Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Mar 7 – 8, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Strong wind and rising freezing levels will modify the snowpack rapidly.

We are uncertain if the warmer temperatures will "wake up" the persistent slab.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Wind slabs may step down to buried weak layers. Avoid wind-loaded features.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Several persistent weak layers of surface hoar, facets or crusts may be buried in the top meter of the snowpack. Wind slabs could step down to these layers, causing larger-than-expected avalanches.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Freezing levels are rising over the weekend. Take extra caution where snow is seeing rain for the first time. Be very aware of overhead hazard.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are confident that there are persistent slabs in the snowpack, but uncertain about how likely they are to trigger.
  • We are confident that there are weak cornices, but uncertain about how likely they are to trigger.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, a few natural cornice falls were noted, with only one triggering a small wind slab on the slope below.

No new avalanches have been reported on Tuesday or Wednesday.

On Monday, there was a natural avalanche cycle, mostly size 2, on solar slopes.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25 cm of new snow has fallen at upper elevations in the past three days. Strong south and west winds will have redistributed this snow into deeper deposits in wind-loaded areas. This new snow overlies a melt-freeze crust on solar aspects and lower elevations, and wind-affected layers at higher elevations.

A couple of persistent weak layers buried in the last week may exist in the upper 30 to 60 cm of the snowpack. These consist of surface hoar, facets and crusts.

Buried around 60 to 100 cm is a prominent, persistent weak layer of facets and crust from early February.

The remaining snowpack appears to be strong and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy. 1 mm of precipitation. 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Saturday

Cloudy. 2 to 5 mm of precipitation. 80 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy. 4 to 10 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Monday

Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

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