Avalanche forecast

Lizard-Flathead

Jan 17, 2019Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 8 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche hazard will gradually increase over the next few days as snow accumulates. Triggering large avalanches remains possible on steep slopes with variable snow cover.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Watch for wind loaded slopes in the alpine and near ridgetops. New wind slabs may form over the next few days, while older wind slabs may still be triggered in steep lee terrain.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    The possibility of large releases remains in shallow snowpack areas. The chance of triggering is highest on steep rocky alpine slopes that have thin and/or variable snow cover.

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods, light southwest wind, alpine temperatures drop to -15 C.THURSDAY: Scattered flurries with 5-10 cm of low density snow, moderate southeast wind, alpine high temperatures around -10 C.FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, strong southwest wind, alpine high temperatures around -4 C.SATURDAY: 10-15 cm of snow, strong southwest wind, freezing level climbing to 1300 m, alpine high temperatures around -2 C.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Wednesday.On Tuesday, several size 1-2 natural avalanches were reported in steep south facing alpine terrain (but their age is unknown).On Saturday, two large snowmobile triggered avalanches were reported on the Mountain Information Network. One was triggered on a thin, rocky, southwest facing feature near ridgecrest north of Fernie (see here for report). The other was triggered on a wind affected south facing slope at treeline in the Corbin area (see here for report).

Snowpack Summary

Recent warm alpine temperatures left crusty surfaces on southerly aspects, while the snow remained dry on northerly aspects. Old wind slabs and cornices could be lingering at higher elevations.In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack may still be composed of weak faceted grains. In deeper snowpack areas, the middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally considered to be well-settled and strong.

Regions covered