December 24, 2014

    Avalanche in Val d'Isere has killed a 58 year old male, story in article section below.         Net Pic

    There was a few breaks in the light snowfall yesterday morning.

    Snowed 5 cm by 14:00 Hours December 23, 2014.

    All levels of skiers are trying the steep and deep.

    Late afternoon light on Tuesday.


Weather observations for December 24, 2014, taken at 06:00 Hours this Am.

2240 meters      -8, Winds were 15-25 KPH from the SSW
2180 meters      -6, Winds were 20-30 KPH from the SW
1860 meters      -7, Winds were 5-25 KPH from the SSE
1835 meters      -5, Winds were 20-30 KPH from the SW
1650 meters      -4, 4 cm of new snow, 7 cm in 24 hours, Base 133 cm
1550 meters      -3, 3 cm of new snow, 7 cm in 24 hours, Relative Humidity 98%, Base 96 cm

  660 meters     +1, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yest +2.2. 8.8 mm of precip recorded yesterday

   As of 06:30 hours we have overcast skies,unlimited visibility & flurries. Stratus layer mid mtn.



For the forecast, remnants of the cold front moved through early this morning with light snowfall to to 1000 meters.Overcast this morning, with unsettled conditions for later today as an upper level trough moves through the area prior to an offshore ridge building for the next few days. Some cloud will slide into the area from the low to the North of our zone. With the strong Northwest flow flurries will also be possible at times. The trend appears to be cooler air on the way for the weekend and into early next week, with predominately unsettled conditions. The weak Arctic outbreak seems to be receding, but temperatures will be more seasonable, with freezing levels to the valley. Sunday is looking like the coldest day.

    Great looking cells off the coast. Yesterday morning, 10:00 Hours.

    Looking unsettled for Today.

   Northwesterly Flow aloft & associated weak surface high will bring unsettled weather for X-Mas.

    Good looking flow but very little snow.


ARTICLES:

Avalanche fatality in Europe: Val d"Isere, France

10 Tragic Mountaineering Accidents :Listverse

What not to do in the BC backcountry: Canada.com

Whistler Snow Conditions in the backcountry: Backcountry Skiing Blog

Dramatic Rescue in Clemina Creek: Avalanche Canada

    20 cm 1F slab over some preserved stellars in Lee terrain in Spanky's yesterday afternoon.

    Mount Currie shrouded in cloud., December 23, 2014.

    Visibility in the alpine was fairly decent for most of the day. Stratus layer in the valley.