Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 8th, 2026–Mar 9th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

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.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

South Rockies, Dogtooth, East Purcell, Bull, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Buried persistent weak layers continue to drive the hazard. Stick to conservative terrain and avoid slopes with overhead exposure.

Fresh wind slabs may be reactive at higher elevations.

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 due to the variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Persistent slab avalanches have been reported over the past week from natural, rider, and explosive triggers to size 3. Avalanches have primarily been at treeline and below, on all but south facing slopes.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of snow has fallen in the north of the region, tapering to 5–10 cm elsewhere. Strong west winds have likely formed wind slabs at treeline and above over a new surface hoar or crust layer. At lower elevations, rain has likely created a supportive surface crust.

A persistent weak layer of surface hoar or crust is buried 40–60 cm deep, and up to 100 cm deep in areas with deeper snowpacks, such as the Dogtooth Range. While reports of persistent slab avalanches have tapered, this layer remains a concern.

The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled. In shallow snowpack areas, large facets or depth hoar exist near the ground.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night
Partly cloudy. 1 to 4 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 4 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 4 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °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.
Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs 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.