Avalanche forecast

Flathead

Feb 14 – 15, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Watch for fresh slabs forming in leeward terrain features. We are uncertain whether buried weak layers in the upper snowpack may remain triggerable by riders.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    New snow and wind are forming fresh slabs. They may be particularly reactive where they sit over surface hoar or a crust.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    A weak layer of surface hoar/crust/facets exists in the top 40 cm of the snowpack. While this snowpack structure is concerning, the likelihood of avalanche activity on this layer has been decreasing.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are confident that there are persistent slabs in the snowpack, but uncertain about how likely they are to trigger.

Avalanche Summary

Over the past few days, the persistent slab problem has been tested, with mixed results. On Wednesday and Thursday, a couple of natural cornice falls reported from around the region did not trigger slabs on slopes below. Meanwhile, explosive testing on a convex roll at treeline in the Lizard range produced a size 1.5 persistent slab avalanche.

Snowpack Summary

5 to 15 cm of new snow falls over a widespread layer of surface hoar and a crust on solar aspects.

Below this, depending on aspect and elevation, the top 50 cm may contain one or two more layers of crust, facet and/or surface hoar formed in late January and early February. We are uncertain whether these layers will become more or less problematic as they get buried deeper.

The mid and lower snowpack remain well settled, with no significant concerns at this time.

Weather Summary

Friday Night
Cloudy. 4 to 8 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 6 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 4 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 4 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Keep in mind a buried crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.

Regions covered