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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 12th, 2026–Mar 13th, 2026

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Little Yoho, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

The snowpack will need some time to adjust to the recent snow.

Be mindful of overhead hazards, and triggering deeper persistent layers that could result in large avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are confident that there are persistent slabs in the snowpack, but uncertain about how likely they are to trigger.

Avalanche Summary

Observations on Thursday were limited but we expect there was a widespread avalanche cycle that occurred up to size 3 Wednesday night and Thursday with more activity in our southern areas.

Snowpack Summary

30–70 cm of recent storm snow exists above ~1800m. Below 1800m, a supportive crust exists with ~20-50 cm on top. Beneath this, a persistent weak layer comprised of facets and/or surface hoar exists 40-110 cm down. This has been most reactive near treeline in Yoho & Kootenay, but has also caused avalanches in other areas, including the alpine.

Weather Summary

Thursday night: Clear periods with isolated flurries. Alpine temperature: Low -14 °C. Ridge wind light to 20 km/h.

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud with convective flurries. Up to 10cm of new snow. Alpine temperature: High -11 °C. Ridge wind light to 25 km/h.

Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine temperature: Low -15 °C, High -12 °C. Ridge wind light to 20 km/h.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully manage your exposure to overhead hazards.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.

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.

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.