March 3, 2015

    Searchers keep finding bodies from avalanches in Afghanistan. Update below. Shah Marail Pic

    10:30 Monday morning, March 2, 2015. Winds were gusting to 30 KPH from the SSE.

    Same time frame winds were 80KPH from the NNW, unable to open Peak Chair.

    Clouds dissipated quickly early Monday morning.

    No ice left on Alta Lake, strong outflow winds in the valley Monday.

    Making snow on Upper Olympic Run, Whistler Mountain. Monday morning.

    Still Ski in Ski out. Snow makers doing an excellent job maintaining the White Line.

    One Hour after sunset yesterday which was officially at 17:54. We had 11 hours of daylight yest.

Weather Observations for March 3, 2015; taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters     -12, Winds were 30-50 KPH from the WNW
2180 meters     -11, Winds were 35-60 KPH from the NNW
1860 meters     -11, Winds were 10-20 KPH from the WNW
1835 meters     -10, Winds were 5-20 KPH from the ESE
1650 meters     -10, no new snow, Base 146 cm
1550 meters       -9, no new snow, Base 110 cm,  Relative Humidity 53%.

  660 meters      -5, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +6.8.

    As of 07:00 Hours we have mostly clear skies and unlimited visibility.

For the forecast, high pressure will bring sunny skies for today with the possibility of a few clouds.
Northerly flow continues to bring cooler temperatures with the freezing level maxing out at 1200 meters. Wednesday will also be sunny and slightly warmer with the FL reaching 1500 meters in the afternoon. The upper ridge is still on track to move inland and flatten on Wednesday evening into Thursday. This will allow some cloud development in the area for that time frame. The ridge rebuilds for Friday into Saturday, there may be a shift here as the model runs are inconsistent for Thursday to Saturday. More on that later. 

    Upper level ridge and surface high will maintain dry weather into Wednesday.

    Weak upper level short wave trough will move down the coast. Some precip possible Thursday.

    Upper ridge for later on Friday into the weekend with mild temperatures and sunny skies.


ARTICLES:

Backcountry skiing fatality on Snow Crest Mountain: Kimberely, B.C.

Avalanches kills more than 300 in Afghanistan: The Telegraph

In Europe--The snow keeps falling, but the avalanche risk rises: The Independent

Avalanche victim recovered 40 years later: Tasman Glacier, New Zealand

Avalanche drama in the mountains: Norway

Land of Thundering Snow--Canada's first virtual Avalanche Museum: Revelstoke, B.C.

15 Structures damaged by avalanches: Northern Kashmir

    Arm Chair Glacier Monday-- March 2, 2015.

    Lost Lake is slowly coming unglued.

    Technically it did snow to the valley on March 1/2, 2015. Even if it was a dusting.

                 Wind deposited snow in the Crystal Zone on Monday morning. Steve Reid Photo

    Nice light near days end March 2, 2015. Some snow would make for good conditions in the alpine.

    Full Moon is on March 5 Th, micro-moon or mini-moon, smallest full moon of the year.