January 2, 2017

AVALANCHE ACTIVITY:

    An avalanche in Austria has claimed a Solo Ski Tourer, story in article section.               Net Pic

Locally, no one got into the alpine--limited observation opportunity's. Isolated slabs in reverse loaded terrain Sz1.


YESTERDAY:

    Some breaks to the Southwest yesterday morning, January 1, 2017.

    Top of the Solar Coaster, blowing snow with a nasty North wind.

    It was hard to see the mountains from all the spindrift in the air.

    There were pieces of vegetation all over the runs!!

    None of the upper chairlifts were open.

    T-Bars on Whistler were protected from the wind later in the afternoon.

    Blackcomb from the top of the T-Bar, East side of the valley was in cloud most of the day.

    Weird light with all the blowing snow.


WEATHER OBSERVATIONS:

Weather Observations for January 2, 2017: taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters   -21, Winds were 30-50 KPH NE --Horstman Hut 
2180 meters   -20, Winds were 30-50 KPH NE --Whistler Peak
1860 meters   -20, Winds were 30-40 KPH NE --Rendevous
1835 meters   -19, Winds were 20-40 KPH NE --Roundhouse
1650 meters   -18, 0 cm of new snow, 0 cm in 24 hrs, 199 cm Base, RH 85%  --Pig Alley
1550 meters   -17, 0 cm of new snow, 0 cm in 24 hrs, 121 cm Base, RH 68%  --Catskinner 

  660 meters   -11, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was -3.3, 0.6 mm of Precip recorded yest




FORECAST:

The upper level low just to our South will move South today.  The Arctic High will continue into Thursday with cold sunny conditions over the next few days. Outflow winds will continue to affect the temperatures with the wind chill factor. NO exposed skin should be the rule of thumb. Hopefully we should see some cloud development by Thursday with the temperatures moderating. Light snow should return by Friday.
Bundle up!!!!


As of 06:00 Hrs with a temperature of -21 and a 40 KPH wind the wind chill index is down to -35.

    Upper level low will continue to move South of our zone today.

    Some cloud around today but drying out and cold.

   High pressure will be here until at least Thursday.




ARTICLES:

Solo Ski Tourer perishes in an Austrian Avalanche: Krahbergzinken

Colorado Ski Resorts hosts guests to learn more about safety: National Safety Month

Article on Avalanche Safety: Reno Gazette



OBSERVATIONS:

    Winds were howling up slope and the lower mountain runs.

    At some elevations the tress were very rimed.

    Less cloud in the afternoon, still spindrift off the peaks.

    Peak to Peak did not run yesterday.

    Wind affect above and below treeline.