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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 17th, 2026–Mar 18th, 2026

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Regions

North Columbia, South Columbia, Clemina, Esplanade, Jordan, North Monashee, North Selkirk, Dogtooth, West Purcell, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Gold, Whatshan.

Avoid avalanche terrain.

A natural avalanche cycle has started and is expected to continue for a few days.

Avalanches will be large and may run full path.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about forecast snowfall amounts.
  • We are uncertain about how persistent slabs will react to the forecast weather.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday a natural storm slab avalanche cycle began. Avalanches occurred on all aspects and elevations. Most of the avalanches that were reported were size 2 to 2.5.

Over the weekend several size 3 and 3.5 persistent slab avalanches were reported. These avalanches were triggered naturally, remotely, and by falling cornices. They occurred on easterly aspects at treeline and above.

Snowpack Summary

Ongoing rain will saturate the upper snowpack below treeline . At treeline and above, 50 to 100 cm of storm snow will continue to be redistributed by strong southwest wind, forming deep deposits on north and east aspects. A thick crust from earlier this month can be found down 70 to 120 cm at treeline and below.

Three concerning weak layers of surface hoar, facets and/or crust that formed in January and February are found down 100 to 250 cm deep.

The lower snowpack is well settled and bonded.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night
Cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow at treeline, rain at lower elevations. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 2200 m.

Wednesday
Cloudy. 5 to 20 cm of snow at treeline, rain at lower elevations. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2°C. Freezing level 2400 m.

Thursday
Cloudy. 10 to 25 mm of rain at treeline, snow in the alpine. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 30 mm of rain at treeline, snow in the alpine. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.
  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.
  • Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.

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.

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.