Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 18th, 2017 3:50PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

shorton, Avalanche Canada

Lizard-Flathead.

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain for Sunday. Be prepared to back off to mellow terrain if you see rapid loading in your riding area.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: 10-15 cm of new snow, moderate southwest winds, alpine temperatures around -5.SUNDAY: Flurries with another 5 cm of snow, moderate southwest winds, freezing level around 1500 m.MONDAY: Isolated flurries, moderate southwest winds, freezing level around 1500 m.TUESDAY: Stormy with 10-15 cm of new snow, strong southwest winds, freezing level around 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Saturday. Widespread storm slab activity occurred on Thursday and Friday night (typically in the size 2 range), but has tapered off with cooling temperatures. The new storm snow will form fresh wind slabs at higher elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Expect 10-20 cm of new snow on Sunday to form thin touchy wind slabs in exposed terrain. The new snow is burying 30 cm of settled storm snow at high elevations and a hard rain crust below 1900 m. The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled and stable, but isolated basal weaknesses may exist in shallow snowpack areas.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow will form fresh and touchy wind slabs.

Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Storm snow will form slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 19th, 2017 2:00PM