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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 24th, 2025–Mar 25th, 2025
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Rain and high freezing levels can trigger avalanches on buried weak layers.

Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of high hazard.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

We expect avalanche activity to continue with both wet and large slab avalanches being easy to trigger during this warm period.

On Sunday, numerous human-triggered size 1.5 storm slabs like this one occurred in the alpine and upper treeline.

On Saturday near Whistler, a natural cornice fall triggered a size 3 slab on the slope below.

On Friday, an explosive-triggered size 2 storm slab was reported on the early March melt-freeze crust, on an east-facing slope in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

We have received up to 30 mm of recent precipitation; snow above 1500 m and rain below this elevation. Expect deeper and more reactive deposits on north—and east-facing slopes. This overlies 40 cm of recent snow. Expect to find rain-soaked or moist snow below 1500 m.

This overlies 50 cm of settled snow and then a melt-freeze crust on southerly slopes and at lower elevations.

A weak layer formed in early March found down 150 to 230 cm, consists of a crust on all aspects except high north-facing slopes. In some areas, a layer of surface hoar is found just above the crust.

Weak layers formed in mid-February and late January are now buried 200 to 300 cm deep.

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

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with up to 15 mm, falling as snow above 1500 m. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 0 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 5 mm, falling as snow above 2500 m. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level rises to 2500 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with trace precipitation. 40 km/h southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 6 °C. Freezing level 3000 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 25 to 40 mm, falling as snow above 1500 m. 50 km/h southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 0 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Only the most simple non-avalanche terrain with no overhead hazard is appropriate at this time.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Use extra caution for areas that are experiencing rapidly warming temperatures for the first time.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm snow and moderate southwest winds has formed reactive slabs. Expect to find deeper and more reactive deposits on north- and east-facing slopes at upper elevations, where the wind will load lee slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

A weak layer from early March is now 150 to 230 cm deep with January and February layers buried 200 to 300 cm. These remain a concern, especially in northerly alpine terrain.

Weak layers can become reactive when loaded due to rain or warming.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3.5

Loose Wet

Rain-on-snow and warm temperatures can rapidly destabilize the snowpack.

Wet loose avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that fail on deeper snow or weak layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2