Lizard-Flathead

Although a supportive surface crust reduces the likelihood of triggering an avalanche, use caution at higher elevations where the crust may be thinner, weaker, or absent.

No new avalanche activity has been reported since the recent warm and wet storm.

A widespread avalanche cycle took place on Tuesday and Wednesday on all aspects and elevation bands. Avalanches have ranged from size 1 to 3, with some larger ones failing up to 100 cm deep.

Trace amounts of new snow are accumulating over a widespread melt–freeze crust, which varies in thickness and strength with elevation. Beneath this crust, the snow remains moist due to the recent warm and wet weather. Some alpine areas may remain crust-free.

The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled and well-bonded, sitting above a thick melt-freeze crust that comprises most of the lower snowpack.

Snowpack depths at treeline range from 80 to 150 cm and thin rapidly at lower elevations. In many areas, especially below treeline, slopes lack enough snow to cover ground roughness and produce avalanches.

Friday Night
Cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday
Cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Monday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• A hard crust on the snow surface will help strengthen the snowpack, but may cause tough travel conditions.
• Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
• Be cautious of buried obstacles, especially below treeline.