Avalanche forecast

Lizard-Flathead

Mar 15, 2019Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 8 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

Storm slabs are the main concern, but it may be possible to trigger deeper weak layers with this upcoming warming.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2.5
    End of January surface hoar layer may be more reactive than expected, especially on slopes that are being affected by the strong March sun.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Recent new snow may still be reactive, especially where it is wind-affected. Watch also for slopes being impacted by the sun.

Confidence

Moderate - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloud. Slight chance of flurries. Alpine temperatures low of -5C. Moderate north-west winds at ridgetops. FRIDAY: Isolated flurries in morning. Mix of sun and clouds. Alpine temperatures high of -2C. Light to moderate west winds.SATURDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperatures high of -2C. Light to moderate west winds. Freezing level around 1600m to 1800m. SUNDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperature high of +2C. Light to moderate west winds. Freezing level between 2000m and 2300m.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, a group of sledders remotely triggered a size 1.5 persistent slab after seeing many shooting crack and whumpfs. See the MIN report for more details. Wednesday, numerous storm slabs avalanches (size 1-2) were triggered by skiers on northerly aspects near ridgetops. Few larger loose dry avalanches (size 2-2.5) were also triggered by explosives on steep alpine slopes. Thursday, the sun has initiated several loose wet avalanches on solar aspects at treeline and above.

Snowpack Summary

Moist snow on the surface of sunny slopes. Up to 40 cm of recent storm snow overlies various surfaces such as old and firm wind slabs in the alpine and open areas at treeline on all aspects. A widespread sun/ temperature crust is also found hidden under this new snow on south facing slopes. Isolated pockets of surface hoar crystals were observed at the surface on north-facing slopes around 2000m right before this storm rolled in. The mid-snowpack consists of sugary faceted grains (facets) of different hardness. Two older layers of surface hoar still exist down 55-80 and down 95-150 around 1600-1900m. The lower snowpack is generally well-settled.

Regions covered