March 19, 2017

AVALANCHE ACTIVITY:

    Hungarian skier killed in an avalanche near Gudauri ski resort, Georgia-Story in article section.

    Skier killed in an avalanche on Todorka Peak, Bulgaria--Story below.                                 Net Pic

    Locally, AC produced Sz 1-2 ssl Xe Sc, a few Sa Sz 1 during the day. Some Na observed as well.


    YESTERDAY:

    Early Saturday morning, March 18, 2017. Overcast.

    16 cm of moist snow in the valley, 25 cm of dry snow at 1650 meters.

    Looking like winter again.

    Variable visibility at times.

     Saturday Morning.

    Whistler Bowl.

    A few breaks in the afternoon.

    Snow was awesome all day.

    Big picture Saturday afternoon.

    Squall at the end of the day.


Weather Observations for March 19, 2017: taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters      -12, Winds were 15-25 KPH S  --Horstman Hut 
2180 meters      -11, Winds were 20-30 KPH S     --Whistler Peak
1860 meters      -11, Winds were 10-20 KPH SE--Rendevous
1835 meters      -10, Winds were 10-20 KPH S     --Roundhouse
1650 meters      -8, 2 cm of new snow, 4 cm in 24 hrs, 316 cm Base, RH 82%  --Pig Alley
1550 meters      -8, 1 cm of new snow, 4 cm in 24 hrs, 238 cm Base, RH 88 %  --Catskinner 

  660 meters      -3, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +4.1, 19.0 mm of Precip recorded yest

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

FORECAST:

An upper level ridge is building with unsettled conditions this morning in a Westerly flow aloft.
The FL could reach 800 meters today with a Northerly offshore surface flow. Skies will likely become clearer as the day progresses. High will stick around for Monday morning before a frontal band from the Southwest arrives with dry overcast conditions. The FL on Monday is expected to rise to 1200 meters. By Tuesday the front will bring light snowfall to the area with a FL possibly spiking to 1800 meters. A cooler front arrives for Wednesday.
Guesstimates: 5-10 cm by Wednesday morning above 1600 meters, 10-15 cm by Thursday morning.

    GOES IR image this am.

    Unsettled this am improving in the afternoon.

    Nice Monday morning, clouding over in the afternoon.

    Low will affect our zone by Tuesday.



OBSERVATIONS & INFORMATION:

    Easily triggered new snow in the trees.

    Some strong winds in the morning.

    Skiing was fun especially when the vis was good.

    Riming on top of Whistler Mtn.

    Sun was strong at the end of the day.



ARTICLES:

Hungarian tourist killed in an avalanche near Gudauri: Georgia

Skier killed in an avalanche on Todorka Peak: Bulgaria

Keep an eye on conditions despite the warmer temperatures: Avalanche Canada

Bodies of two Boston snowshoers recovered from avalanche at Lake Louise: Alberta

Extreme Avalanche Risk in the Rockies: CBC News