March 16, 2014

36 Year old Saskatchewan man dies in an avalanche near Clearwater, story in articles below.

   Avalanche on Mount Fairview takes two lives, tragic story in article below.   Internet File Photo

    Started to snow in the valley Saturday morning at 07:15 Hours.

 Apparently the lifts were open early than closed as the winds switched directions. Glacier chair               reopened at 11:00 hrs. Winds in the alpine reached speeds of 130-160 KPH in the afternoon.

    Not as busy as I thought it might be on Saturday.

9 cm fell between 06:30-12:30 hrs. 1.5 cm per hour before the storm intensified. From 12:30 to 14:30 hrs 6cm fell (3 cm per hour) at 1550 meters. Measurement was 15 cm since 06:30 hrs this am with 17 cm in 24 hrs. Height of snow was 202 cm as of 14:30 Hours, March 15, 2014.

    Catskinner weather plot, 1550 meters, March 15, 2014.



Weather observations for March 16, 2014; taken at 06:00 hrs this am.

2240 meters      -6, winds were 35-45 KPH from the S
2180 meters      -5, winds were 40-60 KPH from the S
1860 meters      -5, winds were 25-45 KPH from the S
1835 meters      -4, winds were 10-30 KPH from the S
1650 meters      -2, 13 cm of new snow, 22 cm in 24 hours, Base 262 cm
1550 meters      -3, 10 cm of new snow, 23 cm in 24 hours, Base 208 cm
  660 meters     +3, Valley temperature, 17.7 mm of precip yesterday

Presently in the alpine, overcast skies, variable visibility, snowing less than 1 cm per hour. Maximum winds at 2240 meters this am were 90 KPH with maximum gust yesterday afternoon of 160 KPH.

For the forecast the vigorous frontal band is slowly moving south, clouds and moisture are lingering, bringing more snow to the area today, with rain in the valley this morning. Colder air is on its way so freezing level may drop back to valley floor. The pattern is changing quickly, with an upper level trough pushing the cold front Southeast this evening. Northwest flow aloft will bring some clearing for Monday replaced quickly by a weak warm front for Monday evening into Tuesday. Another upper level trough and cold front will move into the area for Tuesday night  into Wednesday. Windy and wet conditions will prevail into Thursday. Guesstimates 10-12 cm by Monday morning, flurries possible on Monday, 10-12 cm by Wednesday morning, 12-18 cm by Thursday morning.
More on amounts as time passes.

GFS precipitation model for today: NOAA


Full moon is tonight, some refer to it as the Worm Moon, March 16, 2014.

   The real big picture, yes a bit of Hawaiian influence.

   The ridge for Monday is looking dirty, with warm advection bringing showers for Monday evening.

Fourth Canadian snowmobiler killed in an avalanche this year near Clearwater, B.C. So far this year in North America we have had 33 avalanche fatalities, 23 of those in the USA. 16 fatalities in North America so far this year have been snowmobilers. Latest news on most recent incident near Clearwater, B.C.: Red Sand Mountain

The eight most stupid questions on Avalanche Gear: Redbull

Report your observations to the CAC and win prizes: CAC Mobile App

Enjoy the Flathead Avalanche Center's layout: USDA Forest Service

Liftopia-Software for the Ski Industry: E-Commerce

Cornice falls, dangerous this time of the year: Bridger Bowl, Montana

Resort stakeholders say Heli-skiing vital to Garibaldi Provincial Park: Pique

Skier remote, Sz3 at Bow Summit: ACMG Report

Man buried under snow 15 minutes following avalanche: Lake Louise

Toboggan run turns tragic, 2 more people perish in an avalanche: Lake Louise

    +1 in the valley means all that wet snow turns to water fairly quickly. Heading to Fitz creek!!

    Not very busy on Lower Gear Jammer yesterday at 12:30.

    Dumping in the valley at around 15:00 Hours (3 cm per hour). Temperature was 0 degrees.

     Heavy snow, there not even snow geese!!

    Mouth of the River of Golden Dreams. More snow please!!