Weather observations for November 29Th, 2013, taken at 06:00 Hrs.
2240 meters no data
2180 meters -2, wind 30-45 KPH from the SSW
1860 meters -1.5, wind 15-25 KPH from the S
1835 meters -1, wind 10-30 KPH from the SSW
1650 meters +1.5, no new snow, base 62 cm
1550 meters +2.5, no new snow, base 42 cm, .2 mm precip
660 meters +4 Valley temp,
The forecast is not changing very much, a weak front will bring mostly cloudy skies with the occasional snow flurry at higher elevations for today. Freezing level will be hovering around 1600 meters until the cold front arrives on Monday. Similar conditions for Saturday and Sunday with each day bringing a bit more precipitation. Cold arctic air will reach the area by Tuesday and remain cold and dry until at least Thursday of next week. Guesstimates: 1-3 cm by Saturday, 5-8 cm by Sunday, 10-15 cm by Monday. There is a chance for more snow on Monday, but should have a better idea by tomorrow.
Throttle Decisions; Outreach Component for sledder's: Canadian Avalanche Centre
Snowpack tests: ASARC
Avalanche Awareness night including after party: Revelstoke
Backcountry Code in development: Pique
Some great photos and observations from Jeff Van Driel, first person to ever contribute to the blog. Thanks Jeff for your input over the past 2 years, much appreciated!
I hope you have been enjoying the balmy weather.
Just before the start of the inversion, up Roe Creek/Cypress Mountain area, we found variable snow surface conditions due to an arctic outflow. Ski penetration was 15-20 cm on the glacier. There is a significant crust 40cm above the ground up to at least 2000m. We saw a couple small, old slab avalanches to size 1 and some pinwheeling on steep solar slopes. There was 60-80 cm at treeline, 95-150 in the alpine and 165-195 on the glacier.
Snowpack depths were similar although slightly less the first few days of the inversion up at Diamondhead and Diamond Glacier. The sun had more power and we saw evidence of numerous loose snow avalanches to size 1.5 depending on the terrain. Alpine temperatures went to 3 degrees even overnight!
The last couple days have been in the Fitzsimmons range, and old uptracks, ski tracks, and any snow that has moved, is well set up and solid/icy. The snowpack appears well settled. Here the glaciers had 100cm on them and treeline had 50-60cm. The sky was much more clear than forecasted. Good skiing on the Whirlwind glacier, but Cowboy Ridge has been quite affected by the temperatures.
Just before the start of the inversion, up Roe Creek/Cypress Mountain area, we found variable snow surface conditions due to an arctic outflow. Ski penetration was 15-20 cm on the glacier. There is a significant crust 40cm above the ground up to at least 2000m. We saw a couple small, old slab avalanches to size 1 and some pinwheeling on steep solar slopes. There was 60-80 cm at treeline, 95-150 in the alpine and 165-195 on the glacier.
Snowpack depths were similar although slightly less the first few days of the inversion up at Diamondhead and Diamond Glacier. The sun had more power and we saw evidence of numerous loose snow avalanches to size 1.5 depending on the terrain. Alpine temperatures went to 3 degrees even overnight!
The last couple days have been in the Fitzsimmons range, and old uptracks, ski tracks, and any snow that has moved, is well set up and solid/icy. The snowpack appears well settled. Here the glaciers had 100cm on them and treeline had 50-60cm. The sky was much more clear than forecasted. Good skiing on the Whirlwind glacier, but Cowboy Ridge has been quite affected by the temperatures.
Overall there are many early season hazards lurking under the snow so be careful!
Bring on the snow!
Cheers,
Jeff
Photos:
Cypress Peak/Glacier
Skiing down to Cypress NW Glacier
Slides off Columnar Peak
Bishop Glacier on Garibaldi
Overlord
Cheakamus Glacier from Whirlwind
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