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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 10th, 2026–Mar 11th, 2026

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

Regions

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

Persistent slabs remain possible to human trigger at treeline and above, especially in areas without a supportive crust above the weak layer.

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 a limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, numerous explosive triggered wind slabs up to size 2 were reported on primarily north/east aspects at treeline and above.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30 cm of recent snow in the north of the region, 5 to 15 cm elsewhere. Strong southwest winds have redistributed this snow at treeline and above.

Rain has formed a supportive crust to 1500 m near Golden, rising to 2100 m further south. Where this crust is absent or unsupportive, concern remains for a persistent weak layer of surface hoar or crust buried 50 to 70 cm deep, and up to 100 cm down in deeper snowpacks such as the Dogtooth Range.

In shallow snowpack areas, depth hoar (large facets) can be found near the bottom of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 0 to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 0 to 3 cm of snow, then another 10 to 15 cm overnight. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • If triggered, wind slabs may step down to deeper layers, causing larger avalanches.
  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.

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.