Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 28th, 2026–Mar 1st, 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 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.

Regions

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

Strong winds and new snow have built touchy windslabs in most open areas above 1900m. Best to keep to mellow terrain tomorrow and watch overhead exposure.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

A flight this morning revealed a size 2 wind slabs on a NE aspect up in the alpine,

A road patrol along the spray noted very little new activity, but the winds were howling and snow transport is extensive.

Snowpack Summary

An additional 5-10cm of snow overnight brings the storm total to 30cm+ this has been accompanied by strong to extreme Westerly winds. Snow transport was observed off all features even down to below treeline on a road patrol today. Fresh wind slabs at all elevations continue to build in any open area. Beneath that the Feb 14 is down 60cm at treeline and remains a concern with the loading.

Weather Summary

Sunday: A cloudy start in the morning should lead to sunnier skies in the afternoon.

A day time high of -4 and no new snow expected.

The winds will unfortunately continue to blow from the W-NW in the strong range at ridge top.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Recent strong wind means wind slabs may be found farther downslope than expected.
Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind-exposed terrain.
Loose avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in larger avalanches.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.