Avalanche forecast

Lizard-Flathead

Apr 12 – 13, 2021Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Watch for wind slabs lingering in steep open terrain and back off sun-exposed slopes when they heat up.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    As winds shift to the northeast wind slabs may be found on all aspects at upper elevations. 

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–2.5

    Strong solar radiation and warming may trigger the large cornices that hang over ridgelines.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Expect natural wet loose avalanches to occur on solar aspects when the sun comes out.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy skies, 40-60 km/h northeast wind, freezing level drop to valley bottom with treeline temperatures dropping to -8 C.

TUESDAY: Mostly sunny, 40 km/h northeast wind, freezing level to 1500 m with treeline temperatures around -2 C.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny, 30 km/h northeast wind, freezing level to 1800 m with treeline temperatures around 0 C.

THURSDAY: Mostly sunny, 30 km/h northeast wind, freezing level to 2300 m with treeline temperatures reach +4 C.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday a few size 1-1.5 human triggered slab avalanches were reported, including a storm slab on a north-facing convexity at treeline near Corbin. There was also a natural 30 cm thick slab on a steep east-facing slope in the Lizard Range and a size 1 skier triggered wet loose avalanche in a below treeline clearing.

Snowpack Summary

While sunny weather is melting the surface on southerly slopes, gusty northeast wind could blow around recent snow at upper elevations and form wind slabs on lee features. Upper elevations have 30-40 cm of settling snow from recent storm, but exact amounts are variable throughout the region due to the convective nature of the spring weather. The recent snow is sitting on hard crusts on solar aspects and a mix of wind affected or soft surfaces on shady aspects. The mid-pack is firm and well settled. Some faceted snow and a decomposing melt-freeze crust can be found near the base of the snowpack that may become a concern later this week when things really warm up.

The snow line is slowly creeping up the mountains to roughly 1400 m in elevation. Check out this MIN report for more details on the access from common staging areas.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Regions covered