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Summary
Confidence
Fair - Due to variable snowpack conditions
Weather Forecast
Friday: Light NW wind. Alpine temperature near -15. No snow.Saturday: Light W wind. Alpine temperature near -12. No snow.Sunday: Light NW wind. Alpine temperature near -14. No snow.
Avalanche Summary
A natural cycle of size 1-3 storm slabs occurred over the last three days. Skiers also several avalanches up to size 2, failing on buried surface hoar or facets.
Snowpack Summary
50-90 cm of recent snow has developed into slabs above old snow surfaces including surface hoar (found especially at and below treeline in sheltered areas), a sun crust (on steep S to SW-facing slopes) and facets. The distribution of buried surface hoar is patchy, but in the neighbouring North Columbia region, it is extremely touchy in some areas, with widespread propagation and remote-triggering occurring. I don’t yet have enough information to know how isolated this problem is, so you’ll need to get your shovel out and test this layer in your local area.Strong winds have left wind slabs in the lee of terrain breaks such as ridges and ribs at alpine and treeline elevations. In areas sheltered from the wind, fast-moving sluff could throw you off your feet or carry you into a terrain trap. A strong mid-pack overlies a weak facet/crust layer near the base of the snowpack, which is now considered inactive.