November 11, 2015

    Avalanche on Mount Stanley, Kootney National Park last weekend, story below.       Parks Image

    Weather machine in action early Monday morning, November 9, 2015. 1835 meters Whistler Mtn.

    Snow makers taking advantage of cool temperatures, Whistler Mountain..

    Mid day looking at Blackcomb-- Monday.

    Big Picture Monday afternoon, moisture on the way for Tuesday evening.

    Alpin Glow Monday.

    08:30 Hours Tuesday morning -4 at 1835 meters.

    High cirrus cloud Tuesday, November 10, 2015.

    Snow makers are working hard! Tuesday at Noon.

    Image from Tuesday.

    Big picture, looks like some favourable moisture.

    Even the biggest image is showing moisture out in the Bering Sea.

    By 16:00 Hours Tuesday the front was quickly moving in.




Weather Observations for November 11, 2015: taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters      -8, Winds were 25-35 KPH SSW--Horstman Hut Station
1835 meters      -6, Winds were 25-40 KPH from the SSW--Roundhouse
1650 meters      -5, Relative Humidity 100%

  660 meters     +2, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +3.7. 1.2 mm recorded before midnight.

Maximum gust at 2240 meters last night was 130 KPH, at 1835 meters it was 82 KPH.

    As of 07:00 Hours this am we have mostly cloudy skies and  unlimited visibility.

For the forecast, the strong cold front has moved through early this morning in a Westerly flow becoming  Northwesterly this morning. A cool weak upper level trough will bring unsettled weather for the area today. A strong frontal band in a Westerly flow will be on us for Thursday with a significant band of moisture. Still the brunt of the moisture might go South but looks like we will see our fair share of the white stuff at the upper elevations. Freezing level predictions are now trending to a more favourable solution for this system which will likely last into early Saturday. A weak upper level trough rebuilds for Saturday into Sunday. Models are in a bit of a disagreement but the freezing level should fluctuate between the valley later today to a max of 1800 meters on Friday morning dropping back to the valley by Saturday evening. Sunday is looking cold and unsettled at this time. Will be posting again on Friday with the latest model runs. Back to guesstimating: 30-50 cm by Friday morning at 2000 meters, 10-20 cm by Saturday morning at 2000 meters. (conservative guesstimates) Similar amounts at 1500 meters. Fairly strong winds on Thursday afternoon/evening. Winter is here!!!

    Unsettled for today as a weak upper level trough pushes through.

    Looks like a strong Westerly flow for Thursday.

    Moisture plume is approaching from the Northwest. Arrives Thursday.

    Temperatures are looking decent, still only moderate confidence in the forecast models.

    West to Southwest flow for Friday with some good precip amounts. FL > to 1800 meters.

    Looks dry on Saturday with unsettled conditions. Brunt of precipitation  heading South. FL< 500M

    Clearing trend Sunday. Cold temperatures to the valley. Snow again for Sunday night.




Articles:

Winter is coming--(its here!!): Avalanche Canada

More information on the avalanche in Roger Pass on Sunday: Calgary Hearld

5 Climbers went for a ride last Saturday while mountaineering: Mt Stanley, Kootney National Park

A recent photo of Spearhead Glacier: Garibaldi Skimo Club

North Shore Rescue gearing up for winter: North Vancouver

Snowbird debuts high tech alternative to artillery for avalanche control: Utah

Emergency phone installed at sight of fatal avalanche: Utah

Ski Doo offering avalanche awareness talk in Whistler: November 12, 2015

Whistler Blackcomb explains the perils of accessing the backcountry: Pique
Latest information on the streets is that the mountain will open next week.

    Thanks to Simon Thomson for submitting this Na on the NW face of Matier from last storm.

    Thanks to Don Saugstad for submitting this picture showing snow line on Joffre-Matier.

    Spectacular day Monday November 9, 2015.

    Monday was a frosty morning, -1 at 660 meters.

   That is one long consistent pitch, Wedge Monday morning.

    Blue bird over Weart Mountain Monday, we do live in a beautiful place.

    Another frost Tuesday morning, two in a row, showing a positive trend.  -4 at 660 meters.

   Crunchy grass at Rainbow Park.