Avalanche forecast

Lizard-Flathead

Apr 5 – 6, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Cornices and wind slabs are possible at higher elevations. Be cautious as you climb and continually reassess conditions.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Wind slabs may still be reactive on steep convexities at higher elevations where the snow is still dry.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2
    Cornices are large and may fall off naturally with daytime warming.

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: Cloudy with light afternoon flurries (4-8 cm), moderate southwest wind, freezing level around 2000 m.FRIDAY: Wet flurries increasing overnight (5-15 cm), moderate southwest wind, freezing level around 2000 m.SATURDAY: Clearing throughout the day, strong southwest wind, freezing level dropping to 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Wednesday. Several natural loose wet avalanches were observed in steep south-facing terrain on Tuesday. Increasing winds could build fresh wind slabs and warming may irritate cornices.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack has entered a daily melt-freeze cycle. Hard crusts form overnight and become moist surface snow during the heat of the day. The exception is north-facing alpine terrain, where dry snow and isolated wind slabs may exist. The December facets and November rain crust are buried deep, but have not been reactive for a few weeks.

Regions covered