Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 10th, 2026–Mar 11th, 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 possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Glacier.

Snow flurries and strong winds will be building storm slabs. These will be most reactive at ridgetop and in steep unsupported terrain features.

The last two avalanche cycles have cleaned out many start zones. However, there are still slopes and features that haven't flushed out the persistent slab problem.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain about forecast snowfall amounts.
We are uncertain about how quickly persistent slabs are gaining strength.

Avalanche Summary

Natural avalanche activity has dropped off with the cooling.

Artillery control on Sunday produced numerous avalanches from size 2 to 4. Of note, avalanche character changed to wet/loose below treeline with the rain and warm temps.

See the Avalanche Canada blog post for info on dealing with persistent slab problems. We are entering the "healing" stage. Avalanches are becoming less likely but the consequence will remain massive for the foreseeable future.

Snowpack Summary

A widespread surface slab, 50-80cm in depth, blankets the region at Alpine and Treeline elevations. Below Treeline, the rain-soaked surface is now a firm crust with up to 10cm of new snow on top of it.

The Feb 9 and Jan 26 surface hoar (SH) layers are now buried 110-170cm deep. The Feb 9 SH sits over a crust on solar aspects. The Jan 26th layer is composed of very large surface hoar (up to 40mm), facets, and/or a crust.

Weather Summary

Cool temps and spring convective cells will bring flurries and gusty SW winds to the region.

Tonight Flurries, 8cm. Alpine low -13°C. Freezing level (FZL) Valley bottom(VB). Winds SW 35-45km/h.

Wed Snow, 15cm. Alp High -12°C. Wind SW 25-40km/h. FZL VB.

Thurs Flurries, 13cm. Alp High -8°C. Wind W 30 gusting 125km/h. FZL 800m.

Fri Cloud/Sun/Flurries, Precip: 1-2cm. Alp High -9°C. Wind W 20km/h. FZL 900m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.