September 11, 2023

     AVALANCHE ACTIVITY:

      Sz 2 Sr Persistent Slab 2023/09/09. Aoraki Region, NZ. Report below.               NZAA Pic

      Widespread Wet Loose, Wet Slab, Persistent Slab and Slab Avalanches in Aoraki Area, NZ.

      Widespread avalanche cycle 2023/09/07. Aoraki, NZ. Instagram Post below. NZAA Images.

      Na D2 Multiple Loose Wet. 2023/09/07. Craigieburn Range, NZ.      AKG ASC2 Image

      Skier accidental, Argentina. 2023/09/06. More information in the article below.

      Sz 2 Sr PWL 2023/08/28 Aoraki Region, NZ. Report below.                                NZAA Pic

      WEATHER PAST WEEK:

      Monday September 4, 2023. 12:00 Hrs. +7 Deg C with a 5-15 West wind at 1835 m.

     12:00 Hrs Monday. +17 Deg C.

      Tuesday September 5, 2023. +6 Deg C with a 15-20 KPH West wind at 1835 m.

      12:00 Hrs Tuesday. +16 Deg C.

      Wednesday September 6, 2023. +8 Deg C with a 10-20 KPH SW wind at 1835 m.

     12:00 Hrs Wednesday. +16 Deg C.

      Thursday September 7, 2023. 15:00 Hrs. +8 Deg C with a 5-15 KPH West wind at 1835 m.

     15:00 Hrs. Thursday. +20 Deg C at 660 m.

      Friday September 8, 2023. 12:00 Hrs.

      12:00 Hrs Friday. +22.2 Deg C.

      Saturday September 9, 2023. 12:00 Hrs. +15 Deg C with a 15-30 KPH ESE wind at 1835 m.

     12:00 Hrs. Saturday. +23 Deg C. AQHI 2!

      Sunday September 10, 2023. 12:00 Hrs. +15 Deg C with a 15-40 KPH ESE wind at 1835 m.

      12:00 Hrs Sunday. +24 Deg C. AQHI at 3!

Weather Observations for September 11, 2023, taken at 06:00 Hours.

2180 meters     +5, Winds were 40-50 KPH SE--Whistler Peak

1860 meters     +7, Winds were 15-25 KPH ESE--Rendezvous  

1650 meters     +8, 1.7 mm in 12 Hrs, 1.7 mm in 24 Hrs.--Pig Alley

1570 meters     +8, 0.7 mm in 12 Hrs, 0.7 mm in 24 Hrs.--Catskinner

  660 meters   +13, Valley Temp, Max temp Yesterday was +26.4, 0.0 mm of precip yesterday.

     

      As of 07:00 Hrs we have overcast skies and variable visibility.

FORECAST:

Weak frontal band will bring an unsettled weather day in a Southerly flow aloft. Mostly cloudy with some breaks this pm and showers this am in the mix. The FL is hovering around 3200 m. Another cool weak frontal band for Tuesday with cloudy skies and pm light rain. Any moisture is very welcome. Lingering cloud Wednesday am but the ridge begins to build.. Ridging Thursday with a mix of sun and cloud. Above average temperatures. Ridge strengthens Friday into the weekend. Some model discussion of rain by Sunday, but could be a mix of sun and cloud--time will tell! Guesstimates: 1-3 mm by Tuesday am, 1-4 mm by Wednesday am, 0 mm by Thursday am, 0 mm by Friday am, 0 mm by Saturday am, 0 mm by Sunday am.

      GOES IR/VIS IMAGE from this am.

      WINDY IMAGE 2023/09/11. 06:00 Hrs.

       Weak frontal band this Monday am, isolated showers. Seasonable temps. 

      Overcast skies Monday with isolated showers. May see some breaks this pm.

      Southerly flow aloft.

       Frontal band for Tuesday. Periods of light rain. Seasonable temps.

      Periods of light rain Tuesday.

       Dirty ridging Wednesday as the high pushes back in. Seasonable temps.

      Mix of sun and cloud Wednesday. Dry.

       High pressure strengthens Thursday. Above average temps.

      Dry Thursday with sunny skies and warm temps.

      Dry sunny day Friday.

      Low to the North will likely bring a mix of sun and cloud Saturday. Above average temps.

      Low may slip into the area by Sunday. Some models calling for rain. 

      INFORMATION AND OBSERVATIONS:

      03:00 Hrs Monday. Moon still very bright. Stratus Cloud layer in the valley. +6 Deg C at 2280 m.

      18:00 Hrs on Labour Day. 

      Tuesday 07:00 Hrs. +4 Deg C.

      Construction ongoing for the new Fitszimmons Chair.

     Light rain Wednesday afternoon. 2.7 mm recorded at 1650 m, 0.0 mm recorded at 660 m.

      Thursday 07:00 Hrs, very little snow left in Blackcomb Bowl.

      Berg Lake Thursday afternoon.

      Warren Glacier, has retreated significantly after reading < the article on its demise.

      Horstman Glacier Friday afternoon. High of +11 Deg C at 2280 m. 

      Saturday morning. 10:00 Hrs. Smoke to the North.

      Same time period Saturday. Upper level ridge.

      Windy image from same time frame. Front will weaken if the ridge holds. Cloud by Sunday am?

      Blackcomb Bowl--Sunday Sept 10, 2023.

      Sept 12, 2013! Taken from the archive section on the side bar.

      Whistler Bowl Sept 10, 2023.  Dust, rockfall and warm summers have contributed to the melt.

      Sept 14, 2012. Significant difference.

SHORT CLIPS:

September POW Turns: Chile

Storm Skiing end of August: Chile

Serious Melt: Subglacial Flow

Ski Touring: Summer Workout

INSTAGRAM POSTS from New Zealand and Chile:

Sz 2 Sr 2023/09/09: NZAA

Widespread Avalanche Cycle 2023/09/07: NZAA

Sz 2 Sr in Aorki Region, Sz 2 Wet Slab: NZAA

Avalanche Rescue Chile 2023/08/25, no casualties: Instagram

Different perspective of above rescue: Instagram

ARTICLES:

High Avalanche Danger in many parts of Southern New Zealand: NZAA

Large avalanche at Club Andino Canyon: Argentina

The Avalanche Triangle: Snow Science

California Avalanche Workshop: October 22, 2023

Guide shares near-miss experience in the Remarkables, NZ: Gavin Lang

AI in snow studies: Predicting Avalanches

Avalanche Alliance donates $45,000 to 7 US avalanche centers : Powersportsbusiness

Earth had hottest three-months on record: World Meteorological Organization

ENSO--Recent Evolution, Current Status and predictions, Sept 5, 2023: NOAA

Major El Nino Developing: Cliff Mass Weather Blog

Pictures of Horstman Glacier-July 2006 compared to August 2023: SnowBrains

Drought conditions in BC a 'sleeping giant of a natural disaster': Ongoing Drought