Avalanche forecast

Lizard-Flathead

Mar 18 – 19, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Very large persistent slab avalanches remain likely to human trigger, especially at treeline and above.

Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–3.5

    Cornices are large, looming and will likely trigger very large persistent slab avalanches when they fail.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–4

    A crust with weak facets overtop is down 80 to 200 cm. Very large human triggered avalanches occurring on this layer are likely on Tuesday, especially at treeline and above.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in very large avalanches.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Numerous naturally triggered wet loose avalanches were reported on sunny aspects at all elevations on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

A weak surface crust forming overnight will break down quickly throughout the day.

Cornices have become large and looming, and are more likely to fail during periods of warming.

A widespread, hard crust down 80-200 cm with weak facets above continues to be the primary layer of concern for natural and human triggering of very large persistent slab avalanches.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Clear skies. 30 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Tuesday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with flurries, 3 to 5 cm of snow (above 1400m). 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.

Regions covered