Avalanche forecast

Lizard-Flathead

Apr 4 – 5, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Accumulations of up to 20 cm of new snow and strong winds may develop wind slabs at treeline and above. Keep your eye out as you transition into open terrain for signs of instability.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    20 cm of accumulated snow and strong northwest winds may have formed a wind slab over a supportive melt-freeze crust, which may become more reactive as temperatures rise throughout the day and new snow settles into a cohesive slab.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous naturally triggered wet loose avalanches up to size 2 were reported on all aspects on Wednesday.

Data is limited in this region. Please consider posting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Confidence

Moderate

Snowpack Summary

10 to 20 cm of forecast snow and strong easterly wind may form reactive wind slabs on lee features at treeline and above. The new snow overlies a crust on all aspects and elevations.

A persistent weak layer of facets are sitting on top of a second buried crust down 100 to 180 cm. This layer is unlikely to human trigger in areas where a thick crust above the weak layer is present.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy with snow, 10 to 15 cm. 40 to 50 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5° C.

Friday

Cloudy with isolated flurries, 5 to 7 cm. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind decreasing through the day. Treeline temperature -3° C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Saturday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, 0 to 3 cm. 10 to 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2° C. Freezing level 2100 m.

Sunday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, 3 to 6 cm. 15 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3° C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for additional weather information.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.

Regions covered