Yesterday at 16:00 hours it was snowing 5 centimetres per hour. In this picture you can make out a combination of stellars and graupel from the snow falling around 13:00 hrs. To learn more about graupel click here: Wikipedia
At 2260 meters the temperature was - 8.5, winds were 40-70 KPH from the SSE. At 1650 meters the temperature was -4, 50 cm of new snow was recorded at that elevation as of 05:45. In the valley it is -2 and snowing lightly. Maximum gust yesterday was at 13:00 hrs and was recorded at 105 KPH from the ESE. With the combination of that wind and 3+ centimetres an hour snowfall, the Glacier Express was closed due to lack of skier traffic and rapid reloading of the start zones around that time. 30-40 cm slabs were building quickly with the lack of skier compaction.
For the forecast we can expect snow into the afternoon and the winds should abate. The low off the coast will push the moist unsettled air mass through our area sometime today. Another 15-20 cm is possible for today depending on the movement of this air mass. Friday should see unsettled conditions into the weekend with light snow, sunny breaks, and no shortage of clouds. Saturday is looking mostly cloudy. Cloudy and cold weather will be here by Monday into Christmas Day. Quesstimates: Friday 3-5 Saturday 8-10 Sunday 4-6
For the local updated advisory: Recent Advisory
Avalanche death in Verbier: 23 Year old Swedish Women had air bag and transceiver
Avalanche kills Russian Tourist: Austria
Which resorts will have the best snow this Christmas: From Travelmole
Kim Kircher's Blog: Cascade Mountains
Skier Triggered avalanche near Park City: December 19, 2012
Update on Crystal Mountain Burial: Survivor plans on getting equipment and training
From 14:30 hours to 16:15 hours yesterday 9 cm fell. When it is snowing 5+ cm per hour life is good!!!
