Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Mar 8 – 9, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The cooling has begun. As temperatures fall, expect a surface crust to form.

We are uncertain of the effects the recent warm temperatures have had on the persistent slab.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Wind slabs may step down to buried weak layers. Avoid wind-loaded features.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Several persistent weak layers of surface hoar, facets or crusts may be buried in the top meter of the snowpack. Wind slabs could step down to these layers, causing larger-than-expected avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are confident that there are persistent slabs in the snowpack, but uncertain about how likely they are to trigger.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, no new avalanches were reported.

On Thursday, a few natural cornice falls were noted, with only one triggering a small wind slab on the slope below.

On Monday, there was a natural avalanche cycle, mostly size 2, on solar slopes.

Snowpack Summary

Recent warm temperatures and rain have settled and modified the snowpack as high as 2000 m. As it begins to cool, we expect a surface crust to form.

A couple of persistent weak layers buried recently may exist in the upper 30 to 60 cm of the snowpack. These consist of surface hoar, facets and crusts.

Buried around 60 to 100 cm is a prominent, persistent weak layer of facets and crust from early February.

The remaining snowpack appears to be strong and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 5 cm of snow. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

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

Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

Regions covered