Wayne Flann Avalanche Blog: December 20, 2016

AVALANCHE ACTIVITY:

1 Kg explosive charge with sympathetic results near by.

Initial Propigation.

Some Sz 2 slabs with avalanche control Monday.

Fracture line under Horstman Peak.

Avalanche control on WB produced Xe, Sc, Xr, Sr, Xb-- Sz 1-2 ssls, some slabs released on
16-12-10 wndsslb.

YESTERDAY:

Reserved Parking!!

Awesome light Monday Dec 19, 2016.

Flood gates are opened.

Landing Gear Down!!

Image from Monday Morning.

Clouds moved in mid day.

Monday evening, traffic jam on Hwy.

WEATHER OBSERVATIONS:

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

2240 meters -6, Winds were 75-120 KPH S --Horstman Hut
2180 meters -6, Winds were 65-110 KPH SSW--Whistler Peak
1860 meters -4, Winds were 45-80 KPH S --Rendevous
1835 meters -4, Winds were 30-70 KPH SE --Roundhouse
1650 meters -2, 5 cm of new snow, 6 cm in 24 hrs, 177 cm Base, RH 95% --Pig Alley
1550 meters -2, 5 cm of new snow, 6 cm in 24 hrs, 122 cm Base, RH 95% --Catskinner

660 meters -2, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +0.4, 13.8 mm of Precip recorded yest

As of 07:00 Hrs this am we have overcast skies, limited visibility and it is snowing & blowing.

FORECAST:

Another frontal wave has brought strong winds and light snow fall into the area overnight and into this morning in a Westerly Flow Aloft. The FL is a bit of a concern but looks to stay below the 1000 meter mark (800m likely). Frontal band will ease off by this afternoon with light snow flurries and unsettled conditions into Wednesday. Another vigorous front will arrive Wednesday evening with moderate to heavy snowfall into Thursday morning. A weak ride will build for Friday strengthening for the Christmas weekend. As of now Christmas day is looking sunny. Yes, the perfect scenario for an awesome X-Mas Day. It will be cold!! Guesstimates: 8-12 cm by Wednesday morning, 8-12 cm by Thursday morning, 20-25 cm by Friday morning, as always subject to change!! Epic conditions so far this winter!!!

Most of the precipitation went South.

Unsettled after the cold front pushes through this am.

Unsettled Wednesday morning/afternoon.

Another front arrives Wednesday night.

ARTICLES:

New advances in Avalanche Safety for Wyoming Highways: Avalanche Droids

"Tiny Earthquakes" help scientists predict Mountain Rockfall: PhysOrg

French Alps left green & grassy as snow shies away: The Local

Tips for travelling in avalanche terrain: GrindTV

Son watched as Idaho Skier was killed in an avalanche: Montana

Helicopter crew rescues two skiers from Little Cottonwood Canyon: Utah

OBSERVATIONS:

Anders Ourom

December 19 at 2:49pm

I'd just like to report that the metallicus and vitreous layers are sliding badly on all aspects this afternoon in Vancouver. It appears that there is an aqueous layer lubricating the slides, which can be triggered by the thump of a shovel.