Lizard-Flathead

Look for wind slabs on a variety of aspects as the wind switches from northwest to southwest on Friday.

Reports on Wednesday and Thursday showed several explosives triggered and natural storm slab, wind slab and dry loose avalanches running to size 1 and 1.5.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Recent new snow has accumulated over faceted surfaces in many areas. A weak layer of facets above a melt-freeze crust is found down 60 to 100 cm.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well bonded with a series of crusts and faceted snow.

The average snow depth at treeline is approximately 110 to 190 cm.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, northwest alpine wind 15 to 35 km/h, treeline temperature -20 °C.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with 1-3 cm of snow, west and southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -11 °C.

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, 1-3 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, trace amounts of snow, southwest alpine wind 20 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
• Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.