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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 6th, 2026–Mar 7th, 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 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

Dogtooth, East Purcell.

A reactive persistent weak layer remains the primary concern for the region.

Stick to low-angle slopes and avoid exposing yourself to steep terrain from above.

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 how the timing or intensity of warming will affect the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, two large natural wind slab avalanches were reported, and a very large explosive triggered persistent slab. All of these avalanches occurred in the northern part of this region. Near Invermere, a large wet loose avalanche was reported during the height of solar input.

Going forward, similar avalanche activity is possible with a persistent weak layer at a perfect depth for human triggering and warming temperatures with mixed precipitation.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10 cm of new snow may accumulate before the end of day Saturday, with highest amounts in the Dogtooth Range. This new snow accompanied with strong west wind will build small wind slabs treeline and above.

A persistent weak layer of surface hoar or crust is buried 40 to 60 cm, with deeper areas like the Dogtooth Range reporting this layer up to 100 cm deep. While reports of persistent slab avalanche activity has tapered, the snowpack structure remains a concern.

The mid and lower snowpack are generally well settled. In shallow snowpack areas, large facets or depth hoar are present at the bottom of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 3 to 4 cm of snow. 30 km/h west 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.
  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rocky outcrops, and steep terrain where triggering is most likely.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Be careful 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.