A warm storm moving through British Columbia this weekend is heightening avalanche risks during a period known for being the most dangerous for avalanches in Canada. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, this system will bring precipitation, strong winds, and higher freezing levels across much of the province, resulting in increased snowfall at higher elevations.
Avalanche danger is expected to peak on Saturday in parts of the South Coast, including the North Shore Mountains, as freezing levels are projected to rise above 1,500 to 1,800 meters. This anticipation of problematic precipitation, with rain falling on existing snow in mountainous regions, poses a heightened avalanche risk, according to forecasters.
Karina Bakker, a forecaster with Avalanche Canada, explained that new snow can consolidate and form a cohesive chunk, leading to potentially dangerous avalanches if triggered. The current risk is attributed to “persistent slab” conditions, where a layer of snow lies above weaker snow buried deeper in the snowpack, making predictions more challenging.
March historically registers the highest number of avalanche fatalities in Canada, with 69 deaths in the past 20 years during this month. This month can be particularly perilous due to the snowpack’s evolution over the winter, with multiple complex layers forming as the season progresses.
A total of five avalanche-related deaths have occurred in British Columbia since December 2025. Avalanche Canada is advising those venturing into the backcountry to stay informed with daily forecasts, opt for conservative terrain choices, and exercise patience, especially when the avalanche danger is considerable or high.