Avalanche Forecast
Lizard Range and Flathead
Watch for wind slabs in terrain features near ridges. Also be cautious of your overhead exposure, as cornice falls could trigger slab avalanches.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices, which could trigger slabs on slopes below.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind-loaded snow.
- Watch for wind slabs on all aspects due to variable wind directions.
Avalanche Summary
On Friday, loose avalanches were reported from steep alpine terrain on easterly aspects. One small slab avalanche was triggered by a cornice fall, also in steep alpine terrain.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slabs may exist on all aspects at higher elevations from recent snowfall and variable wind directions. Expect to find a melt-freeze crust on the surface on sunny aspects and all aspects below 1700 m. A surface hoar and crust layer is found around treeline at a depth of about 60 cm, with surface hoar on northerly aspects and the crust elsewhere.
At ridgetop, cornices are large and have been failing the past few days.
Deeper in the snowpack, the late-November weak layer is composed of sugary facets around a crust, which is buried around 200 to 300 cm and is currently dormant.
Weather Forecast
SUNDAY: Cloudy with light snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm with possible localized higher amounts from convective flurries, light to moderate southwesterly winds, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level 1000 m.
MONDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 15 cm, light northeasterly winds, alpine temperature -12 C, freezing level 700 m.
TUESDAY: Partly cloudy with light snowfall, light westerly winds, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level 1000 m.
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Wind slabs exist in exposed terrain features. Assess the snow for slab properties and the bond with underlying layers. Be particularly cautious when travelling on or below ridges, as cornices are weak and they could trigger slabs on slopes below.