Canadian Rockies Daily Snow
By Bob Ambrose, Forecaster Posted 2 years ago April 23, 2021
Light Snow and Cold Temps for the Weekend
Summary
Friday morning’s reports had 9 cm overnight at Lake Louise and 5 cm Sunshine. Look for spells of flurries to continue through Saturday for these locations adding another 10 to 15 cm to the spring snowpack. Up at Marmot, just a mix of sun and clouds both days as it lies just north of the current storm track. By Sunday, morning flurries will transition to a drier mix of sun and clouds by afternoon.
Short Term Forecast
Friday: Widespread flurries at Sunshine and Louise with another 2 to 5 cm likely by last chair. Sunny skies at Marmot in the morning with increasing afternoon clouds but no precipitation. High temps across the alpine at 2500m will reach -5 C at Sunshine and Louise with -7C at Marmot. Light SW winds.
Saturday: Overnight Friday, sporadic snow showers could bring anywhere from 5 to 15 cm by morning at Sunshine and Louise. East facing slopes will be favored for higher amounts due to favorable upsloping wind conditions. For Saturday, look for off and on periods of snow that could add another 3 to 5 cm at Louise and Sunshine by last chair. For Marmot, clouds with occasional flurries with a trace possible. Highs at 2500m of -4C at Sunshine and LL to -6C at Marmot. Morning west winds to 40 kph will change over to light SE winds by noon.
Sunday: Overnight Saturday another pulse of energy moving over the Divide across the south Rockies could bring some residual light snow to Sunshine and perhaps Louise with 3 to 5 cm possible by first chair Sunday morning. For Sunday, morning flurries at Louise and Sunshine with trace amounts will transition to a mix of cloudy skies with sunny spells into the afternoon hours. Up north at Marmot, a mix of sun and clouds. Highs of -3 to -5C across the high country at 2500m. Light winds increasing by afternoon out of the NW at 40 to 60 kph across the ridgetops.
Monday: Weak high-pressure builds into the Rockies bringing a mix of sun and clouds with even a few flurries possible. Slightly warmer daytime temperatures, with highs of 0 to -3C across the alpine at 2500m. Breezy with ridgetop winds blowing up to 50 kph.
Below: Euro ensemble brings a bullish sense to the forecast but shows an ever constant supply of light precipitation moving in from BC over the next week.
Extended Forecast
Peering ahead for the period Tuesday through Friday it appears the spring like pattern of unsettled skies will continue. Look for mainly cloudy skies with bouts of flurries on Tuesday and Thursday. By Friday afternoon, an approaching cold front will bring light snow that could continue through Friday night. Too early for confident snowfall predictions but measurable snow does look likely. Daytime temperatures will be slightly warmer but right about average for late April.
With the 20/21 season winding down, I will be posting one Alberta Daily Snow discussion per week on Friday mornings. Thanks for reading – be safe and enjoy the tail end of this snowy 20/21 season.
+ Powder Out +
Bob
Announcements
Alberta Rockies Ski Resorts & Areas / North & South “Regions” are solely for Geographic References in my forecasts…
North Region:
Banff /Sunshine Village – OPEN daily / Closing 24th May
Mt Norquay _ OPEN / BONUS weekends April 24/25 & May 1/2
Lake Louise Ski Resort – OPEN daily / Closing 2nd May
Marmot Basin – OPEN daily / Closing 2nd May
South Region:
Castle Mountain – CLOSED / Closing 11th April
Fortress (KPOW Cat Skiing) - Please check website
Nakiska – OPEN - BONUS weekend closes April 25th
Pass Powderkeg – CLOSED for Season
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