Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead.
Keep an eye on changing conditions.
Small wind slabs may form near ridge crests throughout the day.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Small human triggered wind slab avalanches continue to be reported in the region. These avalanches have been on a variety of aspects at treeline and above.
Check out this MIN describing one of these avalanches.
If you are headed into the backcountry please consider sharing your observations via the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Throughout the day on Friday new wind slabs could form as a result of strong southwest winds and light snowfall.
The upper snowpack contains a variety of layers including a surface hoar layer just below the surface in sheltered terrain and a crust on or near the surface on solar aspects.
The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled.
Snow depths at treeline range from 140 to 220 cm.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Mix of cloud and clear sky. 30 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Friday
Cloudy with around 5 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of snow possible. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 25 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
- Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
The wind has come from a variety of directions over the past couple days. Small wind slabs could be found in exposed terrain at treeline and above.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5