March 21, 2023

      AVALANCHE ACTIVITY:

      Cloudburst, North Aspect Sz 2.5 2023/03/18.                                                              Rob Stokes Pic

      Na Sz 1-1.5 1800 M up Cayoosh. 48-72 hrs old. 2023/03/20.                          Brent Philips Pic

      No new avalanches observed on Whistler.

      No new avalanches observed on Blackcomb.

      Wet loose activity well below tree line. Obscured in the alpine.

     WEATHER YESTERDAY:

      Sunrise Monday was at 07:15 Hrs. -5 deg C with a 20-30 KPH SE wind.

     08:00 Hrs. -2 deg C with a 0-5 KPH ENE wind at 1860 m.

     10:00 Hrs. +2 Deg C with a 0-5 KPH West Wind at 1860 m. S-1

      Monday March 20, 2023. 12:00 Hrs. 0 Deg C with a 5-10 KPH NNE breeze at 1835 m.

      14:00 Hrs. 0 Deg C with a 0-5 KPH NNE breeze at 1860 m. S-1

      16:00 Hrs. -1 Deg C with a 5-10 KPH NNW breeze at 1860 m. S-1

Weather Observations for March 21, 2023 taken at 06:00 Hours.

2280 meters     -5, Winds were 15-20 KPH SE--Horstman Hut

2180 meters     -4, Winds were 15-20 KPH ESE--Whistler Peak

1860 meters     -4, Winds were     0-5 KPH NNE --Rendezvous  

1835 meters     -3, Winds were     0-5 KPH NNE--Round House

1650 meters     -2, trace in 12 Hrs, trace in 24 Hrs. Base 228 cm--Pig Alley

1570 meters     -1, trace in 12 Hrs, trace in 24 Hrs. Base 152 cm--Catskinner

  660 meters    +2, Valley Temp, Max temp Yesterday was +9.3, 0.0 mm of precip yesterday.

      As of 06:00 Hrs this am we have a trace of new snow, 0.2 mm in. precip gauge. Base 228 cm.

     As of 07:00 Hrs we have clear skies and unlimited visibility above 1800 m. Clouds rising.

      Obscured skies at 2180 m as of 07:00 Hrs.

FORECAST:

Weak dry low exiting to the South with ridging bringing sunny skies early this am in a Southerly flow aloft. Mid mountain cloud will likely lift and eventually dissipate. Some models have a quick impulse of moisture around noon with a mix of sun and cloud. Very thin band so will be interesting how fast it pushes through with sunny skies in its wake. It is to the East so time will tell. The FL is around 1000 m and will rise to 1700+ meters with daytime heating, dropping to around 1000 m tonight. Ridge strengthens for Wednesday with sunny skies. Weak frontal band on Thursday am with periods of light precipitation, dries out briefly in the pm, another frontal band on Thursday evening. Overcast with lingering showers on Friday. Ridging again on Saturday around noon, with sunny skies for the pm. Clouds and showers are likely on Sunday. Guesstimates: 0-1 cm by Wednesday am, 0 cm by Thursday am, 2-7 cm by Friday am, trace-1 cm by Saturday am, 0-trace by Sunday am.

      GOES IR IMAGE from this am.

      WINDY IMAGE 2023/03/21. 05:00 Hrs.

       Low well to the South, high pressure builds in this Tuesday pm. Warm in the pm.

      Relatively dry day with a weak impulse of moisture around noon this Tuesday.

      Weak Southerly flow loft.

       High pressure strengthens Wednesday with sunny skies and warm temperatures.

      High pressure brings a sunny day Wednesday.

      Low from the North brings frontal bands for Thursday am and pm. Seasonable temperatures.

      Periods of light precipitation Thursday.

       Weak upper low will bring mostly overcast skies on Friday. Cooler temperatures.

     Low off the coast with mostly overcast conditions Friday. 

      Dirty ridging Saturday with a mix of sun and cloud. Sunny mid day.

      Low moves down the coast Sunday. Periods of light precipitation. Cooler, below average temps.

      INFORMATION & OBSERVATIONS:

      Overcast below 1800 m in the am, obscured above 1800 m.

      Bottom of stratus layer around 1800 m.

      Spring skiing conditions on the lower mountain.

      Warm temperatures released some roof avalanches.

     Stratus cloud layer obscured the local peaks. Front dried out with very little precipitation recorded.

FROM AVALANCHE CANADA:

Travel and Terrain Advice

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

Remember that in the spring strong solar radiation and warm temperatures can weaken the snow in a matter of minutes.

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

LOW--SEA TO SKY ADVISORY available top right sidebar!

LOCAL MIN REPORTS:

Cloudburst: March 19, 2023

Oboe: March 19, 2023

Wendy T, Marriott Basin: March 19, 2023

SHORT CLIPS:

Nendaz Avalanche Control: Switzerland

No Helicopter Rescue=: Hard Work

Reactive wind slabs: Oregon

How are you going to get 8 bikes on: 8 pack

ARTICLES:

Avalanches in the Alps: PlanetSki

Colorado avalanche deaths rise to 9 after weekend in the high backcountry: 2022/2023 Season

Maroon Bowl skiers studied snowpack and forecast before avalanche caught 3, killed one: Colorado

Snow at Tahoe is so deep that chair lifts have to be dug out: California

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