Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Elkford East, Elkford West, Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies.
Update on Tuesday at 7:45 AM. Heavy snow and strong wind will create very dangerous avalanche conditions in the alpine. Stick to low-angle terrain while avoiding overhead hazards, like cornices and large slide paths.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
With ongoing wind and heavy snow overnight, surface slabs are expected to remain reactive through Tuesday.
Over the weekend, several natural and skier-triggered size 1 loose dry avalanches as well as a few small pockets of wind slab.
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
New snow continues to accumulate burying heavily wind-affected surfaces in exposed terrain and a sun crust on south. aspects.
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
Monday night
Heavy snowfall, 15 to 40 cm. Strong southwest alpine winds shifting to the northeast by Tuesday morning. Treeline temperatures -5 to -10 C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with snow, 5 to 15 cm. Strong northeast alpine winds. Treeline temperatures -10 to -20 C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with sunny periods and no precipitation. Moderate to strong northeast alpine winds. Treeline temperatures -20 to -25 C.
Thursday
Cloudy with sunny periods and no precipitation. Moderate to strong northeast alpine winds. Treeline temperatures -20 to -25 C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Travel in alpine terrain is not recommended.
- Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
- Be careful to keep storm day fever from luring you out into bigger terrain features.
- Avoid traveling through runout zones during stormy periods when large avalanches are likely.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Heavy snow and strong winds Monday night and Tuesday will create widespread touchy storm slabs and wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
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: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2.5 - 3.5