Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Elkford East, Elkford West, Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies.
25-35 cm of recent snow and northerly winds have formed fresh wind slabs that are sitting on hard surfaces. Reactive wind slabs may be found on aspects that are generally windward, so be on the lookout for wind slabs on most aspects in open terrain.
Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Numerous naturally triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported primarily in the alpine on Tuesday. Several skier triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were also reported.
Recently formed storm slabs will likely remain reactive to human triggers; especially in open areas where the wind has stiffened the snow.
The deep persistent slab problem continues to be a concern for parts of the region. In the nearby Bull River area, this very large older avalanche was observed on Friday by the Avalanche Canada field team which is expected to have occurred on Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
25-35 cm of recent snow and northerly winds have formed fresh wind slabs that are sitting on hard surfaces. Reactive wind slabs may be found on aspects that are generally windward, so be on the lookout for wind slabs on all aspects in open terrain.
The middle of the snowpack is well consolidated and sits on a thick crust. The bottom of the snowpack still consists of weak, sugary crystals that are slowly gaining strength in areas with a deeper snowpack.
Deep persistent slab avalanches should still be on your radar in thinner snowpack areas outside of the Lizard Range such as the Elkford area, and the Flathead range.
Weather Summary
Tuesday night
Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm / Moderate, east ridgetop wind / Low temperature at treeline around -30 C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy / Moderate, east ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline around -22 C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud / Strong, southeast ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline around -25 C.
Friday
Sunny / Strong, west ridgetop wind / High temperature at treeline around -17 C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
25-35 cm of recent snow and northerly winds have formed fresh wind slabs that are sitting on hard surfaces. Reactive wind slabs may be found on aspects that are generally windward, so be on the lookout for wind slabs on all aspects in open terrain.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Deep Persistent Slabs
A layer of large, weak basal facets exists and remains a primary problem in shallow snowpack areas, like the Flathead range, and Elkford area.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2.5 - 3.5