Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Mar 9 – 10, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Low-density snow available for transport and moderate southwest wind is a recipe for fresh wind slab formation.

Cautious route finding and conservative decision-making is essential.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Fresh wind slabs have developed over previous wind affected surfaces. Forecasted flurries will continue to be redistributed by moderate winds. Storm slabs are more likely in areas west of Terrace where more storm snow has accumulated.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    Weak layers remain a concern in this region, especially where there is no supportive crust. The depth of these layers is variable. A surface hoar layer can be found in sheltered terrain at a depth where human triggering is possible.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, in the Ningunsaw east of highway 37, two very large natural persistent slab avalanches were reported.

Near Terrace, natural avalanche activity was reported including a very large natural wind slab release, a large wind slab, and several cornice triggered slab avalanches. Wind slabs remain a concern and are likely to be human-triggered.

This MIN has some good detail on recent avalanche activity in the Shames area.

Snowpack Summary

Incremental accumulation of new cold snow overlies various previous surfaces depending on aspect and elevation:

  • At treeline and above: heavily wind-affected over a settling upper snowpack.

  • Below treeline: a surface crust forming on moist or refrozen snow over a settling snowpack.

Below this, weak layers of surface hoar, facets and/or crusts remain a concern especially where a supportive crust has not yet formed.

Below this layer, the remaining snowpack is generally well settled and well bonded.

Weather Summary

Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • If triggered, wind slabs may step down to deeper layers, causing larger avalanches.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

Regions covered