Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead.
Wind slabs at upper elevations are the main concern. Minimize your exposure to steep slopes facing the sun during the hottest part of the day. (Avalanche summary updated on Friday at 7:10 AM).
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Several large natural slab avalanches were reported near Fernie on Thursday. The group observed the avalanches release when the sun hit open alpine slopes.
On Tuesday, a widespread natural storm slab avalanche cycle to size 2.5 was observed throughout the region. Many of these avalanches are suspected to have released during the storm on Monday night.
Explosive control produced numerous storm slab avalanches to size 1.5-2.5.
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
20-40 cm of dense, wind-affected storm snow falling earlier in the week in the alpine tapers to a rain crust below 1400 m. This storm snow may sit on a sun crust on solar slopes and small surface hoar in sheltered, shaded areas.
The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled. The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. This layer has not produced recent avalanche activity.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Cloudy with clear periods. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Wind light southwest.
Friday
Mainly sunny. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Wind light south. Freezing level rising to 1500 meters.
Saturday
Mainly sunny. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Wind light south. Freezing level rising to 1700 meters.
Sunday
Mainly sunny. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Wind light southwest. Freezing level rising to 1600meters.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong southwest winds and 20-40 cm of dense storm snow have built wind slabs in alpine and treeline lees. Natural wind slab avalanches are possible on sun-exposed slopes, and human triggering remains possible on steep wind-loaded slopes.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Cornices
The full impact of the march sun may weaken cornices in the coming days.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3