December 9, 2014

    Rainbow Mountains in Alaska, Recent avalanche fatality, article below!                  Internet Photo

    Still relatively dark at 07:30 Hours yesterday morning, December 8, 2014. Trail lights were on.

    Snowing at 1860 meters yesterday morning.

    Winds were gusting to 70 KPH at the Rendezvous yesterday at 16:00 Hours. It was -1, S1.

   Very wet in the valley on December 8, 2014. +2 at 16:40 Hours.



Weather observations for December 9, 2014, taken at 06:00 Hours this am.

2240 meters      -0.6, Winds were 100-150 KPH from the SSE
2180 meters          0, Winds were 50-100 KPH from the WSW
1860 meters        +1, Winds were 45-85 KPH from the ESE
1835 meters        +2, Winds were 40-70 KPH from the ESE
1650 meters        +2, 9 cm of new snow,  Base 64 cm
1550 meters        +3, 4 cm at 07:00 hours Relative Humidity 100% Base 38 cm

  660 meters        +2, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yest +3.9, 9.1mm of Precip recorded before midnight

Early this am we have had winds of 80-100 KPH at 2240 meters with maximum gusts up to 150 KPH. At 1860 meters the winds have been 30-60 KPH with maximum gusts up to 85 KPH. 

   As of 06:30 Hours we have wet snow, limited visibility and obscured skies.

For the forecast, the first of two vigorous fronts is passing through our zone this morning in a SW Flow aloft. The freezing level has hovered around 2000 meters and should slowly decrease to 1700 meters later today as the air mass dries out. A second warm front will pass through this evening into Wednesday.  Freezing levels will continue to drop and hover around 1500 meters for Wednesday. Models are now suggesting a cooler frontal band for Thursday afternoon as well. Unsettled conditions should prevail for Friday into Saturday with freezing levels dropping to 800-1000 meters. Not making a guesstimate for today,  looks like we will receive between 20-40 mm of water. Snow, up to 15-20 cm above 1500 meters for later this afternoon into Wednesday morning.

   Satellite image from yesterday morning.

    California seems to be getting some moisture.

    We are certainly on the up hill side of the major precipitation heading South.

    Precipitation amounts for Today.

    Low continues down the coast for tomorrow. Continuous heavy precip.

    Low moves South on Thursday with less precipitation.

    Position of the low for Wednesday. Thinking 10-15 cm of snow above 1400 meters by Thursday.





ARTICLES:

Avalanche Fatality-Rainbow Mountains Alaska: Alaska Dispatch News

Looking at El Nino's past to predict the future: Science Daily

Avalanche School: Alaska

Ski Touring in Rogers Pass: You need permits

Avalanche Center's director offers cautionary advice: Wallowa Avalanche Center, Oregon

The Mountain Information Network and You: Avalanche Canada Blog

    Caked snowmobiles yesterday afternoon.

     Picture from last year Dec 9, 2013, -7 in the valley. Alta lake had frozen over night.