Lizard-Flathead

Watch for cornices and wind slabs near ridgetops and be cautious on sun-exposed slopes. 

SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries bringing 2-5 cm of snow, light northeast wind, freezing level dropping to valley bottom with treeline temperatures dropping to -5 C.

MONDAY: Sunny with a few clouds, light west wind, treeline temperatures reach 0 C with freezing level climbing to 2000 m.

TUESDAY: Sunny, light southwest wind, treeline temperatures reach +2 C with freezing level climbing to 2200 m.

WEDNESDAY: Increasing cloud and some light afternoon flurries, 40 km/h southwest wind, freezing level around 2000 m.

No avalanches were reported on Saturday at the time of publishing. On Friday, naturally triggered wet loose avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on steep solar aspects in the alpine.

5-15 cm of heavy powder is sitting above crusts on all but north facing terrain at upper elevations. Some small wind slabs may be found on lee features below alpine ridgetops. Cornices are large, looming, and capable of triggering avalanches when they fail.

The mid-pack is firm and well settled. Some faceted snow and a decomposing melt-freeze crust can be found near the base of the snowpack. 

Glide cracks releasing as full depth glide slab avalanches become more common in the spring and are extremely difficult to predict. Best practice is to avoid slopes with glide cracks.

• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.