February 9, 2023

     AVALANCHE ACTIVITY:

    Sz 2 Snowmobile Remote-Powder Mtn. MIN Report below.                          Harley Beck Image

    Sled Triggered slab avalanche Chocolate Bowl 2023/02/08. MIN Report below. Marcus626 Pic.

    Glide Cracks showing up in the backcountry. Careful in flat light.                  Todd Kemp Image

    Avalanche mitigation on Blackcomb produced Sz 1 Xe, Xh. Some Sz 2's Blackcomb Glacier.

    Xh Sz 1 Rock Shot 1 

     Fracture Line-- Screaming Blue Messiah beside Ladies First.

    Debris below SBM on Blackcomb Glacier. Xh Sz 2.

    Avalanche mitigation on Whistler produced Sz 1-1.5 Xe, Xc, Xl, Sc, Xt. wind slabs/storm slabs. 

     Results in the Flute area! Sz 1-1.5 Xe.

    Xe Sz 1 by Harmony.

     WEATHER YESTERDAY:

    Sunrise Wednesday was at 07:35 Hrs. -10 Deg C with a 10-20 KPH ESE wind at 1860 m.

    10:00 Hrs. -12 Deg C with a 20-30 KPH South wind at 2280 m. Valley cloud lifting.

     Wednesday February 8, 2023. 12:00 Hrs. -7 Deg C with a 10-15 KPH SE wind at 1835 m.

    14:00 Hrs. -5 Deg C with a 10-15 KPH SSW wind at 1860 m.

     18:00 Hrs. -11 Deg C with a 30-40 KPH SE wind at 2280 m.

Weather Observations for February 9, 2023 taken at 06:00 Hours.

2280 meters     -5, Winds were 45-60 KPH SE--Horstman Hut

2180 meters     -6, Winds were 40-50 KPH SE--Whistler Peak

1860 meters     -5, Winds were 10-15 KPH SSW --Rendezvous  

1835 meters     -4, Winds were 15-30 KPH ESE--Round House

1650 meters     -5, 3 cm in 12 Hrs, 3 cm in 24 Hrs. Base 206 cm--Pig Alley

1570 meters     -5, 2 cm in 12 Hrs, 2 cm in 24 Hrs. Base 136 cm--Catskinner

  660 meters     -1, Valley Temp, Max temp Yesterday was +2.6, 0.4 mm of precip yesterday.

     As of 06:00 Hrs this am we have 3 cm 0f new snow. 1.6 mm in the precip gauge. Base 206 cm.

     As of 07:00 Hrs this am we have overcast skies, variable visibility and it is snowing.

FORECAST:

A weak warm frontal band this morning will push through quickly in a Northwesterly flow aloft. Periods of light precipitation early this am, dries out around noon. Another impulse this pm with light/moderate precipitation and strong winds in a Westerly flow aloft. The FL is just below surface and will likely rise to 1500 m today dropping back to the valley by tomorrow am. This cold frontal band dries out early Friday am with mostly overcast skies, sunny breaks and flurries. A quick impulse is likely around noon with power flurries in unsettled weather, dries out with overcast skies in the later pm. Looks dry and overcast for Saturday with a chance of some brief isolated flurries. Another active frontal band on Sunday with light/moderate precipitation and just above average temperatures. Snow to the valley with strong alpine winds. Front slowly dries out Sunday with periods of light precipitation, overcast skies. Weak impulse Monday with periods of snow to the valley, seasonable temperatures. Ridging for Tuesday with mostly sunny skies. Guesstimates:  15-20 cm by Friday am, 1-4 cm by Saturday am, 1-3 cm by Sunday am, 12-18 cm by Monday am, 1-4 cm by Tuesday am, 0 cm by Wednesday am.

     GOES IR  IMAGE from this am.

    WINDY IMAGE 2023/02/09. 05:00 Hrs.

        Upper trough and associated cold front for Thursday with precipitation. Colder temperatures.

     Periods of light precipitation Thursday am, dries out around noon, another frontal band later this pm.

    Northwesterly flow aloft, transitioning to Westerly this pm.

       Unsettled day Friday with periods of precipitation, sunny breaks but mostly overcast with flurries.

     Early morning precipitation Friday, periods of flurries in an unsettled pattern.

       High pushes low North, weak upper trough with the chance of some flurries Saturday.

     Dries out Saturday, some flurries possible.

            Strong frontal band for Sunday with above average temperatures.

      Light-Moderate precipitation on Sunday.

      Periods of light precipitation Monday.

     Ridging Tuesday with some sun.

     INFORMATION & OBSERVATIONS:

    Early Wednesday am.

    Nice powder on False face.

    Valley cloud moved up as the day progressed. Mount Cayley.

    Ziggy's Meadow.

     Awesome light in the AM.

     Pretty good for a guy with a broken wing.

    Signs are good to read!!!

    Valley cloud lifted before noon.

    Blue Line was popular.

     Sastrugi on the East Col Blackcomb Glacier.

    Looks like the front was pushing in at 16:15 Hrs.

FROM AVALANCHE CANADA:

Travel and Terrain Advice

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

Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.

Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

CONSIDERABLE--Sea to Sky Advisory available top right sidebar.

LOCAL MIN REPORTS:

Powder Mountain Avalanche: Feb 08, 2023

Chocolate Bowl Slide: Feb 8, 2023

Spearhead Glacier: Feb 08, 2023

Hanging Lake Test Pit: Feb 08, 2023

Crusty Hollyburn: Feb 08, 2023

SHORT CLIPS:

Avalanche Control--BC HWY 37A: Feb 7, 2023

Big Air: Sit Ski

Cool Perspective: Drone Footage

Dual Moguls: Exciting

ARTICLES:

Terrain Tips: Powder Cloud

 

How do Whistler's 2022-23 snowfall amounts compare to last years: Pique

Be aware of the risks before riding backcountry: Know the Snow

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