Lizard-Flathead

Watch for changing conditions as snowfall and wind begin to form fresh slabs in wind affected terrain.

We expect storm snow to be triggerable by riders, with increased reactivity and size in wind affected terrain.

If you are out and about in the mountains, please consider posting your observations to the MIN.

By Monday afternoon, up to 20 cm of new snow is expected in the far west of this region, and around 10 cm for the Lizard-Flathead zone. Expect to find wind affected snow in alpine and open treeline features. A layer of faceted snow or surface hoar sits in the upper snowpack, with a crust from mid November buried 40–60 cm deep.

Lower in the snowpack, there are several crusts, and in some areas, weak, sugary facets can be found near the ground.

Overall snow depths range from 80–120 cm and thin rapidly at lower elevations. Many slopes, especially below treeline, still lack enough coverage to overcome ground roughness and produce avalanches.

Sunday Night
Cloudy. 2 to 4 cm of snow. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Monday
Cloudy. 2 to 15 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 15 to 25 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
• Be cautious of buried obstacles, especially below treeline.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.