Avalanche forecast

Lizard

Jan 29 – 30, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Limit your exposure to avalanche terrain as temperatures continue to rise.

If the sun comes out the upper snowpack will quickly lose strength.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Cornices are more likely to fall during warm periods.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Rain and warm temperatures have made this problem more likely.

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3

    The recent snow will be dangerous as it gets soaked by rain, sun, and high temperatures.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several wet slab (size 1 to 2) avalanches near treeline were reported nearby Fernie on Sunday.

Small and large (size 2) storm slab avalanches have continued to occur this week near Fernie, both naturally and with explosives, as recently as Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Expect surface snow to continue to get wet as temperatures rise and the sun comes out.

Roughly 40 to 50 cm of snow from the past week sits over various old surfaces. In some areas, it is slow to bond due to sugary facets.

Near the bottom of the snowpack, there are a series of crusts and facets that are more prominent in shallow areas.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow or rain, west alpine wind 40 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature 2 °C, freezing level 2500 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with a trace of snow or rain, southwest alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature 5 °C, freezing level 3200 m.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with no snow, southwest alpine wind 35 to 55 km/h, treeline temperature 4 °C, freezing level dropping to 2250 m.

Wednesday

Mostly clear skies with no snow, southwest alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature 6 °C, freezing level dropping to 2750 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.
  • Large cornice falls are dangerous on their own.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.

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