Lizard-Flathead

It's a challenging snowpack.

Strong winds have left slabs in open features, while persistent slab avalanches are most likely in sheltered areas at treeline and below.

Moderate

• Persistent slabs could become more likely with the forecast weather.

On Thursday, our field team found a reactive persistent slab problem near Sparwood.

Observations are currently very limited in this region. Please consider sharing your observations with the Mountain Information Network.

Up to 25 cm of recent snow and variable strong winds have formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects and elevations, including into open areas below treeline.

A layer of surface hoar down 30 to 60 cm may become increasingly reactive to human triggers. Persistent slab avalanches are most likely in sheltered areas at treeline and below, where the surface hoar is well preserved.

The mid and lower snowpack are well settled in some areas. In others, large facets (depth hoar) are present at the bottom of the snowpack.

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Saturday

Mostly sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Sunday

Sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday

Sunny. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
• Keep your guard up at all elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive and could extend into openings below treeline.
• Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
• In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.