Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 23rd, 2026–Mar 24th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

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 unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Sea To Sky, Brandywine, Garibaldi, Homathko, Spearhead, Tantalus, Sky Pilot.

Up to 30 cm of new snow & strong winds will build reactive slabs.

The danger will rise as new snow accumulates.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain about forecast precipitation amounts.
We are uncertain due to variable freezing levels.

Avalanche Summary

Sunday

A skier was caught in a small slab: MIN.
Explosives triggered a few size 1 to 1.5 wind slabs and cornices.

Saturday

Explosives triggered several size 1 -2 wind slabs and cornices, and one size 2.5 slab.

Last week

A widespread cycle of wet avalanches occurred during the atmospheric river , producing avalanches up to size 4, along with large cornice failures.

Incoming
Precipitation and wind from Tuesday’s storm are increasing the likelihood of avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30 cm of new snow is expected to accumulate by the end of Tuesday, accompanied by strong southerly winds. These conditions are set to build fresh and reactive new storm slabs.

The new snow will be falling on 2 to 10 cm of recent snow that is covering a widespread, thick and hard crust below about 2000 m, or old wind-affected snow at upper elevations.

Deeper in the snowpack, older weak layers currently buried 70–100+ cm have likely gained strength, and are not considered a problem at this time.

Weather Summary

Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level falling to 900 m.

Tuesday
Cloudy. 15 to 30 cm of snow, possible rain below 1300 m. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 35 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level rising to 1100 m.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level rising to 1100 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
As the storm slab problem worsens, the easy solution is to choose more conservative terrain.
Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.