Summary
24-hour snowfall as of Saturday afternoon had 12cm at Nakiska, 6cm at Norquay, 5cm Sunshine, and 2cm Castle Mountain. Latest model runs indicate upslope snowfall redeveloping Sat night which could add another 5 – 10cm at all the previously mentioned resorts as well as Marmot Basin. Ridging builds in for Sunday, but upslope snowfall returns Sun night adding another 3 – 5cm. Semi-clearing Monday.
Short Term Forecast
Below: Looking southeast over Banff townsite from the historic Cliff House at Mt Norquay portrays a picture of convective snow showers. Look for these snow showers to continue overnight under upslope easterly conditions.
Below: The latest high-resolution short-term snowfall model through 11AM Monday indicates a continuation of easterly upslope snowfall across the Alberta Rockies through Monday morning.
Saturday Night: Afternoon model runs on Saturday indicate the highest chances of heavier upslope snow showers redeveloping overnight at Marmot Basin and Nakiska where upwards to 10cm + could greet Sunday morning shredders. Castle, Norquay, and Sunshine could see a little refresh of 3 – 6cm overnight.
Sunday & Monday: Generally cloudy skies will be prevalent on Sunday as a ridge of high-pressure begins to build. While this ridge would normally mean a dry out, this time it will allow upslope convective snow showers to redevelop keeping chances of light accumulations of 3 - 8cm, especially Sunday night. East facing resorts best favored. Generally cloudy and unsettled skies for Monday with isolated afternoon flurries. Continued cooler than average temps, with alpine highs at 2200m around -6C Sunday, and -5C Monday. Light N/NE winds.
Tuesday & Wednesday: The ridge of high-pressure amplifies bringing a dry mix of sun and cloud across the Rockies on both days. The ridge will also keep the northerly winds with continued well below average daytime high temps ranging around -4C to -6C at 2200m both days. Light N/NE winds, slightly higher across the alpine at Castle Mountain in the South Rockies.
Extended Forecast
Thursday 3/30 through Sunday 4/2
High-pressure looks likely to flatten during the Wednesday night/Thursday time frame as a trough descends from the north/northeast bringing back chances for upslope snowfall Thursday with light accumulations possible for those favored upslope eastern facing slopes. Towards the end of next week and into the weekend a return of a W/NW flow is favored adding more snowfall into the forecast. Slightly cooler than seasonal average temps Thursday with more seasonal early April temps starting Friday and into next weekend.
Below: Here's the Canadian Deterministic model's depiction of the weather story from Wednesday afternoon through midnight Sunday April 2nd. Definitely watching that large Pacific low-pressure system that looks to be quite robust for next weekend. We're due for a major spring storm and this could be our best chance. Stay tuned...
Thanks for staying tuned in. Next update, Monday March 27.
Powder Out,
Bob
Announcements
Alberta Rockies Ski Resorts & Areas / North & South “Regions” are solely for Geographic References in my forecasts…
North Region: ( * denotes SkiBig3 resorts )
*Banff/Sunshine Village OPEN daily
*Lake Louise Ski Resort OPEN daily
*Mt Norquay OPEN daily
Marmot Basin OPEN daily
South Region:
Castle Mountain OPEN daily
Fortress / KPOW Cat Skiing OPEN - see link for booking
Nakiska OPEN daily
Pass Powderkeg OPEN (Weds thru Sun) Closes for the season March 26th with the PPK Slush Cup.
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