December 13, 2022

     AVALANCHE ACTIVITY: 

     An avalanche has killed a ski tourer in Valais, Switzerland. Article Below.             Kapo Wallis Pic

      Na SW ridge of Whirlwind. Likely during or after last storm.                    Jamie May Image

      Different perspective of above Na. 24-36 hours old?   Pic Taken 2022/12/12   Jamie May Image

       Two skiers engulfed by an avalanche at Vars Resort, FR. Video below.                         Net Pic

       Sz 2 Xh below Lady's First. 2022/12/11. MIN Report Below.                 Rasmus Bergstrom Pic

       Snowballing solar aspects Monday. Lakeside closed Monday afternoon.

      No new avalanches observed on Blackcomb. Old Fx lines from Sa DOA.

      Minimal avalanche mitigation on Whistler Monday. Some Sz 1 Xe.

     WEATHER YESTERDAY:

      Monday 07:45 Hrs. Awesome looking morning. -6 Deg C with a 10-15 KPH North wind.

      Same time frame as above image.

      Monday December 12, 2022. 12:00 Hrs. -4 Deg C with a 0-5 KPH SSW breeze.

     Scattered mid mountain cloud 14:00 Hrs. -3 Deg C with a 0-5 KPH North breeze.

       Sunset was at 16:10 Hrs.

Weather Observations for December 13, 2022 taken at 06:00 Hours.

2280 meters    -1, Winds were 10-20 KPH N--Horstman Hut

2180 meters     0, Winds were 15-25 KPH N-Whistler Peak

1860 meters     0, Winds were 0-5 KPH SW-Rendezvous  

1835 meters     0, Winds were 0-5 KPH SSW--Round House

1650 meters    -6, 0 cm in 12 Hrs, 0 cm in 24 Hrs. Base 121 cm--Pig Alley

1570 meters    -4, 0 cm in 12 Hrs, 0 cm in 24 Hrs. Base   67 cm--Catskinner

  660 meters    -7, Valley Temp, Max temp Yesterday was -0.3, 0.0 mm of precip yesterday. 

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

FORECAST:

Low off the coast will send some cloud into the upper ridge today in a Northerly flow aloft. Inverted temperatures. Ridge strengthens Wednesday with sunny skies and inverted temperatures. Mix of sun and cloud for Thursday, some models are calling for sunny skies. Mostly cloudy Friday with some sunny breaks. Weak front on Saturday with periods of light precipitation. Guesstimates: No snow until Saturday?

      GOES IR Image for this am.

      GOES 17 ABI Image. 2022/12/13. 05:00 Hrs.

         Low will send some cloud into the upper ridge. Inverted temps.

      Mix of sun and cloud Tuesday.

      Northerly flow aloft.

        Ridge strengthens Wednesday.Inverted temps.

      Sunny skies Wednesday.

       High dominant feature Thursday, but cloud will likely slip into the zone.

       Looks sunny Thursday, but thinking mostly cloudy. Time will tell.

      INFORMATION & OBSERVATIONS:

      Making snow in the park.

      High thin cloud off in the distance.

      Mount Fee with Mount Cayley in background.

      Some thin cloud pushed through after noon.

      You should have a transceiver, probe, shovel, partner if venturing into the backcountry.

     Tracks into Christmas. Permanent Closure. Pass revoked for violation.    Margy Krause Image

      Skinning to the Blow Hole.                                                                          Margy Krause Image

      Cornices have grown during the last storm.

      Wind affected snow in the alpine.

      Nice turns to be had, but getting there can be challenging.

       Last run at days end.

FROM AVALANCHE CANADA: 

Travel and Terrain Advice

Approach steep open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, buried surface hoar may exist.

Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.

Sea to Sky Avalanche Bulletin top Right Side Bar.

LOCAL MIN REPORTS:

Black Tusk Facets: Dec 12, 2022

Sproatt: Dec 12, 2022

Old avalanche Blackcomb Glacier: Dec 12, 2022

Travel and Terrain Advice

Approach steep open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, buried surface hoar may exist.

Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.

Sea to Sky Advisory available top of side bar.

SHORT CLIPS:

Avalanche engulfs 2 skiers: Vars, FR

Buried Surface Hoar: AvyBites

Shooting Cracks: Stiff Unsupported Windslab

Sledding out of a: Sluff

Close call Sz 2: Sledding

ARTICLES: 

"Very fortunate that everyone survived"-- Fernie SAR responds to three skiers involved in an avalanche: Dec 11, 2022

How Colorado Ski Patrollers are grinding to keep their slopes safe, and their Profession Viable: Denver,CO

Avalanche closes highway 75 near Ketchum: Idaho

Avalanche outside Mt Shasta Ski Park over the weekend; California    MSAC Report