At 2280 meters the temperature was -16, winds were 25-45 KPH from the NNE. At 16540 meters the temperature was -11.5, 6 cm fell overnight with 7 cm in the past 16 hours. In the valley it is -6. Observations taken at 06:00 hrs.
A 45 KPH wind with -16 temperatures puts the wind chill factor at -30. Dress warm and keep your face covered.
For the forecast expect the surface high to build over BC, this will bring a drier Northerly flow aloft for the next week. Freezing levels will gradually rise by Monday giving us warm temperatures for early next week. No snow in the forecast as this high dominates our zone. We will see some cloud development at times but mostly sun.
Avalanche control produced up to size 2 avalanches in steep terrain yesterday. Reports of a skier controlled slide size 2, slab 80 cm deep running on January 4 Th surface hoar sitting on a sun crust in the Spearhead.
.For the local avalanche advisory: Blackcomb Snow Safety
Lots of talk about avalanche airbags being the latest tool in the shed, but everyone has to realise that this device is not a life jacket which may protect you from drowning. It is an air bag that may help you but it does not mean you will survive. Over the past year I have posted many incidents where the person deploying an airbag has been killed. Its not like falling off the boat, hitting your head and it will still keep your head above the water. Airbags and there future role
Scientists are hoping (make work) to better analyse the risks on the Coquihalla Highway: Solid Precipitation Inter-Comparison Experiment
BC Highway Closed: Avalanche Prone Highway
Kootney Pass Avalanche Control: The Weather Network
Injured skier airlifted from Strathcona Park after Avalanche: Times Colonist
Sad news in the snowmobiling community: Valemount
Skier sustains significant injuries in Avalanche in Glacier National Park: From The Huckleberry Hiker
Video from the other side of the world, poor strength in the pack: Gulmarg Avalanche
Top ten ski resorts to find a Sugar Daddy: From Unofficial Networks
Avalanche related information from France: Pistehors.com
Three Russian Climbers missing after an avalanche: Georgia
There was a significant amount of moisture in the air first thing yesterday morning at the top of the Wizard Chair.
At 1500 meters on west aspects in the trees there were some decent turns to be had!
Not the most colourful sunset ever but it did start cooling down as the day ended.
First chair ride up 7 Th Heaven with a lot of rime evident on the chair!! Good indication of the amount of moisture in the air at upper elevations.