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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 11th, 2026–Mar 12th, 2026

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

Regions

Jordan, Gold, Retallack, Valhalla, Whatshan.

Stormy weather will form fresh surface instabilities while adding a critical load to the early March layer. Choose simple terrain and tune in to signs of instability as the snowpack adjusts.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about forecast snowfall amounts.
  • We are uncertain about how quickly persistent slabs are gaining strength.

Avalanche Summary

During the weekend storm, a widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred, size 2-3. These included storm slabs on all aspects and elevations, loose wet treeline and below, and persistent slabs on mostly on north to east aspects in the alpine and at treeline. Smaller natural and ski cut wind slabs have been the predominant activity in the days since.

Looking forward, moderate to heavy snowfall should spur the formation of a more widespread storm slab problem for Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 40 cm of new snow should accumulate by end-of-day Thursday, adding to an existing 10-30 cm sitting on old wind-affected surfaces or a crust which extends up to 1900 m near Highway 1 and 2100 m in the Valhallas with moist snow immediately below.

Three formerly problematic layers of surface hoar, facets and/ or crust formed in January and February exist in the mid-snowpack, 1-2 m deep. If the recent storm cycle didn't wipe them out, we at least expect them to be effectively bridged under current conditions, especially at low elevations where the early March crust is strongest.

The remainder of the snowpack is well settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night
Cloudy with increasing snowfall bringing 15 to 25 cm of new snow. 40 to 80 km/h west ridgetop wind, increasing. Treeline temperature -4 °C with freezing level rising to 1300 m.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy with easing flurries and another 5 to 10 cm of new snow. 30 to 80 km/h west ridgetop wind, easing. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Friday
A mix of sun and cloud with scattered flurries and another 1 to 5 cm of new snow. 15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud with scattered flurries bringing 1 to 5 cm of new snow. 15 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind, increasing. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use increased caution at all elevations. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.
  • Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
  • Don't let storm day fever lure you into consequential terrain.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.