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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 8th, 2026–Mar 9th, 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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Northwest Inland, Boundary, Kitimat, Nass, Rupert, Seven Sisters, Shames, Stewart, Howson.

Wind slab formation has been extensive, wind slabs remain sensitive.

Avoid wind loaded terrain, and actively look for signs of hard slab like hollow and drum like sounds.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are confident that there are persistent slabs in the snowpack, but uncertain about how likely they are to trigger.
  • We are uncertain about how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, on the Bear Pass Highway, several very large natural avalanches were reported. The report indicated a wind slab releases from cross loaded features in lower alpine terrain.

Near Stewart, a large wet loose avalanches was reported initiating below treeline.

A widespread natural avalanche cycle including numerous large to very large wind slab, persistent slab and wet loose avalanches were reported across the region.

Snowpack Summary

An additional 5 to 10 cm of new snow overnight adds to 20 to 30 cm of recent storm snow that is heavily wind affected at treeline and above, that sits on a settling upper snowpack.

Below 1400 m a surface crust is forming over the recent moist storm snow that sits on 50 to 70 cm of settled snow.

Below this, weak layers of surface hoar, facets and/or crusts remain a concern especially where a supportive crust has not yet formed.

Below this layer, the remaining snowpack is generally well settled and well bonded.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Monday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent strong wind means wind slabs may be found farther downslope than expected.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
  • If triggered, wind slabs may step down to deeper layers, causing larger avalanches.

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.