Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 16th, 2026–Mar 17th, 2026

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Below Treeline

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

North Rockies, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler.

Avoid avalanche terrain.

Strong wind, heavy precipitation, and elevated freezing levels will likely result in natural avalanches at all elevations.

Confidence

High

We are confident the likelihood of avalanches will increase with the forecast weather.
We are uncertain about forecast rain amounts.

Avalanche Summary

At the time of publishing we had not received reports of new avalanches, but we expect that a natural avalanche cycle started on Monday.

On Friday, explosive control targeting buried weak layers triggered one large (size 2.5) persistent slab near Pine Pass. This occurred on a south aspect at treeline.

Snowpack Summary

By early Tuesday morning precipitation will likely switch from snow to rain, except in the alpine. The upper snowpack is expected to become saturated from the rain at treeline and below. In the alpine, extreme southwest wind will form deep deposits on north and east aspects.

A crust from early this month is buried 20 to 40 cm at treeline and below.

Another crust, with facets above it, can be found down 150 cm.

The remainder of the snowpack is well settled and bonded.

Weather Summary

Monday Night
Cloudy. 5 to 20 mm of rain at treeline, snow in the alpine. 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2°C. Freezing level 2000 to 2500 m.

Tuesday
Cloudy. 10 to 20 mm of rain at treeline, snow in the alpine. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2°C. Freezing level around 2500 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 30 mm of rain. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3°C. Freezing level rising to 2700 m.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 25 cm of snow at treeline, rain at lower elevations. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
Use increased caution at all elevations. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.
Avoid areas with overhead hazard.
Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.