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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 25th, 2025–Mar 26th, 2025
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead.

Rising temperatures and strong sun are creating very dangerous avalanche conditions. Natural avalanches are likely. Avoid avalanche terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous natural and artificially triggered size 1 to 2.5 storm slab avalanches were reported on Monday.

Looking forward, we can expect this activity to continue as temperatures continue to climb, with the possibility of deeper avalanches running on buried weak layers.

Snowpack Summary

The upper snowpack is heavy and moist or wet at all elevations.

Where still intact, a crust is buried 30 to 100 cm deep, except on high-elevation north and east-facing slopes.

A surface hoar or facet layer from late January is buried 100 to 180 cm deep on north and east aspects at treeline and above. Although it been observed to be improving, we won't rule it out as a failure plane as balmy temperatures warm and weaken the snowpack on Wednesday.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night

Clearing skies. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature +5 °C. Freezing level rising to 2700 m.

Wednesday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature +10 °C. Freezing level rising to 3000 m.

Thursday

Flurries bringing 1 to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 2500 to 2300 m.

Friday

Flurries bringing 1 to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 to 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Only the most simple non-avalanche terrain with no overhead hazard is appropriate at this time.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

As temperatures rise, expect a heavy, wet upper snowpack to produce slab and loose wet avalanches, especially on sun-exposed slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Cornices

Cornices are large, looming and becoming weak with warm temperatures and sun. A large cornice fall can be dangerous on its own, and can also trigger deep slabs on slopes below.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3

Persistent Slabs

A persistent weak layer of surface hoar or facets is buried 100 to 180 cm deep. This layer may become reactive as temperatures peak on Wednesday.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3