Avalanche forecast

Clearwater

Mar 12 – 13, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Triggering storm slabs will be most likely in wind affected terrain.

Use small, low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    10 to 20 cm of recent snow and strong southwest winds have formed storm slabs that will be most reactive in wind affected terrain.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Expect natural wet loose avalanches to occur when the sun warms the dry snow for the first time.

Confidence

High

  • We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Wednesday.

If you are heading into the backcountry, please share any observations with the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 20 cm of recent snow and strong southwest winds have formed storm slabs that will be most reactive in wind affected terrain.

Within the top 100 cm of the snowpack, there may be a few layers of surface hoar, facets, crusts or a combination. These layers appear to vary in their distribution and have not triggered recent avalanches, but they could become reactive in isolated areas as additional snow accumulates above them.

The remainder of the snowpack is well settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Partly cloudy. 1 to 4 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Saturday
Sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind-exposed terrain.
  • Use small, low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
  • Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.

Regions covered