December 27, 2015

     Incredible survival story after 2 snowmobilers buried on Christmas Eve, story below.     Net Pic

    High thin overcast on the morning of December 26, 2015.

    Eventually the weak front moved in with very light snow by 12:00 Hours.

    Great snow quality with small crowds.

    Green lights on all lifts on Blackcomb.

    Skiing into the valley around 14:00 Hours. Awesome snow from top to bottom.

Weather Observations for December 27, 2015: taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters     -9, Winds were 35-55 KPH SSE        --Horstman Hut Station
2180 meters   -10, Winds were 25-35 KPH S             --Whistler Peak
1860 meters     -9, Winds were 10-20 KPH SE          --Rendevous
1835 meters     -7, Winds were 20-30 KPH ESE        --Roundhouse
1650 meters     -6, 8 cm of new, 9 cm in 24 hours 183 cm Base, Relative Humidity 88%  --Pig Alley
1550 meters     -8, 7 cm of new, 136 cm Base          --Catskinner 

  660 meters     -5, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was -4.2. 2.8 mm of precipitation recorded

   As of 07:00 Hours this am we have overcast skies, variable visibility and it is snowing lightly.


For the forecast, the weak slow front will continue to move through the area in a Southwesterly Flow Aloft. The flow is splitting so it is difficult to nail the precipitation amounts. We will see the freezing level rise to near 800 meters this afternoon, then it should drop back down to the valley by the evening as we get into a Northwesterly flow. A dirty upper level ridge will begin to have some influence by this evening with unsettled conditions in the early morning, improving as the day progresses, with mostly sunny skies for Monday. As of now another splitting front arrives for Tuesday but it looks dry with unsettled conditions. The strengthening ridge will push in for Wednesday with cold clear conditions into Thursday. I hate to say the words but a blocking pattern is likely for some time!!  Guesstimates: 8-10 cm by Monday morning.

   Weak front moving through today.

    Front should move through by this evening.

    Some cloud around early Monday morning.

    Clear by mid morning.

    High pressure strengthens Wednesday into Thursday.

   Kinda looks like an omega block!!


ARTICLES:

Buried for 3 hours and self rescue: Wyoming

Search for missing skier resumes: Snoqualmie Pass

Skier Triggered avalanche traps cars: UnofficalNetworks

Large Natural avalanche caught on camera: Cascade Peak, Utah

Avalanche Danger on the North Shore Mountains of Vancouver: Avalanche Canada

    So much snow on and in the trees!!!

    Snowmen hanging at the Shack Booter.

    These Grey Jays are looking very well fed!! Surprised they can still fly.

   Snowing lightly Saturday, 1 cm recorded at 1650 meters by 14:00 Hours Saturday.

    Snow in the valley is dry and cold as well.