Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Mar 23 – 24, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Recent snow and strong winds have made wind slabs the main concern at treeline and above on a variety of aspects.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    15 to 20 cm of recent snow and strong wind from a variety of directions have formed wind slabs at treeline and above.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Cornices are large, looming, and may trigger large persistent slabs on slopes below.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Persistent weak layers of crusts/facets or surface hoar in the top 200 cm of the snowpack may be possible to trigger where there is not a thick crust under the recent snow.

Confidence

Low

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

Avalanche Summary

Through the weekend, several natural and numerous explosive triggered wind slabs up to size 2 were reported on primarily northerly aspects at treeline and above.

Observations in this region are very limited. If you head out into the backcountry, let us know what you're seeing by submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 20 cm of recent snow and strong wind from a variety of directions have formed wind slabs at treeline and above. The recent snow sits on a variety of old surfaces, including surface hoar, facets, crusts, and/or wind scoured snow. Cornices are large and looming.

There are multiple persistent weak layers consisting of crust/facets or surface hoar in the top 200 cm of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly clear skies. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Tuesday

Sunny. 30 to 50 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 3 to 4 cm of snow. 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy. 4 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.
  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to buried surface hoar.

Regions covered