The current storm has mostly petered out in the Rockies, with minimal new snow in the last 24 hours. However, heavy rain in Yoho Park has produced several large avalanches over the Field ice climbs. Ice climbers should should consider heading east.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A strong SW flow aloft is streaming moisture onto the west coast, but the punch is mostly gone from these storms by the time they reach the Continental Divide. Regardless, expect heavy rain in Yoho Park on Thursday, with light rain or flurries further east, possibility of up to 10 cm at Bow Summit. Cooling is expected to arrive on Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
Although these warm daytime temperatures are promoting overall snowpack settlement, the lower half of the snowpack remains poorly structured, with a weak based comprised entirely of facets and depth hoar. This problem is most pronounced in rocky, windswept terrain at treeline and higher where human triggering of full depth avalanches is possible.
Avalanche Summary
Good observations today in Kootenay Park and highway 93 N revealed a distinct lack of avalanche activity. Sunshine ski area reports a similar lack of avalanches. However, the low elevation rainfall resulted in widespread avalanche activity in the ice climbing gullies down in Field (on Mt. Dennis).
Confidence
Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Friday
grant statham,
Parks Canada
