Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 12th, 2026–Mar 13th, 2026

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

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

Heavy snow is making for poor avalanche conditions. It's best to avoid all avalanche terrain and let the new snow settle. Avalanche terrain includes valley bottom runout zones!

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

We've had no direct observations, but we're certain an ongoing natural cycle is underway.

Snowpack Summary

Lots of snow has come in over the past 24 hours. The Spray has seen 50cm on the road and higher areas have up to 40cm on the station. It's been hard to nail down the winds, but we've had reports of strong alpine winds building significant windslabs. Our known trouble layers are now down 60-100cm deep and are being stressed by the sudden load. Expect to see all the usual avalanche problems: loose dry, storm slab and wind slabs are all widespread problems. It's especially important to consider the amount of snow available for entrainment if an avalanche should occur.

Weather Summary

The bulk of the storm has passed, but some residual flurries are still expected tomorrow. We might a few more centimeters by tomorrow afternoon. Valley bottom winds are expected to calm tomorrow with alpine winds fading to about 10km/hr. Temperatures will start chilly at -15 and rise to -8.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid travel in runout zones. Avalanches have the potential to run full path.
Only the most simple non-avalanche terrain with no overhead hazard is appropriate at this time.
Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.

Problems

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.

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.