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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 26th, 2026–Feb 27th, 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 possible, human triggered probable.
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

Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies, Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Wind slab formation has been extensive and could extend into openings below treeline.

Persistent slab avalanches are most likely in sheltered areas at treeline and below.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Persistent slabs could become more likely with the forecast weather.

Avalanche Summary

Our field team found the persistent slab problem to be reactive near Sparwood today. See MIN.

Observations are currently very limited in this region. Please consider sharing your observations with the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25 cm of recent snow and variable strong winds have formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects. Wind slabs formation has been extensive, even forming slabs in open areas below treeline.

A layer of surface hoar down 30 to 60 cm may become increasingly reactive to human triggers.

Persistent slab avalanches are most likely in sheltered areas at treeline and below, where the surface hoar is well preserved.

The mid and lower snowpack are well settled in some areas. In others, large facets (depth hoar) are present at the bottom of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Cloudy. 0 to 3 cm of snow. 80 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Friday
Cloudy. 0 to 5 cm of snow. 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Saturday
Sunny. 35 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Sunday
Sunny. 35 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
  • Keep your guard up at all elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive and could extend into openings below treeline.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.

Problems

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.

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.