Lizard-Flathead

Carefully assess for changing conditions - unstable, spring weather can deliver highly variable snow amounts or periods of strong sun, which can increase avalanche hazard locally.

Reports over the weekend included several natural and explosive-triggered wind and storm slab avalanches, up to size 2 in the alpine.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Recent snow overlays variable old surfaces, including a hard crust on solar aspects at all elevations and all aspects below 1700 m. Wind slabs persist in exposed lee terrain.

New snow and wind are forming wind slabs at higher elevations.

The mid-snowpack is generally well-settled. The lower snowpack includes a layer of weak sugary crystals near the ground. This layer has not produced recent avalanche activity in this area, but professionals continue to monitor for signs of it becoming active.

Monday night

Cloudy with clear periods and scattered flurries, with trace accumulation. Light east ridgetop winds. Alpine temperature -5 to -10 C. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Tuesday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Light east ridgetop wind. Alpine temperatures 0 to -5 C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Alpine temperatures 0 to -5 C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Alpine temperatures 0 to -5 C. Freezing level 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.