Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bull, Elkford West, Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies.
Continuously assess conditions as you move through the terrain.
Avalanches are possible where the upper snowpack feels "stiff and slabby".
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Small dry loose avalanches were observed in steep south facing terrain on Monday. No slab avalanches have been reported in a few days.
Rider triggering is possible where a stiffer slab exists above the late January buried weak layers.
If you head into the backcountry consider submitting a MIN post!
Snowpack Summary
50 cm of faceted snow overlies a weak layer from late January. This layer consists of a crust on sun exposed slopes and a layer of surface hoar on all other aspects. Exposed terrain in the alpine and treeline is variably wind-affected creating a stiffer slab above the weak layer. In turn, the stiffer slab may be easier to trigger under the weight of a human. In sheltered terrain, a layer of surface hoar may be found just below the surface.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled.
This MIN Report posted on Monday gives a quick snowpack update for the Lost Boys Pass Area.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with isolated flurries. 15 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud with a trace of new snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.
Friday
Cloudy with new snow up to 5 cm. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Pay attention to isolated wind affected features in the alpine, as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
- Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs could still be triggered where the upper snowpack feels "stiffer and slabby".
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Persistent Slabs
Human triggered avalanches are possible where a slab has formed above a weak layer of surface hoar, facets, and/or crust buried at the end of January about 40 to 60 cm deep.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5