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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 22nd, 2026–Mar 23rd, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

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

A persistent weak layer is the primary concern, especially in the north of the region.
Use extra caution in wind-loaded areas at upper elevations and avoid cornices.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about how quickly persistent slabs are gaining strength.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday & Saturday, several very large (up to size 3) slabs occurred, with most stepping down to the persistent weak layer. Some were triggered by falling cornices.

Previous to that, a widespread avalanche cycle occurred throughout the recent atmospheric river, producing many wet slab and loose avalanches up to size 3, some also stepping down to deeper weak layers.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10 cm of dry new snow fell in some areas on Saturday night, covering a variety of underlying surfaces. These include wind-affected snow, a thin crust on steep sun-exposed slopes, a widespread thick and hard crust below about 1800 m, and 20–40 cm of older storm snow on sheltered upper elevation north-facing aspects.

A persistent weak layer from early March, consisting of a buried crust now 75–150 cm deep, continues to show isolated reactivity, particularly in the Hurley area and zones north of there.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night
Partly cloudy. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C. Freezing level falling to 0 m.

Monday
Mostly sunny. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 25 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level rising to 1350 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to a buried crust.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • If triggered, wind slabs may step down to deeper layers, causing larger avalanches.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

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.