Lizard-Flathead

Watch for the formation of thin fresh wind slabs Saturday, especially if we get more than 10 cm throughout the day.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Freezing level at valley bottom, no significant snowfall expected, light southwest wind.

SATURDAY: Broken cloud cover, 5 to 10 cm of snow possible, light southwest wind, freezing level around 1600 m.

SUNDAY: Clear skies at dawn building to overcast by lunch, a couple cm of snow possible, light to moderate southwest wind, freezing level around 1700 m. 4 to 8 cm possible Sunday night.

MONDAY: Overcast, 10 to 35 cm of snow possible, strong southwest wind, freezing level around 1700 m.

No new avalanches were reported since Tuesday when natural wet avalanches were reported on steep sun affected slopes to size 1. Wet avalanche activity is expected to decrease with cooler temperatures this weekend. 

The upper snowpack is going through a daily melt-freeze cycle. A crust exists on all aspects to around 2500 m and likely to mountain top on sun affected slopes. Warm temperatures and sun are softening or breaking down the crust during the day and creating moist snow. At very low elevations, the snowpack may be wet and isothermal, depending on overnight freezing levels. 

The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well bonded.

• Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
• Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
• Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.