January 22, 2017

    AVALANCHE ACTIVITY:

    An avalanche near Nelson B.C. has killed a female ski tourer, story in article section. Net Pic

    Update on avalanche that killed a skier near Solden, Austria. Story in article section.  Net Pic

    Locally nothing to report, 1 large natural cornice drop on Phalanx Glacier.

Hi Wayne,

Here are a few photos from Heli-control up at the ULHP.  Crown was 620m wide by 150cm deep and ran from 2120-320m. 300m of road covered by 20-40m of debris. Sz 3.5-4.

Cheers Lorne

   Avalanche control on the Upper Lillooet, Sz 3.5-4                                              Lorne Graham Pic

                      Through the goal posts.                                                 Lorne Graham Pic

    That's a big nasty avalanche.                                                                                  Lorne Graham Pic



    YESTERDAY:

    Thin layer of cloud at 1800 meters Saturday morning January 21, 2017.

    Just above the layer, no wind.

    Flat light in the morning.

    Avalanche Awareness Days Saturday and Sunday top of Solar Coaster.

    Come try your luck at beacon searching!!

    Guest Services top of Solar Coaster.

    Saturday mornings image.

    Squamish Valley Saturday afternoon.

    Nice light in Howe Sound.


Weather Observations for January 22, 2017: taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters   -8, Winds were 20-40 KPH ESE--Horstman Hut 
2180 meters   -7, Winds were 20-35 KPH SE  --Whistler Peak
1860 meters   -5, Winds were 10-25 KPH ESE--Rendevous
1835 meters   -5, Winds were 10-20 KPH SE  --Roundhouse
1650 meters   -4, 4 cm of new snow, 5 cm in 24 hrs, 231 cm Base, RH 95%  --Pig Alley
1550 meters   -4, 4 cm of new snow, 5 cm in 24 hrs, 158 cm Base, RH 97%  --Catskinner 

  660 meters    0, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +2.9, 0.2 mm of Precip recorded yest

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



FORECAST:

The weakening low off the coast will bring unsettled weather for today with some flurries and a FL hovering in the 1000 m range. By noon we should see more cloud cover with some flurries into this evening. Monday will be unsettled as a high pressure aloft moves in for the week with dry seasonable weather. There will be some cloud development during the week as the low will continue to spin off the California Coast. Guesstimates Trace-3 cm by Monday morning.

    Unsettled weather for today.

   An Occluded Front passes through Washington State later today. Likely flurries into this evening.

   Unsettled Monday as the low continues to spread cloud into the area.

    High pressure builds Tuesday into Wednesday.

    Low will coninue to send cloud to the area at times, cloudy on Thursday.


OBSERVATIONS:

                                                                                                                                    Felix Jauvin Image

Felix Jauvin January 21 at 10:01am

Saw a couple posts in here of people wondering what's been sliding in the Duffey.  Seems like most north faces slid after the last storm cycle. Wall to wall.  This is a few peaks West of the big size 3 that occurred on Blowdown Peak.  Also, for those curious, found that in the eastern end of the Duffey the rain crust disappeared around 1550m and turned blower from then on. Not sure how that compares to the western zones as well as Whistler

    There are still some tree bombs lurking in the trees.

    Come by Sunday for some demos and prises for Avalanche Awareness Days. Top of Solar Coaster.

    Adventure Smart will be there on Sunday as well.

    Flurries in the Whistler Valley Saturday afternoon.

    Busy day on the Spearhead.                                                                                  Paul Weitz Image


ARTICLES:

One person dead in an avalanche near Nelson: Qua Peak in Ymir, B.C.

Rescuers listen for signs of life in avalanche-struck hotel: Italy

Avalanches: A Kids Perspective

Caught off guard: Mountain Sledder

Sledding Report-January 18, 2017: Coast

Unstable snowpack has avalanche expert on edge, urging caution: Kananaskis Country