Lizard-Flathead

Precipitation should fall with strong winds and with a freezing level around treeline. Expect wind slabs in exposed terrain features and wet snow at low elevations. Watch your overhead exposure, as cornice falls could trigger slabs on slopes below.

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

FRIDAY:  Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 to 15 cm, moderate to strong westerly winds, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level 1500 m.SATURDAY: Sunny with a few clouds, light easterly winds, alpine temperature -10 C, freezing level 1000 m.SUNDAY: Increasing clouds with light snowfall, moderate southwesterly winds, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level 1600 m.

On Wednesday, large (size 2 to 3) wind slabs were observed in the region, being triggered naturally and by explosive control.  They were generally on easterly aspects, 20 to 30 cm deep, and at treeline and alpine elevations.Cornices have also been reactive this week, with numerous releases from natural and explosive triggers. 

Wind slabs exist on all aspects, produced from redistribution of last weekend’s storm snow from variable wind directions. This snow sits on a melt-freeze crust on sunny aspects and all aspects below 1600 m, as well as surface hoar on north aspects above 1600 m.  At ridgetop, cornices are large and have been failing in the past days.  At lower elevations, expect to find moist snow on the surface with daytime warming and potential rainfall, which will freeze into a crust with cooler overnight temperatures.Deeper in the snowpack, the mid-December and late-November weak layers are composed of crusts and sugary facets, which are down 150 to 300 cm. These layers are currently considered dormant but may be awoken by a large trigger, such as a cornice fall.