Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead.
Lingering wind slabs are present in ridge crests, roll-overs, and steep terrain.
Minimize your exposure time below cornices, as they are often unpredictable.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Over the weekend, small wind slabs (size 1) were easily triggered by skiers on alpine convex rolls and natural cornice falls (size 1) observed on steep slopes near Fernie. At lower elevations, riders triggered loose wet avalanches on south-facing slopes.
Old evidence of loose wet cycles (size 1 and 2) is still visible on steep solar terrain aspects. They were triggered by strong solar radiation, earlier last week.
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
At upper elevations, recent snow overlies a crust on solar aspects, faceted snow and surface hoar (up to 10 mm) in shaded and wind-sheltered areas. Wind-affected surfaces are also found in exposed areas. At lower elevations, a crust exists on or near the surface.
The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled, but a lingering persistent weak layer has shown some signs of reactivity near Leach Ridge. The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. This layer has not produced recent avalanche activity.
Weather Summary
Unsettled weather will continue to bring scattered flurries Monday night. The region will be under a building ridge of high pressure, with calm and dry conditions for the rest of the week.
Monday night
Cloudy. Isolated flurries. Trace accumulation. Low alpine temperatures of -8 °C. Light southerly ridge wind. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud. High alpine temperatures of -3 °C. Light easterly ridge wind. Freezing level rises to 1400 metres.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. High alpine temperatures of -2 °C. Light easterly ridge wind. Freezing level rises to 1800 metres.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. High alpine temperatures of -2 °C. Light westerly ridge wind gusting 30 km/h. Freezing level rises to 1800 metres.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Even a small avalanche can be harmful if it pushes you into an obstacle or a terrain trap.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
- Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Lingering wind slabs are still present in lee areas. These wind slabs may be bonding poorly to the underlying surfaces and still be reactive to human traffic, especially on steep, convex slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2