Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Mar 20 – 21, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

The avalanche cycle will start to taper off with cooling temperatures Saturday but the potential for avalanches will remain elevated as a result of the recent load and continued snowfall.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Strong to extreme winds plus warmth and previous snowfall at higher elevations will continue to form widespread wind slabs at treeline and above.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    2–4

    A layer of facets and/or surface hoar is buried 50–150 cm deep. Warm temperatures and additional load from new precipitation and wind will make this problem active Saturday.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Extreme winds, warmth, rain, and a saturated snowpack can initiate Loose Wet avalanches at TL and below, and Loose Dry avalanches in the ALP.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

A widespread avalanche cycle has occurred and is underway and will begin to taper off Saturday with large natural avalanches running into the runout zones.

Snowpack Summary

50-130 mm of precipitation has fallen since the storm began, which translates into roughly 100-160 cm of snow at higher elevations, combined with steady south winds of 60-100 km/hr. The rain line has been around 2200 m. This storm has overloaded the snowpack, and avalanches have released naturally on persistent weak layers.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy snowfall.
  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy rain.
  • Very large and destructive avalanches could reach valley bottom.

Regions covered