Avalanche forecast

Lizard-Flathead

Dec 10 – 11, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Storm snow may take time to bond with the rain crust or surface hoar below.

Be cautious on steep slopes -fresh wind slabs may form at higher elevations

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs likely remain reactive to human triggers. In sheltered areas, where rain did not affect the snowpack preserved surface hoar may be present, increasing reactivity.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Natural avalanche activity was observed throughout the storm to size 2. Explosive control on Sunday also produced size 2 avalanches.

MIN users noted cracking in the storm snow on Sunday, indicating reactivity still remains.

Snowpack Summary

Around 30 cm of wind affected storm snow sits over a mix of crusts, surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, and hard wind-affected surfaces. Low elevations received mostly rain while higher elevations received wet snow or mixed precipitation.

Check out this MIN report for a great overview of conditions in Orca Bowl, and this MIN report covers conditions in the Tunnel Mountain area.

The middle of the snowpack is generally expected to be well-settled and stable. Total snow depths vary from 100 to 150 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Partly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with flurries. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

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.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.

Regions covered