March 16, 2023

     AVALANCHE ACTIVITY:

      An avalanche on Paulina Peak, Oregon has killed a snowboarder. Article below.           Net Pic

      Considerable avalanche danger in the Southern Interior <click.                                Glen Peck Image

      Large roof avalanche in Ketchum, Idaho. High avalanche warnings in parts of Idaho.

      Work in progress clearing Hwy on Mono Lake, California.                                Caltrans Pic

       An avalanche in the French Resort Tignes. Video in the clip section below.    Andri Ragettli Pic

      Minimal avalanche control on Blackcomb. Xe testing in PCT. 

      Sz 1 Xe Boxing Day. 5-10 cm 4F wind slab on top of F.

      Avalanche mitigation on Whistler produced some Sz 1-1.5 Cornice and windslab results. 

      Xe, Xc, Sc produced above results. 1 Cornice blast produced Sz 2.5 cornice debris.

      WEATHER YESTERDAY:

     Sunrise Wednesday was at 07:26 Hrs. -9 Deg C with a 5-10 KPH SSW breeze at 1860 m.

 

      08:00 Hrs. -9 Deg C with a 15-25 KPH SSW wind at 1835 m.

     10:00 Hrs. -10 Deg C with a 10-20 KPK SSW wind at 2280 m.

      Wednesday March 15, 2023. 12:00 Hrs. -6 Deg C with a 10-20 SW wind at 1835 m.

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

     16:00 Hrs. 

      Overcast at 19:30 Hrs. -1 Deg C in the valley.

Weather Observations for March 16, 2023 taken at 06:00 Hours.

2280 meters     -11, Winds were 15-20 KPH ESE--Horstman Hut

2180 meters       -9, Winds were 15-25 KPH ESE--Whistler Peak

1860 meters       -9, Winds were     0-5 KPH E--Rendezvous  

1835 meters     -10, Winds were   5-10 KPH N--Round House

1650 meters     -10, 0 cm in 12 Hrs, 0 cm in 24 Hrs. Base 243 cm--Pig Alley

1570 meters       -9, 0 cm in 12 Hrs, 0 cm in 24 Hrs. Base 165 cm--Catskinner

  660 meters       -6, Valley Temp, Max temp Yesterday was +5.6, 0.6 mm of precip yesterday.

      As of 06:00 Hrs this am we have 0 cm of new snow. Base 243 cm.

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

FORECAST:

A broad upper ridge will bring mostly sunny skies and some high cloud in a Westerly flow aloft. Cool nights and warm mid day temperatures. The FL is below surface this am, spiking to 1500 m with day time heating dropping back to below surface tonight. Mostly sunny on Friday as the ridge strengthens. Still some cloud in the mix. Saturday will be mostly cloudy with sunny breaks with warm temperatures. Overcast for Sunday as a front slowly moves down the coast. Flurries possible in the pm with the brunt of the frontal band arriving Sunday night. The front intensifies Monday with light/moderate precipitation and moderate winds. Unfortunately it looks warm. Guesstimates: 0 cm by Friday am, 0 cm by Saturday am, 0-trace by Sunday am, 2-5 mm by Monday am, 8-12 mm by Tuesday am.

      GOES IR IMAGE from this am.

      WINDY IMAGE 2023/03/16. 05:00 Hrs.

       Dirty ridging with mostly cloudy skies. Warm.

      A dry Thursday.

      Westerly flow aloft.

       Ridge strengthens Friday with warm temps.

      Dry and sunny Friday.

        Ridge flattens Saturday with warm temps. Mix of sun and cloud.

      Dry Saturday with cloud spilling into the area.

        Frontal band arrives Sunday with light precipitation and warm temps.

      Overcast with some flurries during the day Sunday, light precip Sunday night.

      Active frontal band for Monday with light/moderate precipitation. Above average temps.

     INFORMATION & OBSERVATIONS:

      Mostly blue early am.

      It is only 09:30 Hrs.

      Awesome light early am.

       Early skier gets the pow. Fallers Pillow.

      Two snowboarders hiking up Poop Chutes around noon Wednesday. Look up!!!!                         MC PIC

       Lingering and building cloud in the am.

      Some great conditions on Franz's Meadow.

      High quality snow conditions.

      Brief flurries at 13:45 Hrs. 1860 m.

      Mix of sun and cloud in the pm.

     Became overcast by 16:45 Hrs.

FROM AVALANCHE CANADA:

Travel and Terrain Advice

Don't be too cavalier with decision making, storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.

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

Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet

Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

CONSIDERABLE--SEA TO SKYN ADVISORY available top right sidebar.

LOCAL MIN REPORTS:

Seymour: March 15, 2023

SHORT CLIPS:

Nice flip: Great Snow Conditions

Seems like the thing to do: Mountain Art

Snowboarding: Tahoe

Just ski faster than the: Avalanche

Recent avalanche in Ski Area: Tignes

ARTICLES:

A snowboarder has died in an avalanche on Paulina Peak: Oregon

Man survives avalanche near Cooke City, catches it all on camera: Montana

Caltrans update on Mono Lake Road avalanches: California 

Avalanche danger for most of Montana: High

Avalanches, hazardous conditions close multiple canyons: Utah 

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