Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead.
Watch for isolated pockets of wind slab at upper elevation. Avoid overhead exposure to cornices, especially during the heat of the afternoon.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Sunday, several natural size 1 loose wet avalanches were observed from steep terrain on solar aspects. A skier-triggered size 1.5 loose wet was reported in the late afternoon on a southeast aspect. A solar-triggered size 1.5 slab avalanche was also reported from a steep treeline feature.
On Saturday, a few natural size 1 wet loose avalanches were observed on alpine features that received direct sun in the afternoon.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
The snow surface includes a daily melt-freeze cycle on solar aspects, surface hoar up or facets in shady and wind-sheltered areas, and wind-affected surfaces in exposed terrain.
The top layer of the snowpack at higher elevations is made up of 20 to 40 cm of dense, wind-affected snow. It tapers to a rain crust below 1400 m. This Top layer of snow may sit on a sun crust on solar slopes and small surface hoar in sheltered, shaded areas.
The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled. The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. This layer has not produced recent avalanche activity.
Weather Summary
Tuesday night
Clear. Alpine temperatures drop to a low of -5 °C. Light variable ridge wind. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Wednesday
Sunny. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 3 °C. Light variable ridge wind. Freezing level rises to 2000 metres.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures reach a high of 2 °C. Ridge wind 10 to 40 km/h from the southwest. Freezing level rises to 1800 metres.
Friday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperatures reach a high of -3 °C. Ridge wind light from the southwest. Freezing level rises to 1200 metres.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Lingering wind slabs may persist at higher elevations. Winds have recently shifted directions so wind slabs may exist on all aspects in exposed terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
Cornices may become weak during the heat of the afternoon. Use extra caution when traveling on ridges and avoid slopes with large cornices overhead during the heat of the afternoon.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5