Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 3rd, 2026–Mar 4th, 2026

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 possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Northwest Coastal, Boundary, Kitimat, Rupert, Stewart.

Ongoing snow and wind are forming fresh storm slabs, further stressing weak layers deep in the snowpack. Very dangerous conditions persist, especially during heavy snow or strong winds.

Confidence

Moderate

We are confident the likelihood of avalanches will increase with the forecast weather.
We are uncertain due to how buried persistent weak layers will react with the forecast weather.

Avalanche Summary

A widespread natural cycle to size 3 occurred recently, with most activity on north through east aspects at treeline and alpine elevations. Avalanches ran within the storm snow and on buried weak layers.

Natural avalanche activity remains likely with ongoing snow and strong winds.

Snowpack Summary

Strong southwest winds and ongoing snowfall continue to build widespread storm and wind slabs, especially at higher elevations.

Since early February, new snow has buried (and continues to load) a variety of old surfaces, including surface hoar, facets, and crusts. This weak layer is most likely in wind-sheltered terrain and is buried roughly 90 to 180 cm deep.

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

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 20 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Wednesday
Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 30 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
Avalanches could start at higher elevations and travel into below treeline terrain.
Remote triggering is a concern; avoid terrain where triggering overhead slopes is possible.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.