8 Apr 2013

Snowing at 1000 meters yesterday afternoon. Great to see the freezing levels drop!

Just below tree line at 1850 meters, moist new snow on a thin temperature crust with some moist snow on another temperature crust with some moist loose grains above an isothermal snowpack. Yesterday.

At 2240 meters some dry snow on a thin temperature crust with moist snow below.

At 2240 meters the temperature was -8, winds were 20-40 KPH from the NNE. At 1650 meters the temperature was -4.5, 2 cm of new snow reported overnight with 4 cm recorded since yesterday at 14:30 Hrs. In the valley it was 0. Observations taken at 06:00 hrs this Am.

For the forecast the low south of us yesterday crept into our area giving us some much needed snow. For today once the low level cloud burns off we can expect mostly sunny skies as a dirty ridge builds in our area. Possible for some cloud development.  A weak warm front is expected for tomorrow followed by a cold front for Wednesday. A westerly flow will maintain unsettled conditions Thursday and Friday. Freezing levels should peak at around 1800 meters on Wednesday and slowly come back to surface by Saturday. The models have changed since yesterday. Guesstimates:  Flurry possible for today, Flurries for tomorrow, 10-15 by Wednesday at 14:30, trace for Thursday, 2-4 by Friday afternoon.

For the updated local avalanche advisory: Whistler Mountain Snow Safety


Sheep found alive in Scotland after being buried in snow drifts: Similar to Iceland last summer

A glimpse of La Grave 2012-2013: Oliver Kinchella

LAAX Website: European Marketing

Canadian Avalanche Foundation: 2013 Annual General Meeting

Avalanche Tragedy: Could your lift pas save your life. : Ski Adventures






Pretty self explanatory, be aware of debris when the visibility is limited.


2400 meters, evidence of the warm event with a rime coating!

Not ideal racing conditions but everyone is supportive in making it work!!

Same drift as in yesterday's post but it has morphed.

Still some moisture in the snow above tree line.


Nice to see the snow line drop to a normal elevation.

Satellite picture from late yesterday afternoon.  With the northerly winds yesterday we were getting some recirculation from the low to the south of us.
It looked like it was starting to clear off.