March 11, 2018

    AVALANCHE ACTIVITY:

    An avalanche in Alberta has injured an ice climber. Story in article section.                    Net Pic

    Recent Sz 2 Na (natural) avalanche.

    Sz 1 Sa (skier accidental).

    Recent Sz 1 wet loose avalanche.

    Numerous older avalanches observed yesterday in the Hurley Zone.

    Dry loose as well from last storm.

    In the corridor-Na Sz 1-2.5, Nc Up to Sz 2.5, Na Sz 1's wet & dry loose, Sa Sz 1-2.



    YESTERDAY:

    Blue Bird Saturday morning.

    A cat parade!!                                                                                                                       J.B. Pic

    Early Saturday morning.

    Mount Sampson. Click for info.

    Nice snow to be had yesterday.

    Blue Bird Day!!

    Wedge Mountain. Click for details.

    Different perspective of Wedge with Alpin glow.


Weather Observations for March 10, 2018  taken at 06:00 Hours.

2180 meters     -6, Winds were 10-15 KPH SE--Whistler Peak
1835 meters     -3, Winds were   5-10 KPH S   --Roundhouse
1660 meters     -6, 0 cm of new, 0 cm in 24 hrs  Base 300 cm --Pig Alley

  660 meters     -5, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +7.4, 0.0 mm of precip recorded yest

    As of 07:00 hrs this am we have clear skies and unlimited visibility.



FORECAST:

A strengthening ridge of high pressure will bring sunny skies and milder temperatures in a Southerly flow aloft today. We will likely see some cloud development in the afternoon. The freezing level may reach 1800 meters today. A mix of sun and cloud for Monday as some cloud spills into the ridge of high pressure from the approaching low. The FL on Monday will likely reach 2400 meters. The ridge will shift Tuesday giving way to a low pressure system with a weak trough bringing some light precipitation and cooler temperatures. The trough will linger Wednesday with some more light precipitation. The FL from Tuesday into Wednesday will gradually drop from a high of 1800 meters to around 1000 meters by Wednesday night. The ridge rebounds again for Thursday with unsettled weather. Guesstimates: 0 cm by Monday morning, 0 cm by Tuesday morning, 5-10 cm above 1650 meters by Wednesday morning, 4-8 cm by Thursday morning.

    GOES IR image from this am.

    High pressure with a warming trend.

    Ridge of high pressure.

    Ridge stengthens.

    Fronts along the coast.

    Some cloud will spill in from the low.



    INFORMATION & OBSERVATIONS:

    Hazard will increase over the next few days on solar aspects.

    Sled boarding in the Hurley area.

    Pinwheeling yesterday afternoon!

    Interesting wind affect.

    Seracs on Sampson Glacier.

    Serac collapse.

    Cornices will get fragile with the warm temps in the next couple of days.

    Be aware of moraines heating up as well.


Recent Avalanche Canada MIN Reports:

Matier-Vantage Ridge

Cayoosh Creek

Central Duffey

Vista Bowl


From South Coast Touring:

Greg West March 10 at 8:22pm

Triggered size 3 in the Joffre group on North facing, alpine, about 2000m. Several small size 1s in the area from Friday. I'll update this when I write up the MIN tonight, but wanted to get the message or that conditions are still very touchy.

ARTICLES:

1 person airlifted from Central Alberta after an avalanche involvement: Global News

Avalanche Canada warning that sunshine can wreak havoc on once dormant snow pack: First News

Six avalanche deaths in two week highlight need for safe backcountry travel: Washington State

Avalanche risk high in Western Canada: Gripped

British snowboarder dies after suffocating in deep snow: Austria