June 2, 2014

    6 people confirmed buried on Mount Rainer, story in articles below.                 Internet Photo

    June 1, 2014 at 07:30 Hrs.

    Partially cloudy but the start to an awesome day.

    Convective clouds grew as the day progressed.

    Looking up the Pemberton Meadows, early Sunday morning.

    June 2, 2014, cloud to the North of our area, expect convective activity today.



Weather observations of June 2, 2014; taken at 07:00 Hrs.

2240 meters      +5, Winds were 10-15 KPH from the NNE
1860 meters      +6, Winds were 5-10 KPH from the NNE
1550 meters      +8, Snow is still melting.
  660 meters      +9, Valley Temperature, Max Yest was +24




For the forecast, the high pressure over the Northwest Pacific will maintain low level onshore flow for the remainder of the week. There is a weak upper level trough to the North of our zone which will likely bring more cloud to the area this afternoon. There is a chance this activity could trigger isolated thunderstorms later in the day. The trough may also affect us on Tuesday but we will see mostly sunny skies. Wednesday and Thursday are looking very sunny, Friday may see some cloud from the North move into our area but again mostly sunny.

    Satellite image from June 2, 07:00 Hrs. Marine stratus layer along the coast.

    High is very significant but the low to the North may send some cloud our way.

May 31, 2014

    May 31, 2014 is looking sweet.

    South side of Wedge.

    Very ice blue.

    Recent avalanche activity in the Spearhead.

    Spearhead Range.

    Some dirty slides.


Weather Observations for May 31, 2014; taken at 07:00 Hrs.

2240 meters        +5, Winds were 0-10 KPH from the NNE
1860 meters        +5, Winds were 5-10 KPH from the E
1550 meters        +6, Snow there is melting
  660 meters      +10, Valley Temperature, Max Temp Yest + 21



For the forecast, sunny skies for our zone today with a light Northerly flow aloft , marine stratus layer may spread inland tonight into tomorrow as a weak low moves through with the chance of some showers Sunday into Monday.  Tuesday is looking like another sunny day as the strong ridge of high pressure dominates until at least Thursday. An upper level low may drop into the area on Thursday evening into Friday with the chance of some showers.

    As of 08:00 hrs we have clear skies and unlimited visibility.

    Some stratus cloud on the ocean, satellite image from this am.

May 30, 2014

Large hole over Whistler yesterday morning, stayed there all day, while the clouds hung onto the peaks.

    Yesterday morning at the roundhouse.

    Satellite image from yesterday shows just how much cloud was around.

    Image from 20:00 hrs last night with a bit of precipitation.

    Still a patch of blue over the valley at 20:00 hrs, May 29, 2014.

    The large high pressure over the Pacific will bring nice weather for a few days.





Weather observations for May 30, 2014; taken at 07:00 Hrs.

2240 meters      -1, Winds were 15-40 KPH from the ESE
1860 meters      -1, Winds were 15-10 KPH from the NNE
1550 meters     +2, The base is likely about 100 cm.
  660 meters     +7, Valley Temperature, Max Temp Yest +16.


For the forecast, a weak split upper level trough with an approaching ridge of high pressure will bring relatively nice weather with the possibility of some showers later in the day. The long range forecast looks like sunny conditions until next weekend, with the chance of some convective cloud development and the chance of some stratus cloud moving up the valleys from the ocean.

    As of 07:30 we have broken cloud and unlimited visibility in the alpine.

    Satellite image from 07:30 Hrs this morning.

May 29, 2014

    Broken cloud yesterday morning.

    Cloudier mid morning.

    Snowing and overcast by noon yesterday at 1860 meters.

    Unsettled in the afternoon with a few snow showers in the upper elevations.

    This bear is gaining weight very quickly.

    Young deer grazing on the abundant grass near Base 2.



Weather observations for May 29, 2014; taken at 07:00 Hrs.

2240 meters       -1, Winds were 20-30 KPH from the WSW
1860 meters        0, Winds were 10-15 KPH from the S
1550 meters       +4, The snow is melting
  660 meters       +9, Valley Temperature, Max Temp Yest +17, .5 mm of precip yest.




For the forecast, the upper level low is shifting East, leaving a weak upper level trough in our area for today. Cloudy skies with periods of light precipitation this morning into this afternoon. The trough will affect us for Friday as well, unsettled for Friday and improving as the day progresses prior to the arrival of a strong ridge for Saturday thru Tuesday. Mostly sunny for this period but some convective activity will likely bring some cloud, especially Sunday.

    As of 07:30 in the alpine we have obscured skies, raining lightly, limited visibility.

    Satellite Image from 07:00 Hrs this am, May 29, 2014.

    Mid morning things started changing. May 28, 2014

    By noon it was overcast and snowing at 1860 meters, Wednesday.


Slide sparks questions; Butte has no avalanche center: Montana

Avalanche Airbags and Terrain: Projectwinter

Spring Avalanches block popular hiking, biking trails: North Cascades, Wash.

May 28, 2014

    Cloudy in the area yesterday morning, by the evening there were fewer clouds.

    Sunset May 27, 2014.


Weather observations for May 28, 2014; taken at 07:00 Hrs.

2240 meters        -2, Winds were 20-40 KPH from the NNE
1860 meters         0, Winds were 15-20KPH from the N
1550 meters       +3, No new snow Base 103cm
  660 meters       +7, Valley Temperature, Max Temp Yest was +17.5


For the forecast, a low pressure system to the South is trying to push cloud and precipitation into our area later today. With the Northerly flow we may get lucky and the majority of the precipitation may stay south of our zone. There is a good chance we will see an increase in cloud cover this morning with showers developing later today increasing to light rain this evening into tomorrow morning. By Thursday afternoon we should see unsettled conditions. Friday through Sunday look unsettled,  nice weather with lots of sun.  There will be convective activity with the chance of some showers during this period.  

    We may get lucky and the system to the South may miss us, but unlikely.

   Lots of activity around our zone, rain is likely later today.




Did women use a helicopter on Everest Climb? : Nepal

Base Jumping Dog: Vimeo

Victims of plane crash recovered from Howell Peak: Montana

May 27, 2014

    Snowing in the alpine May 26, 2014 at 11:00 Hrs

    8 cm on the Rendezvous deck, snow stopped around noon.

    Lots of old skis and retro ski suits to be seen.

    Despite the cloudy conditions people showed up for a good time.

                            There was lots of retro gear.

    Some natural avalanche activity in Blackcomb Bowl, the alpine was closed yesterday.

    Became nicer as the day progressed, especially in the valley.


Weather observations for May 27, 2014; taken at 07:00 Hrs.

2240 meters       -5, Winds were 10-20 KPH from the NNE
1860 meters       -3, Winds were 10-20 KPH from the E
1550 meters      +2, No new snow, Base 105 cm
  660 meters      +6, Valley Temperature, Max Temp Yest +13, Precip Yest 9 mm.

On May 1 the base at Catskinner was 186 cm, pretty significant melt throughout the month of May. Looks like the end of June on most years. In the past week we lost 26 cm, the week before 31 cm.



For the forecast, we can expect a dry day with some cloud. There is a possibility of showers this evening as the upper level low off the coast moves Southeast then lifts Northeast bring precipitation to our area for Wednesday. Showers will likely continue into Thursday as a trough develops with a Westnorthwest flow. Friday is looking sunny as a weak flat ridge develops for Saturday into Sunday. Will likely see some convective cloud development on Saturday. Freezing levels will rise today to 2300 meters and hover near those values until Thursday when they begin to rise to 3000 meters by the weekend.

   As of 08:00 hours in the alpine we have broken clouds and unlimited visibility.

    This mornings satellite image looks like we will have a fairly nice day.

    The low will move down the coast then move North bringing wet weather for tomorrow.

May 26, 2014

                                  LAST DAY OF THE 2013-2014 SKI SEASON

    Sunset May 25, 2014; dried out slightly in the evening.

    Looking North into Howe Sound yesterday morning, light rain and calm winds.

    Same view in the evening with light rain.

    As of 07:00 Hrs snowing moderately at 1860 meters with a temperature of -1. MAY 26, 2014

    Snowing at 2240 meters with a temperature of -2 as of 07:00 Hrs. Limited Visibility. This am.






Weather observations for May 26, 2014; taken at 07:00 Hrs.

2240 meters     -2, Winds were 20-30 KPH from the SSW
1860 meters     -1, Winds were 10-25 KPH from the S
1550 meters    +2, No new snow, Base 107 cm
  660 meters    +8, Valley temperature, Ma Temp Yest +11, Precip Yest 1.5 mm




For the forecast, the band of precipitation that is moving through our zone should dissipate this morning as the upper trough moves on shore in a moist southwest flow. We can expect drier air with possible breaks this afternoon. Tuesday is looking unsettled with the chance of some isolated showers, moderate precipitation will likely begin Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning, easing to light rain Wednesday afternoon as the low moves Eastward. A weak upper through will affect our area Thursday as the low continues Eastward, bringing unsettled weather for Thursday evening.  Some cloud will remain in our area for Friday as a weak high pressure begins to build for Saturday. Freezing levels will fluctuate from 1700- 2100 meters for today, raising to a high of 2400 meters tomorrow then slowly climbing to 2500 meters by Thursday.

    As of 08:00 hours we have overcast skies with variable visibility at 2240 meters.

    Satellite image from 07:00 hrs, thick clouds with heavy precipitation in our area, breaks coming.

    GFS precip model for this morning.