Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 5th, 2026–Mar 6th, 2026

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 possible, human triggered probable.

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 possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Microwave-Sinclair, North Bulkley, South Bulkley, Telkwa.

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist.

Avoid wind-loaded slopes, especially where wind slabs overlie facets or in thin, rocky terrain where persistent slabs are easier to trigger.

Confidence

Moderate

We are confident that there are persistent slabs in the snowpack, but uncertain about how likely they are to trigger.
We are uncertain due to the variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Large natural wind slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed over the past week, likely triggered during periods of rapid loading from strong winds. Avalanches occurred on a variety of aspects, highlighting variable wind patterns.

Please post any photos or observations to the MIN if you head out.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow over the last week has been redistributed by primarily southwest winds. Exposed terrain is wind-pressed or scoured down to old crusts formed in late January. While wind slab formation continues to occur in leeward or cross-loaded terrain.

Two notable layers exist in the snowpack. A layer of facets from early February, up to 40 cm deep. A thick crust from late January, 50 to 100 cm deep. Both of these layers are a concern in wind-affected terrain. Read more about persistent slab problem here.

The remainder of the snowpack is well settled.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 4 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 15 mm of rain at treeline. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °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.
Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.

Problems

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.

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.