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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 23rd, 2026–Mar 24th, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

South Coast Inland, Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, Stein, Taseko.

Up to 25 cm of snow & strong winds will build reactive slabs.

A persistent weak layer remains a significant concern.

The danger will rise as new snow accumulates.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about forecast precipitation amounts.
  • We are uncertain due to variable freezing levels.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday & Saturday, several very large (up to size 3) slabs occurred, with most stepping down to the persistent weak layer. Some were triggered by falling cornices.

A widespread avalanche cycle occurred during last week's atmospheric river, producing many wet slab and loose avalanches up to size 3.5, some stepping down to persistent weak layers.

Incoming precipitation and wind from Tuesday’s storm are increasing the likelihood of avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25 cm of new snow is expected to accumulate by the end of Tuesday, accompanied by strong southwesterly winds. These conditions are set to build fresh and reactive new storm slabs.

The new snow will be falling on 2 to 10 cm of recent snow that is covering a widespread, thick and hard crust below about 1800 m, or old wind-affected snow at upper elevations.

A persistent weak layer from early March, consisting of a buried crust, is currently buried 75–150 cm. This layer has shown isolated reactivity, particularly in the Hurley area and zones north of there.

Weather Summary

Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 6 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level falling to 1100 m.

Tuesday
Cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow, possible rain below 1400 m. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 25 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m.

Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 0 to 4 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level rising to 1200 m.



More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • As the storm slab problem worsens, the easy solution is to choose more conservative terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.