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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 22nd, 2026–Mar 23rd, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Cariboos, Blue River, Clearwater, McBride, Premier, Quesnel, Sugarbowl.

The recent storm snow may still be reactive to human triggering, especially in wind-loaded terrain at higher elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

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

Avalanche Summary

A widespread avalanche cycle occurred during the recent warm, wet conditions, reaching size 4. These varied from wet slab and wet loose avalanches at lower elevations, to storm, wind, and persistent slabs in the alpine.

With the current cool temperatures, natural avalanches are not expected, but it may still be possible to trigger avalanches, particularly at higher elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 20 cm of recent snow from the weekend has buried a widespread melt-freeze crust present in all but the high alpine. The strength and thickness of this crust likely vary across aspects and elevations, but it is generally supportive for travel. Moist snow may persist below this crust, particularly at lower elevations.

A thick crust buried earlier in March can be found 50 to 80 cm below the surface at treeline and below. Two additional crusts, with facets above them, are present at depths of 70 to 150 cm. With cooling temperatures, the reactivity of these layers should decrease significantly.

The remainder of the snowpack is well settled and bonded.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night
Mostly clear skies. 1 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

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.