Avalanche forecast

Lizard-Flathead

Apr 8 – 9, 2017Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

Cornices are the primary concern. Solar radiation is a common cornice trigger. Limit your exposure when it's cloudy and completely avoid cornices when it's sunny.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    New snow and moderate southwest winds have formed thin wind slabs below alpine ridgetops.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Solar radiation is a common cornice trigger. Limit your exposure when it's cloudy and completely avoid cornices when it's sunny.

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Light southwesterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1900 m.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Light southwesterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1700 m.TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy with flurries. Light southwesterly ridgetop winds. Freezing level around 1700 m.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose wet avalanches to size 1 in steep terrain were reported on Friday.

Confidence

High -

Snowpack Summary

10-15 cm of new snow and moderate southwesterly winds have created thin wind slabs on lee features below alpine ridgetops. Cornices are large, looming, and best avoided. The snowpack is well settled and continues to transition into a spring snowpack, becoming isothermal at treeline in some areas and below treeline in most areas. The December facets and November rain crust are buried deep, but these deep persistent weaknesses have not been reactive for several weeks. However, rapid warming of the snowpack or a large trigger, like a cornice, could trigger this layer.

Regions covered