Refreshed and Ready for the New Week

Canadian Rockies Daily Snow

Heads up, there may be fresher snow! Read the latest Canadian Rockies Daily Snow

By Bob Ambrose, Forecaster Posted 1 year ago March 27, 2023

Summary

Upslope snowfall (easterly upslope winds meeting an unstable moist and somewhat cold airmass over the Rockies) have brought some nice 48-hour snowfall amounts of 18cm at Nakiska, 17cm at Castle, 15cm Norquay, 15cm Sunshine, 14cm Marmot, and 12cm Louise. Monday looks to add another several cm’s to these totals, mainly from Banff south before high-pressure kicks in for the period Tuesday – Friday.

Short Term Forecast

Below: The Marmot at Marmot Basin was stoked this past weekend with 14cm of freshies to shred.

Below: Latest model run for snowfall over the Rockies through 6AM Tuesday keeps the upslope snowfall accumulating through Monday night, especially for Nakiska south to Castle Mountain.

Monday: Webcams on Monday morning indicate light snow falling at Nakiska, Castle, Norquay, and Sunshine. A building ridge of high pressure to the north of the Rockies is drawing easterly winds allowing upslope snow showers to redevelop once again on Monday. Generally cloudy skies will be prevalent at Lake Louise and Marmot Basin, with cloud and periods of snowfall at Sunshine, Norquay, and Nakiska with accumulations of 3 – 5cm likely. Castle Mountain looks to be primed for an additional 5 – 10cm. Continued cooler than average temps, with alpine highs at 2200m around -7C. Light NE winds.

Tuesday & Wednesday: Overnight on Monday, upslope conditions persist from Banff/Sunshine south to Castle Mountain. Additional amounts of 3 – 5cm are possible at Castle, Nakiska, Norquay, and B/SV. The ridge of high-pressure to the north that has been responsible for the upslope winds and persistent light snowfall finally moves south and begins to amplify over the Rockies. This will bring an end to the snowfall unfortunately with a dry mix of sun and cloud across the Rockies on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Northerly winds bring a continuation of well below average daytime temps, with afternoon highs ranging around -4C to -6C at 2200m Tuesday, with -2C to -4C Wednesday. Light north winds.

Thursday & Friday: The ridge of high-pressure looks to flatten slightly during the Wednesday night/Thursday time frame as a weak low-pressure trough descends from the north/northeast bringing some flurries on Thursday with trace amounts to 5cm slightly possible, mainly south of Banff. In between the flurries, expect generally cloudy skies with some sunny spells both days. Highs at 2200m will range from -2C to -4C. Light westerly winds likely on both days.

Extended Forecast

Saturday 4/1 through Tuesday 4/4

It’s looking quite promising for the coming weekend (and beyond) as the storm door swings open beginning Friday night with a broad Pacific trough and associated cold front expanding west to east into the Rockies. This storm looks to stick around through the weekend with the SkiBig3 resorts looking best positioned for storm totals in the 15 – 25cm range through Sunday afternoon. Slightly less amounts up to 15cm possible elsewhere across the Rockies.

As the trough slowly tracks southeast over Montana on Sunday night, wrap around moisture looks to bring back upslope conditions through Monday. Nakiska, Norquay, and Castle could see 10-15cm through Monday, with 5 – 10cm elsewhere. Continued unsettled with easterly upslope winds next Tuesday adding more light accumulating snowfall through Tuesday night. Much cooler than seasonal average temps return this weekend and look to last through early next week.

Below: Latest run from the Canadian Deterministic weather model starting at 2100 Friday (MT) through 0600 Monday brings a deep Pacific trough moving through interior BC and the Rockies this weekend.

Thanks for tuning in. Next update, Wednesday March 29.