Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 21st, 2026–Apr 24th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Spring Conditions

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Spring Conditions

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Spring Conditions

Regions

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

A cold front is moving into the region giving us 10-15cm of snow at upper elevations and cooling temperatures under a cloudy sky. Watch for windslabs building in Alpine areas from the strong northern winds over the next few days.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose wet avalanches up to sz 2 were observed throughout the region on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack has been rapidly settling over the past few days under the influence of the warmer temperatures and high freezing levels. That will all change here again on Wednesday as temperatures cool and snow moves back into the region with strong northerly winds.

Watch for new windslabs building overlying a temperature crust. In lower elevations the precipitation may fall as rain. Monitor the freezing levels as well as quality of freeze overnight before heading out.

Weather Summary

Cooler temps arrive on Wednesday as a cold front pushes into the region. Beginning mid day rain/snow will begin with close to 10cm of new snow falling at higher elevations. Winds will be out of the north into the strong range. The freezing levels for the next few days will be 1200-1400m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Triggering deep layers is more likely if the snow surface didn't freeze overnight.
Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.
Avalanche danger will rapidly increase if snow switches to rain.
A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening 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.

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.