Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 19th, 2026–Feb 20th, 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.

Large avalanches continue to fail on various weak layers in the snowpack.

Stick to small, low-angle terrain and test conditions before approaching bigger slopes.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain about how quickly persistent slabs are gaining strength.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous small to large (size 1 to 2) storm slab and persistent slab avalanches occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday, with many of them being triggered by humans (including remotely). These avalanches are occurring on all aspects and elevations, including on relatively low-angle slopes below treeline.

It remains likely for people to continue to trigger similar avalanches on the various weak layers described in the Snowpack Summary.

Snowpack Summary

Snowfall over the past week has built up

Previous wind has created variable wind-effect in open areas at upper elevations.

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 is the early-February layer of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain and a crust on sun-exposed slopes.
70 to 120 cm is the late-January layer of surface hoar and facets over a melt-freeze crust.

All of these layers continue to form large avalanches.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly clear skies. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.

Friday

Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °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

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.