Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 15th, 2025–Mar 16th, 2025
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

An abundance of recent storm snow needs time to settle and bond.

Stick to conservative terrain and watch for changing conditions.

Rider-triggered avalanches remain likely on Sunday.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

With continuous storm cycles in the past week, numerous natural and human-triggered storm slab avalanches have been reported throughout the region. Near Whistler and Garibaldi Park, there were several mentions of skiers accidentally triggering large slabs from northerly to easterly alpine slopes (size 1 to 2.5) on Friday.

Rider-triggered avalanches remain a concern on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

An additional 10 to 15 cm is expected on Saturday night, which will bring this week's storm totals to 120 to 175 cm of new snow. The storm snow is settling out rapidly and has been affected by the sun on steep southerly slopes. It sits on a weak layer formed in early March that consists of a crust on all aspects except high north-facing slopes and facets or surface hoar in some areas.

Weak layers formed in mid-February and late January are now buried 150 to 250 cm deep. We suspect these layers have mainly healed, but observations have been limited by stormy conditions.

Below this, the snowpack is well-settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of new snow. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 C. Freezing level 800 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Monday

Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of new snow. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level rising to 1000 m.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and clouds. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeply buried weak layers and result in very large avalanches.
  • Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Continuous storms in the past week have left numerous storm slab interfaces in the top 100 cm of the snowpack. Far running dry loose avalanches are also a concern on steep slopes with this significant amount of new storm snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

A weak layer formed in early March is now buried 120 to 175 cm. Additional layers formed in January and February are now buried 150 to 250 cm. These layers may still be adjusting to the new snow load, but field observations remain limited.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 4