Lizard-Flathead

Carefully evaluate your line for pockets of wind slab. Even small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain.

No recent reports of avalanches.

Data in this region is limited. If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

In the Alberta Rockies, extensive wind effect characterizes surfaces at most elevations, while wind effect in the Lizard/Flathead is more specific to open alpine features.

The upper snowpack contains a couple of thick, hard crusts buried 10-20 cm and 30-70 cm deep. Below, the midpack is well settled.

The average snow depth at treeline varies widely from 50-130 cm, with the deepest snowpack around the Fernie area. Snow depth tapers rapidly below 1500 meters elevation.

Saturday night

Mostly cloudy with a trace of new snow, ridgetop wind <20 km/h southwest, treeline temperature -5 °C. Above freezing layer breaking down, freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with a trace of new snow, ridgetop wind 20 km/h southwest, treeline temperature -2 °C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud, ridgetop wind 20 km/h southwest, treeline temperature -4 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud, ridgetop wind 20 km/h southwest, treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
• Carefully evaluate bigger terrain features on an individual basis before committing to them.