January 30, 2016

    An avalanche near Mount Renshaw has killed 5 snowmobilers, story in article section-Snowest Pic

    Natural Size 3.5 out of Robertson's on Whistler Mountain during storm cycle. More photos below.

  Almost snowing in the valley at 10:45, Friday-January 29, 2016.

    Visibility yesterday had its moments.

    Buried excavator, Horstman Hut.

    Best skiing was near the highest possible elevation, here not so much, crusty!!

    Large debris from avalanche cycle in the Teetering's, on Blackcomb.

    Snowing in the valley yesterday afternoon.

    After closing yesterday afternoon.


Weather Observations for January 30, 2016: taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters    -10, Winds were 25-40 KPH S          --Horstman Hut Station
2180 meters    -10, Winds were 30-40 KPH SSW    --Whistler Peak
1860 meters    -10, Winds were 20-30 KPH ESE      --Rendevous
1835 meters      -8, Winds were 20-35 KPH S           --Roundhouse
1650 meters      -7, 10 cm of new snow, 16 cm in 24 hrs, 206 cm Base, RH 80%  --Pig Alley
1550 meters      -6, 4 of new snow, 10 cm in 24 hrs, 166 cm Base        --Catskinner 

  660 meters       0, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +2. 3.1 mm of Precip recorded

    As of 07:00 Hrs this am we have broken skies, unlimited visibility and it is snowing lightly.

Avalanche control on WB yesterday produced size 1-2 slabs with explosives. Natural avalanches from the recent storm were observed, Sz 1-3.

For the forecast, low pressure will continue to bring cool unsettled weather to the area over the weekend in a Northesterly flow aloft. The airmass is moist and unstable so precipitation amounts are a challenge. Unsettled weather for Sunday and Monday with flurries expected both days with a freezing level at or just above surface.  A brief high pressure will build over the area for Tuesday with sunny skies. A very weak front is forecasted to reach the coast on Thursday in a warm Southerly flow. Guesstimates: 10-15 cm by Sunday morning, 2-4 cm by Monday morning, 0-2 cm by Tuesday morning.

    Upper level trough for the weekend.

    Flow into Monday.

   A bit more snow for today with cooler temperatures.

    Unsettled for Sunday with a mix of sun, cloud, and flurries.



ARTICLES:

Avalanche near McBride kills 5 snowboarders: CBC News

MIN report from the Duffy Area: Avalanche Canada

BC Ski Resort gets environmental and First Nations Support: Garibaldi Resorts

Avalanche Research in Rogers Pass: Mount Fidelity

Snowmobiler unintentionally triggered Fatal Avalanche: Montana

Some facts about Snowmobiles and Avalanches in BC in recent years: Canadian Press

Skiers barely escape avalanche at Red Mountain Pass, Expert explains snowpack : Colorado

    Snow yesterday afternoon.

    Hope the system brings us some more precipitation.

    Visibility yesterday was  challenging.

    Snowing at 1860 meters yesterday around noon.

    Some of the debris form Robertson's climax size 3.5 avalanche.

    A few trigger points in the fracture line.

    Debris below the road.

   A few large trees succumbed to the avalanche. Debris below Burnt Stew Traverse.