Lizard-Flathead

Be cautious of wind slabs in steep alpine terrain.

There were a few size 1-1.5 explosives triggered avalanches on east and southeast aspects in the alpine on Saturday.

30 to 60 cm of dry snow sits above a rain crust. The greatest amounts are likely around Fernie, but any leeward terrain could have deeper deposits due to the recent southwest wind. Reports suggest the snow is bonding well to the crust. You may also find a thin crust near the surface in some areas. The lower snowpack was rain-soaked and has slowly refrozen. Typical snowpack depths at treeline are 75 to 130 cm, and taper rapidly below treeline.

Saturday Night

Mainly cloudy, alpine wind west 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -7 °C with a possible temperature inversion.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation, alpine wind west 15 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -4 °C with a possible temperature inversion.

Mostly sunny with no precipitation, alpine wind southwest 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C.

Cloudy with flurries, alpine wind southwest 20 to 30 km/h, treeline temperature -4°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.