Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 16th, 2026–Mar 17th, 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 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

South Coast Inland, Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, Stein, Taseko.

Watch for pinwheeling, moist or wet surface snow, and new avalanches. These are indications that the hazard is rising.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, a size 2.5 natural cornice failure was reported on a north aspect in the alpine. Avalanche control produced size 2 cornice failures and wind slabs up to size 1.5. Since Thursday, several rider-triggered storm and wind slabs were reported on north to east aspects at treeline.

Snowpack Summary

The new snow is falling on wind-affected surfaces at upper elevations and possibly sun crust on steep solar aspects.

Below 2300 m, a widespread crust formed in early March is buried 20 to 60 cm deep.

Another crust, formed in February, is buried roughly 60 to 100 cm deep, surrounded by weak faceted grains. Activity on this layer has been isolated to the northeast of the region, in the South Chilcotins.

The remainder of the snowpack is generally strong and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy. 3 to 15 cm of snow. 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy. 2 to 10 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 2 to 15 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2100 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy. 3 to 10 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2100 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.