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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 2nd, 2026–Mar 3rd, 2026

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

Regions

South Coast Inland, Birkenhead, Duffey, South Chilcotin, Stein, Taseko.

We are uncertain about the distribution and reactivity of buried weak layers in the top meter of the snowpack.

Dig down and look. Choose lower-consequence terrain in times of uncertainty.

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 Sunday, numerous natural avalanches up to size 3 were observed on solar aspects with strong sun. Several large (size 2) naturals were observed from wind-loaded alpine terrain.

In the past few days, numerous skier-triggered persistent slab avalanches have occurred up to size 2. Many of these avalanches happened on polar aspects at treeline and below.

A fatal, human-triggered (size 3.5) wind slab was triggered on Tuesday. MIN post here

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10 cm of new snow will accumulate by Tuesday afternoon, accompanied by strong southwest wind. This new snow overlies a melt-freeze crust on solar aspects and lower elevations, and wind-affected surfaces at higher elevations.

A couple of persistent weak layers buried in the last week may exist in the upper 30 to 60 cm of the snowpack. These consist of surface hoar, facets and crusts.

Buried around 60 to 100 cm is a prominent, persistent weak layer of facets and crust from early February.

The remaining snowpack appears to be strong and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly clear skies. 25 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 2 to 10 cm of snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.



More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Surface hoar distribution is highly variable. Avoid generalizing your observations.
  • Remote triggering is a concern; avoid terrain where triggering overhead slopes is possible.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

Problems

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.

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.