Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 18th, 2026–Feb 19th, 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.

People continue to trigger large avalanches on the various weak layers within the snowpack. Continue to make conservative terrain choices to have a safe day.

Confidence

Moderate

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

Avalanche Summary

Many small to large (size 1 to 2) storm slab and persistent slab avalanches released on Tuesday, with many of them being triggered by humans (including remotely). Storm slabs released on north to east aspects at treeline elevations. Persistent slabs released between 1600 m and 2200 m on all aspects and were 30 to 70 cm deep.

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

Snowpack Summary

Light snowfall over the past week has built up to 30 to 40 cm of snow, with deeper deposits in lee terrain features. This storm snow overlies an isolated layer of surface hoar crystals and a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes that formed mid-February. Storm slabs continue to release within the storm snow.

Two other layers of concern are found in the middle of the snowpack. Buried about 40 to 60 cm is the early-February layer of surface hoar crystals in wind-sheltered terrain and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. Buried about 70 to 120 cm is the late-January layer of surface hoar and facets over a melt-freeze crust. Both of these layers continue to form large avalanches.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, with moderate to strong north valley wind possible. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind, with moderate to strong north valley wind possible. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °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.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.