Avalanche forecast

Microwave-Sinclair

Mar 17 – 18, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 7 months ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable

Highlights

Large storm slabs will likely be reactive to human triggers on Wednesday.

Choose simple, low angle terrain, and avoid overhead hazards.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3.5

    Persistent weak layers of crusts/facets and/or surface hoar in the top 150 cm of the snowpack remain a concern in this region, especially where there is not a thick crust under the recent snow.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3

    50 to 70 cm of recent snow and strong southwest winds have formed reactive storm slabs overlying a weak layer of surface hoar and/or facets.

Confidence

Moderate

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

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, numerous natural and skier remote triggered storm slabs up to size 2 were reported below treeline. Observations in this region are very limited, and it's likely that very large storm slabs released naturally in the alpine.

If you head out into the backcountry, let us know what you're seeing by submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

50 to 70 cm of recent snow and strong southwest winds have formed reactive storm slabs overlying a weak layer of surface hoar and/or facets. This weak layer will make large storm slabs more likely to trigger.

There are multiple persistent weak layers consisting of crust/facets or surface hoar in the top 150 cm of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 0 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. 0 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to buried surface hoar.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
  • Use small, low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Regions covered