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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 9th, 2026–Jan 10th, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Lizard-Flathead, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard, Moyie.

Significant warming is expected to increase the reactivity of weak layers and cornices.

Verify conditions as you travel and back off if you notice signs of instability.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Several size 1 to 2 storm slab avalanches were reported in the Lizard Range over the past three days. Some were naturally triggered, and a few were caused by explosive control. They generally occurred in the alpine on wind-loaded northerly through easterly slopes.
A large natural cornice fall was also observed on Thursday.

Looking forward, we expect to see increased reactivity with storm slabs and cornices during the warmest parts of the day.

Snowpack Summary

Storm snow accumulated over the past few days, combined with strong southwesterly winds, has created storm slabs across all aspects and elevations. Wind loading has built up large cornices and formed deeper, more reactive slabs on leeward aspects, especially near ridgetops.

A weak layer of surface hoar can be found in some sheltered terrain features buried 40 to 60 cm under the recent storm snow. In other areas, a melt-freeze crust can be found at similar burial depths up to around 2000 m. These layers will be tested by the warming this weekend, and could become reactive as temperatures rise.

The mid and lower snowpack currently has no layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Friday Night
Cloudy. 35 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4°C. Temperature inversion developing, freezing level approximately 1400 m.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Temperature inversion in AM. Freezing level rising to 1900 m.

Sunday
Cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level rising to 1600 m.

Monday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level approximately 1900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Surface hoar distribution is highly variable. Avoid generalizing your observations.
  • Cornices often break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.
  • Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.