Avalanche forecast

Lizard-Flathead

Dec 16, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Moderate to strong winds are building fresh wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Light to moderate winds may build fresh wind slabs in lee features below ridgetops.

Confidence

Moderate - Wind speed and direction is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Friday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light northeasterly winds / Average temperature at treeline -20 C.Saturday: Mostly sunny / Light southwesterly winds / Average temperature at treeline -20 C.Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud / Light northwesterly winds / Average temperature at treeline -14 C.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, no new avalanches were reported in this region.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30 cm of low density storm snow from the weekend is being redistributed into soft slabs in wind exposed terrain. The new snow is sitting on top of a mixture of surface hoar and weak surface facets which means the storm snow could become reactive when it settles into a slab. The mid pack is reported to be well settled. Reports suggest typical treeline snow depths are around 120-170 cm, but a report from the east side of region indicated a much lower snow depth of around 90 cm. Limited reports suggest the snow is well bonded to the crusts buried in mid and early November which are down 50-80 cm and 80-110 cm, respectively.

Regions covered