Avalanche forecast

Lizard-Flathead

Mar 23 – 24, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

7AM UPDATE: More snow fell overnight than forecast.

Avalanche danger will increase as rain wets the upper snowpack. Avoid exposure to avalanche terrain as natural activity is likely.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Up to 60 cm of snow from the past few days has formed slabs that are most reactive on steep, wind-affected slopes.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Loose wet avalanches will become increasingly likely as rain soaks the surface.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several natural and artificially triggered size 1 to 2 storm slab avalanches have occurred daily since Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Surfaces are becoming wet as snow turns to rain.

A melt-freeze crust is found 60 cm deep, except on high-elevation north and east-facing slopes.

A surface hoar or facet layer from late January is buried 100 to 150 cm deep on north and east aspects at treeline and above. This may re-emerge as a persistent slab problem with warming this week.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Cloudy with 10 to 30 cm of snow favouring Fernie area. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.

Monday

Snow transitioning to rain, 5 to 15 mm. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level rising to 2300 m.

Tuesday

5 to 15 mm of rain overnight then partly clearing skies. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature +6 °C. Freezing level rising to 2600 m.

Wednesday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature +10 °C. Freezing level rising to 3500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avalanche danger will rapidly increase if snow switches to rain.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
  • Cautiously approach steep slopes that are open or sparsely treed.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.

Regions covered