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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 27th, 2026–Feb 28th, 2026

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

South Columbia, Esplanade, Jordan, North Monashee, North Selkirk, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Retallack.

Avoid avalanche terrain as very dangerous conditions will persist.

The complex snowpack will experience its first period of strong sunshine.

Watch the weekly conditions update.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about how the timing or intensity of solar radiation will affect the snowpack.
  • We are confident that there are persistent slabs in the snowpack, but uncertain about how likely they are to trigger.

Avalanche Summary

Evidence of a natural cycle with numerous very large storm slabs and wind slabs avalanches (size 2.5-3) was reported from the storm on Thursday throughout the region. Poor visibility restricted field observations on Friday.

A surprisingly large avalanche was remotely triggered by a skier (size 2.5) on a south-east aspect at treeline, with noticeable step-down to deeper persistent weak layers.

Multiple climax avalanche events were reported in the neighboring region.

Snowpack Summary

50 to 90 cm of recent storm snow overlies a complex snowpack. Strong westerly wind redistributed this snow farther downslope than usual.

Three persistent weak layers of concern are found in the upper 180 cm of the snowpack:

  • 60 to 70+ cm down is a layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas, or a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes from mid-February.

  • 90 to 120+ cm down is the early-February layer of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain and a crust on sun-exposed slopes.

  • 110 to 140 cm down is the late-January layer of surface hoar and facets over a melt-freeze crust.

All of these persistent layers have continued to produce large avalanches.

The remainder of the snowpack below is well consolidated.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Partly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Saturday

Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Sunday

Sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and clouds. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead hazards when solar radiation is strong.
  • Any travel under High danger should exclusively be in flat or gentle terrain, far away from any overhead hazard.
  • It's critical to stay disciplined and stick to gentle, low consequence terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.