December 15, 2022

      AVALANCHE ACTIVITY: 

     One of several avalanches with involvement in Colorado recently. Article below.     CAIC Pic

     Backcountry skier rescued after avalanche in Utah. 2022/12/13 Click> UAC Report  WBR Pic

     Snowmobile Remote 2022/12/13. PWL Utah. Click>UAC Report              David Bennett Pic

      No new avalanches observed on Whistler. Cornice work on Flute.

      Some cornice work on Whistler. Xc Flute Main. Sz 1.5 Wednesday. 

      Some loose wet on Whistler.

      Cornice control on Bushrat Wednesday am.

            Xc Sz 1.5 took out a small slab down to the rocks on Bushrat.

       Wet loose on Roadrunner Traverse.

      Old avalanche debris and snow balling Lakeside.

      Pretty thin snowpack in the alpine start zones.

      WEATHER YESTERDAY:

      Sunrise was at 08:04 Hrs Wednesday. -5 Deg C with a 35-45 KPH North wind at 2280m.

      Big picture Wednesday am. Substantial High!!

     Blue Bird. Wednesday 10:00 Hrs. -4 Deg C with a 5-15 KPH NE wind at 1835 m.

     Wednesday December 14, 2022. 12:00 Hrs. -2 Deg C with a 5-10 KPH North breeze at 1835 m.

      Sunset was at 16:10 Hrs. -5 Deg C with a 50-70 KPH NNE wind at 2280 m. Mix of sun & cloud.

Weather Observations for December 15, 2022 taken at 06:00 Hours.

2280 meters     -6, Winds were 40-60 KPH N--Horstman Hut

2180 meters     -5, Winds were 30-40 KPH N-Whistler Peak

1860 meters     -3, Winds were 25-40 KPH N-Rendezvous  

1835 meters     -4, Winds were   5-10 KPH W--Round House

1650 meters     -4, 0 cm in 12 Hrs, 0 cm in 24 Hrs.? Base 114 cm--Pig Alley

1570 meters     -1, 0 cm in 12 Hrs, 0 cm in 24 Hrs. ?Base   61 cm--Catskinner

  660 meters     -8, Valley Temp, Max temp Yesterday was -1, 0.0 mm of precip yesterday. 

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

FORECAST:

Ridge of high pressure dominant force with some cloud slipping in from the North in a Northerly flow aloft. Inverted temperatures again this am. Mix of sun and cloud for today. More cloud pushes in from the Arctic Low Friday morning, with sunshine forecasted for the pm. Arctic low pushes in Saturday am with overcast skies, colder temperatures and snow by the evening. Sunday will see periods of light snow with colder temperatures. Looking unsettled Monday and Tuesday before we get back into an active winter pattern with some much needed snow. Guesstimates: 0 cm until Saturday evening. 4-8 cm by Sunday am, 2-4 cm by Monday am, 0-trace by Tuesday am. Models are not in agreement, but we may see a storm on Thursday of next week.

      GOES IR Image from this am.

      GOES 17 ABI Image. 2022/12/15. 05:00 Hrs.

        High pressure dominant feature, some cloud will spill in from the North. Warmish.

      High pressure for Thursday with some cloud in the mix. Dry.

      Northerly flow aloft.

        High migrates West, Arctic low slides towards the coast. Clouds with sunny breaks in the pm.

      Still some cloud spilling in from the North, sunny breaks in the pm.

             Arctic front pushing into the South Coast. Cooler temperatures. 

      Overcast for Saturday with some snow arriving in the evening.

        Arctic Low and offshore flow will; bring periods of light snow for Sunday. Colder.

      Low will bring periods of light snow for Sunday.

      Will be interesting to see how the Arctic air and Pacific onshore flow mix early next week.

      Very cold air next week, time will tell!!

      Models are not in agreement for next week, will be interesting as we get closer. May line up??!!

      INFORMATION & OBSERVATIONS:

      Valley cloud Wednesday am. 

     More terrain in the alpine is opening.

      Tracks in the foreground.

      Warm sun = wet loose in dry snow.

      Another awesome afternoon in December.

      Many different groups taking courses on Blackcomb.

      Signs, signs everywhere, there are signs, good idea to read them, they are there for a reason!!!

      No fun falling on this traverse!!

      Spindrift on the ridges Wednesday afternoon. 50-70 KKH mid afternoon.

      Old fracture line lower DOA. (ID High)

      Wet Loose West facing slopes.

       Surface hoar growing in sheltered areas.

      Still nice turns to be had!

FROM AVALANCHE CANADA: 

Travel and Terrain Advice

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

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

Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Updated Sea to Sky Advisory on side bar!

LOCAL MIN REPORTS:

Whirlwind / Fissile South: Dec 14, 2022

Joffre Shoulder--Tree line: Dec 14, 2022

Gin Peak Hanging Lake: Dec 13, 2022

SHORT CLIPS:

Sled Air: Slow Motion

Strong Wind: Heavenly CA

Big Air: Snow Biking

ARTICLES:

Man skiing alone in Neffs Canyon injured, partially buried in avalanche: Utah

Avalanches are happening even in lower elevations: Utah

Series of large avalanches in Banff area a growing concern for Parks Canada: Global News

Two people caught and carried in separate avalanches 2022/12/10: Colorado

Three avalanches fall on Mount Shasta, more snow on the way: California

Avalanches wreak havoc in valley: Idaho

British Columbia closes large Backcountry Skiing Area due to uncompliant skiers: Glacier National Park

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