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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 5th, 2026–Mar 6th, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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

Little Yoho, Kootenay.

Remain skeptical and curious about the persistent weak layer, which is deep enough to cause large avalanches if triggered. This will be a layer of concern for a while yet.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Field teams did not observe any new avalanches Thursday. However, conditions haven't changed much this week.

Snowpack Summary

40cm of snow overlies a heavily wind-affected surface at upper elevations. Below this, the Jan. 24 layer (surface hoar/crust/facet) sits 30–50+ cm down at treeline. This layer has been very reactive in Kootenay and Yoho. In the alpine, we suspect this problem is predominantly on southerly aspects as a facet/crust interface. We expect touchy conditions for the foreseeable future.

Weather Summary

Friday: Mix of sun and cloud, with trace amounts of snow. Winds 30-40km/h from the west, and treeline temperatures rising to -3C (1900m freezing level)

Saturday: Strong winds from the West, trace amounts of snow, and freezing levels 2000m rising to 2400m.

Sunday: Strong to extreme winds with snow starting in the afternoon as a system enters our region.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Problems

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.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.