January 11, 2014

First light, Friday morning; not looking like an intense low pressure coming soon.

More stratus cloud moving up the valley.

Eventually it became very cloudy with obscured skies.

The sun tried to make an appearance in the afternoon, yesterday.

Days end, Friday January 10, 2014. The storm is just starting to ramp up.



Weather observations for January 11, 2014, taken at 06:00 hrs.

2240 meters  -5.5, winds were 60-90 KPH from the SSW
2180 meters     -4, winds were 40-110 KPH from the SSW
1860 meters     -4, winds were 50-90 KPH from the S
1835 meters  -3.5, winds were 30-95 KPH from the SSE
1650 meters  -1.5, 49 cm of new snow, Base 162 cm
1550 meters    -.5, 44 cm of new snow, Base 124 cm
  660 meters    +2, Valley Temperature, 7.5 mm 0f precip yesterday

For the forecast we will see more snow and strong winds this morning as the strong pacific storm tracks East of our area. The cold front has moved into our zone and we should see another 10-15 cm of snow by this afternoon, with the convection its hard to get an exact number.  A weaker frontal system will arrive for tomorrow with light snow, a transition of unsettled weather will follow as an upper level ridge rebuilds bringing unsettled to sunny weather later in the week.

Winds maxed out last night at 155 KPH southerly, freezing level rose to 1500 meters at around 02:00 hrs and began to drop again at 06:00 hrs as the warm front moved through. Presently at 1400 meters and should fall below 1000 meters as the cold front moves East. With the present avalanche danger at High, will be good to leave the snow pack set up for a day then see what happens with control work.

A fairly large intense low.

Yesterday morning, snowy clouds to the East of our area.



High avalanche risk in North Shore mountains due to new snow: Straight.com

Avalanche danger prevalent in mountains of Northern & Central: Utah

Near miss story from some ski tourer's in: Northern Norway

Winter Storms forecast to wollop B.C.: CBC News

Cloud seeding in California for the past 50 years: Rain & snow makers

Avalanche watch issued for Jackson Hole Area: Wyoming

Yesterday afternoon, the low taking its time to arrive.

Pictures from an avalanche course, digging snow pits on Paul Ridge, below Round Mtn. Dave Sarkany

Some information from Dave Sarkany from the avalanche course: There are two main layers of concern both ice crust. One is 40cm down and its below the last weeks snow. The other is 60cm down and its the Dec 12 crust facet combo. Neither reacted to an ECT in my (pictured pit) or student pits. The facets are really rounding out. Generally looking much more coastal here than earlier assessments  Below 40 cm down all snow is now 1f and harder. Basal layers are rounding out well also. There is a 10-20cm mod hard wind temp slab on surface. Made downhill tricky. Pretty sure tonight's snow will overload the weaknesses in many places if the forecast comes true! We dug into a NW asp at 1500m.

Cornice development in Fraggle Rock much different than last year with trees missing.

The forecast may have had some holes in it, 15 cm more snow than forecasted. Bring it on!!

The front finally arrived with light snow starting to fly around 15:30 hours yesterday afternoon.