Lizard-Flathead

Practice good travel habits and use normal caution in the backcountry. Crusts and wind effected snow have made riding difficult. Sheltered, shady aspects may still hold soft snow. 

THURSDAY NIGHT: Clear skies above the valley cloud, moderate wind from the west, treeline temperatures drop to -10 C.

FRIDAY: Clear skies above the valley cloud, moderate wind from the west with gusts to 60 km/h, treeline temperatures around -5 C.

SATURDAY: Clear skies above the valley cloud, moderate wind from the southwest with gusts to 60 km/h, treeline temperatures around -6 C.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries and trace amounts of snow, moderate wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures around -8 C.

No avalanches have been reported since the weekend.

Recent weather has formed surface hoar crystals in sheltered areas and possibly sun crusts on solar aspects. These will become important layers to track once buried by new snow. Alpine terrain has variable wind effect. A widespread rain crust from a few weeks ago can be found 15 to 30 cm deep. The midpack is strong and well consolidated above the early December crust/facet interface. This layer is not a concern under the current weather conditions.

• Exercise caution on steep, unsupported slopes.
• Carefully evaluate bigger terrain features on an individual basis before committing to them.
• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.