Check out the South Rockies Blog for thoughts on early season forecasting in this region. If you have recent observations please send them to [email protected].
Confidence
Poor - Due to the number of field observations
Weather Forecast
Friday: Cloud cover should increase throughout the day with light but gusty westerly winds, but no significant precipitation is expected. Freezing levels in valley bottoms. Saturday: Cloudy with light snow and light but gusty westerly winds. Temperatures gradually cooling with freezing levels remaining in valley bottoms. Sunday: Light snow in the morning but picking up in the evening with an associated increase in westerly winds. Freezing levels remaining in valley bottoms.
Avalanche Summary
Smooth alpine slopes that did not previously slide may still be of concern. With very little data on the current conditions, you need to be your own detective out there. If you see or trigger an avalanche, please send us a note at: [email protected].
Snowpack Summary
Treeline snowpack depths in sheltered areas vary between approximately 40-100 cm. The current snowpack has been subjected to strong wind, cold temperatures and chinook driven warming. As a result it should be easy to find wind scoured snow, old wind slabs, crusts and faceted snow. Crusts with associated facets may be lurking near the base. This weakness may still be of concern on isolated smooth terrain features that have not seen avalanche activity.