23 Jan 2012

Often I refer to the Catskinner weather Plot at 1550 meters. This is where the snow data is recorded on Blackcomb. Its been the weather plot since 1980. Unfortunately some of the trees that used to protect it were cut down. The amount of snow recorded here is usually a couple of centimetres less than the Pig Alley weather plot. Not the case in the past 2 days though as this plot had 2 centimetres more on the 12 hour readings.  There was a discrepancy in the amounts this morning , wind effect in both plots, but the consensus is 19 cm. Avalanche control is producing 20-40 cm soft slabs in certain wind effected terrain features.
Here is a close up shot of the automated weather equipment. There are sensors for barometric pressure, temperature, humidity, wind speed & direction, precipitation gauge, and snow depth sensors.
There is also a Stevenson screen (white slat box) that contains thermometers for manual readings, a snow stake for snow depth, and three boards were the Am, Pm, and storm snow are measured manually.
This is the weather plot at Pig Alley 1650 meters. As you can see its very similar to the Catskinner plot. There is also a Stevenson screen, 3 boards, and a pole for snow depth. The pig alley plot is in a much larger opening.
At 2280 meters the temperature was -11 at 06:00. The winds were 40-60 KPH from the south. At pig alley 19 centimetres of new snow was recorded overnight. At 1550 meters the temperature was -7, 93 % humidity, and the barometer is on a slight rise. In the valley it is 0. Expect heavy snow fall through out the day with the possibility of another 30 centimetres by tomorrow morning.


For the updated Avalanche Advisory click hereAvalanche Advisory