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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 21st, 2026–Mar 22nd, 2026

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

Regions

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

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

Check out our recent post-storm conditions video.

Confidence

Moderate

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

Avalanche Summary

The recent atmospheric river weather event resulted in a widespread avalanche cycle which ended on Friday. Avalanches occurred on all aspects and elevations, and were a mix of slab and loose, wet and dry. Avalanches up to size 4 were observed and many were running full path to valley bottom.

While natural avalanche activity has now tapered off, it may still be possible to trigger avalanches, especially above the rainline where the snow surface remained dry.

Snowpack Summary

A widespread melt-freeze crust is expected to have formed near the snow surface everywhere except the high alpine. At the highest elevations, over 1 m of storm snow has accumulated over the past week. At lower elevations, substantial rainfall had saturated the upper snowpack at and below treeline.

A thick crust buried earlier in March can be found down 70 to 120 cm at treeline and below.

Three weak layers of surface hoar, facets and/or crust that formed in January and February are found down 100 to 250 cm. With a new crust capping the snowpack, it is expected that these layers are becoming a lot less likely to result in avalanches, but caution is still needed until we have more post-storm data.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night
Partly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.

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.