March 28, 2016

    An avalanche in Switzerland has claimed a backcountry skier, story below, Gabriele Putzu Image

    Snow line was below 1000 meters Sunday morning, March 27, 2016.

    Variable visibility at times in the morning.

    Snow flurries Sunday morning.

    Breaks early in the afternoon.

    Variable visibility with moments of great light in the afternoon.

    Snow was skiing well on Sunday.

    Easter bunnies were distributing some fine chocolate in the afternoon.


Weather Observations for March 28, 2016: taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters     -8, Winds were 25-65 KPH SE     --Horstman Hut Station
2180 meters     -8, Winds were 40-55 KPH NNW --Whistler Peak 
1860 meters     -5, Winds were 40-55 KPH NNE  --Rendevous
1835 meters     -6, Winds were   5-20 KPH SS     --Roundhouse 
1650 meters     -5, 3 cm of new snow, 3 cm in 24 hrs, 326 cm Base, RH 96%  --Pig Alley
1550 meters     -3, 2 cm of new snow, 2 cm in 24 hrs, 248 cm Base, RH 76%  --Catskinner

  660 meters      0, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +8.8. 5.3 mm of Precip recorded yest

    As of 07:00 Hours this am we have scattered cloud and unlimited visibility.


For the forecast, a dry North-Northeast flow aloft from the strong upper level ridge will bring a blocking pattern to the zone until the weekend.  Some lingering cloud this morning, should be sunny later in the morning. Warm temperatures will be the norm by mid week with the FL rising to 3000+ meters by Wednesday afternoon, peaking by Thursday afternoon to 3500 meters. Sunny skies will prevail. Get out your sun screen!!

     High pressure moves in for Monday.

    Flow becomes Northerly today.

     High strengthens Wednesday into Thursday.

     High pressure begins to slide South on Friday.

    Flow changes for Saturday,  as of today.



ARTICLES:

An avalanche has killed a backcountry skier in Bernese Overland: Switzerland

"Desert Dust" causing Colorado's snowpack to melt early: Bummer

Snowmobiling straining local rescue efforts: WSAR & PSAR

Whistler Blackcomb warns of hazards accessing ski area after operating hours: Pique

How to navigate when you can't see: Whiteout Navigation

    Mid day on Sunday, March 27, 2016.

    Big picture around noon on Sunday.

    Ridge establishing a presence in the Pacific.

    Gripped in the West Cirque.

    Nice surface on the West Cirque in the afternoon. Very little traffic.

    Exhilaration and Excitation.

    Skiing below Sneaky Pete's was awesome once the light got better.