Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 18th, 2026–Mar 21st, 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 avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

Rain and snow, high freezing levels and temperatures as well as strong winds are creating ideal conditions for avalanche formation and release.

Now is a good time to avoid avalanche terrain.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Evidence of a few larger avalanches was seen during todays field trip but visibility was limited. We suspect a natural avalanche cycle is ongoing at this time, large avalanche may reach down to the valley floor so be thinking about overhead terrain as you travel.

Snowpack Summary

Rain soaked snow below 2000m that is likely isothermal in some thinner areas. As you climb above 2000m only the upper snowpack is moist in the top 10cm with dry snow underneath. In alpine areas, we suspect the recent snow of up to 20cm is still dry but field teams did not go into this area. Moderate to strong westerly winds were creating new windslabs in open areas and a few settlements were heard by forecasters while travelling in treeline areas. The march crust down 50-80cm has also been active in snowpack tests on solar aspects over the past few field days.

Teams essentially avoided avalanche terrain on Wednesday and we encourage other to do the same on Thursday.

Weather Summary

High freezing levels around 2400m with light rain below this elevation and snow above. Winds will be in the moderate to strong range out of the West. Is it unlikely there will be any refreeze of the snowpack overnight.

All in all warm temps, new snow and rain, and strong winds. A good time to avoid avalanche terrain.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid runout zones of large avalanche paths. Avalanches are expected to run to valley bottom.
Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
Wet avalanche activity may step down to deeply buried persistent weak layers at lower elevations.

Problems

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.

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.

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.