Well it looks like there’s some rain showers in the forecast in the next few days (although not widespread), which will hopefully help out with the fire situation and smoky skies experienced lately. Freezing levels are supposed to remain pretty high, but you can expect some snow flurries in the higher reaches of the alpine, especially further north where you can expect it to be colder.
The long dry smoky session of great alpine rock conditions may be coming to at least a temporary end Friday. Most forecasts throughout the region show some rain and cool temperatures coming. Maybe a bummer for some climber's plans but hopefully it provides great relief for the vast majority of sentient beings in the region.
Hot and smoky. That's OK for your local jazz bar but not so great for mountain activities...
WEATHER
Record high temperatures were recorded in some areas last week. I saw a 34 from my backyard weather station in Banff; the only other time I have seen that number it had a "-" in front of it.
We did have a brief respite last weekend when a cold front passed through all areas but there was more lightning than rain associated with it. Although the highest peaks had a dusting of snow on them on Monday morning it quickly melted.
Summer continues to be hot and dry on the coast, with no end in sight. Although the valleys have been filled with smoke from forest fires, it has normally been fairly clear up higher in the alpine.
Its been a scorching, lung burning smokey week. In the Rockies its become classic August conditions where while its warm, you want to avoid any ice faces and gullies which will have constant rockfall and lots of black ice showing. This week has been warmer than usual which means no freeze overnight whatsoever. Reports from the Columbia Icefields have said the area is mainly out of shape on the traditional routes due to rockfall, and a group in the AA Col had a very close call as members of the party got hit. The flip side is rock routes at all elevations are in prime shape!
The forecast for the August long weekend is for unsettled showery weather on Friday night and Saturday with a lingering chance of lightning storms, before things clear up and dry out Sunday and into next week. Further west and south looks a bit drier throughout the weekend. As of Sunday it looks like a really good week for summer climbing everywhere!
MCR Summary Coast Range, July 26
Weather
Hot and Sunny!! And looks like it will continue for the foreseeable future.
Conditions
Generally speaking alpine route are in excellent shape, rock is dry and the glaciers are still filled in to allow for great, straightforward travel...for now.
We are into full summer mode with HOT to above normal temperatures forecasted into the weekend. With this great summer weather comes the likely chance of afternoon thunderstorms, particularly along the east side of the Columbia and Rocky Mountains. Many areas have fire bans in place and are experiencing light to mild smoke from forest fires.
Summer is in full swing in the Rocky and Columbia Mountains!
WEATHER
Things have been heating up in the past week with hot and dry being predominant. At the same time we have seen some rapidly moving cold fronts creating lightning storms and wind events. For the coming week it looks like much of the same.
CONDITIONS
Overall trail conditions are good but vestiges of winter and spring can still be seen on high passes and along the continental divide with snow and muddy sections being reported on some routes.
Well this weekend is looking a lot like last weekend…… unsettled and wet on Saturday and nice on Sunday! A cold front will move into northern BC and the Rockies on Friday night into Saturday morning bringing thunderstorms and precipitation. The southern areas should remain dry and could see above seasonal temperatures.
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