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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 1st, 2026–Mar 2nd, 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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Dogtooth, East Purcell.

Strong winds have left slabs in open features. Persistent slabs sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar continue to be most reactive at treeline and below.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We have higher uncertainty about treeline conditions due to persistent slabs.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, evidence of a widespread avalanche cycle with avalanche to size 3 was reported, avalanches failed both within the recent storm snow and on persistant weak layers. Many avalanches were in steep open features; however, this MIN from Silent Pass reports a size 2.5 avalanche, failing on surface hoar and burying the access road below treeline.

Reactive surface hoar continues to be responsible for numerous natural, remote, and rider-triggered avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Strong westerlies have impacted 20 to 40 cm of recent storm snow, pressing surfaces and depositing slabs in lee features, including open areas below treeline. Solar slopes may become moist with daytime heating.

A reactive layer of surface hoar is now buried 50 to 70 cm deep. Recent persistent slab avalanches have failed on this layer of well-preserved surface hoar, many triggered in sheltered openings at treeline and below.

The mid and lower snowpack are well settled in some areas. In others, large facets (depth hoar) are present at the bottom of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Clear skies. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Monday

Sunny. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny. 1 to 4 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 3 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
  • 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.
  • Limit exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.

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.