Avalanche Forecast
Lizard Range and Flathead
With a buried weak layer in the snowpack, 30 cm of recent storm snow and more snow in the forecast, conservative terrain choices are the key for safe skiing and riding this weekend.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.
- If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
A weak layer composed of surface hoar and/or crusts is buried 60-80 cm below the surface.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls at treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
- Choose well supported terrain without convexities.
- Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.
Avalanche Summary
A natural avalanche cycle occurred overnight Thursday producing storm slab avalanches to size 2 on north to northeasterly, wind loaded, upper elevation start zones. Avalanche control work on Friday produced explosive-triggered, storm slab avalanches from size 1.5-2.
On Thursday natural and skier triggered storm slabs releases up to size 1.5 were reported including a remotely triggering a size 1.5 slab release on an open, rock slope on a north west aspect below treeline. Whumpfing and cracking in rocky areas was also reported on Thursday. See the report on the Mountain Information Network (MIN) here.
Earlier in the week on Monday, one large naturally-triggered avalanche (size 2) was reported on a north-facing alpine feature that likely failed on the mid-December surface hoar layer. There have been some isolated reports of whumpfs and small avalanches failing on the mid-December surface hoar layer, which remains a concern with the on-going storm loading.
Snowpack Summary
Thursday night 10-15 cm of storm snow fell on top of 25 cm of very low density storm snow and has been modified by winds creating an "upside-down" storm slab layer with stiffer snow on top of softer snow.
This upside-down storm snow layer overlies roughly 50 cm of old storm snow from last week that formed into stiff wind slabs in exposed terrain near ridge top, but remains low density in sheltered areas.
The mid-December layer is now buried 80 cm below the surface. The layer includes crusts on south and west facing slopes and feathery surface hoar in sheltered areas at and below treeline, and has been producing moderate, sudden results in recent snowpack tests.
The lower snowpack is generally well settled with a thick prominent crust that was buried near the end of November.
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY NIGHT: Snow. Accumulation 15-25 cm. Ridge wind light east, possibly strong at times. Temperature -22. Freezing level surface.
SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy, flurries. Accumulation up to 5 cm. Ridge wind light west, possibly strong at times. Temperature -17. Freezing level surface.
SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Ridge wind light southwest. Temperature -14. Freezing level surface.
MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridge wind light southwest. Temperature -15. Freezing level surface.
Avalanche Forecasts in your Inbox
Avalanche Canada has switched to an RSS feed for its daily forecasts. This is a much more flexible method that allows automatic delivery to your email inbox, or to an RSS reader of your choice.
What are RSS feeds?
RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a popular standardized file format allowing up-to-date delivery of web-based content. RSS feeds enable you to receive content updates from websites, delivered to your email through an RSS aggregator (such as blogtrottr.com) or viewed through applications called RSS readers (such as feedly.com).
Set up an RSS feed for your email:
Select a RSS aggregator
- Lizard Range and Flathead URL:
http://www.avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/lizard-range.rss - Copy the url and paste it into the appropriate field of your RSS aggregator.
- Fill in your email address.
- Voila! Watch the Avalanche Canada forecast roll into your inbox.
Forecast Disclaimer
Avalanche Canada's Public Avalanche Bulletin, and other information and services provided by Avalanche Canada, are intended for personal and recreational purposes only.
**THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND IN NO EVENT SHALL THE PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES RESULTING FROM DISCOMFORT, INJURY, OR DEATH, CLAIMS BY THIRD PARTIES OR FOR OTHER SIMILAR COSTS, OR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THE INFORMATION.**
The user acknowledges that it is impossible to accurately predict natural events such as avalanches in every instance, and uses the data in this bulletin with this always foremost in mind. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and the Providers disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use the data.
Expect sluffing in steep terrain and touchy storm slabs especially near ridge lines and in open areas where wind loading has occurred. These storm slabs are sensitive to both natural and human triggers.