Avalanche forecast

Lizard-Flathead

Apr 17 – 18, 2017Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Winter continues! Expect stormy weather with freezing levels between 1500-2000 metres.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Cornices are most likely to trigger during periods of intense sunshine and/or the warmest parts of the day.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Loose wet avalanches are more likely during periods of strong solar radiation and/or during the warmest part of the day.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Overnight: 3-5 cm of new snow with moderate southwest winds and freezing down to 1500 metres. Tuesday: Overcast with 5-8 cm late in the day combined with moderate southwest winds and daytime freezing up to 2000 metres. Wednesday: Mostly sunny with moderate westerly winds and daytime freezing up to 2000 metres. Thursday: Mix of sun and cloud with light winds and daytime freezing up to 2300 metres.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported on Monday. There are no professional operations reporting in the region, due to the end of their season. Loose wet avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported from the Fernie area on Sunday. These avalanches occurred on steep southeast thru southwest aspects. Expect cornices to continue to be a concern for natural activity. Cornices are large and may be fragile due to the changing temperatures and diurnal freeze/thaw cycle.

Snowpack Summary

A couple of cm of new snow on Sunday morning with a good freeze has resulted in dry snow on northerly aspects above 1800 metres. The near surface crust was reported to have broken down on all but north aspects in the alpine. The snowpack is generally well settled and continues to transition into a spring melt/freeze regime. Below 1300m the snowpack may be moist or wet through its entire thickness. In the alpine cornices continue to grow large and ever more overhanging.

Regions covered