Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 16th, 2026–Mar 17th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

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

Clearwater, South Okanagan, Shuswap, North Okanagan.

Continuously verify conditions as you move through terrain.

Avalanche hazard will vary from aspect to aspect and at different elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain due to rapidly changing freezing levels.

Avalanche Summary

At the time of publishing we had not received reports of new avalanches but we expect that natural avalanche activity may have occurred in the region on Monday.

Over the weekend, explosive control has produced small wind slabs.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 30 cm of new snow overlies a crust at lower elevations. At treeline and above this new snow has been redistributed by strong southwest wind, forming deep deposits on north and east facing terrain.

Within the top 100 cm of the snowpack, there are a few layers of surface hoar, facets, crusts, or a combination of the three.

The remainder of the snowpack is well settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Monday Night
Cloudy. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Tuesday
Cloudy. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2100 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 mm of rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.

Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 mm of rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.

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.
Recent strong wind means wind slabs may be found farther downslope than expected.
Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

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.

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.