Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 23rd, 2026–Mar 24th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Danger increases with elevation.

Expect fresh & reactive wind slabs to form over the day. Concern also remains for persistent slabs at high elevations that were spared from the rain.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain due to how buried persistent weak layers will react with the forecast weather.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Sunday. Last week's rain and warm temperatures produced a widespread wet avalanche cycle. Moving forward, we expect reactivity to rider triggers in wind-loaded terrain features. The persistent slab problem remains a concern at higher elevations.

If you are heading into the backcountry, please consider sharing conditions via the MIN.

Snowpack Summary

By Tuesday afternoon, up to 10 cm of new snow may have fallen, adding to recent accumulations of up to 30 cm. Available snow will be redistributed into deeper deposits on north and east facing slopes. New snow sits over a melt-freeze crust to 2100 m in the north, rising to the mountain top in the south, which will likely bond poorly.

Below this, 30 to 50 cm of moist snow sits above a crust (1 to 10 cm thick). Various persistent weak layers may still exist in the top 120 cm of the snowpack - these remain a concern in high alpine features where a supportive surface crust does not exist.

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

Weather Summary

Monday Night
Mostly clear skies. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level rise to 1700 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 4 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.