Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 19th, 2017 4:20PM

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

shorton, Avalanche Canada

Lizard-Flathead.

Give the new snow time to settle and stabilize before stepping into bigger terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Wind speed and direction is uncertain

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Isolated flurries with accumulations up to 5 cm, moderate southwest winds, freezing level dropping to 700 m.MONDAY: Isolated flurries with another 5 cm, moderate southwest winds, freezing level up to 1400 m.TUESDAY: Flurries with 5-15 cm of new snow, strong southwest winds, freezing level up to 1600 m.WENESDAY: Isolated flurries, moderate southwest winds, cooling trend with alpine temperatures around -6 C.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, reactive storm slabs produced a few size 1.5 naturally triggered avalanches in alpine terrain, several size 1.5 skier triggered avalanches at treeline, and numerous size 2-2.5 explosive triggered avalanches in alpine terrain. Small loose wet avalanches were reported at lower elevations as well. On Monday, storm slabs will likely remain reactive to human triggers at higher elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Light flurries will add to 20 cm of recent snow that is settling into a thin but reactive storm slab. This slab sits above a thick rain crust below 1900 m and a generally well settled snowpack. Isolated basal weaknesses may still exist in shallow snowpack areas.

Problems

Storm Slabs

New snow is forming reactive storm slabs that will be thicker and more reactive in wind affected terrain.

Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Storm snow will form slabs.Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 20th, 2017 2:00PM