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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 20th, 2026–Mar 21st, 2026

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

Regions

Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South.

Uncertainty remains on how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Conditions will vary with elevation, from wet snow to surface crust.

Make observations as you travel.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.
  • We are uncertain about how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.
  • We are uncertain due to variable freezing levels.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, numerous wet loose and wet slab avalanches (up to size 2.5) were observed in the surrounding terrain of Castle Mountain.

In the neighboring Fernie region, very large avalanche debris (up to size 3) were reported, indicating a widespread natural cycle occuring Wednesday to Thursday.

If you are heading into the backcountry, please consider sharing conditions via the MIN.

Snowpack Summary

High freezing levels and heavy rain have saturated the top 20 to 50 cm of surface snow up to the mountain tops.

As freezing levels drop, a widespread crust will start to form on all aspects and higher elevations.

Below this, 30 to 50 cm of wet snow sits above a crust.

The mid and lower snowpack are generally well consolidated with early-season crusts deep in the snowpack.

The snowpack rapidly diminishes at lower elevations and is moist to the ground in shallower areas.

Weather Summary

Friday Night
Cloudy. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 2100 m.

Saturday
Mostly sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Monday
Mostly sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.
  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.

Problems

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.