Wayne Flann Avalanche Blog: April 5, 2015

German ski tourer killed in Italian Avalanche, story in article section below. Net Pic

08:00 Hours Saturday April 4, 2015.

Snowing lightly at 08:30 Hours Saturday.

Visibility from the valley was pretty much obscured at times Saturday morning.

Snow line came down to 750 meters yesterday morning.

15:30 Hours Saturday, snowing lightly.

Lots of people on the mountain Saturday. Sightseers and riders.

Snow showers at 1860 meters yesterday, 1 cm recorded at 1550 meters at 14:30 Hours.

A few breaks between showers yesterday afternoon.

Weather Observations for April 5, 2015; taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters -11, Winds were 10-30 KPH from the ESE
2180 meters - 9, Winds were 10-20 KPH from the SE
1860 meters -7, Winds were 5-10 KPH from the ENE
1835 meters -6, Winds were 5-10 KPH from the ESE
1650 meters -7, 1 cm of new snow, Base 187 cm
1550 meters -6, 1 cm of new snow, 2 cm in 24 Hours, Base 137 cm, Relative Humidity 93%.

660 meters -3, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +6, 0.4 mm recorded on Saturday.

As of 07:00 Hours this morning we have broken cloud and unlimited visibility.

Avalanche control yesterday produced size 1-2 slides with explosives and ski cutting. Some naturals were observed in the backcountry yesterday. Watch for solar warming today as well as cornices.

Full moon was last night, traditionally called the Egg Moon. Sunrise 06:41-Sunset 19:49. 13 + Hrs.

For the forecast, the upper level low is moving down the coast into Washington State. Today we will see mostly clear skies in a dry light Southerly Flow aloft. Freezing levels will rise from the surface this morning to 1600 meters by this afternoon. Expect some cloud development later this afternoon into this evening. Monday will be mostly cloudy with some breaks later in the day as the high pressure begins to build in from the West. There is a chance of some light isolated showers on Monday with a FL starting at around 1000 meters rising to 1700 meters by the afternoon. Tuesday through Thursday we will see mostly clear skies with some convective cloud development and the chance of some showers on Wednesday, warmer temperatures will prevail with the FL rising as high as 2200 meters and as low as 1500 meters. As of now there appears to be a weak frontal system moving onto the coast for Friday. More on that as the week progresses. Enjoy the spring weather and Happy Easter!!

A few clouds in the area this morning.

Low sending precipitation to our South as it moves down the Coast and Eastward.

High pushes in as the low moves Eastward.

Some cloud development later in the day.

Clouds on Monday will move East by the afternoon.

High pressure moves in for Tuesday.

ARTICLES:

Update on the avalanche that killed four soldiers in Leh, Ladakh Region: Northern India

German Ski Tourer swept away by an avalanche in Val Viola: Bormio, Italy

Update on teenager who fell off a cornice resulting in an avalanche: Sunshine Village, Alberta

97 % of Northern Birds & Mammals could experience habitat change: Warming Planet

Forecasters warn of dangerous avalanche conditions in Turnagain Backcountry: Alaska

Recent cornice drop on Decker-Trory Col. Bridget McClarty Photo

Bridget McClarty Photo

Hi Wango
Saw these today while touring.

The first two pics are of a slide on the col between Decker & Trorey. Looked like cornice drop caused it.
Recent - within 24 hrs.
Third photo is of a slide down north side of Decker. Size 2.5.
Photo taken around 1630 today (Sat).
Note that it crossed tracks from today. There was another, smaller but similarly aged slide to looker's right. Skiers in pic stopped between both slides.