December 12, 2015

    Snow quality in the back country was excellent on Friday. South exposures did warm up!

    Unsettled weather Friday December  11, 2015.

    There were many people participating in avalanche skills training yesterday.

    Some people were not going to wait for 7 Th Heaven or GE to open.

    Others were into lining up for the big moment GE turned.

    Bottom of 7 Th Heaven , First day for the alpine on Blackcomb.

    There were times when the light was very cool.

    Mount Fee.

    It was an awesome day, many very happy souls.


Weather Observations for December 12, 2015: taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters       -7, Winds were 45-65 KPH SSE          --Horstman Hut Station
2180 meters       -7, Winds were 35-45 KPH SSE         --Whistler Peak
1860 meters       -6, Winds were No Data                      --Rendevous
1835 meters       -5, Winds were 20-35 KPH ESE         --Roundhouse
1650 meters       -4, 0 cm of new, 1 cm in 24 Hrs, 155 cm Base, Relative Humidity 90%  --Pig Alley
1550 meters       -4, 0 cm of new, 110 cm Base            --Catskinner 

  660 meters       -1, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +5.1. 1.0 mm of precip yesterday.

   As of 07:00 Hours we have overcast skies with unlimited visibility and it is snowing lightly.


For the forecast, a strong pacific front associated with a deepening low will bring strong winds and precipitation to the area today in a Westerly flow aloft. The brunt of the precipitation and winds will be Saturday afternoon into early Sunday morning. Freezing levels for this period will hover around 1000 meters, dropping to the valley by Monday.  The front exits Sunday with onshore flow and breezy conditions. We can expect light snowfall to the valley on Sunday, weak ridging will occur sometime Sunday evening. The ridge will strengthen for Monday with sunshine expected in a dry Northerly flow. Tuesday is also looking dry before the next series of Pacific fronts move on shore for Wednesday late afternoon. Guesstimates: 20-25 cm by Sunday morning, 8-12 cm by Monday morning.

Extensive avalanche control on WB yesterday produced some Sz 1-1.5 ssl Xe Sc.

    Deep low will bring snow to the area on Saturday.

    Low will move East on Sunday, should see unsettled conditions by Sunday evening.

    Ridging for Monday. Unsettled in to Tuesday.

    Next front expected from Wednesday afternoon into Thursday.


ARTICLES:

Buried Alive, Snowboarder used every third breath to scream for help: Kicking Horse Mtn.

Tree Well and Snow Immersion Suffocation: Hazards and Safety Information

Avalanche Canada warns backcountry explorers to be cautious: EnergeticCity

Jacket integrates Avalanche Airbag System: GearJunkie

Avoid terrain in certain parts of BC primed for avalanches: Avalanche Canada

    Image from Friday afternoon.

    Big picture has a decent amount of moisture coming at us.

    Did not take long for the area to get tracked up, Sun Bowl Friday morning.

    Level 2 participants enjoying the nice weather.

    First tracks down DOA.

    Best turns this year for some of us.

   Show Case T Bar has been moved.