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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 4th, 2026–Mar 5th, 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 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, Banff, East Side 93N, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

Uncertainty remains regarding a layer of facets 40 to 60 cm deep that is reactive at treeline and above. Several avalanches have failed on this layer over the past week.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Lake Louise patrol reported triggering some small size 1 wind slabs in alpine lee terrain. Sunshine patrol reported triggering slabs up to size 1.5 on facets (20cm deep, 35m wide). No other avalanche were observed or reported.

Snowpack Summary

A complex snowpack remains in the wake of the recent storm. A common pattern is a 40 to 60 cm slab poorly bonded to facets or a facet crust combination formed on Jan. 24. The distribution of this layer (its location) is difficult to pin down, and for now we are concerned about all steep terrain at treeline and above, especially on SE through W aspects.

Weather Summary

A few cm of new snow overnight Wednesday, totaling less than 5 cm as forecast snowfall was significantly reduced. Winds will be moderate with strong gusts from the west. Temperatures remain seasonal with valley temps near 0°C and ridgetops near −10°C. Strong solar input will quickly moisten snow on solar aspects and low elevations.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.

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.

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.