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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 3rd, 2026–Mar 4th, 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

Kootenay Boundary, Purcells, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, Ymir, Crawford, St. Mary, Kokanee, Valhalla, Whatshan.

New snow combined with reactive weak layers is creating dangerous conditions

If you see more than 20 cm of new snow, treat the danger as HIGH

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are confident that there are persistent slabs in the snowpack, but uncertain about how likely they are to trigger.
  • We are uncertain about forecast precipitation amounts.

Avalanche Summary

Every day in the last week, large, persistent avalanches have been triggered by riders or failed naturally; many have occurred around steep openings in treed areas.

Check out these recent MIN reports for more details:

Mar 1 MIN: very close call

Feb 28 MIN A fatal accident occurred involving two sledders.

Feb 27 MIN: remote triggered from 50 m away

Feb 24 MIN: 80-100 cm thick fresh persistent slabs

Snowpack Summary

Around 10 to 20 cm of snow is forecast for overnight through Wednesday, with potential for rain below 1900 m. This new snow will be falling on a crust with a new layer of surface hoar in most areas except for shady high elevation terrain where the crust is absent.

In the top 100 cm of the snowpack, there are multiple concerning persistent weak layers of surface hoar and/or facets/crusts. The majority of recent large and destructive avalanches have been on well-preserved surface hoar in sheltered areas at treeline and below.

The remaining snowpack has no current layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night
Cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow or rain at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Wednesday
Cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow at treeline, possible rain below. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 530 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.

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.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.