Wayne Flann Avalanche Blog

16 Feb 2013

Yesterday morning looked like something was going to change!

Its evident in this picture that we are way over due for a new surface. Still some good snow to be
found in the backcountry!

At 2284 meters the temperature was -4, winds were 35-55 KPH from the SSE. At 1650 meters there was 3 cm of new snow recorded, temperature was -.5. In the valley it was +3. Observations taken at 06:00 Hrs.

For the forecast a cold front will move through the area today, hopefully giving us a bit more snow. Not looking so good, possible 2-4cm. A ridge will rebuild for Sunday. Another upper trough will arrive for Monday bringing some flurries. Still unsettled conditions with more sunny days as the week progresses.

The updated local avalanche advisory: Whistler Mountain Snow Safety

Snowborder Captures harrowing slide down an Avalanche: Near Nelson?

Great perspective of the avalanche on Mount Dixon in New Zealand: January 21, 2013

Trip Planner from the CAC: Cloudburst Mtn.

Avalanches from the past:

Blons, Austria (1954, January 12)
More than 200 people die in Austria’s single worst avalanche. About 380 people lived in Blons, a village with 90 houses spread over 10 square miles. At 10:30 a.m., a dry-snow avalanche called the Falv destroyed the central part of town. Nine hours later, a second avalanche known as the Montclav struck, moving 3,800 feet downhill in less than thirty seconds. 115 rescue workers and people died in the second slide.

Vovarlberg, Austria (1954)
An avalanche buries a town at the foot of Kirschberg Mountain, taking 125 lives.

Lowarai Pass, West Pakistan (1959, December 16)
Snow slides into this steep mountain pass, killing 48.