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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 23rd, 2026–Feb 24th, 2026

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

Regions

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

Carefully assess conditions and look for signs of instability.

We feel confident in the likelihood of wind slabs but uncertain in the likelihood of persistent slabs.

Confidence

Moderate

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

Avalanche Summary

Over the weekend a few small natural, wind slabs were reported. Observations have been limited in this region, we suspect that more avalanche activity has occurred. If you’re headed into the mountains please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of new snow accompanied by strong to extreme southwest wind has formed deeper deposits on north and east aspects. In sheltered terrain it could overlie a layer of surface hoar or a sun crust. The snow surface may become moist on sun exposed slopes.

Several weak layers comprised of facets, surface hoar, or crusts could exist in the top 20 to 60 cm of the snowpack.

The mid and lower snowpack are well settled.

Weather Summary

Monday Night
Partly cloudy. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday
Sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 5 cm of snow. 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
  • Recent strong wind means wind slabs may be found farther downslope than expected.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
  • In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.

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.