Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 20th, 2026–Mar 23rd, 2026

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

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 possible, human triggered probable.

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.

A lot of uncertainty with the current snowpack. A high level of caution is required to navigate the snowpack as it adjusts to this massive warm, wet storm. Ease in to terrain slowly, dig & probe frequently and observe the power of the natural cycle that will be very evident everywhere.

Confidence

Low

We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

A widepsread avalanche cycle is on going with many areas running full path to the end of there historical runouts. A full road patrol from Canmore, down highway 40 and back on the spray noted crowns and avalanche debris in every location possible.

Snowpack Summary

No field teams Thursday or Friday. Rain soaked snow below 2100m or higher that is likely isothermal in some thinner areas. As you climb above 2000m the upper snowpack is moist in the top 40cm or more with dry snow underneath. In alpine areas, we suspect the recent snow of up to 50cm is still dry but field teams did not go into this area. Moderate to strong westerly winds are creating new windslabs in open areas. The March crust is down 50-80cm.

Weather Summary

Were coming out of the atmospheric river and the temps are starting to cool.

Saturday will see a day time high of -8 with freezing levels around 1600m. A mix of sun and cloud with 20-40km/h winds out of the West at ridge top.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Wet avalanche activity may step down to deeply buried persistent weak layers at lower elevations.
Keep your guard up at all elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive.

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.

Wet Slabs

Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.