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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 21st, 2026–Mar 22nd, 2026

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

Regions

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

Despite the cooler temperatures and previous widespread natural avalanche cycle, there is potential for avalanches to occur with human triggering and large loads.

Avalanche control is planned for the Sunshine Road and Mt. Wymper Sunday, March 22nd and avalanche closure areas will be CLOSED for these zones.

Confidence

Low

  • We are uncertain due to how buried persistent weak layers will react with the forecast weather.

Avalanche Summary

A widespread avalanche cycle has occurred over the last week up to size 4. Explosive control Saturday on highway 93N produced large avalanches up to size 4 that buried the road.

Snowpack Summary

60-150 mm of precipitation has fell over the last week, which translates into roughly 100-160 cm of storm snow at higher elevations, and significant amounts of rain at lower elevations which is forming a crust treeline and below. Strong south and west winds have loaded lee aspects.

Weather Summary

Saturday night: Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries. Accumulation: 4 cm. Alpine temps: Low -9 °C. Mostly light ridge wind.

Sunday: Sunny with cloudy periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: High -7 °C. Mostly light ridge wind.

Monday: Sunny with cloudy periods. Alp temps: Low -8 °C, High -4 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Give the new snow several days to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
  • Very large and destructive avalanches could reach valley bottom.
  • Carefully manage your exposure to overhead hazards.

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.

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.