.  Over the past week the forecasting team has been easily able to trigger the now hidden windslabs that were failing on a layer of facets from the cold temperatures earlier in december.  These windslabs are being encountered in open alpine terrain as well as in specific features at treeline such as gullies and cross-loaded features.  Conservative terrain selection is important at this time. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snowfall from the past 24 hours has deposited 15-20cm in the alpine and at treeline on the South Coast. This new snow covers a 2-3cm rain crust that formed on December 20. The crust overlies well settled storm snow from last week's series of storms. The storm snow seems to have a good bond to the layers below, despite the surface hoar and faceted snow that can still be found here. An old rain crust is reported to be down 150-180cm in the North Shore mountains. This layer has strengthened in snowpack tests and is considered unlikely to trigger in most places now.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">40-60 cm of snow has accumulated over the past week and overlies the mid-December interface which consists of a variety of old snow surfaces including wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, surface hoar crystals, and/or a thin sun crust on steep solar aspects. Recent tests suggest the new snow is well bonded to the interface in most areas. However, where a spotty layer of surface hoar has been preserved, the interface is still reactive in snowpack tests. In wind affected terrain, the storm snow had been redistributed into reactive wind slabs. These wind slabs may now be buried under 10-20 cm of low density snow which fell without much wind on Saturday. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest it is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow with the possible exception of shallow snowpack areas. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50 cm of storm snow typically overlies the mid-December interface which consists of a variety of old snow surfaces including stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and surface hoar crystals that formed in locations sheltered from the wind. The new storm snow appears to have a poor bond to these surfaces in some areas, especially in the Dogtooth range. In wind exposed terrain, the recent storm snow has been redistributed into reactive wind slabs. The weak layer appears to be increasing the reactivity of these wind slabs. In sheltered terrain, the recent storm snow has remained soft. As it continues to settle and become stiffer, we may start to see a more widespread persistent slab problem develop. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 70-140 cm down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest that the layer may still be reactive in some places, especially in shallow snowpack areas. There have not been any recent avalanches on this layer and it is generally considered dormant but tracking and monitoring this potentially weak interface is crucial as it adapts to the new load of snow above it. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent flurries delivered 15-30 cm of low density powder, which now sits above hard wind slabs and settled storm snow from last week. A variable interface that formed during the mid-December cold snap can be found 50-80 cm deep. This interface consists of hard wind packed snow in exposed terrain, weak faceted (sugary) snow, and surface hoar up to 20 mm in sheltered areas. This interface could evolve into a persistent slab problem once the storm snow settles into a slab. Deeper in the snowpack you may find another layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas or weak facets that were buried in early December. The thick crust from mid-November is near the bottom of the snowpack and reports suggest that the crust is currently well bonded to the surrounding snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent flurries delivered 10-15 cm of low density powder. The fresh snow covers hard wind slabs from a storm last week. A variable interface that formed during the cold snap in early December can be found 20-40 cm under the new snow. This interface consists of hard wind packed snow in exposed terrain, weak</span><span class="s_6A269DDD"> </span><span class="s_3FE45715">faceted (sugary) snow, and feathery surface hoar up to 20 mm in sheltered areas. This interface will likely evolve into a lingering persistent slab problem as the recent storm snow settles into a slab. The snowpack is a generally weak and faceted below this interface, including another weak layer with surface hoar or facets that was buried in early December. Below treeline, the snowpack is very shallow and early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowfall from Thursday and Friday deposited 5-20cm of new snow on the surface. Strong winds have continued to redistribute this snow in high elevation and wind exposed areas. Where it hasn't blown away, the new snow lies above a variety of hard surfaces that may include sastrugi, wind crust and hard wind slab. Strong to extreme winds formed these surfaces and caused significant wind redistribution of the underlying storm snow from earlier this week. This 30-50cm of storm snow overlies a variable snow surface from last week that includes either weak faceted snow or surface hoar in sheltered areas at treeline and below. The widespread mid-November crust is buried 1-2m deep in the snowpack. Recent snowpack and explosive tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">A layer of 3-5mm surface hoar has grown on the surface in the Duffey Lake area. Below this, 10-20cm of new snow fell over Thursday and Friday. This new snow has been redistributed in some exposed areas and added to the 30-60cm of storm snow the region has seen since Sunday. In higher elevation and exposed areas, this storm snow formed wind slabs in response to southwest winds. The new snow and wind slabs overlie a variable snow surface from last week that includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or surface hoar. In the Duffey Lake area, recent snowpack tests gave hard sudden results down 60 cm at the interface between the recent storm snow and old snow on rounding faceted crystals. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down approximately 1-1.5m. Recent snowpack tests have shown the crust to be unreactive, but it could become a problem in shallow alpine start zones. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Expect 20-50 cm of fresh storm snow by Monday afternoon, with extreme winds forming extra deep pockets. The storm snow will bury a layer of feathery surface hoar (up to 15 mm in sheltered areas), making wide propagations possible. A weak interface that formed during the early December cold snap can be found buried about 1 metre deep. The layer consists of weak faceted (sugary) snow, and preserved surface hoar in sheltered areas. The lower snowpack is well consolidated in deep snowpack areas. However, in areas with less snow, such as the northern parts of the region, there are also deeper layers of concern. These include a layer of surface hoar that was buried in mid-November and an old rain crust near the bottom of the snowpack that may have developed weak facets.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Expect 15-30 cm of fresh storm snow by Monday afternoon, with extreme winds forming extra deep pockets in the lee of ridgetops. The storm snow will likely bury a new layer of surface hoar that formed in sheltered areas, making wide propagations possible. A weak interface that formed during the early December cold snap can be found buried about 50 cm deep. The layer consists of weak faceted (sugary) snow, and preserved surface hoar in sheltered areas. The snow above this interface likely remains poorly bonded. The snowpack is still shallow throughout the region and widespread faceting of the entire snowpack is likely in most areas. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is probably near the bottom of the snowpack and is likely surrounded by sugary facets. Basal facets and depth hoar (more sugary crystals) right at the bottom of the snowpack are reportedly widespread.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">40-70 cm of snow has accumulated over the last week and overlies the mid-December interface which consists of a variety of old snow surfaces including wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and/or surface hoar crystals. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is well bonded to the interface in most areas. However, where a spotty layer of surface hoar has been preserved, the interface is still reactive to snowpack tests. In wind affected terrain, the recent storm snow has been redistributed into reactive wind slabs. These wind slabs may now be buried under 10-20 cm of low density snow which fell without much wind on Saturday.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest it is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow with the possible exception of shallow snowpack areas. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">50-80 cm of snow accumulated over the last week and overlies the mid-December interface which consists of a variety of old snow surfaces including wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and/or surface hoar crystals. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is well bonded to the interface in most areas. However, where a spotty layer of surface hoar has been preserved, the interface may still be reactive. In wind affected terrain, the recent storm snow has been redistributed into reactive wind slabs. These wind slabs may now be buried under 10-20 cm of low density snow which fell without much wind on Saturday.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest it is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow with the possible exception of shallow snowpack areas. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-15cm of new snow over Thursday and Friday may lie above a sun crust on solar aspects in some parts of the region. Where it exists and has been tested, this interface has produced easy sudden collapse results. The new snow brought storm snow totals to 30-60cm since snowfall began at the beginning of last week and loaded leeward features with wind slabs under moderate to strong winds. The storm snow buried old wind slabs, facets and surface hoar. The interface at this layer continues to produce easy to moderate results in snowpack tests. A widespread crust that was buried in November is now 80-100cm deep in the snowpack. Recent tests show variable results with this persistent weakness. Some show results as hard and resistant and others show a sudden character, suggesting it may be likely to propagate if triggered from thin, rocky areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">15 -20cm of dense new snow lies on the surface and is reported to be well bonded to an underlying rain crust formed on December 20. A radiation crust formed on December 19 can be found roughly 25cm deep on solar aspects. These upper layers cap 40cm of well settled storm snow from last week's series of storms. The storm snow seems to have a good bond to the layers below, despite the surface hoar and faceted snow that can still be found here. These weaker snow grains have begun to show signs of rounding. An old rain crust buried on December 3 is reported to be down 150-180cm in the North Shore mountains. This layer is well bonded to overlying snow and no stability concerns exist below this layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Tuesday, new snow and wind are forecast to form fresh wind slabs in exposed higher elevation terrain. 40-70 cm of snow now overlies the mid-December interface which consists of a variety of old snow surfaces including wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and/or surface hoar crystals. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is well bonded to the interface in most areas. However, this layer is still reactive in some snowpack tests and should be investigated before pushing into steeper terrain. Limited observations from the North Columbia region suggest this layer may be especially touchy on the eastern side of the Selkirks. The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest it is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow with the possible exception of shallow snowpack areas. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">By Tuesday morning, I'd expect new wind slab formation in exposed higher elevation terrain. 30-50 cm of snow typically overlies the mid-December interface which consists of stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and surface hoar that formed in sheltered areas. The overlying slab appears to have a poor bond to these surfaces in some areas, especially in wind-affected terrain in the Dogtooth range and possibly Quartz Creek. In sheltered terrain, the overlying slab snow has remained soft. As it continues to settle and gain cohesion, we may start to see a more widespread persistent slab problem develop. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 70-140 cm down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest that the layer may still be reactive in some places, especially in shallow snowpack areas. There have not been any recent avalanches on this layer and it is generally considered dormant but tracking and monitoring this potentially weak interface is crucial as it adapts to the new load of snow above it. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Expect another 10 cm of new snow by Tuesday afternoon. A total of 20-30 cm of low density snow now sits above hard wind slabs, and will be redistributed by strong southwest winds. A variable interface that formed during the mid-December cold snap can be found 50-80 cm deep. This interface consists of hard wind packed snow in exposed terrain, weak faceted (sugary) snow, and surface hoar up to 20 mm in sheltered areas. This interface may evolve into a persistent slab problem once the storm snow settles into a slab. Deeper in the snowpack you may find another layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas or weak facets that were buried in early December. The thick crust from mid-November is near the bottom of the snowpack and reports suggest that the crust is currently well bonded to the surrounding snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Expect another 5-15 cm of new snow by Tuesday afternoon. Strong west winds will redistributed low density snow and form touchy wind slabs in the lee of ridgetops. A variable interface that formed during the cold snap in early December can be found buried 30-50 cm deep. This interface consists of weak</span><span class="s_6A269DDD"> </span><span class="s_3FE45715">faceted (sugary) snow and preserved surface hoar in sheltered areas. The interface is likely most reactive in wind-affected terrain where it is covered by hard wind slabs. The snowpack is a generally weak and faceted below this interface, including another weak layer with surface hoar or facets that was buried in early December. Below treeline, the snowpack is very shallow and early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">New snow has begun to fall in the Seat to Sky mountains. This new snow is burying a variable surface that includes wind crust as well as surface hoar that has grown up to 20mm in some locations. Below the surface, 5-20cm of storm snow from Thursday and Friday has been mostly redistributed into wind slabs in high elevation and wind exposed areas. Where it hasn't blown away, this storm snow lies above a variety of hard surfaces that include sastrugi, wind crust and hard wind slab. Strong to extreme winds formed these surfaces and caused significant wind redistribution of the underlying storm snow from a series of storms that began on December 18. This 30-50cm of storm snow overlies a variable snow surface that formed prior to December 18 and includes either weak faceted snow or surface hoar in sheltered areas at treeline and below. The widespread mid-November crust is buried 1-2m deep in the snowpack. Reports have gained confidence in this crust being unreactive, but note that it could re-emerge as a problem with sufficient loading.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Incoming snowfall on Monday will bury a layer of 3-5mm surface hoar that has been observed growing on the surface in the Duffey Lake area. Below the surface, 10-20cm of storm snow from Thursday and Friday has been redistributed in some exposed areas and added to the 30-60cm of storm snow the region has seen since December 18. In higher elevation and exposed areas, this storm snow formed wind slabs in response to southwest winds. This upper snowpack overlies a variable snow surface that formed before December 18 and includes hard wind pressed or scoured areas, old wind slabs, weak faceted snow, or surface hoar. In the Duffey Lake area, recent snowpack tests gave hard sudden results down 60 cm at the interface between the recent storm snow and old snow on rounding faceted crystals. The widespread mid-November crust is typically down approximately 1-1.5m. Snowpack tests continue to show the crust to be unreactive, but it could remain a problem in shallow alpine start zones. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The current storm is building touchy storm slabs throughout the region that may be up to 50 cm thick by Tuesday afternoon. Expect extra thick storm slabs in the lee of exposed ridges. The storm snow has buried a layer of feathery surface hoar (up to 15 mm in sheltered areas), making wide propagations possible. A weak interface that formed during the early December cold snap can be found buried about 1 metre deep. The layer consists of weak faceted (sugary) snow, and preserved surface hoar in sheltered areas. The lower snowpack is well consolidated in deep snowpack areas. However, in areas with less snow, such as the northern parts of the region, there are also deeper layers of concern. These include a layer of surface hoar that was buried in mid-November and an old rain crust near the bottom of the snowpack that may have developed weak facets.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The current storm is building touchy wind slabs throughout the region. With strong southwest winds expect extra thick wind slabs in the lee of exposed ridges. The storm snow has also buried a layer of feathery surface hoar (up to 15 mm in sheltered areas), making wide propagations possible. A weak interface that formed during the early December cold snap can be found about 50 cm deep underneath a hard wind slab. The layer consists of weak faceted (sugary) snow, and preserved surface hoar in sheltered areas. The snowpack is still shallow throughout the region and widespread faceting of the entire snowpack is likely in most areas. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is probably near the bottom of the snowpack and is likely surrounded by sugary facets. Basal facets and depth hoar (more sugary crystals) right at the bottom of the snowpack are reportedly widespread.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Tuesday, new snow and wind are forecast to form fresh wind slabs in exposed higher elevation terrain. 40-75 cm of snow now overlies the mid-December interface which consists of a variety of old snow surfaces including wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and/or surface hoar crystals. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is well bonded to the interface in most areas. However, this layer is still reactive in some snowpack tests and should be investigated before pushing into steeper terrain. Limited observations suggest this layer has been especially touchy on the eastern side of the Selkirks. The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest it is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow with the possible exception of shallow snowpack areas. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Tuesday, new snow and wind are forecast to form fresh wind slabs in exposed higher elevation terrain. 50-80 cm of snow now overlies the mid-December interface which consists of a variety of old snow surfaces including wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and/or surface hoar crystals. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is well bonded to the interface in some areas. However, a recent Mountain Information Network report from the Clearwater area suggests this layer may be reactive and worth investigating before pushing into steeper terrain. The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest it is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow with the possible exception of shallow snowpack areas. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Under 5cm of new snow fell overnight in the region. This has buried wind scoured surfaces in exposed areas and possible 2-5mm surface hoar in sheltered areas. Below this, 10-15cm of new snow over Thursday and Friday may lie above a sun crust on solar aspects in some parts of the region. Where it exists and has been tested, this interface has produced easy sudden collapse results. The new snow brought storm snow totals to 30-60cm since snowfall began at the beginning of last week and loaded leeward features with wind slabs under moderate to strong winds. The storm snow buried old wind slabs, facets and surface hoar. The interface at this layer continues to produce easy to moderate results in snowpack tests. A widespread crust that was buried in November is now 80-100cm deep in the snowpack. Recent tests show variable results with this persistent weakness. Some show results as hard and resistant and others show a sudden character, suggesting it may be likely to propagate if triggered from thin, rocky areas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 20cm of recent snow throughout the region. Below treeline this has helped the travel conditions slightly, but not enough to recommend valley bottom travel as a trip in itself. Treeline is where the difference is felt. Where the wind hasn't touched the snow, there is the new surface snow with little structure beneath it. Where the wind has gotten to it, there is a denser layer on top of the weak mid pack. It gives an &quot;upside down&quot; feel while skiing. This upside down snow doesn't pose an avalanche problem until open areas at treeline, where it has more of a slab character. There is a mix of surface slabs and buried slabs that all sit on the Dec 18th facet layer. The upper ranges of treeline and alpine elevations all remain variable with almost immediate transitions between soft snow and windslab. These &quot;laminated&quot; slabs are up to 60cm thick and are more common in wind prone areas and below cliffs. In many alpine areas the wind slabs can be extremely dense and may propagate further than expected.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">After 5cm of new snow over Sunday night, snow continues to fall on the South Coast mountains. The new snow has fallen on a variable surface that includes pockets of surface hoar and surface facets. Below this, 15 -20cm of dense storm snow overlies a rain crust formed on December 20. A radiation crust that formed on December 19 can be found roughly 30cm deep on solar aspects. These upper layers cap 40cm of well settled storm snow from the series of storms early last week. The storm snow seems to have a good bond to the layers below, where surface hoar and facets have begun to show signs of rounding. An old rain crust buried on December 3 is reported to be down 150-180cm in the North Shore mountains. This layer is well bonded to overlying snow and no stability concerns exist below this layer.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">By Tuesday afternoon, between 25 and 65 cm of new low density snow had fallen with the highest accumulations occurring in the Monashees. In higher elevation terrain where the winds were stronger, I'd expect new wind slab formation on lee features. In areas sheltered from the wind, the new snow is mostly loose and unconsolidated. 50-90 cm below the surface you'll find the mid-December interface which consists of wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and/or surface hoar crystals. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is well bonded to the interface in most areas. However, this layer is still reactive in some snowpack tests and should be investigated before pushing into steeper terrain. Limited observations from the North Columbia region suggest this layer may be especially touchy on the eastern side of the Selkirks. The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest it is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow with the possible exception of shallow snowpack areas. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 8-15cm of new snow has fallen in the past few days. Limited observations suggest there was little in the way of wind on Tuesday. However, strong winds forecast for Wednesday may redistribute the loose surface snow into new wind slabs in exposed higher elevation terrain. 20-50 cm of snow typically overlies the mid-December interface which consists of stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and surface hoar that formed in sheltered areas. The overlying slab appears to have a poor bond to these surfaces in some areas, especially in wind-affected terrain in the Dogtooth range and possibly Quartz Creek. In sheltered terrain, the overlying slab has remained soft. As it continues to settle and gain cohesion, we may start to see a more widespread persistent slab problem develop. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The thick mid-November crust/ facet layer typically sits 70-140 cm down in the snowpack. Recent avalanche activity in the Dogtooth Range suggests this layer has woken up and has the potential for large avalanches. Check out this ACMG Mountain Conditions Report for more info: https://mountainconditions.com/reports/december-25th-dogtooth-range-november-crust-awakening</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region received up to 50 cm of low density snow on Tuesday, which is now available to be redistributed by strong westerly winds. The new snow sits above a variety of surfaces including old hard wind slabs and surface hoar. The cold weather in early December left several layers of weak surface hoar and facets which are now buried 50-80 cm deep. These layers have been inactive for the past week, as it appears the lower snowpack is well-settled. A thick crust rain crust from mid-November is near the bottom of the snowpack and remains well bonded to the surrounding snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">5-10 cm of fresh low density snow is being redistributed by strong winds and likely forming touchy wind slabs in the lee of ridgetops. A variable interface that formed during the cold snap in early December can be found buried 30-50 cm deep. This interface consists of weak</span><span class="s_6A269DDD"> </span><span class="s_3FE45715">faceted (sugary) snow and preserved surface hoar in sheltered areas. The interface is likely most reactive in wind-affected terrain where it is covered by hard wind slabs. The snowpack is a generally weak and faceted below this interface, including another weak layer with surface hoar or facets that was buried in early December. Below treeline, the snowpack is very shallow and early season hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-30 cm of new snow has accumulated since Monday. This new snow sits over a variable interface which consists of wind affected surfaces, faceted (sugary) snow, or surface hoar. The surface hoar has been observed up to 20 mm in size in the Whistler area and it is reported to exist at and below treeline. Recently strong southerly winds have formed new wind slabs in leeward and cross loaded features in wind exposed terrain.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">10-20 cm of new snow has accumulated since Monday. This new snow sits over a variable interface which consists of wind affected surfaces, faceted (sugary) snow, or surface hoar. The surface hoar has been observed up to 5 mm in size in the Duffey Lake area. A thin sun crust may also exist in the upper snowpack and was reported around Coquihalla area over the weekend. Recently strong southerly winds have formed new wind slabs in leeward and cross loaded features in wind exposed terrain.  The mid and lower snowpack are generally expected to be well settled and stable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Storms slabs are 50-80 cm thick throughout the region as of Tuesday afternoon, and will continue to grow with more snow in the forecast. Strong southwest winds will continue to form extra thick storm slabs in the lee of exposed ridges. The storm snow has buried a layer of feathery surface hoar (up to 15 mm in sheltered areas), making wide propagations possible. A weak interface that formed during the early December cold snap can be found in isolated areas buried 100-150 cm deep. The layer consists of preserved surface hoar or weak faceted (sugary) snow. The lower snowpack is well consolidated in deep snowpack areas. In shallow snowpack areas, such as the northern part of the region, an old rain crust near the bottom of the snowpack has developed weak facets and may be possible to trigger.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moderate to strong winds are redistributing 10-30 cm of low density storm snow and forming touchy wind slabs in the lee of exposed ridges. The new snow has also buried a layer of feathery surface hoar (up to 15 mm in sheltered areas), making wide propagations possible. A weak interface that formed during the early December cold snap can be found about 40-60 cm deep underneath a hard wind slab. The layer consists of weak faceted (sugary) snow, and preserved surface hoar in sheltered areas. The snowpack is still shallow throughout the region and widespread faceting of the lower snowpack is likely in most areas. A thick rain crust that formed in early November is probably near the bottom of the snowpack and is likely surrounded by sugary facets. Basal facets and depth hoar (more sugary crystals) right at the bottom of the snowpack are reportedly widespread.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 20 and 65 cm of new snow fell on Monday night with the highest accumulations occurring in the Monashees. In higher elevation terrain where the winds were stronger, these accumulations have likely been shifted into much deeper and potentially reactive wind slabs. In areas sheltered from the wind, the new snow is mostly loose and unconsolidated.</span><span class="s_1681A555"> 50</span><span class="s_3FE45715">-90cm below the surface you'll find the mid-December interface which consists of wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and/or surface hoar crystals. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is well bonded to the interface in most areas. However, this layer is still reactive in some snowpack tests and should be investigated before pushing into steeper terrain. Limited observations suggest this layer has been especially touchy on the eastern side of the Selkirks. The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest it is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow with the possible exception of shallow snowpack areas. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">By Tuesday morning, up to 35 cm of new low density snow had fallen. In higher elevation terrain where the winds were stronger, I would expect new wind slab formation on lee and cross-loaded features. 60-90 cm below the surface you'll find the mid-December interface which consists of a variety of old snow surfaces including wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and/or surface hoar crystals. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is well bonded to the interface in some areas. However, a few public and professional reports suggest this layer may be reactive in some areas and worth investigating before pushing into steeper terrain. The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest it is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow with the possible exception of shallow snowpack areas. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-40 cm of low density snow accumulated during the storm on Monday night. The new snow sits over wind scoured surfaces or old wind slabs in exposed terrain and surface hoar up to 5 mm in sheltered areas. In exposed terrain, strong southerly winds have redistributed the new snow and wind slabs exist in leeward terrain features. A freezing rain crust from last week is now down around 60 cm and reports suggest it is generally not creating an instability. The mid-December interface is now down 70-100 cm. While test results suggest it still may be reactive in isolated areas, the layer is generally considered dormant. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Most of the new snow we got over Christmas has now been moved around by the wind at all elevations. Below tree line, travel continues to be challenging due to the lack of snow. The big difference is happening at tree line where now wind slabs have been deposited on mostly  S to NE aspects overtop of the recent snow at Christmas. Widespread wind slabs can be expected in the Alpine from the previous and continued strong winds. All of these recent wind slabs sit overtop of a previous wind slab that formed before Christmas. Thicker surface wind slabs up to 50cm can be especially found in lee pockets and cross loaded areas or gullies.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">30-40 cm of new snow </span><span class="s_3FE45715">has accumulated since Monday. This new snow sits over a variable interface which consists of wind affected surfaces, faceted (sugary) snow, or surface hoar. Recently strong southerly winds have formed new wind slabs in leeward and cross loaded features in wind exposed terrain. A crust that formed a week ago is likely down around 50 cm and a recent MIN reports suggests the snow overlying the crust is not well bonded. Below this crust, the snowpack is generally considered well settled and stable. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 30 and 75cm of new low density snow has fallen over the region since Monday. The highest accumulations have occurred in the Monashees. Expect new wind slab formation on lee features in higher elevation terrain where the winds were stronger. In areas sheltered from the wind, the new snow is mostly loose and unconsolidated. 50-90 cm below the surface you'll find the mid-December interface which consists of wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and/or surface hoar crystals. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is well bonded to the interface in most areas. However, this layer is still reactive in some snowpack tests and should be investigated before pushing into steeper terrain. Limited observations from the North Columbia region suggest this layer may be especially touchy on the eastern side of the Selkirks. The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest it is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow with the possible exception of shallow snowpack areas. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 15-20cm of new snow has fallen in the past few days. Moderate southwest winds have been redistribute the loose surface snow into new wind slabs in exposed higher elevation terrain. A highly variable 20-80 cm of snow typically overlies the mid-December interface which consists of stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and surface hoar that formed in sheltered areas. The overlying slab appears to have a poor bond to these surfaces in some areas, especially in wind-affected terrain in the Dogtooth range and possibly Quartz Creek. In sheltered terrain, the overlying slab has remained soft. As it continues to settle and gain cohesion, we may start to see a more widespread persistent slab problem develop. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The thick mid-November crust/ facet layer typically sits 70-140 cm down in the snowpack. Recent avalanche activity in the Dogtooth Range suggests this layer has woken up and has the potential for large avalanches. Check out this ACMG Mountain Conditions Report for more info: https://mountainconditions.com/reports/december-25th-dogtooth-range-november-crust-awakening</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Quite a lot (up to 50 cm) of recent low density snow has fallen, which is now available to be redistributed by mostly moderate southwesterly winds. The new snow sits above a variety of surfaces including old hard wind slabs and surface hoar. The cold weather in early December left several layers of weak surface hoar and facets which are now buried 50-80 cm deep. These layers have been inactive for the past week, as it appears the lower snowpack is well-settled. A thick crust rain crust from mid-November is near the bottom of the snowpack and remains well bonded to the surrounding snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of fresh low density snow is being redistributed by southwesterly winds and forming wind slabs in the lee of ridgetops. In general, there is very little structure to the snowpack, with low density new snow sitting over soft, sugary facets. Travel is very challenging as a result. A variable interface that formed during the cold snap in early December can be found buried 30-50 cm deep. This interface consists of weak</span><span class="s_6A269DDD"> </span><span class="s_3FE45715">faceted (sugary) snow and preserved surface hoar in sheltered areas. The interface is likely most reactive in wind-affected terrain where it is covered by hard wind slabs. The snowpack is a generally weak and faceted below this interface, including another weak layer with surface hoar or facets that was buried in early December. Hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-40 cm of new snow has accumulated since Monday. This new snow sits over a variable interface which consists of wind affected surfaces, faceted (sugary) snow, or surface hoar. Recent observations suggest the new snow is well bonded to this interface with exceptions for isolated areas where surface hoar may be preserved. Recently strong southerly winds have formed wind slabs in leeward and cross loaded features in wind exposed terrain. The mid-December interface is now down 90-120 cm and is generally considered to be stable in most areas. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In the Coquihalla area, around 50 cm of new snow has accumulated since Monday. In the Duffey Lake area, around 20 cm of new snow has accumulated since Monday. This new snow sits over a variable interface which consists of wind affected surfaces, faceted (sugary) snow, or surface hoar. The surface hoar has been observed up to 5 mm in size in the Duffey Lake area. A thin sun crust may also exist in the upper snowpack and was reported around Coquihalla area over the weekend. Recently strong southerly winds have formed new wind slabs in leeward and cross loaded features in wind exposed terrain. The mid and lower snowpack are generally expected to be well settled and stable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent storms have deposited 50-80 cm new snow combined with strong, mainly southwest winds. Expect touchy wind slabs to have formed in the lee of exposed ridges. The storm snow has buried a layer of feathery surface hoar (up to 15 mm in sheltered areas), making wide propagations possible. A weak interface that formed during the early December cold snap can be found in isolated areas buried 100-150 cm deep. The layer consists of preserved surface hoar or weak faceted (sugary) snow. The lower snowpack is well consolidated in deep snowpack areas. In shallow snowpack areas, such as the northern part of the region, an old rain crust near the bottom of the snowpack has developed weak facets and might be triggerable from a thin or rocky area on a convex slope.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Moderate to strong winds continue to redistribute the 10-30 cm of low density storm snow, forming touchy wind slabs in the lee of exposed ridges. The new snow has also buried a layer of feathery surface hoar (up to 15 mm in sheltered areas), making wide propagations possible. There is another weak layer that formed during the early December cold snap which is now about 40-60 cm deep. However, the layer that was responsible for most of the large avalanches during the big storm just before Christmas was the mid-November rain crust. This lies close to the bottom of the snowpack and is associated with sugary facets. Because of the low snow depths (around 1 m), this layer remains very much a concern in this region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 30 and 80 cm of new snow has fallen since Monday night with the highest accumulations occurring in the Monashees. In higher elevation terrain where the winds were stronger, these accumulations have likely been shifted into much deeper and potentially reactive wind slabs. In areas sheltered from the wind, the new snow is mostly loose and unconsolidated.</span><span class="s_1681A555"> 50-100cm </span><span class="s_3FE45715">below the surface you'll find the mid-December interface which consists of wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and/or surface hoar crystals. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is well bonded to the interface in most areas. However, this layer is still reactive in some snowpack tests and should be investigated before pushing into steeper terrain. Limited observations suggest this layer has been especially touchy on the eastern side of the Selkirks. The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest it is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow with the possible exception of shallow snowpack areas. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 45 cm of new low density snow has fallen since Monday. In higher elevation terrain where the winds were stronger, I would expect new wind slab formation on lee and cross-loaded features. 65-100 cm below the surface you'll find the mid-December interface which consists of a variety of old snow surfaces including wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and/or surface hoar crystals. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is well bonded to the interface in some areas. However, a few public and professional reports suggest this layer may be reactive in some areas and worth investigating before pushing into steeper terrain. The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. Recent test results on this layer suggest it is generally well bonded to the adjacent snow with the possible exception of shallow snowpack areas. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-50 cm of low density snow has accumulated since Monday. The new snow sits over wind scoured surfaces or old wind slabs in exposed terrain and surface hoar up to 5 mm in sheltered areas. In exposed terrain, strong southerly winds have redistributed the new snow and wind slabs exist in leeward terrain features. A freezing rain crust from last week is now down around 60 cm and reports suggest it is generally not creating an instability in the snowpack. The mid-December interface is now down 70-100 cm. While the layer has recently been considered dormant in region, a skier triggered avalanche on Tuesday was reported to have occurred on this interface in the Rossland area. It will be important to continue to watch how this layer reacts in coming days. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">The steady winds that we've been experiencing lately are significantly changing our snowpack. Windslabs are the current problem at the forefront of our minds. We are starting to see them even below treeline, however they are of little concern as there is still very little snow at valley bottom. Open areas at treeline is where the slabs start to become a legitimate concern. At the moment, the slabs as a whole are up 40cm thick. This thick layer is actually made up a series of laminated slabs from various wind events. These slabs are sitting on a delicate layer of facets that were buried on Deb 18th. This facet layer is widespread and will likely last for weeks to come. Snow depth at treeline was 125cm today. The alpine has a similar condition in terms of windslabs and weak layers underneath. We are finding the Dec 18th facets alive and well in most areas. In thinner snowpack areas, these facets are more pronounced and have turned into depth hoar. The snow coverage is variable with dramatic transitions. It will go from gravel to a meter deep snowpack in only a few steps. Wind loaded areas will have a surprising amount of snow in them. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">30-50 cm of new snow </span><span class="s_3FE45715">has accumulated since Monday. This new snow sits over a variable interface which consisted of wind affected surfaces, faceted (sugary) snow, or surface hoar. Recent reports suggest this storm snow is now well bonded except places where surface hoar may be preserved. Recently strong southerly winds have formed new wind slabs in leeward and cross loaded features in wind exposed terrain. A crust that formed a week ago is likely down around 50-70 cm. Below this crust, the snowpack is generally considered well settled and stable. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 35 and 70cm of new low density snow has fallen over the region since Monday. The highest accumulations have occurred in the Monashees. Observations suggest wind slab formation in the new snow has been less than expected, but wind slab can still be found on lee features in higher elevation terrain where the winds were stronger. In areas sheltered from the wind, the new snow is mostly loose and unconsolidated. 50-100 cm below the surface you'll find the mid-December interface which consists of wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and/or surface hoar crystals. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is well bonded to this interface in most areas. However, this layer is still reactive in some snowpack tests and should be investigated before pushing into steeper terrain. Limited observations from the North Columbia region suggest this layer may be especially touchy on the eastern side of the Selkirks. The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 15-20cm of new snow has fallen in the past few days. Moderate southwest winds have been redistributing the loose surface snow into new wind slabs in exposed higher elevation terrain. A highly variable 20-80 cm of snow overlies the mid-December interface which consists of stiff wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and surface hoar that formed in sheltered areas. The overlying slab appears to have a poor bond to these surfaces in some areas, especially in wind-affected terrain in the Dogtooth range and possibly Quartz Creek. In sheltered terrain, the overlying slab has remained soft. As it continues to settle and gain cohesion, we may start to see a more widespread persistent slab problem develop. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The thick mid-November crust/ facet layer typically sits 70-140 cm down in the snowpack. Recent avalanche activity in the Dogtooth Range suggests this layer has woken up and has the potential for large avalanches. Check out this ACMG Mountain Conditions Report for more info: https://mountainconditions.com/reports/december-25th-dogtooth-range-november-crust-awakening</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Quite a lot (up to 50 cm) of recent low density snow has fallen, which is now available to be redistributed by mostly moderate southwesterly winds. The new snow sits above a variety of surfaces including old hard wind slabs and surface hoar. The cold weather in early December left several layers of weak surface hoar and facets which are now buried 50-80 cm deep. These layers have been inactive for the past week, as it appears the lower snowpack is well-settled. A thick crust rain crust from mid-November is near the bottom of the snowpack and remains well bonded to the surrounding snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of fresh low density snow has been redistributed by mainly southwesterly winds and forming wind slabs in the lee of ridgetops. In general, there is very little structure to the snowpack, with low density new snow sitting over soft, sugary facets. Travel is very challenging as a result. A variable interface that formed during the cold snap in early December can be found buried 30-50 cm deep. This interface consists of weak</span><span class="s_6A269DDD"> </span><span class="s_3FE45715">faceted (sugary) snow and preserved surface hoar in sheltered areas. The interface is likely most reactive in wind-affected terrain where it is covered by hard wind slabs. The snowpack is a generally weak and faceted below this interface, including another weak layer with surface hoar or facets that was buried in early December. Hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 50 cm of new low density snow is expected to accumulate by the end of the storm on Thursday. This brings the total storm snow amounts since Monday to 70-100 cm. Below the new snow from this week lies the Boxing Day interface which consisted of wind affected surfaces, faceted (sugary) snow, or surface hoar. Recent observations suggest the overlying snow is well bonded to this interface with exceptions for isolated areas where surface hoar may be preserved. Ongoing strong southerly winds during the storm have been loading leeward and cross loaded features in wind exposed terrain. The mid-December interface is now down 100-150 cm and is generally considered to be stable in most areas. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">20-30 cm of new low density snow is expected to accumulate by the end of the storm on Thursday. This brings the total storm snow amounts since Monday to 50-80 cm. Below the new snow from this week lies the Boxing Day interface which consisted of wind affected surfaces, faceted (sugary) snow, or surface hoar. The surface hoar has been observed up to 5 mm in size in the Duffey Lake area. A thin crust may also exist in the upper snowpack and was reported around Coquihalla area last weekend.&nbsp; Ongoing strong southerly winds during the storm have been loading leeward and cross loaded features in wind exposed terrain. The mid-December interface is now down around 80 cm in the Duffey and over 1 m in the Coquihalla. The mid and lower snowpack are generally expected to be well settled and stable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent storms have deposited 50-80 cm new snow combined with strong, mainly southwest winds. The storm snow has buried a layer of feathery surface hoar (up to 15 mm in sheltered areas), making wide propagations possible. Recent reports from Shames indicate the slab properties overlying this layer of surface hoar are supporting easily triggered avalanches, including avalanches running in low angled terrain. An earlier (and therefore deeper) weak interface that formed during the early December cold snap can be found in isolated areas buried 100-150 cm deep. The layer consists of preserved surface hoar or weak faceted (sugary) snow. The lower snowpack is well consolidated in deep snowpack areas. In shallow snowpack areas, especially north of Ningunsaw, an old rain crust near the bottom of the snowpack has developed weak facets and might be triggerable from a thin or rocky area on a convex slope.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowpack depths in this region are still shallow - around 1 m or so, meaning there are a lot of weak sugary facets in the snowpack at this time. Recent storm snow has been redistributed by the wind, and wind slabs are widespread behind exposed ridges. Where hard wind slabs overlie weak facets, the structure is ripe for human-triggered avalanches. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In addition to the sugary facets, you may find a layer of feathery surface hoar (up to 15 mm in sheltered areas), buried around 15-25 cm below the surface. There is another weak layer that formed during the early December cold snap which is now about 40-60 cm deep. A crust from mid-November may be found close to the bottom of the snowpack nestled in amongst the facets. We don't have a lot of information about these layers, but it's worth noting the layer responsible for most of the large avalanches during the big storm just before Christmas was the mid-November rain crust.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 35 and 75 cm of new snow has fallen over the region since Monday. The highest accumulations have occurred in the Monashees. Low density snow has allowed for quick settlement of new snow in sheltered areas, where new snow has begun to take on soft slab character. Other areas exposed to moderate to strong winds have experienced wind slab development. 80-120cm below the surface you'll find the mid-December interface, which consists of wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and/or surface hoar crystals. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is well bonded to the interface in most areas. However, this layer is still reactive in some snowpack tests and should be investigated before pushing into steeper terrain. Limited observations suggest this layer has been especially touchy on the eastern side of the Selkirks. The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">About 35cm new snow lies on the surface after this week's series of storms. In higher elevation terrain, moderate to strong winds have promoted slab formation on lee and cross-loaded features. In sheltered areas and lower elevations, the low density snow has only just begun to show signs of consolidation into soft slab. 65-100cm below the surface you'll find the mid-December interface which consists of a variety of old snow surfaces including wind affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, and/or surface hoar crystals. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is well bonded to the interface in some areas. However, a few public and professional reports suggest this layer may be reactive in some areas and worth investigating before pushing into steeper terrain. The thick mid-November crust layer typically sits 1-2 m down in the snowpack. This layer is considered dormant at this time but remains an isolated concern that we will likely be tracking through much of the season.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60 cm of snow has accumulated since Monday. The new snow sits over a variable interface which may consist of wind scoured surfaces or old wind slabs in exposed terrain, surface hoar up to 5 mm in sheltered areas and/or a freezing rain crust. Recent test results suggest the layer is gaining strength but may still be reactive in isolated areas. In exposed terrain, strong southerly winds have redistributed the new snow and wind slabs exist in leeward terrain features. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-December interface is now down 40-100 cm. This layer appears to be well bonded in many parts of the region but has recently been reactive in the mountains west of Trail and Castlegar where the interface is down around 40 cm. It appears that preserved surface hoar is creating an isolated problems for this area and three skier trigger avalanches have released on this layer since Monday. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">A few cms of snow fell throughout the day on Thursday but not enough to change the current danger level or improve the lower elevations.  In the Alpine and at treeline most open areas are wind affected.  These windslabs are overlying the dec 18th facet layer down 20-30cm.  Easy failures have been noted on this interface indicating that it is ripe for a human trigger.  Watch for &quot;drummy&quot; sounds and shooting cracks.  These are all positive indicators that you are moving into more skier triggerable areas. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Storm totals on Thursday are expected to reach around 50 cm in the wettest parts of the region. This brings the total storm snow amounts since Monday to around 100 cm in the North Shore mountains. Reports on Thursday suggest the storm snow from the beginning of the week is well bonded and stable, and the new avalanche activity has been isolated to snow that fell on Thursday. </span><span class="s_3FE45715">Ongoing strong southerly winds during the storm have been loading in leeward and cross loaded features in wind exposed terrain. A crust that formed a week ago is likely down over 1 m. Below this crust, the snowpack is generally considered well settled and stable. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 50 and 90 cm of new low density snow has fallen over the past week, with the greatest accumulations in the Monashees. Shifting winds with moderate speeds are forming touchy storm slabs in exposed high elevation terrain. The mid-December interface can be found buried 70-120 cm deep and consists of faceted (sugary) crystals or surface hoar. This layer appears to be well bonded in many parts of the region, but has been reactive in snowpack tests in the southeast part of the region where a slab overlies preserved surface hoar. The lower snowpack is well consolidated and features a thick rain crust near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Another 20 cm of low density snow fell on Thursday, bringing new snow totals from the past week up to 40-60 cm. Shifting winds with moderate speeds are forming wind slabs in exposed high elevation terrain. An interface that formed during the early December cold snap can be found buried 40-80 cm deep. The interface may consist of stiff wind-affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, or feathery surface hoar crystals. The overlying slab appears to have a poor bond to these surfaces in some areas, especially in wind-affected terrain in the Dogtooth range and possibly Quartz Creek. The thick mid-November crust and facet layer is now buried 70-150 cm deep and appears to be dormant, as the last reported avalanche activity on this layer was before Christmas.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 50 cm of low density snow has recently fallen, which is now available to be redistributed by mostly moderate westerly winds. The new snow sits above a variety of surfaces including old hard wind slabs and surface hoar. The cold weather in early December left several layers of weak surface hoar and facets which are now buried 50-80 cm deep. These layers are expected to be more in reactive in areas where the overlying slab has gained cohesion with wind or settlement. A thick crust rain crust from mid-November is near the bottom of the snowpack and remains well bonded to the surrounding snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20 cm of fresh low density snow has been redistributed by mainly southwesterly winds forming wind slabs in the lee of ridgetops. In general, there is very little structure to the snowpack, with low density new snow sitting over soft, sugary facets. Travel is very challenging as a result. A variable interface that formed during the cold snap in early December can be found buried 30-50 cm deep. This interface consists of weak</span><span class="s_6A269DDD"> </span><span class="s_3FE45715">faceted (sugary) snow and preserved surface hoar in sheltered areas. The interface is likely most reactive in wind-affected terrain where it is covered by hard wind slabs. The snowpack is a generally weak and faceted below this interface, including another weak layer with surface hoar or facets that was buried in early December. Hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between Monday and Friday, 70-100 cm of storm snow accumulated in the region.  Below the new snow from this week lies the Boxing Day interface which consisted of wind affected surfaces, faceted (sugary) snow, or surface hoar. Recent observations suggest the overlying snow is generally well bonded to this interface. Recent weaknesses in the snowpack have been isolated to storm snow interfaces.&nbsp; Recent strong winds have been from a variety of directions and have been loading leeward and cross loaded features in wind exposed terrain. The mid-December interface is now down 100-150 cm and is generally considered to be stable in the region. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">25-45 cm of low density snow accumulated during the storm on Thursday. This brings the total storm snow amounts since Monday to 60-80 cm. Below the new snow from this week lies the Boxing Day interface which consisted of wind affected surfaces, faceted (sugary) snow, or surface hoar. The surface hoar has been observed up to 5 mm in size in the Duffey Lake area. A thin crust may also exist in the upper snowpack and was reported around Coquihalla area last weekend. Recent strong winds have been from a variety of directions and have been loading leeward and cross loaded features in wind exposed terrain. The mid-December interface is now down over 1 m and is generally considered to be stable in the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent storms have deposited 50-80 cm new snow combined with strong, mainly southwest winds. The storm snow has buried a layer of feathery surface hoar (up to 15 mm in sheltered areas), making wide propagations possible. Recent reports from Shames indicate the slab properties overlying this layer of surface hoar are supporting easily triggered avalanches, including avalanches running in low angled terrain. An earlier (and therefore deeper) weak interface that formed during the early December cold snap can be found in isolated areas buried 100-150 cm deep. The layer consists of preserved surface hoar or weak faceted (sugary) snow. The lower snowpack is well consolidated in deep snowpack areas. In shallow snowpack areas, especially north of Ningunsaw, an old rain crust near the bottom of the snowpack has developed weak facets and might be triggerable from a thin or rocky area on a convex slope.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowpack depths in this region are still shallow - around 1 m or so, meaning there are a lot of weak sugary facets in the snowpack at this time. Recent storm snow has been redistributed by the wind, and wind slabs are widespread behind exposed ridges. Where hard wind slabs overlie weak facets, the structure is ripe for human-triggered avalanches. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In addition to the sugary facets, you may find a layer of feathery surface hoar (up to 15 mm in sheltered areas), buried around 15-25 cm below the surface. There is another weak layer that formed during the early December cold snap which is now about 40-60 cm deep. A crust from mid-November may be found close to the bottom of the snowpack nestled in amongst the facets. We don't have a lot of information about these layers, but it's worth noting the layer responsible for most of the large avalanches during the big storm just before Christmas was the mid-November rain crust.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 50 and 100 cm of new low density snow has fallen over the past week, with the greatest accumulations in the Monashees. Shifting winds with moderate speeds are forming touchy storm slabs in exposed high elevation terrain. The mid-December interface can be found buried 80-120 cm deep and consists of faceted (sugary) crystals and/or surface hoar. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is well bonded to the interface in most areas, but remains a concern in thin snowpack areas such as the eastern and northern parts of the region. The lower snowpack is well consolidated and features a thick rain crust near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 30 and 60 cm of new low density snow has fallen over the past week. In higher elevation terrain, moderate to strong winds have promoted slab formation on lee and cross-loaded features. In sheltered areas and lower elevations, the low density snow has only just begun to show signs of consolidation into soft slab. A mid-December interface can be found buried 65-100 cm deep and consists of faceted (sugary) crystals and/or surface hoar. Recent tests suggest the the new snow is generally well bonded to this interface in most areas, but since the layer has still been reactive in some snowpack tests it should be investigated before pushing into steeper terrain. The lower snowpack is well consolidated and features a thick rain crust near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60 cm of snow has accumulated since Monday. The new snow sits over a variable interface which may consist of wind scoured surfaces or old wind slabs in exposed terrain, surface hoar up to 5 mm in sheltered areas and/or a freezing rain crust. Recent test results suggest the layer is gaining strength but may still be reactive in isolated areas. Recent strong winds have been from a variety of directions and have been loading leeward and cross loaded features in wind exposed terrain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-December interface is now down 40-100 cm. This layer appears to be well bonded in many parts of the region but has recently been reactive in the mountains west of Trail and Castlegar where the interface is down around 40 cm. It appears that preserved surface hoar is creating an isolated problems for this area and three skier trigger avalanches have released on this layer between Monday and Wednesday. On Thursday, the interface was also reported to be reactive to snowpack tests in the Valhallas and the mountains north of Nelson. It will be important to continue to track how this layer evolves during the upcoming period of high pressure.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">10-20 cm's of new snow fell last night. At treeline, the windslabs are now buried and somewhat disguised under the unsettled, new snow. Little wind today has done almost nothing for fresh storm slab development. The Dec 18 facet layer is now down 50cm on average. In the alpine, similar conditions exist due to the lack of significant wind. The only exception is in windward areas (westerly aspects) that saw intense wind scouring earlier in the week. Expect isolated(immediate lee) storm slabs and extensive windslabs on N to S aspects. The new snow is still low density with little cohesion.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 50 cm of new snow accumulated from Thursday's storm. This brings the total storm snow amounts since Monday to around 100 cm in the North Shore mountains. Reports on Thursday suggest the storm snow from the beginning of the week is well bonded and stable, and the new avalanche activity has been isolated to snow that fell on Thursday. This new snow is expected quickly gain strength and stabilize going into the weekend. </span><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent strong winds have been from a variety of directions and have been loading leeward and cross loaded features in wind exposed terrain.  A crust that formed a week ago is likely down over 1 m. Below this crust, the snowpack is generally considered well settled and stable. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 50 and 90 cm of new low density snow has fallen over the past week, with the greatest accumulations in the Monashees. Shifting winds with moderate speeds are forming touchy storm slabs in exposed high elevation terrain. The mid-December interface can be found buried 70-120 cm deep and consists of faceted (sugary) crystals or surface hoar. There remains to be some uncertainty on the distribution and reactivity of this layer. Some recent patterns suggest the layer may be more reactive in shallow snowpack areas, steep south facing slopes, and in the southeast part of the region where it is composed of preserved surface hoar. The lower snowpack is well consolidated and features a thick rain crust near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region received a total of 40-60 cm of low density snow over the past week. Recent winds have come from a variety of directions and have loaded leeward and cross loaded features in exposed terrain. An interface that formed during the early December cold snap can be found buried 40-80 cm deep. The interface may consist of stiff wind-affected snow, faceted (sugary) crystals, or surface hoar crystals. The overlying slab appears to have a poor bond to the interface in some areas, such as wind-affected terrain in the Dogtooth range and shallow snowpack areas like the southern Purcells. The thick mid-November crust and facet layer is now buried 70-150 cm deep and appears to be dormant.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">On Saturday night 5 to 15cm of new snow is expected to fall. On Sunday, northerly winds are expected to howl and the new snow is expected to get shifted into new wind slabs. The new snow will overlie about 50cm of storm snow from last week which sits above old hard wind slabs and spotty surface hoar. The cold weather in early December left several layers of weak surface hoar and facets which are now buried 60-80 cm deep. These layers may be more in reactive in areas where the overlying slab has gained cohesion with wind or settlement. A thick crust rain crust from mid-November is near the bottom of the snowpack and remains well bonded to the surrounding snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_384D933F"><span class="s_3FE45715">Up to 20cm of new snow may fall on Saturday night. Extreme northeast wind are expected to redistribute these accumulations into wind slabs in exposed lee terrain. The new snow will overlie previously formed wind slabs which developed on Friday night and Saturday. In general, there is very little structure to the snowpack, with low-density snow sitting over soft sugary facets. Travel is very challenging as a result. A variable interface that formed during the cold snap in early December can be found buried 30-50 cm deep. This interface consists of weak</span><span class="s_6A269DDD"> </span><span class="s_3FE45715">faceted (sugary) snow and preserved surface hoar in sheltered areas. The interface is likely most reactive in wind-affected terrain where it is covered by hard wind slabs. The snowpack is a generally weak and faceted below this interface, including another weak layer with surface hoar or facets that was buried in early December. Hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a major concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between Monday and Friday, 70-100 cm of storm snow accumulated in the region. Below the new snow from this week lies the Boxing Day interface which consisted of wind affected surfaces, faceted (sugary) snow, or surface hoar. Recent observations suggest the overlying snow is generally well bonded to this interface. Recent weaknesses in the snowpack have been isolated to storm snow interfaces. Recent strong winds have been from a variety of directions and have been loading leeward and cross loaded features in wind exposed terrain. The mid-December interface is now down 100-150 cm and is generally considered to be stable in this region. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In total, between 60 and 90 cm new snow fell last week. The new snow is reported to be generally bonding well. Below the new snow lies the Boxing Day interface which, when buried, consisted of wind affected surfaces, faceted (sugary) snow, or surface hoar. The surface hoar has been observed up to 5 mm in size in the Duffey Lake area. A thin crust may also exist in the upper snowpack and was reported around Coquihalla area last weekend. Recent strong winds have been from a variety of directions and have been loading leeward and cross loaded features in wind exposed terrain. The mid-December interface is now down over 1 m and is generally considered to be stable in the region.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Recent storms have deposited 50-80 cm new snow combined with strong winds. The storm snow overlies a layer of feathery surface hoar (up to 15 mm in sheltered areas) which was buried on December 25, making wide propagations possible. Recent reports from Shames indicate the slab properties overlying this layer of surface hoar are supporting easily triggered avalanches, including avalanches running in low angled terrain. An earlier (and therefore deeper) weak interface that formed during the early December cold snap can be found in isolated areas buried 100-150 cm deep. The layer consists of preserved surface hoar or weak faceted (sugary) snow. The lower snowpack is well consolidated in deep snowpack areas. In shallow snowpack areas, especially north of Ningunsaw, an old rain crust near the bottom of the snowpack has developed weak facets and might be triggerable from a thin or rocky area on a convex slope.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Snowpack depths in this region are still shallow - around 1 m or so, meaning there are a lot of weak sugary facets in the snowpack at this time. Recent storm snow has been redistributed by strong to extreme winds, and wind slabs are widespread behind exposed features. Where hard wind slabs overlie weak facets, the structure is ripe for human-triggered avalanches. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">In addition to the sugary facets, you may find a layer of feathery surface hoar (up to 15 mm in sheltered areas), buried around 15-25 cm below the surface. There is another weak layer that formed during the early December cold snap which is now about 40-60 cm deep. A crust from mid-November may be found close to the bottom of the snowpack nestled in amongst the facets. We don't have a lot of information about these layers, but it's worth noting the layer responsible for most of the large avalanches during the big storm just before Christmas was the mid-November rain crust.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 50 and 100 cm of new low density snow has fallen over the past week, with the greatest accumulations in the Monashees. Shifting winds with moderate speeds are forming touchy storm slabs in exposed high elevation terrain. The mid-December interface can be found buried 80-120 cm deep and consists of faceted (sugary) crystals and/or surface hoar. There remains to be some uncertainty on the distribution and reactivity of this layer. Some recent patterns suggest the layer may be more reactive on steep south facing slopes and in areas with thinner snowpacks such as the eastern and northern parts of the region. The lower snowpack is well consolidated and features a thick rain crust near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Between 40 and 80 cm of new low density snow has fallen over the past week. Shifting winds are creating fresh and touchy wind slabs on a variety of aspects in exposed high elevation terrain. A mid-December interface can be found buried 50-100 cm deep and consists of faceted (sugary) crystals and/or surface hoar. The slab above this layer has recently been reactive to skier triggers in thin snowpack areas throughout the region. The layer is less of a concern in deep snowpack areas, but still deserves some investigation before pushing into steeper terrain. The lower snowpack is well consolidated and features a thick rain crust near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">30-60 cm of snow has accumulated since Monday. The new snow sits over a variable interface which may consist of wind scoured surfaces or old wind slabs in exposed terrain, surface hoar up to 5 mm in sheltered areas and/or a freezing rain crust. Recent test results suggest the layer is gaining strength but may still be reactive in isolated areas. Recent strong winds have been from a variety of directions and have been loading leeward and cross loaded features in wind exposed terrain. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The mid-December interface is now down 40-100 cm. This layer appears to be well bonded in many parts of the region but has recently been reactive in the mountains west of Trail and Castlegar where the interface is down around 40 cm. It appears that preserved surface hoar is creating an isolated problems for this area and three skier trigger avalanches have released on this layer between Monday and Wednesday. On Thursday, the interface was also reported to be reactive to snowpack tests in the Valhallas and the mountains north of Nelson. It will be important to continue to track how this layer evolves during the upcoming period of high pressure.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent strong winds have formed wind slabs in the Alpine and in open areas at Treeline and below. These slabs are highly variable in thickness, density and distribution. Snowpack tests indicate a layer of concern down 35cm. This interface was giving moderate compression tests today on a North aspect at 2400m. In addition, the November crust layer is now producing moderate to hard shears down 50 to 90cm in the snowpack. At lower elevations the snowpack is very weak with occasional ski penetration to ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Light amounts from the storm Saturday night add to previous storm totals of around 100 cm in the North Shore mountains. The storm snow is reported to have bonded well with the underlying snow, and is now generally stable, although wind slabs on steep slopes in exposed areas remain a concern. </span><span class="s_3FE45715">A crust that formed a week ago is likely down over 1 m, but recent avalanches were not reported to have run on the crust layer. Below this crust, the snowpack is generally considered well settled and stable. </span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region received 50 to 90 cm of new snow between Christmas and New Years. This snow has been redistributed by strong winds that have come from a variety of directions and loaded leeward and cross-loaded features. Sunny skies will promote settlement of the snow on open south-facing slopes. The mid-December facet/surface hoar interface can be found buried 70-120 cm deep, and has been showing signs of gaining strength recently with little to no recent avalanche activity in the region. The lower snowpack is well bonded and features a thick rain crust near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region received 40-60 cm of new snow between Christmas and New Years. This snow has been redistributed by strong winds that have come from a variety of directions and loaded leeward and cross-loaded features. Sunny skies will promote settlement of the snow on open south-facing slopes. The mid-December facet/surface hoar interface can be found buried 40-80 cm deep. This layer has shown signs of being poorly bonded to the overlying slab in snowpack tests, and has produced intermittent avalanche activity in shallow snowpack areas. The lower snowpack is well bonded and features a thick rain crust near the ground that appears to be dormant.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 10 cm of snow was added to the snowpack Saturday night and Sunday. That means around 60cm of storm snow from last week sits above old hard wind slabs and spotty surface hoar. The cold weather in early December left several layers of weak surface hoar and facets buried 60-80 cm deep. These layers are more reactive in areas where the overlying slab gained cohesion with wind or settlement. A thick crust rain crust from mid-November is near the bottom of the snowpack and remains well bonded to the surrounding snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 20cm fell Saturday night and Sunday. Moderate to strong NE winds drifted the snow into soft slabs. In general, there is very little structure to the snowpack, with low-density snow sitting over soft sugary facets. Travel is very challenging as a result. A variable interface that formed during the cold snap in early December can be found buried 30-50 cm deep. This interface consists of weak faceted (sugary) snow and preserved surface hoar in sheltered areas. The interface is likely most reactive in wind-affected terrain where it is covered by a more cohesive wind slab. Hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a concern.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The critical part of snowpack analysis under current conditions is figuring out how the wind is redistributing snow into wind slabs. Extreme northerly winds have been reported, which will be &quot;reverse loading&quot; wind onto slopes that were previously scoured. I suspect the cold will temper the reactivity of wind slabs on moderate slopes; however, on steep, aggressive terrain, particularly on south-facing slopes in the sun, wind slabs will definitely be in play. Between Monday and Friday last week, 70-100 cm of storm snow accumulated in the region. Below the new snow from this week lies the Boxing Day interface which consisted of wind affected surfaces, faceted (sugary) snow, or surface hoar. Recent observations suggest the overlying snow is generally well bonded to this interface. The mid-December interface is now down 100-150 cm and is generally considered to be stable in this region. Snowpack layers below this are well bonded.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The critical parts of the snowpack under current conditions are wind slabs in exposed areas, and, for low snow areas such as the Chilcotins, a layer of faceted snow from mid-December that in those areas is buried under about 50 cm of snow. Most parts of the region saw 60-90 cm new snow last week, which is reported to be generally bonding well. A facet/surface hoar layer was buried on Boxing Day (surface hoar up to 5 mm was observed in the Duffey Lake area), but does not seem to have turned into a major concern. The mid-December interface is now down over 1 m in most parts and is generally considered to be stable, except in shallow snowpack areas as mentioned above, where snowpack tests indicate it could still be a viable failure plane.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Recent storms deposited 50-80 cm of snow combined with strong winds, most recently from the north. The storm snow overlies a layer of feathery surface hoar (up to 15 mm in sheltered areas) buried on December 25, making wide propagations possible. Ongoing reports indicate this combination of layers is susceptible to easily triggered avalanches, including avalanches running in low angled terrain. An earlier (and therefore deeper) weak interface that formed during the early December cold snap can be found in isolated areas buried 100-150 cm deep. The layer consists of preserved surface hoar or weak faceted (sugary) snow. The lower snowpack is well consolidated in deep snowpack areas. In shallow snowpack areas, especially north of Ningunsaw, an old rain crust near the bottom of the snowpack has developed weak facets and might be triggerable from a thin or rocky area on a convex slope.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Snowpack depths in this region are still shallow - around 1 m or so, meaning there are a lot of weak sugary facets in the snowpack. Recent storm snow is being redistributed by strong to extreme winds, and wind slabs are widespread behind exposed features. Where hard wind slabs overlie weak facets, the structure is ripe for human-triggered avalanches.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">In addition to the sugary facets, you may find a layer of feathery surface hoar (up to 15 mm in sheltered areas), buried around 20 - 30 cm below the surface. There is another weak layer that formed during the early December cold snap which is now about 40-60 cm deep. A crust from mid-November may be found close to the bottom of the snowpack nestled in amongst the facets. We don't have a lot of information about these layers, but it's worth noting the layer responsible for most of the large avalanches during the big storm just before Christmas was the mid-November rain crust.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The region received 50 to 100 cm of new snow between Christmas and New Years. This snow has been redistributed by strong winds that have come from a variety of directions and loaded leeward and cross-loaded features. Sunny skies this week will promote settlement of the snow on open south-facing slopes. The mid-December facet/surface hoar interface can be found buried 80-120 cm deep, and has been showing signs of gaining strength recently with little to no recent avalanche activity in the region. The layer may still be reactive in isolated areas such as steep south-facing slopes and thin snowpack areas in the northern and eastern parts of the region. The lower snowpack is well bonded and features a thick rain crust near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong northerly winds have formed thick and touchy wind slabs on leeward and cross-loaded features at all elevations. The 40 to 80 cm of new snow the region received between Christmas and New Years has been wind affected and will settle into a slab on south-facing slopes when the sun comes out on Monday. The mid-December facet/surface hoar interface can be found buried 50-100 cm deep. The interface has been showing signs of gaining strength in thick snowpack areas, but remains a concern in thin snowpack areas throughout the region. The lower snowpack is well bonded and features a thick rain crust near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">This region saw 30-60 cm new snow during last week's storms. The new snow sits over a weak layer buried on Boxing day that was initially reactive but now appears to have gained strength. Recent winds switched from mainly southwesterly to northerly, &quot;reverse loading&quot; areas that were previously scoured. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Slightly lower in the snowpack is an interface buried mid-December, now down 40-100 cm. This layer appears to be well bonded in many parts of the region but was reactive for a while last week west of Trail and Castlegar where preserved surface hoar was thought to be responsible for four small (but surprising) skier trigger avalanches. It will be important to continue to monitor this layer for further signs of reactivity.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_DDF6C5E8">10-20cm snow has fallen in the eastern region from an upslope storm but only 3-5cm along the divide area. Our first main concern continues to be failures on the November crust down 40-60cm in open wind affected areas. This November crust seems to be more reactive in snowpack tests over the past few days. Our second concern is the persistent slab that is now buried under this new snow reacting to the faceted layer down about 35-50cm.</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">Right now, the most important part of the snowpack analysis is figuring out how the wind is redistributing snow into wind slabs. New wind slabs are most likely to be found on south to east aspects behind exposed terrain features, and could be touchy, especially on steep unsupported terrain. The previous metre or so of storm snow has bonded well to the underlying snow. A thin freezing rain crust buried under 10 cm of new snow was reported from the North Shore mountains, but I suspect the only impact this will have will be on skiing quality. Wind slabs aside, the snowpack is otherwise considered to be well settled and stable.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds on Sunday had an extensive effect in exposed terrain at all elevations. Expect scouring, hard wind slabs, and thicker reactive wind slabs in unusual places as the winds shifted from west to northeast. Sunny weather is likely making the wind slabs extra touchy on south-facing slopes. The mid-December facet/surface hoar layer can be found buried 70-120 cm deep, and has been showing signs of gaining strength recently with little to no recent avalanche activity in the region. The lower snowpack is well bonded and features a thick rain crust near the ground.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Strong winds on Sunday had an extensive effect in exposed terrain at all elevations. Expect scouring, hard wind slabs, and thicker reactive wind slabs in unusual places as the winds shifted from west to northeast. Sunny weather is likely making the wind slabs extra touchy on south-facing slopes. The mid-December facet/surface hoar layer can be found buried 40-80 cm deep. This layer has shown signs of being poorly bonded to the overlying slab in snowpack tests, and has produced intermittent avalanche activity in shallow snowpack areas. The lower snowpack is well bonded and features a thick rain crust near the ground that appears to be dormant.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 10 cm of snow was added to the snowpack Saturday night and Sunday. That means around 60cm of storm snow from last week sits above old hard wind slabs and spotty surface hoar. The cold weather in early December left several layers of weak surface hoar and facets buried 60-80 cm deep. These layers are more reactive in areas where the overlying slab gained cohesion with wind or settlement. A thick rain crust from mid-November is near the bottom of the snowpack and remains well bonded to the surrounding snow.</span></p>
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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B">Up to 20cm of new arrived Saturday night and Sunday. Moderate to strong NE winds drifted the snow into soft slabs. In general, there is very little structure to the snowpack, with low-density snow sitting over soft sugary facets. Travel is very challenging as a result. A variable interface that formed during the cold snap in early December can be found buried 30-50 cm deep. This interface consists of weak faceted (sugary) snow and preserved surface hoar in sheltered areas. The interface is likely most reactive in wind-affected terrain where it is covered by a more cohesive wind slab. Hazards such as stumps, rocks, and open creeks are still a concern.</span></p>