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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 17th, 2026–Mar 18th, 2026

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Alpine
Widespread avalanches certain.
Treeline
Widespread avalanches certain.
Below Treeline
Widespread avalanches certain.
Alpine
Widespread avalanches certain.
Treeline
Widespread avalanches certain.
Below Treeline
Widespread avalanches certain.

Regions

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

We expect large avalanches to run to historic runouts over the next several days.

It is a good time to stay out of avalanche terrain

Mt Stephen avalanche closure zone is CLOSED on Wednesday March 18th, 2026

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to the timing, track, and intensity of the incoming weather system.

Avalanche Summary

A significant and widespread natural avalanche cycle is expected to begin Tuesday afternoon and will likely continue through the end of the week.

Snowpack Summary

10- 20 cm of snow or equivalent rain at lower elevations has fallen since March 16th. This, combined with strong to extreme S/SW winds and warm temperatures are loading persistent weak layers comprised of FC and SH which are now down 50-120 cm. We expect this load to overload these layers in the next few days which will trigger a widespread avalanche cycle. Warm temperatures and isothermal snow could result in avalanches running on deeper basal layers as well.

Weather Summary

We are at the start of four days of warm wet weather as a series of atmospheric rivers hits the Rockies. Freezing levels are forecast to be ~ 1900m - 2,300 m with heavy precipitation of 20-40cm of snow or equivalent rain per day. Snow accumulations of 40 to 80+ cm are possible by the end of the week. Winds are forecast to reach extreme levels from the S/SW throughout the storm.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy snowfall.
  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy rain.
  • Very large and destructive avalanches could reach valley bottom.

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.

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.