Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 20th, 2026–Mar 21st, 2026

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

Regions

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Spearhead, Tantalus, Sky Pilot.

Alpine conditions are uncertain, with recent snow and wind creating potential for slab avalanches. Lower elevations are more stable, as rain-soaked snow is refreezing.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about alpine conditions due to limited field observations.

Avalanche Summary

A widespread cycle of wet avalanches occurred Wednesday through Friday, producing both slab and loose avalanches up to size 3, along with cornice failures. Alpine observations were limited, so conditions above the snowline are uncertain.

With cooler temperatures over the weekend, wet avalanches are now unlikely, leaving lingering wind slabs in the alpine as the main concern.

Snowpack Summary

Over the past few days, the Whistler area received over 100 mm of precipitation, with freezing levels fluctuating around 2000 m. Even higher totals fell south and west of Whistler.

With cooling temperatures this weekend, the snowpack at lower elevations will refreeze and generally be strong. At upper treeline and alpine elevations, conditions could be very different, with heavy deposits of wind-affected snow.

A crust layer from early March lies 50 to 80 cm deep. While some avalanches during the cycle stepped down to this layer, it is unlikely to trigger once the surface refreezes.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Partly cloudy. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level dropping from 1400 to 700 m.

Saturday

Mostly sunny with some afternoon cloud. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow by the morning. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Monday

Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded slopes in the alpine.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • A hard crust on the snow surface will help strengthen the snowpack, but may cause tough travel conditions.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.