NOVEMBER 23, 2016

AVALANCHE ACTIVITY:

    Evidence of a sluff in Couloir Extreme on Blackcomb Monday.

Avalanche control on Whistler Mountain Tuesday produced one Sz 2 slab from a cornice drop, 100 cm crown running on 16-11-12 crust. Several other Xc with cornice debris.



                                              OPENING DAY 2016-2017 SEASON

    Whistler Mountain opens today--Bring on the POW!!!


WEATHER MONDAY AND TUESDAY:

    First turns of the year Monday November 21, 2016.

    Snow conditions at 1700 meters are excellent.

    A few breaks in the weather Monday.

    Image from Monday.

    Tuesday November 22, 2016--Snowed all day with 26 cm recorded at Pig Alley.

    Snow skiing well to 1500 meters.

    Tuesday morning image.

    Camp out in town centre Tuesday evening.


Weather Observations for November 23, 2016: taken at 07:00 Hours.

2180 meters   -6, Winds were 35-55 KPH S --Whistler Peak
1835 meters   -4, Winds were 10-35 KPH S --Roundhouse
1650 meters   -3, RH 95%  25 cm of new, 37 cm in 24 Hrs, Base 126 cm Base  --Pig Alley 

  660 meters    0, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +0.7, 15.1 mm of precip recorded yest

    As of 07:00 Hrs this am we have broken cloud with variable visibility.


FORECAST:

A frontal band went through the area early this morning with some light snow showers expected for most of today before the next vigorous frontal band brings moderate/heavy snowfall tonight into Thursday. We should see the winds ramp up this afternoon with a slow increase in precipitation as a deepening low off the coast sends a series of cool moist frontal bands our way into the weekend. The FL should hover in the 1000 m range, dropping to the valley by Friday. An upper trough will likely form for Saturday with some unsettled weather into Monday. In the meantime we can expect a further accumulation of 80-100 cm by Saturday morning. Thursday is looking like a storm day with high winds and heavy snowfall!!!

    Next frontal band in a Westerly flow arriving this evening. Strong winds and heavy snowfall.

    Deep low sending a cool moist front our way for Thursday.

    Sunday into Monday at this time could bring some sunny breaks.



SNOW OBSERVATIONS:

Dave Sarkany Nov 21, 2016

I went for a ski up Metal Dome today with Bridget Mc

Most vehicles made it up to the cabin near the end of the road at 1300m. We put our skis on 100m past the cabin. Later at the end of the day we managed to ski down to 1430m before the descending conditions became too boney.

The meadows are well covered but rocks and creeks are still prominent.

We dug a quick pit at around 1900m on an east aspect. Slightly cross loaded location.
We found an HS of125cm with 50cm HST above a solid crust at 70cm (above ground). Below 30cm( and to ground) most grains where still wet/moist
The recent (50cm) storm snow varied from 1F-4F density and presented easy to moderate sudden planar compression test results, but did not fail on the crust.

On our ski down we met two skiers who mentioned remotely triggering a Sz 1.5 slab near the summit.

Ski quality was best described as heavy! But it was the first ski trip of the year for me and the sun did shine for about 2 minutes :)

    Metal Dome                                                                                                    Dave Sarkany Image


ARTICLES:

Avalanche Danger closes North Cascades Hwy for the winter: Bellingham Herald

Cold Sweat--Behind the scenes with a Snowmaker: Mountain Life

    Monday morning.

    Looking like winter has arrived.

    Buried winch cat Monday afternoon.

    Getting ready Tuesday afternoon.

    Snowing in the village Tuesday evening.

    Keen young locals first in line and staying dry!!