Avalanche Forecast
Lizard Range and Flathead
Wind and new snow are expected to begin on Wednesday into Thursday. Choose conservative, well-supported terrain. Avoid overhead hazards, like cornices, which have triggered large avalanches running long distances.
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.
- Avoid freshly wind loaded features.
Avalanche Problem 2: Deep Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Large avalanches have been running on deep weak layers. Wind loading, fragile cornices, and smaller avalanches are all possible triggers, as well as thin or rocky snowpack areas where human triggering may also be possible.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.
- Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.
- Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.
Avalanche Summary
Monday natural wind slab activity up to size 1.5 was reported on steep, north-east facing features. Ski cuts and explosive control work produced several storm slab results (size 1.5-2) on north-east through south-east aspects between 1400-1600 m where the late January crust is present.
On Saturday the east facing Mt. Corrigan slidepath produced a very large, natural avalanche. The avalanche is estimated to be a size 4.0, and it took out mature timber in the path as it overran the Flathead FSR south of Corbin.
Also on Saturday, several 20-50 cm thick storm slabs were triggered with explosives at treeline elevations. A few natural cornice falls occurred on north and east aspect, one triggering a size 2 storm slab on the slope below.
Early last week, many large (size 2-3) avalanches were triggered naturally and with explosives. Most of the natural avalanches were triggered by cornices falling and releasing slabs on the December and November layers, producing 150-250 cm thick crowns.
Snowpack Summary
The Fernie area experienced warm temperatures Saturday morning followed by a sudden drop to frigid temperatures in the afternoon. The results was a new surface crust that is now buried 20-50 cm at elevations below 1700 m. Areas closer to the divide likely stayed cold with low density snow. Higher elevations throughout the region stayed cold and windy, allowing the growth of touchy wind slabs and cornices.
For the past month there has been regular avalanche activity on multiple deep weak layers. A layer buried mid-January is composed of surface hoar on sheltered aspects (especially prominent from 1400-1900 m) and a sun crust on solar aspects and is 60-80 cm deep. Another surface hoar layer from early-January is 90-110 cm deep. A widespread weak layer from mid-December composed of facets, crusts, and surface hoar is 120-160 cm deep. Finally, a rain crust with sugary facets buried in late-November is near the base of the snowpack.
The bottom line is the snowpack structure is weak. Human triggering is most likely on the shallower weak layers, however a release near the surface also has the potential to step down to deeper layers and become a much larger avalanche.
Weather Forecast
TONIGHT: Mainly cloudy, light flurries. Accumulation 2-6 cm. Ridge wind strong, southwest. Temperature -8. Freezing level valley bottom.
WEDNESDAY: Cloudy, snow increasing. Accumulation 5-15 cm. Ridge wind strong, west. Temperature -3. Freezing level 1400 m.
THURSDAY: Snow. Accumulation 15-25 cm. Ridge wind light, northeast. Temperature -14. Freezing level valley bottom.
FRIDAY: Sunny. Ridge wind light, northeast. Temperature -16. Freezing level valley bottom.
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New snow and strong wind will add to recently formed storm slabs that are sensitive to human triggering, especially between 1400-1600 m elevation where these slabs overlie a recent melt-freeze crust.