Avalanche Forecast

Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations. Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

The weather pattern is setting up to offer the Lizard Range a decent amount of storm snow Saturday night into Sunday morning before an Arctic Ridge takes over for the work week.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Freezing level at valley bottom, moderate to strong southwest wind, 5 to 20+ cm of snow expected.

SUNDAY: Overcast at dawn, clearing by mid-morning, light to moderate northwest wind, a few cm of snow possible.

MONDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level at valley bottom, light variable wind, no significant precipitation expected.

TUESDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level at valley bottom, light southwest wind at valley bottom, potentially strong northwest wind at ridgetop, no significant precipitation expected.

Recent reported avalanche activity is limited. Explosive control work in the Lizard Range Friday produced a size 2 avalanche which failed on the mid-November crust on an east/southeast aspect at 1900 m.  

As of Saturday afternoon the series of storms has produced 20 cm over the last 48 hours bringing the 7 Day total to just over 40 cm.  

Crust layers from November and October can still be found deeper in the snowpack. As the load on these weak layers increases with new snow, they could become more reactive.

Snowpack depths are highly variable this early in the season with amounts ranging between 50-100 cm at higher elevations and tapering rapidly below treeline.