December 16, 2014

    Avalanche in Italy claims two climbers, story in articles below.                                            Net Pic

    Weak front began to move in early on December 15, 2014.

    Skin track up lower Disease Ridge, another awesome morning.

    Clouds became thicker as the morning progressed.

    Last sunlight to the North at days end Monday afternoon.


Weather observations for December 16, 2014, taken at 06:00 Hours this am.

2240 meters        -5, Winds were 25-40 KPH from the ESE
2180 meters        -5, Winds were 35-50 KPH from ?
1860 meters        -4, Winds were 0-5 KPH from the S
1835 meters        -2, Winds were 15-30 KPH from the ESE
1650 meters        -2, Trace of new snow, Base 91 cm
1550 meters        -2, Trace of new snow, Base 61 cm Relative Humidity 93%

  660 meters        -1, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yest -0.1

   As of 07:00 Hours we have high overcast skies, unlimited visibility and very light snow.


For the Forecast, a very weak front in a Southerly split flow continues to push cloud into the area for today with snow flurries and a FL hovering around 1100 meters as the day progresses. Another weak system will push through on Wednesday, followed by unsettled conditions for Thursday morning\afternoon.  A cold front in a Southwesterly flow is forecasted to reach our area by Thursday night into Friday. Strong winds and precipitation are in the cards for Friday. Saturday could see a stronger front with more snow by Sunday morning at higher elevations. A warm front is expected for Sunday with a sharp rise in the FL. More on that as we get closer. Looking way into the future we could be in a dry colder pattern with a NW flow for Xmas.   Guesstimates: 1-3 cm for today, 1-3 cm on Wednesday, 15-18 cm for Friday morning.

    Satelite image from yesterday afternoon.

    Clouds for today with isolated snow flurries.

    Looks like we will receive some light snow above 1000 meters on Wednesday.

    Low pressure will spin some moisture at us on Thursday. 

   Warm front for Sunday, Fl could go higher than the local peaks for a brief period of time.


ARTICLES:

Two Climbers killed in Italian Avalanche: South Central Italy

Avalanche Awareness instruction to be Offered: Durango Co.

Snow totals far below normal in Washington State: Associated Press

How to callout backcountry Idiots, without making then feel like Idiots: Biglines

Friends, Family mourn avalanche victim: Alaska Public Media

    Col between Decker and NE Ridge of Disease Ridge                                         Jamie May Image

                      Debris below Upper Disease Ridge.                                Jamie May Image

    Surface Hoar continues to grow in protected areas just below tree line.

    Debris flow from a slide in Lakeside from last Wednesday\Thursday.

    There were some great clouds around yesterday.

    The Alpine has been wind affected.

   By the middle of the afternoon it was definitely cloudy. December 15, 2014.