December 29, 2014

    First light December 28, 2014. Clouds moved in as the day progressed.

    Some great light in the morning yesterday.

    Cloud became thicker later in the morning, kept the temperatures warmer!!

    Still great turns to be had yesterday, in the alpine.

    The very large rift in the  Upper Blackcomb Glacier, tourers in the background on Deans Adieu.

    Very lucky individual in the Park City, Utah area, details in article section.


Weather observations for December 29, 2014, taken at 06:00 Hours this Am.

2240 meters      -17, Winds were 20-50 KPH from the ESE
2180 meters      -18, Winds were 50-80 KPH from the W
1860 meters      -17, Winds were 20-30 KPH from the NNW
1835 meters      -15, Winds were 15-40 KPH from the E
1650 meters      -14, No new new snow, Base 120 cm
1550 meters      -13, No new new snow, Base 86 cm,  Relative Humidity 82%.

  660 meters        -6, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yest -1.

    As of 07:00 Hrs we have clear skies and unlimited visibility, Some could lingering to the East.


If you are venturing into the alpine today, dress warm, wind chill with -17 temperatures and wind speed of 40 KPH = -30.

For the forecast, a strong surface high will dominate the pattern into at least Friday, in a Northerly to Northeasterly flow.  Pacific frontal systems will likely return on the weekend as an offshore flow pushes the high out of the area. There are some inconsistencies in the models for that period so more on that as the week progresses. The clear cold conditions for today will moderate by Tuesday evening with inverted temperatures and by Wednesday we could see the freezing level reach 3000 meters in the evening. The FL will slowly descend to 800 meters by Friday.

    Clear in Georgia Strait yesterday, but cloudy most of the day over Whistler,  temps were warmer.

   Big picture from yesterday has a very strong high moving into the area. 

    High pressure will be prevalent today with clear skies and cold temperatures.



ARTICLES: 

4 Snowmobilers survive avalanche Northwest of Seeley Lake: Montana

Off Piste skier killed by an avalanche in Maritime Alps: Auron, France

Alps Chaos forces thousands to seek shelter: French Alps

We have an El Nino-But what exactly is it: AtmosNews

Winter prediction from November: Arcteryx Blog

Very thorough repot on an avalanche incident at Park City: Utah Avalanche Center

    Replaced the 10 Essentials Sign at the gate yesterday, it was stolen!! Beacon checker is ON.

    If you see the sign gone please let me know!!! Many people still with no gear.

    It was a rather busy day yesterday. Looked like the largest crowds of the season so far.

    The backcountry was very busy as well!!

    Some breaks by days end, December 28, 2014.