Avalanche forecast

Lizard-Flathead

Feb 25 – 26, 2026Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 7 months ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map

Highlights

Strong west wind may form reactive wind slabs in open terrain.

At treeline and below, persistent slabs sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar remain possible to human trigger.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Strong west wind is building wind slabs farther downslope than usual.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Human triggering large persistent slab avalanches remains possible, especially in sheltered areas at treeline and below.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Persistent slabs could become more likely with the forecast weather.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, numerous rider trigered size 1 wind slabs were reported on primarily north and east aspects at treeline and above. Forecast strong winds may increase avalanche activity.

Observations are currently very limited in this region. Please consider sharing your observations with the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of recent snow accompanied by strong to extreme southwest wind has formed deeper deposits on north and east aspects. In sheltered terrain it could overlie a layer of surface hoar or a sun crust. The snow surface may become moist on sun exposed slopes.

Several weak layers comprised of facets, surface hoar, or crusts could exist in the top 20 to 60 cm of the snowpack.

The mid and lower snowpack are well settled.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night
Mostly clear skies. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Thursday
Cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

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.
  • Strong wind is building wind slabs farther downslope than usual.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.

Regions covered