Avalanche forecast

Lizard-Flathead

Mar 3 – 4, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 7 months ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

It's a challenging snowpack that requires conservative terrain selection.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Strong winds have pressed most surfaces, check for stubborn slabs in lee features.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar, especially at treeline and below.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We have higher uncertainty about treeline conditions due to persistent slabs.

Avalanche Summary

Last week's field team reports continued to find persistent weak layers in the upper snowpack. On Friday, the team found whumpfing and cracking, and a reactive layer of surface hoar in snowpack tests. And on Thursday, our field team found a reactive persistent slab problem near Sparwood.

Observations are currently very limited in this region. Please consider sharing your observations with the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Widespread wind effect has left a variety of pressed surfaces, slabs, and sastrugi in open terrain and into treeline elevations. Solar slopes may have a sun crust which becomes widespread at lower elevations.

A weak layer is buried 30 to 60 cm deep and consists of either surface hoar or a facet/crust combination. Persistent slab avalanches are most likely in sheltered areas at treeline and below, where the surface hoar is well preserved.

The mid and lower snowpack are well settled in some areas. In others, large facets (depth hoar) are present at the bottom of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Clear skies. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and clouds. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 1 to 2 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Thursday

Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Limit exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.

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