Avalanche forecast

Lizard-Flathead

Mar 2 – 3, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 7 months ago

Avalanche danger

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

It's a challenging snowpack.

Strong winds have left slabs in open features, while persistent slab avalanches are most likely in sheltered areas at treeline and below.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent wind effect has been widespread, and stubborn slabs could extend into openings below treeline.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    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. Watch for wet avalanches with sun and daytime warming, these could trigger the weak layer below.

Confidence

Moderate

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

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, our field team reported whumpfing and cracking, and a reactive layer of surface hoar in snowpack tests.

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 impacted 20 to 40 cm of recent snow, leaving a variety of pressed surfaces, slabs, and sastrugi, including into open treeline areas. Steep solar slopes may have a sun crust and turn moist during the day.

A reactive layer of surface hoar is buried 30 to 60 cm deep. 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

Sunday Night

Clear skies. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Monday

Sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny. 2 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 2 to 10 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °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.

Regions covered