Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 7th, 2026–Mar 9th, 2026

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

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 possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

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

A warm wet storm is moving through the region starting tonight, 20cm by morning and Extreme SW winds will bump the danger rating to HIGH in the alpine & CONSIDERABLE at treeline. (Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making essential.)

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain due to the timing of the incoming weather system.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported today.

Snowpack Summary

On a snowmobile trip up in to the highwood today, moist snow was found well above 2300m and only gaining height as the heat continues. As we left around 14:00 light snow was starting at the pass 2200m but at the parking lot it was raining @ 1700m. Looking forward the wind has done a lot of pressing and scouring in the region and there will be a blanket of new snow covering this up tomorrow, Observe what aspects you are travelling on and consider whats under foot. Solar aspects sun crusts, polar aspects hard slabs West aspects in the alpine are completely stripped of snow. Dig down and have a look.

Weather Summary

Saturday: The evening will remain warm with higher freezing levels (1800m) an increase in precip, rain,sleet & snow elevation dependent.

Sunday will see mostly cloudy skies & some cooler air move through the region and all remaining precip come as snow. Forecast models are predicting 20cm by Sunday afternoon.

The storm will move through with extreme winds out of the SW and finally taper Sunday evening straight out of the West.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind-exposed terrain.
Be aware of the potential for human triggerable storm slabs at lower elevations, even on small features.
Avoid steep terrain, including convex rolls, or areas with a thin, rocky, or variable snowpack.

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.

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.

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.