Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 23rd, 2026–Feb 24th, 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

Purcells, Flathead, Lizard, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary.

Stick to conservative, low consequence terrain and give the storm snow time to settle.

Recent storm snow has weakened a concerning upper snowpack, human triggered avalanches are likely.

Confidence

High

We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous storm and persistent slab avalanches up to size 3 were reported in the region over the past 4 days. Avalanches have been triggered accidentally, naturally, and remotely. These avalanches have occurred on all aspects and elevations but most activity has been on north and east facing terrain.

Check out this MIN report and this one for more details.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of fresh snow accompanied by strong southwest wind has formed deeper deposits on north and east aspects. In sheltered terrain it will overlie a layer of surface hoar or a sun crust. The snow surface is expected to become moist on sun exposed slopes.

A couple concerning weak layers exist in the upper snowpack:

60 to 80 cm deep, there is a supportive crust on south-facing terrain. On north-facing terrain, this layer maybe a breakable crust or surface hoar.
The late January layer is buried 70 to 120 cm deep. It consists of a crust with facets or surface hoar above it.

The mid and lower snowpack is well settled.

Weather Summary

Monday Night
Partly cloudy. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Tuesday
Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 1 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 15 cm of snow. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
Keep your guard up at lower elevations. Storms slabs have been reactive at all elevations.
Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

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.