Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 24th, 2026–Mar 25th, 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 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, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Cariboos, Blue River, Clearwater, McBride, Premier, Quesnel, Sugarbowl.

Snowfall should ease on Wednesday, but strong alpine winds will continue. Dangerous avalanche conditions are likely to persist at higher elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain about forecast precipitation amounts.
We are confident that there are persistent slabs in the snowpack, but uncertain about how likely they are to trigger.

Avalanche Summary

Following last week’s widespread avalanche cycle, temperatures have dropped, and avalanche activity has been minimal. A couple of large cornice failures (up to size 3) were reported over the weekend, occurring during periods of strong sun.

With the recent arrival of new snow and strong winds, avalanche likelihood and potential size will increase.

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 20 to 50 cm of storm snow has accumulated since Saturday. Recent westerly winds have redistributed this snow in exposed alpine terrain, creating areas of deeper wind loading.

Below this snow, a thick, strong melt-freeze crust exists at roughly 2100 m and below. At higher elevations, the new snow may rest on a thinner crust, moist snow, or older wind-affected surfaces.

Deeper weak layers may persist within the snowpack, particularly at higher elevations where last week’s precipitation fell as snow rather than rain. However, the strength and depth of the upper snowpack make these layers very unlikely to be triggered.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 8 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

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.

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.