Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Mar 8 – 9, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

6:00 AM Update: If you find more than 25 cm of new snow treat the avalanche hazard as High

Storm slabs are building west of Terrace, wind slabs are the main problem in the rest of the region.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Recent storm snow coupled with strong winds has developed wind slabs at upper elevations. Continued precipitation and moderate winds may further develop this problem. Higher precipitation amounts west of Terrace = higher hazard.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    Weak layers remain a concern in this region, especially where there is no supportive crust. The depth of these layers is variable. A surface hoar layer can be found in sheltered terrain at a depth where human triggering is possible.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are confident that there are persistent slabs in the snowpack, but uncertain about how likely they are to trigger.
  • We are uncertain about how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, on the Bear Pass Highway, several very large natural avalanches were reported. The report indicated a wind slab releases from cross loaded features in lower alpine terrain.

Near Stewart, a large wet loose avalanches was reported initiating below treeline.

A widespread natural avalanche cycle including numerous large to very large wind slab, persistent slab and wet loose avalanches were reported across the region.

Snowpack Summary

An additional 5 to 10 cm of new snow overnight adds to 20 to 30 cm of recent storm snow that is heavily wind affected at treeline and above, that sits on a settling upper snowpack.

Below 1400 m a surface crust is forming over the recent moist storm snow that sits on 50 to 70 cm of settled snow.

Below this, weak layers of surface hoar, facets and/or crusts remain a concern especially where a supportive crust has not yet formed.

Below this layer, the remaining snowpack is generally well settled and well bonded.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Monday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent strong wind means wind slabs may be found farther downslope than expected.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
  • If triggered, wind slabs may step down to deeper layers, causing larger avalanches.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.

Regions covered