Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 26th, 2026–Mar 27th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Columbia, South Columbia, Clemina, Esplanade, Jordan, North Monashee, North Selkirk, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Whatshan.

Give storm slabs time to bond and keep your eye on cornices.

Route selection should take both of these hazards into consideration.

Confidence

Moderate

We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.

Avalanche Summary

Over the past 3 days numerous storm and wind slab avalanches up to size 2.5 have been observed. These avalanches have been triggered naturally, by explosives, and by skiers. Avalanches were predominantly triggered on north and east aspects at treeline and above but one was triggered below treeline. The atmospheric river crust has been the failure plane for almost all of them.

Snowpack Summary

Strong southwest wind is expected to continue to redistribute snow into deeper deposits on north and east aspects. Exposed windward features are scoured at treeline and above.

The 15 cm thick crust that formed as a result of the atmospheric river event is found down 40 to 80 cm. This crust extends up to at least 2300 m. Moist snow is found beneath this crust.

Weak layers from February can be found down 150 cm and deeper. These layers remain a concern at high elevations where the crust from the atmospheric river might not exist.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Partly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
Loose avalanches may start small, but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

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.