Avalanche forecast

Lizard-Flathead

Apr 4 – 5, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired last year

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Another warm-up brings rising freezing levels and sunny conditions.

Expect increasing avalanche activity within the recent storm snow.

Take time to read the new forecasters' blog.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    As temperatures rise, large cornice falls will become a concern. Carefully manage your exposure to overhead hazards during the warmest part of the day.

  • Loose Wet

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

    As surfaces become wet, loose wet avalanches will become more likely on steep south-facing slopes at all elevations.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, wet and dry loose avalanches were skier-triggered in the region. These avalanches have occurred in steep terrain on a variety of aspects and elevations. Explosive controls triggered numerous storm slabs (size 1) around Fernie.

Expect increasing avalanche activity within the recent snow with the forecasted warm weather.

Snowpack Summary

A diurnal melt-freeze cycle occurred over the past days. The surface is either moist or capped with a thin crust on all aspects and elevations except for high northerly slopes where up to 15 cm overlies a thick and supportive crust from late March. Below these crusts, the upper snowpack is moist.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Clear. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level returning to valley bottom.

Saturday

Sunny. 15 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.

Sunday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +6 °C. Freezing level around 3000 m.

Monday

Mix of sun and clouds. 30 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level around 2500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Limit exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Regions covered