Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 20th, 2026–Feb 21st, 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, Retallack.

Persistent weak layers remain the primary concern.

People continue to be caught by surprise, triggering large avalanches daily.

Choose low-angle slopes with no overhead hazard.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to a highly variable snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous size 1 to 2 wind slab and persistent slab avalanches have been occurring daily in the region. Many of them are being triggered by people, including remotely. These avalanches are occurring on all aspects and elevations, and on surprisingly low-angle slopes below treeline. A few naturally-triggered slabs were also reported on Friday, up to size 3.

Reactivity will likely continue through the weekend, with similar human-triggered avalanches expected.

Snowpack Summary

Variable winds have built wind slabs in open areas at upper elevations, especially near ridgetops.

Three persistent layers of concern may be found in the upper 150 cm of the snowpack:

  • 25 to 60+ cm down is a layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas, or a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes from mid-February.

  • 40 to 100+ cm down is the early-February layer of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain and a crust on sun-exposed slopes.

  • 70 to 120 cm down is the late-January layer of surface hoar and facets over a melt-freeze crust.

All of these persistent layers continue to cause large avalanches in the region.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong.

Weather Summary

Friday Night
Partly cloudy. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.

Saturday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 0 to 3 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Monday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.



More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low angle terrain with no overhead hazard.
  • Remote triggering is a concern; avoid terrain where triggering overhead slopes is possible.
  • Surface hoar distribution is highly variable. Avoid generalizing your observations.
  • Be especially cautious 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.