Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead.
Carefully assess bond of new snow to underlying surfaces, take extra caution transitioning into wind affected terrain.
Hazard will increase through the day.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Over the weekend, explosive avalanche control and natural cornice fall continue to produced numerous slab avalanches up to size 2 in north through east facing alpine terrain.
Avalanches on buried weak layers may be difficult to trigger, but if one is triggered, it is likely to be large and destructive.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 16 cm of new snow is moderately redistributed by southwest winds.
Below 1900 m, and on solar aspects, this sits on a surface crust from recent sun and warming.
At treeline and above, the new snow falls on 10-30 cm of snow that has been redistributed by predominantly southwest wind.
A weak layer of preserved surface hoar or facets from late January is buried 80 to 130 cm. This weak layer remains a concern where there is no thick, supportive crust under the recent snow.
The lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Mainly cloudy, with up to 8 cm of new snow. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Wednesday
Mainly cloudy, with up to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.
Thursday
Mainly cloudy, with up to 15 cm of snow. 25 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C.
Friday
Mainly cloudy, with up to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
- Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Moderate to strong winds are redistributing recent storm snow into wind slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Persistent Slabs
A persistent weak layer is buried 80 to 130 cm. This layer remains a concern where there is no thick, supportive crust under the recent snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3