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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 26th, 2024–Dec 27th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Lizard-Flathead, Flathead, Lizard.

Watch for newly formed, reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, explosive control produced three size 1 storm slabs from north-facing alpine terrain.

No new avalanches were observed on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 15 cm of new snow has fallen in the past 24 hours. Accompanying southwest wind has redistributed this new snow, forming deeper deposits on leeward slopes at higher elevations.

Below the new snow, a melt-freeze crust exists below approximately 1500 m.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and stable.

Snow depths at treeline range from 120 to 180 cm.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud with up to 1 cm of new snow. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with up to 15 cm of new snow. 25 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with up to 2 cm of new snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest switching to northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.