Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 16th, 2026–Mar 17th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

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

Coquihalla, Harrison-Fraser, Manning.

Hazard remains elevated due to warm temperatures, precipitation, and strong winds.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain about how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.
We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, a large size 2 avalanche was reported on a southeast face above Nak Bowl, traveling through a terrain trap and continuing down the bowl below. A few small wind slabs and one small wet loose slide from afternoon solar warming were also observed.

If you are heading into the backcountry, please share any observations with the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 60 to 100 cm of snow has accumulated over the past week, burying a widespread crust at treeline and below. In alpine terrain, this crust is likely thin or absent. Periods of strong southwesterly wind have redistributed the new snow in exposed areas at higher elevations.

A crust with facets may exist 100 to 200 cm below the surface, primarily on northerly aspects at higher elevations. This layer appears unreactive but continues to be monitored.

The remaining snowpack appears strong and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy. 4 to 5 mm of rain at treeline. 90 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy. 1 to 5 mm of rain at treeline. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy. 3 to 20 mm of rain at treeline. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy. 1 to 15 mm of rain at treeline. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.
Loose avalanches may start small, but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

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.