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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 26th, 2026–Mar 27th, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Lizard-Flathead, Akamina, Flathead, Lizard.

Wind slabs remain possible to human trigger.

Avoid steep, rocky, and wind affected areas where triggering slabs is most likely.

Confidence

High

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

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, numerous naturally triggered storm slabs up to size 2 were reported near Fernie on primarily north and east aspects at treeline and above.

Last week's rain and warm temperatures triggered a widespread natural slab avalanche cycle up to size 3.

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

Snowpack Summary

10 to 20 cm of recent snow and strong southwest winds formed wind slabs on lee aspects at upper elevations. These slabs are most likely to be reactive on steep slopes below ridgetops. The recent snow sits on a thick crust.

Below this, up to 50 cm of rain soaked snow lies over a crust (1 to 10 cm thick) from early March.

Persistent weak layers may linger within the top 150 cm of the snowpack. These are unlikely to trigger in most areas where a thick crust is present above the weak layers.

The mid and lower snowpack is well settled and strong in most areas.

The snowpack depth tapers rapidly at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Mostly clear skies. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Friday
Sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Saturday
Sunny. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.