Environment Canada updated its weather forecast for Banff, Alberta, on January 9, 2026, to show a sudden warm spell that will bring daytime highs up to +4°C on Saturday, January 10, 2026. This jump in temperature is a significant change from the usual January average high of -6°C and is expected to last several days into the following week.
The warm-up is caused by a weather pattern known as a Chinook, which brings mild Pacific air over the mountains. According to Environment Canada, while the break from the extreme cold is welcome, the quick thaw creates new challenges for people traveling through the park.
Officials with Alberta Transportation are warning drivers to be careful on Highway 93. As snow melts during the day and freezes at night, roads can become covered in “black ice,” a thin, see-through layer of ice that is very slippery and hard to see.
Safety experts at Parks Canada are also monitoring the snow on local mountains. Rapid warming can make the snowpack unstable, increasing the risk of avalanches. Visitors are also being told to stay off natural ice surfaces like the Bow River, as the warm weather can make the ice thin and unsafe to walk on.
While local businesses and tourists might enjoy the milder weather for outdoor activities, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism reminds everyone to check trail and road conditions before heading out. The warm stretch is expected to continue through midweek before temperatures begin to drop back toward normal winter levels.
