Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 26th, 2026–Mar 27th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Glacier.

Use caution in wind effected terrain. Reactive wind slabs have formed in exposed terrain.

Wait for the snow to settle and bond before stepping out onto large terrain features.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain due to the variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

The new snow and wind caused a small natural avalanche cycle up to size 2.5 through the highway corridor on Tuesday.

Field team was also able to easily trigger several size 1 storm slabs from steep terrain at treeline.

A widespread, natural avalanche cycle occurred up to size 3.5 on Thursday and Friday of last week during the atmospheric river. Explosive avalanche control also produced results up to size 4.

Check out pics from the recent avalanche cycle in the MIN Reports.

Snowpack Summary

15-50 cm of recent storm snow has been redistributed by strong SW winds creating wind slabs in exposed terrain. Expect challenging travel below treeline travel, and seek sheltered terrain to find the best riding.

Below the storm snow is a thick crust with moist snow below. Another crust from early March is buried 70-150 cm deep.

The Feb 9 and Jan 26 surface hoar layers are now buried 150-210 cm deep. These layers are not a concern for human triggering in the current conditions.

Weather Summary

Spring weather brings continued convective flurries with season temps.

Tonight Clear. Alpine low -11°C. Winds SW 30-40km/h. Freezing level (FZL) valley bottom

Fri Cloudy w/sun/flurries. Snow 1-2cms. Alp high -6°C. Wind SW 25-45km/h. FZL 1500m

Sat Cloudy w/sun/flurries. Snow 1-2cms. Alp high -6°C. Wind SW 20-35 km/h. FZL 1400m

Sun Cloudy w/sun/flurries. Snow 1-2cms. Alp high -6°C. Wind SW 10-25km/h. FZL 1300m

Terrain and Travel Advice

Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind-exposed terrain.
Keep in mind a buried crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.