Avalanche Forecast
Lizard Range and Flathead
The warming trend and elevated avalanche danger continue for the next few days. Choose conservative terrain and be especially wary of overhead hazards as the day heats up or if the sun shines.
Avalanche Problem 1: Loose Wet
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
- Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.
Avalanche Problem 2: Cornices
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Cornices are reported to be large may become weak with rising freezing levels and/or sun exposure. A cornice failure has the potential to trigger large avalanches on the slopes below.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Minimize exposure to overhead hazard from cornices.
- Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Summary
On Monday there was a report of a natural size 2.5 loose, wet avalanche that failed overnight on a northeasterly aspect in the alpine and ran for 600 m.
Widespread storm slab and loose wet avalanche activity up to size 2.5 was reported on Sunday following Saturday's storm. The new snow was reactive to skier and explosive triggers on all aspects above 1400 m. And one natural size 2.5 was reported on an easterly aspect at 1550 m.
On Friday skier's reported a close call on wind-loaded slope on a southeast aspect at 1940 m. Read their MIN report here.
Also on Friday, explosive control work produced wind slab and cornice releases up to size 2 in alpine terrain.
Thursday in the Elkford area, recent small (size 1) loose/dry avalanches were reported on northerly aspects while loose/wet were observed on solar aspects.
Snowpack Summary
Rising freezing levels have caused the recent 25 cm of storm snow to become moist up to ridge top elevations. Below 1400 m, rain has soaked the snow surface.
There are some reports of a surface hoar layer roughly 100 cm deep on north aspects at treeline, but no recent avalanche activity on this layer. Below this, the mid-pack is generally well settled and strong.
A layer of sugary facets around a crust exists near the bottom of the snowpack, but this layer has been inactive for some time.
Weather Forecast
TONIGHT: Mostly clear. Ridge wind light to moderate, southwest. Alpine temperature near 0. Freezing level 2200 m.
TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Ridge wind moderate to strong, southwest. Alpine temperature near +4. Freezing level 2500 m.
WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny. Ridge wind moderate, southwest. Alpine temperature near 0. Freezing level 2000 m.
THURSDAY: Cloudy, flurries. Accumulation 5-10 cm. Ridge wind light, southeast. Alpine temperature near -2. Freezing level 1400 m.
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Rising freezing levels and daytime warming have been triggers for recent large, loose, wet avalanches. Once moving, a loose, wet release may have the potential to trigger a slab on a deeper weak layer.