Avalanche forecast

Lizard-Flathead

Apr 19, 2018Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 8 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Sunshine and rising freezing levels will increase the likelihood of loose wet avalanches and cornice failures. Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5
    Sunshine and warming temperatures will increase the likelihood of cornice fall.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Lingering storm slabs may still be reactive to human triggers in wind affected terrain.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    When the sun comes out it will quickly weaken the new snow and cause loose wet avalanches on steep solar slopes.

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: Sunny. Light southwest wind. Alpine temperature +6. Freezing level 2400 m.FRIDAY: Sunny. Light to moderate southwest wind. Alpine temperature +6. Freezing level 2500 m.SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Strong southwest wind. Alpine temperature +1. Freezing level 1800 m.

Avalanche Summary

Several naturally triggered size 2 storm slab avalanches were reported on north to east aspects, between 1800-2100 m near Fernie on Tuesday. Avalanche reports have been limited due to very few information sources this time of year. If you have been out, please post your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Cornices are large and looming. Lingering storm slabs formed by 20-30 cm of recent snow may still be reactive to human triggers; especially in wind affected terrain. This storm snow overlies numerous crusts in the upper 100 cm of the snowpack. The mid-pack is generally well settled and strong.A layer of sugary facets around a crust can be found near the bottom of the snowpack which has been dormant for some time. Large triggers, such as a falling cornice, or a major warm-up to the snowpack could trigger this layer.

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