February 26, 2014

    Feather Tree Natrural around 13:30 -14:00

    Darlene Douglas photos 

Fresh low density snow and some strong sun add up to avalanche activity. Yesterday on Blackcomb, Lakeside Bowl was closed at 11:00 Hrs, Blackcomb Glacier closed at 13:00 Hrs, and there Alpine was closed at 14:00 Hrs. Maximum temperature at 2240 meters was 0 at 15:00 Hrs. Maximum temperature at 1860 meters was +3.5 at 14:30 Hrs.

    Recent Avalanche off Rainbow Shoulder.

Hi Wango,
Today I observed this unique cracking. Looked like a wind scoured surface from a distance but impressed by the look when I got closer.  Can you explain how these happened?

 

                          Hi Junichi, They look like tension cracks that my have slumped.??


Weather observations for February 26, 2014; taken at 06:00 Hrs.

2240 meters     -3.5, Winds were 0-5 KPH from the S
2180 meters         0, Winds were 5-15 KPH from the ESE
1860 meters       +3, Winds were 0-5 KPH from the E
1835 meters        -2, Winds were 5-10 KPH from the ENE
1650 meters     -   4, No new snow, Base 232 cm
1550 meters        -1, No new snow, Base 172 cm
  660 meters        -6, Valley Temp



For the forecast, the upper level ridge with a dry offshore flow will bring unsettled weather for today. This pattern will remain in our area until an arctic air mass moves in for Friday. May see some flurries early Friday morning. Saturday and Sunday should be sunny. Sunday evening a weak front may bring 3-5 cm of snow for Monday morning. More o next week tomorrow.

    Unsettled weather for today.
Observations:

From Joe Hertz on the musical bumps

N asp greater than about 30 deg had the top 10 crack and slump but not move? Could hardly feel it while skiing. Sloughing from ski turn N asp, once. E and W face still good ski at 1500 hrs but gettig heavy. N asp very good. No photos. O, and the remote on cowboy still visible. Hope that helps. 

Submitted at Feb 25 2014 15:38 by jay

Location: Birthday Chute, Vantage Ridge

Comment: Sunday Feb 23, 2014 Dropped a freezer size chunk of cornice into the entrance of Birthday Chute on Vantage ridge (N aspect, 2000 m). Instant result! Approximately 1 meter crown, propagated about 35 meters across and ran very quickly down the length of the chute (230 m) and around corner out of site (sz 2.5?). Saw very similar past activity on Chief Pascal the next day. From tree skiing ridge into back NE bowl, big crowns from couloir and chute entrances (1930 m elev), propagating across approx. 300 meters and running into basin below (350 m). Both slides occurred in alpine like terrain, below tree line.

Pow Day and Small Avalanche: Fernie, B.C. 2014

Large landslide detected in Alaska: Earth Observatory

Avalanche deaths spike as storms bring snow, risks: Alaska News

Beacon Breakdown: Powder

South Coast Avalanche Bulletin: CAC

There was a good cycle out of the solar aspects in the Circle Lake area today.  Point releases stepping down and triggering slabs on the 140210 interface.  The largest up to size 3.  Lots of fracture lines up to 1.5m. 

I'm sure you've been sent a few photos already but in case you haven't, here are a few.
Photos from Simon Thomson Thanks for the submission.

Overlord Glacier Slots

Interesting natural settlements buried surface hoar? Collapsed with weight of storm slab

but didn't release. (these were everywhere in protected spots around treeline)

Cowboy slide remnants from the weekend.

Remnants of a powder cloud from one of the south facing chutes off Pattison. Ran to the valley around 1pm the south face got real active.

Looks like your in Hawaii, so here are some pics for you!

cheers

Braden

Thanks Braden. For pics from Russet Adventure.