Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 16th, 2026–Mar 17th, 2026

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Regions

North Columbia, South Columbia, Clemina, Esplanade, Jordan, North Monashee, North Selkirk, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Whatshan.

Avoid avalanche terrain

Strong wind, heavy precipitation and high freezing levels will likely result in natural avalanches at all elevations, they could fail on deep weak layers and run far

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about forecast snowfall amounts.
  • We are uncertain about how persistent slabs will react to the forecast weather.

Avalanche Summary

Over the past 3 days several size 3 and 3.5 persistent slab avalanches were reported. These avalanches were triggered naturally, remotely, and by falling cornices. They occurred on easterly aspects at treeline and above.

Numerous storm and wind slabs were also reported.

Snowpack Summary

By Tuesday morning precipitation will likely switch from snow to rain, except in the alpine. The upper snowpack is expected to become saturated from the rain below treeline. In the alpine, strong to extreme southwest wind will form deep deposits on north and east aspects.

Three concerning weak layers of surface hoar, facets and/or crust formed in January and February are in the mid-snowpack, 1 to 2 m deep.

The lower snowpack is well settled and bonded.

Weather Summary

Monday Night
Cloudy. 10 to 25 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1°C.

Tuesday
Cloudy. 5 to 15 mm of rain at treeline, snow in the alpine. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2°C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Wednesday
Cloudy. 15 to 25 cm of snow at treeline, rain below. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.

Thursday
Cloudy. 10 to 25 cm of snow at treeline, rain below. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0°C. Freezing level 2100 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.
  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.
  • Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.

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 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.