26 Jan 2013

Yesterday did not disappoint, it was sunny most of the day with some clouds floating around. The snow conditions were good with pockets of knee deep powder if you searched hard enough.



At 2284 meters the temperature was -9, winds were 10-20 KPH from the ESE.  At 1650 meters the temperature was -4.5, 1 cm of new snow was recorded there.  In the valley the temperature was -2. Observations taken at 06:00.

For the forecast expect unsettled conditions to prevail for a couple of days, a weak front is being pushed through today, we could see some flurries , (1-3cm). A series of weak fronts will slide through our area for the next few days. Looks like a dirty upper level ridge will dominate our zone for Tuesday and Wednesday bringing drier conditions. Unfortunatley the moist North West flow will not really produce much precipitation for us in the next few days. Sunday looks like the best day for snow(3-5 cm). Monday even looks dry.


For the updated avalanche advisory: Blackcomb Snow Safety


Two skiers killed by an avalanche in the Dolomites: Italy

How many words do Eskimos have for snow: Article from Mental Floss

Snowfall takes heavy toll, Himachal struggles to restore normalcy: India

Came across a site for weather and avalanche information for Northern California: Powdiction




This avalanche was released by using an avalauncher round, a 1 kg explosive fired by compressed nitrogen. Avalanche control yesterday produced mostly size 1 slides, but there were some slightly bigger ones in certain locations.
One of many natural avalanches in the area yesterday afternoon. This one located on lower Disease Ridge.

Later in the day there was some great looking clouds with some nice light.



A picture and Lee Lau's observations from the Duffy yesterday:


Snow conditions back to acceptable

HST varies from 10 at road to 15 at 1500m to 15-20 at 1800m

WInds light in valley.  Looked strong in alpine with SW cells moving fast over mountain tops.  Skies mostly clear with clouds moving in later day from W of Cayoosh.

Lots of windslab above 1800m.  S and SE slopes on other side of valley (Common Johnny and Melville area) with glide cracks

Hasty on NE aspect CTM 14 on decomposing stellars, resistant planar.   Skied 30 deg slopes N and NW without incident