Avalanche Forecast

Archived

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

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Cariboos, North Columbia, Blue River, McBride, Premier, Quesnel, Clemina, Renshaw, Robson.

Wind slabs are the most likely avalanche problem to trigger.

We have lingering uncertainty about buried weak layers. Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain about how quickly persistent slabs are gaining strength.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no avalanche observations since the widespread natural avalanche cycle during the storm on the weekend. These included:

Storm and wind slabs size 2-3, on northeast to southeast aspects at alpine and treeline elevations.
Several size 3 persistent slab avalanches suspected to have run on the February crust layer. These observations were concentrated at treeline elevation in the east of the region.

Snowpack Summary

10-30 cm of dry snow accumulates over firm surfaces including a crust below 1700 m.

A few layers buried between late January and mid February, consisting of surface hoar, facets, and/or crust, are buried roughly 100 to 150 cm deep. We have uncertainty about both the distribution and reactivity of these layers in the region. They may remain problematic in isolated areas but we expect they are becoming less likely to trigger under current conditions.

The remainder of the snowpack is well consolidated, with no other significant layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 4 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.

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.