Avalanche forecast

Lizard-Flathead

Dec 28, 2016Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Watch for signs of fresh wind slabs, such as stiff or slabby snow and blowing snow at ridgetops. If you've been out in the mountain please share your obs on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Expect fresh wind slabs to form at higher elevations as winds pick up and redistribute loose snow.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    With all the unconsolidated low-density snow that has accumulated, I'd be on the look out for loose dry avalanches in gullies and other steep features that were sheltered from the wind.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Thursday

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, 40-60 km/h west winds, alpine temperatures -10C.THURSDAY: 10-20 cm of new snow, 60-80 km/h west winds, alpine temperatures -8C.FRIDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, 20-40 km/h northwest winds, alpine temperatures -10C.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, new storm snow produced numerous size 1.5-2 avalanches, including natural and skier-triggered loose dry avalanches on north and east aspects.Wind slabs will become the primary concern for human-triggering on Wednesday, with winds forecast to increase. Loose dry avalanches will also be likely in steep features sheltered from the wind.

Snowpack Summary

The region received up to 50 cm of low density snow on Tuesday, which is now available to be redistributed by strong westerly winds. The new snow sits above a variety of surfaces including old hard wind slabs and surface hoar. The cold weather in early December left several layers of weak surface hoar and facets which are now buried 50-80 cm deep. These layers have been inactive for the past week, as it appears the lower snowpack is well-settled. A thick crust rain crust from mid-November is near the bottom of the snowpack and remains well bonded to the surrounding snow.

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