February 19, 2016

    Thursday February 18, 2016--10 cm day and there are some keener's. 07:30 Hours.

    Snow line just below 1000 meters.

    At 1860 meters the snow was dry.

    Avalanche control yesterday produced numerous Sz 1-1.5 Xe Xc Xl, Sc and some isol Sz 2 slabs.

    Cornices are getting large and fragile.

    Below 1700 meters the snow was dense.

    Power flurry yesterday morning at 09:30 Hours, 2 cm recorded at 1550 m by 14:00 hrs.

    Visibility in the alpine was challenging for most of the day.

    Some breaks by the end of the day.


Weather Observations for February 19, 2016: taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters     -7, Winds were 30-55 KPH SSE   --Horstman Hut Station
2180 meters     -7, Winds were 25-35 KPH SE     --Whistler Peak
1860 meters     -6, Winds were 15-25 KPH E        --Rendevous
1835 meters     -4, Winds were 15-30 KPH ESE   --Roundhouse 
1650 meters     -3, 1 cm of new snow, 5 cm in 24 hrs, 263 cm Base, RH 92%    --Pig Alley
1550 meters     -3, 1 cm of new snow, 3 cm in 24 hrs, 204 cm Base, RH 92%    --Catskinner

  660 meters    +2, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +4.7. 9.8 mm of Precip recorded

    As of 07:00 Hrs this am we have broken cloud, unlimited visibility with some snow flurries.


For the forecast, a vigorous frontal wave will be upon us later this morning into this afternoon with moderate precip and strong winds in a Southerly flow.  The FL will hover around 1200 meters for most of the day dropping to just above surface by this evening.  The low off the coast is not very organised so there looks to be a chance of some unsettled conditions for Saturday. I am thinking more cloudy with some isolated flurries, and some sunny breaks. Yet another front for Sunday afternoon with light precip and cooler temperatures. A warm ridge builds for Monday and may dominate the weather pattern for most of the week with some clouds in the mix. Guesstimates: 10-15 cm by Saturday morning, 0-1 cm by Sunday morning, 6-8 cm by Monday morning.

    Vigorous front should arrive around 12:00 Hours this afternoon.

    Should get 12-16 cm by Saturday morning.

    Saturday is looking unsettled with more cloud than sunny breaks with cooler temperatures.

    Unsettled Sunday morning with another cold front arriving later in the morning.

    Cold Front.

     Looks like a warm high pressure for most of next week.

VIDEO FRIDAYS:

Footage of a large avalanche Jan 16, 2016: Randa, Switzerland

How to recognize avalanche terrain: AmericanAvalancheInstitute

Raising Avalanche Awareness: Switzerland

Yosemite Sam rescued by St Bernard: YouTube



ARTICLES:

Two men die in an avalanche in Tral area in Northern India: Kashmir

An avalanche traps drivers on the Alpine Meadow Resort road: California

Are your workers prepared for Avalanches: WorkSafeBC

Backcountry Basics: PowderMagazine

At least 1 killed as Avalanche swallows houses in Russian Arctic Town: Kirovsk

    Satellite image from Thursday morning. Weakening low with little energy.

    Big picture yesterday around 14:30 hours. Low is not very organised.

    Really big picture, low is not drawing moisture too far South.

    A grouse hanging at the top of Excelerator Chair.

    Good visibility for most of the day around treeline and just below.

    In the alpine there were areas of 20 cm of new snow.

    Rendevous Deck.

    Fresh cord with a bit of sunlight late yesterday afternoon.

    Moon will be full on February 22, 2016. Traditionally referred to as the Snow Moon.