Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bull, Elkford East, Elkford West, Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies.
New snow and gusty winds are developing new wind slabs in open terrain features at alpine and treeline elevations. Anticipate slopes where wind slabs are developing by monitoring the wind direction and avoid areas that look wind-affected or feel dense or stiff.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Several size 1 to 1.5 natural and explosive-controlled storm slabs were reported in the Lizard Range Wednesday where up to 10 cm of new snow fell Tuesday night.
Avalanche reports of small (size 1 to 1.5 ) human-triggered wind slabs continue to trickle in. This avalanche problem may continue while temperatures remain cold.
Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
10 - 15 cm of new snow being redistributed by moderate winds over various surfaces of soft faceted snow in sheltered locations and wind-affected snow in open terrain at alpine and treeline.
The mid-pack is well consolidated in the Lizard Range with a robust melt-freeze crust formed around Christmas down 70 to 90 cm deep.
Outside of the Lizard Range, snowpack depths are more shallow and faceted. In these areas, deep weak layers formed early season are still a concern, especially in steep rocky terrain features. The total snowpack depth ranges between 120 and 250 cm.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mainly cloudy, 2 to 3 cm new snow, 15 to 20 km/h southwest winds, treeline temperatures -4 ºC
Thursday
Cloudy, clearing in the afternoon, trace accumulations, 20 to 30 km/h southwest winds, treeline temperatures -4 ºC
FridayMainly cloudy, flurries starting overnight, 3 to 5 cm new snow, winds 20 to 30 km/h southwest. treeline temperatures -2 ºC.
SaturdayMainly cloudy, morning flurries 3 to 5 cm new snow, winds 20 to 30 km/h southwest winds, treeline temperatures -2 ºC.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
- Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Variable moderate winds continue to redistribute recent snow into wind slabs at the treeline and above.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
A layer near the base of the snowpack that developed early season remains on the radar for areas of this region where the snowpack is shallow and where the melt-freeze crust formed at Christmas is not found. Deep persistent slab avalanches have not been reported in the region for some time, however, the weak snowpack structure in these shallow areas may still be triggered with a heavy load, like a cornice fall, or machine trigger.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2.5 - 3.5