Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 17th, 2026–Feb 18th, 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

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

People continue to trigger larger avalanches on the various weak layers within the snowpack. Continue to travel conservatively.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain about how quickly persistent slabs are gaining strength.

Avalanche Summary

Many large (mostly size 2) storm slab, wind slab, and persistent slab avalanches released over the weekend and on Monday, being triggered naturally, by explosives, and from humans (including remotely). Storm slabs released on all aspects and at all elevation bands. Persistent slabs released between 1600 m and 2300 m on all aspects.

It remains likely for humans to continue to trigger the various weak layers described in the Snowpack Summary.

Snowpack Summary

Light snowfall over the past week has built up to 20 to 40 cm of snow, with deeper deposits in lee terrain features. This storm snow overlies an isolated layer of surface hoar crystals and a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes that formed mid-February. Storm slabs continue to release within the storm snow.

Two other layers of concern are found in the middle of the snowpack. Buried about 40 to 60 cm is the early-February layer of surface hoar crystals in wind-sheltered terrain and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. Buried about 70 to 120 cm is the late-January layer of surface hoar and facets over a melt-freeze crust. Both of these layers continue to form large avalanches.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy. 1 to 4 cm of snow. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Friday

Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Remote triggering is a concern; avoid terrain where triggering overhead slopes is possible.
Surface hoar distribution is highly variable. Avoid generalizing your observations.
Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected 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.