March 20, 2016

    A snowmobiler has died after falling into a crevasse on the Appa Glacier.                             Net Pic

   An avalanche in the Kargil area of Northern India has killed a soldier, Story below.             Net Pic

    Mostly overcast Saturday morning, March 20, 2016.

    There were some moments of brighter light during the morning.

    Tantalus Range Saturday morning.

    Very much a grey day.

    Cornice blast on Regulator produced some large chunks at the bottom of Blackcomb Bowl.

    Cornice blasts on Whistler as well, be careful in the flat light or after we get some new snow.

    Fairly moist around noon. Temperature at 2240 meters rose to +1 at 15:00 Hours than descended.

    Dark clouds with moisture by 19:30 Hours.


Weather Observations for March 20, 2016: taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters     -1, Winds were 20-45 KPH S      --Horstman Hut Station
2180 meters     -1, Winds were 20-40 KPH S      --Whistler Peak 
1860 meters    +1, Winds were 15-25 KPH S      --Rendevous
1835 meters    +2, Winds were 15-20 KPH ESE --Roundhouse 
1650 meters    +2, 0 cm of new snow, 0 cm in 24 hrs, 335 cm Base, RH 94%    --Pig Alley
1550 meters    +1, 0 cm of new snow, 0 cm in 24 hrs, 258 cm Base, RH 96%    --Catskinner

  660 meters    +2, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +11.9. 0.0 mm of Precip recorded yest

   As of 07:00 Hrs this am we have broken cloud and unlimited visibility.


For the forecast, a weak front will bring overcast skies and light to moderate precipitation to the area today with the FL starting at around 2000 meters in a Southerly flow aloft. Expect up to 10+ mm of rain this morning/afternoon with moderate winds, the FL will slowly lower to about 1500 meters by the evening with some light snowfall above 1200 meters. An upper level low off the coast will influence our zone with unsettled weather (mostly cloudy) by Monday into Tuesday with cooler temperatures and snow showers above 1500 meters. The FL is expected to fluctuate between 1400-1600 meters Monday/Wednesday morning. A cold front is expected for Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning with light snow and a FL hovering in the 1000-1400 meter range. More on that as we get closer. Guesstimates: 8-12 cm by Monday morning, 2-6 cm by Tuesday morning.

    Precipitation is heading our way.

    Southerly flow for today with moderate precipitation this afternoon.

    Broad low pressure will bring unsettled weather for Monday into Tuesday.

   Mostly cloudy for Monday and Tuesday with the odd break.

    Cold front spinning off the low for Wednesday.

ARTICLES:

Why all the sledder fatalities: Avalanche Canada

One soldier missing after an avalanche in Northern India: Kargil

Molson Coors pulls ad after backlash from SAR Groups: CTV News

Our reliance on technology makes the backcountry more dangerous: OutsideMagazine

First day of Spring 2016: Spring has Sprung

    Early Saturday morning.

    Junior Freeride competition on Blackcomb Saturday.

    At the start line.

   Skiing in the alpine was quite nice until the afternoon when it warmed up.

   All the lakes are open, some ice still on Green Lake and Lost Lake.

    Some cool lenticular clouds in the morning.