Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 26 – 27, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Widespread avalanche activity today in the region. Expect this activity to continue tomorrow due a lack of re-freeze and high freezing levels. We are also expecting another storm to come through later this week. Hazard will remain at high while this storm plays out. Best to avoid avalanche terrain all together for the next few days.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Little re-freeze tonight will keep this as an active problem for tomorrow.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–3.5

    This sits upon weak faceted crystals, sun crust or a dense layer that are perfect for slab avalanches. This layer is not reacting well to new loading, or even re-loading from wind.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2.5–4

    Some recent avalanches have stepped down to the basal facets running full path to ground.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Widespread activity up to sz3 today.

Snowpack Summary

Very warm temperatures today will leave a crust on all but true north. We hit 9° at Burstall Pass today. The upper snowpack will also have settled considerably from the heat. Unfortunately this heat hasn't done anything to the deeper layers. Overall there's been little change to the snowpack characteristic on the whole.

Weather Summary

Thursday will be another day of warm temperatures with little re-freeze overnight. A daytime high of +4° is expected, however keep in mind that we beat Wed's predicted high by 3 degrees. Winds will be light and gusty from the south, with a very late day wind switch to the east. As for snow, we are expecting a significant snow storm starting tomorrow that corresponds to the shift in winds.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.

Regions covered