Avalanche forecast

Lizard-Flathead

Jan 30, 2019Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 8 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Today's unusual hazard rating is due to a weak layer of surface hoar that exists primarily at lower elevations. Be suspect of steep features such as open glades and gullies.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    A weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals) and sun crust (on solar aspects) is buried under 15-35 cm recent snow. This weak layer is most prominent at treeline and below (1600-1900 m)

Confidence

Moderate - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY  NIGHT - Mainly cloudy / southwest winds, 15-20 km/h / alpine low temperature near -10WEDNESDAY - A mix of sun and cloud / west winds 20-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -7THURSDAY - Mainly cloudy with sunny periods / southwest winds 20-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -4 / freezing level 1400 mFRIDAY - Cloudy with scattered flurries / southwest winds, 20-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -3

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface is likely a crust on south facing slopes at all elevations, and on all aspects below approximately 1500 m.15-35 cm of snow is sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar (feathery crystals), which is most prominent around treeline and below. On sun-exposed slopes, the surface hoar may be sitting on a sun crust, and below treeline it may be sitting on a melt-freeze crust on all aspects.In shallow snowpack areas, the base of the snowpack is composed of facets (sugary snow). In deeper snowpack areas, the middle and lower portions of the snowpack appear to be generally strong.

Regions covered