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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 18th, 2026–Mar 19th, 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 and human triggered avalanches likely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Glacier.

Its ugly out there, heavy rain soaked snow with large destructive avalanches running full path and breaking trees.

Now is a great time to stay out of the backcountry.

Confidence

High

  • We are confident the likelihood of avalanches will increase with the forecast weather.
  • Deep persistent slabs could become more likely with the forecast weather.

Avalanche Summary

Both natural and artificially triggered avalanches have been numerous this week up to size 3. On Monday night and again Wednesday morning avalanche control produced avalanches up to size 3.5 throughout the highway corridor.

Neighbouring operations are still reporting sporadic, persistent slab natural avalanche activity up to size 3.

Snowpack Summary

60-100cms of new snow (elevation dependent; more up high, less down low) has been redistributed by strong winds in the alpine. At tree line and below heavy rain has soaked and destabilized the upper snowpack. At lower elevations this rain has soaked down to the March 8 crust.

The Feb 9 and Jan 26 surface hoar (SH) layers are now buried 150-210 cm deep. With the heavy new load of snow and rain these layers could become reactive again.

Weather Summary

The stormy onslaught continues with heavy snow in the alpine and heavy rain tree line and below with strong winds.

Tonight Snow mixed with rain 26cm. Alpine low -1°C. Winds SW 30-60km/h. Freezing level (FZL) 2000m.

Thurs Snow 20cm. Alpine high 0°C. Wind SW 30-60km/h. FZL 2000m.

Fri Snow 20cm. Alpine high -1°C. Wind SW 25-60km/h. FZL 1900m.

Sat Flurries 5cm. Alpine high -5°C. Wind W 15 gusting 50km/h. FZL 1400m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.
  • Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.

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.

Wet Slabs

Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.

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.