Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 30th, 2019 4:03PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Persistent Slabs.

mconlan, Avalanche Canada

Lizard-Flathead.

Continue to observe for signs of the lingering weak layer buried in our snowpack.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear skies, freezing level below valley bottom.THURSDAY: Increasing clouds over the day, moderate southwest winds, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level below valley bottom.FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, light to moderate southwest winds, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level below valley bottom.SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level below valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

A few small pockets of wind slabs were triggered by skiers on Wednesday. Otherwise, no new avalanches were observed on Wednesday or Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Around 10 cm of wind-affected snow overlies hard wind-consolidated snow in exposed terrain and a melt-freeze crust on southerly aspects. You may be able to find isolated pockets of wind slab in steep alpine terrain features. Beneath this, around 10 to 40 cm of snow overlies a weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals on shady and sheltered slopes. This layer may be most prominent between 1500 m and 1900 m.The remainder of the snowpack is generally well-settled. Thin snowpack areas, such as in the east of the region, may find weak and sugary faceted grains near the base of the snowpack.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Around 10 to 40 cm of snow sits above a weak layer of surface hoar and a crust on south aspects. The surface hoar is likely best preserved in shaded and sheltered areas between 1500 m and 1900 m.

Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, cracking, or recent avalanches.Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 31st, 2019 2:00PM