Avalanche forecast

Lizard-Flathead

Apr 8 – 9, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired last year

Avalanche danger

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

Snowfall amounts are uncertain.

If you see over 20 cm of new snow, dangerous storms slabs are likely.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

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

    Cornices may break further back on ridgelines than expected, falling on the slope below and possibly triggering a slab.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Wet, heavy snow at higher elevations may slide easily on the old snow surfaces. Watch for deeper pockets in areas lee to the wind, they're likely easier to trigger too.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Continued rain at lower elevations is causing the snowpack to lose cohesion and possibly fail as wet loose avalanches.

Avalanche Summary

Over the weekend, small wet loose avalanches were reported to size 1.

Riders may be able to trigger slabs in areas with more than 20 cm of new snow, especially deeper areas lee to the wind. While at lower elevations, rain soaked snow may lose cohesion and fail as wet loose avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of snow fell at higher elevations on Tuesday, with more on the way. This snow is on either a crust up high, or moist snow down low. At lower elevations, the new snow may have fallen as rain and made the upper pack wet and loose. There are currently no deeper layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Thursday

Mostly sunny. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature +3 °C. Freezing level 2800 m.

Friday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm/mm of snow/rain. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Cornices often break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.

Regions covered