Nature Archives

Major Storm Cycle Arrives

UP TO 75 CM OF NEW SNOW IS EXPECTED ACROSS THE INTERIOR MOUNTAINS THROUGH SATURDAY

KEY TAKEAWAYS

March is historically the most dangerous month for avalanches in B.C.
The snowpack remains complex, with storm and wind slabs over persistent weak layers
A strong storm will bring widespread snowfall from Wednesday into Thursday night
Interior mountains could see 20–75 cm of new snow through Saturday
A warm atmospheric river next week could push snow levels sharply higher

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS

March is historically and statistically the most dangerous month for avalanches in B.C.

The snowpack remains complex, with recent storm and wind slabs sitting over deeper persistent weak layers. That combination means avalanches may propagate wider and run farther than riders expect, even around treeline and below treeline.

Avalanche Canada states that staying close to trees doesn’t always mean safer travel. Riders should steer clear of slopes with overhead hazards and steep alpine terrain, relying on terrain management rather than just the snowpack. Slopes often thought to be safer — like treed or gladed areas — can still have avalanches triggered in steep forest openings.

Anyone heading into the backcountry should be familiar with the terrain and carry proper safety gear: a transceiver, shovel, and probe, along with a reliable means of communication.

Earlier this winter demonstrated how quickly conditions can change. After a dry start to 2026 in the Rockies and the Pacific Northwest, storms eventually brought heavy, dangerous snowfall. Over two weeks, avalanches claimed the lives of five skiers and snowmobilers near Canmore, Alta., and in the B.C. communities of Fernie, Revelstoke, Pemberton, and Creston. South of the border, nine people died in a large avalanche in California’s Sierra Nevada.

Researchers say avalanche risk could increase as climate change alters mountain weather. A 2024 study in the journal Nature confirmed findings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, indicating that avalanche activity may increase at high elevations as precipitation levels rise.

Canada has warmed by about 2.4°C from 1948 to 2024. Warmer air holds more moisture, causing more precipitation — more rain at lower elevations and heavier snowfall higher in the mountains. Climate change is also shifting the weather towards a feast-or-famine cycle, with longer dry spells and intense storms, such as atmospheric rivers, delivering weeks of moisture in just a few days.

For backcountry riders, this can mean poor snow seasons, more rain-on-snow events, and sometimes walking kilometres to reach the snowline. It can also create pressure to make the most of limited snow days, which might lead travellers to underestimate avalanche hazards or venture into higher-risk terrain.

Avalanche conditions remain complex across much of the province. Conditions can vary significantly across short distances in the mountains.

INCOMING STORM CYCLE

A strong, cold storm will bring widespread snow to much of B.C. this week, with the heaviest snowfall expected from Wednesday into Thursday night.

The system moves in as a surface low approaches Vancouver Island and a warm front pushes into southern B.C., leading to heavy snowfall. Strong southwest winds are also expected in the alpine across the Coast Range and Interior.

Snowfall rates are expected to peak later in the week as the low moves across southern B.C.

Snow levels may briefly increase in the storm’s warm sector — around 600 metres at Whistler, 900 metres on the North Shore, and approximately 1,200 metres across parts of the southern Interior, including Red, Whitewater, and Fernie — before falling again behind the cold front early Thursday.

Further north — Sun Peaks, Revelstoke, and Kicking Horse — temperatures should rise only slightly, with snow levels remaining near the valley floors. Snow is expected to stay lighter and drier, while Red, Whitewater, and Fernie may experience denser snow overnight.

Behind the main system, a moderate westerly flow should keep snow showers going from Friday into Friday night. Another weaker disturbance is reaching southwest B.C. Friday evening could bring additional snow to parts of the Interior overnight.

ESTIMATED SNOWFALL (WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY)

Fernie: 37–75 cm
Revelstoke, Whitewater, Rogers Pass, Kootenay Pass: 30–60 cm
Kicking Horse, Big White, Silver Star, Apex: 25–50 cm
Panorama, Kimberley: 22–45 cm
Sun Peaks: 20–40 cm

Most Interior resorts should see a healthy refresh from this cycle. Actual totals may vary locally, depending on wind and terrain.

LOOKING AHEAD

A few lingering snow showers are possible on Saturday, followed by a brief break in the pattern. Cold temperatures should keep snow conditions soft, although sun-exposed slopes could be affected.

A bigger shift is expected next week.

A storm arriving on Sunday or Sunday night will likely start with heavy snow as snow levels are still low. The system is expected to change into a warm atmospheric river, which could rapidly increase snow levels on Monday and Tuesday (March 16–17) — possibly reaching the summits of higher-elevation resorts like Whistler, Revelstoke, and Kicking Horse.

In short, enjoy the snowy pattern this week while it lasts. A warmer, wetter stretch could follow, with cooler air potentially returning later in March.

As always, conditions can vary significantly over short distances in the mountains, and recent field observations are often the best indicator of current avalanche hazard.

Staying safe begins with being well-informed and communicating clearly with your group. Be willing to adjust objectives as conditions evolve and let observations—rather than rigid plans—guide your decisions. Travelling in the winter mountains can involve risk, but slowing down and making cautious choices can significantly reduce it. Respect the terrain, keep an eye on each other, and be prepared to idle back when necessary. Not hiring a guide? Check out the BLBCA Self-Guided Recommendations or Avalanche Canada’s Trip Planner.

For the latest forecasts, trip planning tools and field reports, visit Avalanche Canada.

Brad Harrison, Colwest Alpine Adventures
Professional Member, Canadian Avalanche Association
Executive Director, Backc ountry Lodges of BC Association

During BC’s February Warm-Up

It’s early February, and a significant shift in weather and avalanche conditions is underway across British Columbia. A strong warming trend is developing as an atmospheric river transports mild air into the province this week. Adding to the concern is a widespread layer of large surface hoar resting on a crust that has recently been buried across most forecast regions—an especially worrisome setup as temperatures rise, particularly for snowpacks in the BC Interior.

Recent avalanche activity demonstrates how reactive this layer is, highlighting the ongoing significant shift in weather and avalanche conditions this season. Both natural and rider-triggered avalanches have been reported, with several catching backcountry users off guard. Remote triggering has also been observed, indicating continued instability in the snowpack. Freezing levels climbed to around 2000m today in many areas and are expected to rise above 3000m tomorrow in the south. With periods of sunshine mixed in, conditions are likely to shift quickly toward a spring-like feel. As a result, understanding snowpacks in the BC Interior becomes even more important for safety.

While some details remain uncertain, the overall trend is evident: avalanche danger is increasing, and widespread natural avalanches are possible. Along the coast, more rain will fall on an already saturated snowpack. The main concern remains in the Interior, where warm temperatures have not yet tested this weak layer. With mild conditions expected to continue into the weekend, dangerous avalanche conditions are likely to persist across many areas, so monitoring snowpacks in the BC Interior is crucial during this period as we face a significant shift in weather and avalanche conditions.

Looking ahead, a strengthening ridge of high pressure will keep conditions mostly dry while maintaining well-above-average temperatures across much of BC. This pattern is expected to persist in the short term, representing a sharp departure from the colder conditions observed recently. For many areas, it will feel more like early spring than mid-winter. Confidence is growing that this ridge will start to break down next week, allowing a return to a more typical weather pattern. Moreover, a significant shift in weather and avalanche conditions will likely follow this change.

Interior BC Weather and Snow
Before the ridge fully settles in, the Interior will see a couple of weak systems moving through. A cold front is forecast to pass during the week, bringing a quick burst of snowfall ranging from 1 to 10cm. Snow levels should start near 1500m before dropping to around 1200m as the precipitation eases. Winds will be moderate from the southwest to west-southwest and should stay below impactful levels. Therefore, monitoring snowpack in the BC Interior is recommended as weather events unfold.

Another system arrives later in the week as a warm front moves through. Snow will begin late morning in the Okanagan and early afternoon along the Powder Highway, tapering off later in the day. This appears to be another short-lived, light event, with totals generally between 1 and 8cm. Snow levels will start near 1050m before rising towards 1200m, making the warm-up more gradual than along the coast. A significant overnight warm-up on Monday night is unlikely in the Interior.

Further inland, spillover into the Selkirks and Purcells seems limited, with only brief bursts of moisture and relatively mild winds. Over the next two days, snowfall is forecasted to be lighter, with about 5–10cm for Revelstoke and Silver Star, 3–8cm for Sun Peaks, and closer to 1–5cm for Kicking Horse.

For skiing, you’ll want to stay higher in the mountains. Terrain above about 1500m will have the best snow, while lower elevations tend to be wetter or more variable as temperatures rise.

Skiing is best at higher elevations. Above roughly 1500m, snow quality significantly improves, while at lower altitudes it tends to feel wet, heavy, or patchy as temperatures increase. Upper-elevation terrain should retain softer snow through Sunday and Monday, and likely into Tuesday, with a few light refreshes from these weaker systems.

With so much change happening, relying on the information available to us is more important than ever. One of the advantages of recreating in BC is the variety of forecasting and observation tools at our disposal. Avalanche Canada’s Mountain Weather Forecast, Windy, and YR.no are all reliable sources, and DriveBC highway forecasts can provide valuable insights into temperature trends and upcoming weather. If it’s been a while since your last avalanche course, a refresher with a local provider is always a good idea—especially during seasons marked by persistent weak layers. Consequently, staying up to date on significant shifts in weather and avalanche conditions is vital to planning outdoor adventures this month.

If you’re heading into the backcountry, preparation is key. Understand what the avalanche ratings are by visiting Avalanche Canada. High means natural avalanches are likely, and people are very likely to trigger slides. Considerable means natural avalanches are possible, and human-triggered slides are likely—conditions where small decisions can have big consequences. Moderate means that natural avalanches are less likely, but human-triggered avalanches remain a possibility, especially where weak layers are known. These ratings should directly influence your terrain choices and travel plans.