Avalanche forecast

Lizard-Flathead

Apr 21 – 22, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 5 months ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche danger will rise through the day with warming and light rain

Conditions will deteriorate sooner than expected if a strong crust does not form overnight. Plan your trip accordingly

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Cornices are more likely to fall as the temperature rises.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Wet loose avalanches are most likely during periods of warm temperatures, no overnight refreeze and rain.

Confidence

Low

  • We are uncertain about forecast precipitation amounts.
  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported.

We suspect natural loose wet avalanches will continue on steep, sun-exposed slopes during the afternoons, with a possibility of occasional cornice failures as well. Isolated wind slabs may be primed for human triggering on high north-facing slopes.

Snowpack Summary

Rising freezing levels and strong sun will weaken the snowpack throughout the day.

A melt-freeze crust may exist on the surface on all but north facing alpine terrain, where 10 to 30 cm of dry snow sits atop a crust. Lower elevation areas below treeline may not experience an overnight refreeze and remain moist or isothermal.

A weak layer of facets above a hard crust is buried 50 to 70 cm deep. This layer hasn't produced avalanches in over a week.

Facets exist at the base of the snowpack in shallow areas.

Weather Summary


Tuesday Night
Mostly clear skies. 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 9 °C. Freezing level 3500 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 15 mm of rain at treeline starting midday. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.



More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avalanche danger will increase as the surface crust breaks down.
  • Think carefully about your exit plan from the backcountry because avalanche danger is expected to increase throughout the day.
  • The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Regions covered