Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead.
Keep an eye on changing conditions.
Wind slabs have likely formed near ridge crests.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Small human triggered wind slab avalanches continue to be reported in the region. These avalanches have been on a variety of aspects at treeline and above.
Check out this MIN describing one of these avalanches.
If you are headed into the backcountry please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
New wind slabs likely formed on all aspects throughout Friday due to strong northwest and southwest winds combined with light snowfall.
The upper snowpack contains a variety of layers including a surface hoar layer just below the surface in sheltered terrain and a crust on or near the surface on solar aspects.
The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled.
Snow depths at treeline range from 140 to 220 cm.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with light snowfall 1 to 5 cm. 50 to 70 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with light snowfall 1 to 2 cm of snow. 15 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with light snowfall 1 to 2 cm. 15 to 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
- Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
The wind has come from a variety of directions over the past couple days. Small wind slabs could be found in exposed terrain at treeline and above.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5