January 6, 2014

Snow Avalanche kills 4 on January 5, 2014.

4 more fatalities in the Swiss Alps, 11 so far this season. Story in links below. Avalanche Site near Mase, Switzerland.

Sunrise Sunday morning, pink sky is obviously not always a skier's warning.

Cirrus clouds formed very early yesterday morning.

Altocumulus were also present for a while on Sunday morning.

Was a great day with many cloud varieties.

I believe those may be cirrocumulus to the North.

Sunset Sunday at 16:30 Hours.


Weather observations for Monday; January 5, 2014, taken at 06:00 HRS.

2240 meters     No Data
2180 meters     +3, winds were 15-20 KPH from the SSW
1860 meters     +7, winds were 5-15 KPH from the ESE
1835 meters     +4, winds were 0-10 KPH from the ESE
1650 meters      -1, no new snow, Base 108 cm
1550 meters     +2, no new snow, Base 76 cm
  660 meters      -5, Valley Temp Minimum Temp was -6.5

Temperature at 2180 meters yesterday was 0 as of 18:00 Hours, by 21:00 hrs it was +3. Freezing level did pass the 3000 meter mark slower than forecasted.

For the forecast we will have some sunshine this morning with clouds steadily increasing through out the day as a very weak front moves in to the region for Tuesday. The ridge of high pressure flattens and moves inland. Late Monday into Tuesday will be relatively dry prior to the arrival of several stronger moist frontal systems moving through the area in quick succession into Sunday.  May have jumped the gun a bit yesterday with the expected snowfall amounts, but the models were looking good. The GFS model is still favouring significant precip, but the ECMWF is forecasting a baggy, relatively dry upper trough for Saturday. Only time will tell. There is snow coming and every centimetre we can get is a good thing!! With the uncertainty in the models I am holding off on any precip values for Wednesday thru Sunday. Freezing levels will fluctuate with the passing of the fronts, values are between 600-1200 meters from Wednesday to Sunday. Light snow will arrive late Tuesday into Thursday, hoping it ramps up Thursday night.

A weak dry front moving in to our region today. More of a Westerly flow.



Avalanche Accidents can teach unfortunate lessons: Article by Lucas Mouttet

Hiker caught in Alpental Avalanche gets himself out: Washington State

Here is a post from January 4, 2014 talking about the high danger in the Swiss Alps: Pistehors.com

Four die in Swiss Alps: Recent Avalanche Fatalities

Dog dies in Avalanche; Forecaster's issuing warning for Tenai: Alaska

Violent Volcano Eruption in Indonesia: Sinabung Volcano

Man survives being buried for 15 minutes in an avalanche: British Columbia

Looking South West late Sunday am.

Looking North West late Sunday am.

Looking North East early Sunday am. Large cloud band drifted through mid day.

Mount Garibaldi.

Mount Cailey and Pyroclastic.

Many folks skating on Alta Lake Sunday, all the lakes have solidified again.