3 Oct 2014

October 3, 2014

That would have been an event to witness!! Spectacular Mtn Bike ride into Lake Minnewanka.

Another awesome day in the mountains near Banff, Wednesday October 1, 2014.

Bow falls from the air.

Heavy Frost and new snow into the tree line around Banff, October 2, 2014.

Fresh snow around Lake Louise, Thursday morning.

Sunrise October 3, 2014.

Weather observations in Whistler for October 3, 2014; taken at 07:00 Hrs this Am.

2240 meters +2, Winds were 20-30 KPH from the S
1860 meters +5, Winds were 15-25 KPH from the ESE
1550 meters +6, Relative Humidity 72 %
660 meters +7, Valley Temperature, Max Temp Yest was +14.2

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

For the forecast, the upper ridge just South of the forecast area will bring unsettled weather for today. Mostly cloudy skies with some possible sunny breaks later this morning. A weak front will slide South later today bringing mostly cloudy skies and the slight chance of some rain showers into tomorrow morning. For the next few days we will be right on the edge of the Low and High pressure. Flip a coin!! As of now the models seem to keep us dry, but the amount of cloud will vary from day to day. Sunday is looking nice but not putting any bets on that. The ridge appears to rebuild into our area again on Wednesday. Should have a better idea on next week by Monday.

Satellite image form yesterday afternoon.

Big picture from yesterday afternoon, certainly lots of cloud to the Northwest.

Looks mostly cloudy for today, but the high is trying to push into the South Coast.

On the edge for Saturday?

Video Fridays:

JP Auclair Video Tribute: RIP JP

Winning Run-Red Bull Rampage 2014: Andreu Lacondeguy

Bear attacks camera: You Tube

Time lapse of Greenland melt down: 3 week period

Sled Necks 17: Trailer

Articles:

Update on avalanche death of J.P. Auclair and Andreas Fransson: Argentina

Another update on South American avalanche: Santiago, Chile

CAC changes name to Avalanche Canada: Banff

Alberta Govt increases support to Avalanche Canada: Calgary

Missoula Avalanche 2014-Pray for snow party: Tonight, Oct 3, 2014.

When people Die: Backcountry Skiing Blog

There were many great poster presentations this year at the ISSW.

Large range of topics at the poster sessions.

The iconic Banff Springs Hotel.

Today is the last day for presentations, its been a very well run conference, thanks to the organiser's.

Recent avalanche in Antillanca Chile. Aaron Rice Image

1 Oct 2014

October 1, 2014

Wayne Flann Avalanche Blog

October 1, 2014

Posted: 01 Oct 2014 09:05 AM PDT

Some very sad news about a recent avalanche death of a very endeared member of our community and one of his friends.

Mount San Lorenzo has taken the lives of JP Auclair and Andreas Fransson, story in articles below.

Avalanche on Cerro Vaspignani claims the life of US Pro snowboarder Liz Daley. Story below.

September 30, 2014. A dusting of fresh snow in the upper reaches of the alpine.

Cold front that moved through on Monday.

ISSW conference is at the Banff Centre.

Fresh snow from the front that passed yesterday, the mountains around here take your breath away.

One of the many posters with diverse topics on the avalanche phenomena.

Weather observations for October 3, 2014; taken at 06:00 Hrs.

2240 meters -2, Winds were 15-25 KPH from the S
1860 meters 0, Winds were 10-20 KPH from the E
1550 meters +3, Relative Humidity 86 %
660 meters +8, Valley Temperature, Max Temp Yest +15.5, 4 mm of rain recorded

As of 07:00 Hrs we have mostly cloudy skies with variable visibility.

For the forecast, mostly cloudy skies this morning before the weak upper ridge brings sunny breaks to the area this afternoon. The large upper trough to the north of our zone will continue to affect our weather pattern with very unsettled conditions as it pushes the high to the South. Tomorrow will be mostly cloudy but dry, this pattern should continue into Friday and slowly change to light rain by Friday evening. As of now the weekend is looking wet. Will elaborate on that Friday.

Will be a battle between the high to the South and the large low pressure to the North.

Right on the edge at times over the next few days.

Looking wetter by the weekend.

Articles:

Avalanche on Mount San Lorenzo has killed two free skiers: Aysen Region of Chile

Another update on the tragic accident in South America: Globe and Mail

Another avalanche death in Argentina, yesterday had many tragedies: SnowBrains

Local Ski Patroller launches mountain mapping initiative: The Question

Buried by Ken Wylie: Powder Canada

Greenland Ice Sheet more vulnerable to climate change than previously thought: Science Daily

Avalanche Accidents in Switzerland: October 1, 2013-September 30, 2014

Rained fairly hard in Banff yesterday, fresh snow in the mountains.

Bow River flows right next to the Banff Centre.

Facilities at the Banff Centre are truly awesome.

Rock slab failure.

There are many topics being discussed at the ISSW.

29 Sept 2014

September 29, 2014

Drove to the ISSW in Banff Sunday, great weather for a beautiful drive across the Province. We do live in an amazing place!!

Saturday morning September 27, 2014. Once above the cloud layer it was an awesome morning.

Fall colours are just beginning to get nice.

Flora and Fauna along the Fraser River north of Lillooet. Sunday morning.

Snow in the higher elevations in the Rockies. September 28, 2014. Mount Temple- 3544 meters.

Avalanche Shed near Rogers Pass.

Weather observations for September 29, 2014; taken at 06:00 Hrs.

2240 meters +3, Winds were 20-30 KPH form the S
2180 meters +5, Winds were 10-20 KPH from the E
1550 meters +9, Relative Humidity 70%
660 meters +8, Valley Temperature, Max Temp Yest +23.1

Today we will see cloudy skies with light precipitation stating this morning as an upper trough moves into our zone in a Westerly flow with an associated cold front. As the front moves East we will see showery weather in its wake until Tuesday, with unsettled conditions. There are inconsistencies in the models but a weak upper ridge should begin to bring unsettled weather for Wednesday. Another trough should dip down into our zone for more rain into Thursday and Friday. As of now Saturday is looking unsettled. More on that Friday! We should see snow in the upper elevations Tuesday morning.

Lawsuit Against Vail Resorts Allowed by Colorado Judge: Insurance Journal

Dozens of injured hikers remain trapped on Japanese Volcano: 1ClickNews

Update on avalanche on Shisha Pangma: Pakistan News

ISSW Conference begins today: Banff, Alberta

While the Arctic is melting the Gulf Stream remains the same: Science Daily

Rescuers forced to halt efforts on Mount Ontake: Japan

Some colour Saturday morning, Sunrise.

Lillooet Lake Sunday morning.

East end of Castle Mountain in some great late day light Sunday Afternoon. Sawback Range.

What you looking at!!

26 Sept 2014

September 26, 2014

Two climbers killed after avalanche on Shisha Pangma, 14 Th highest peak in the world! Web Pic

Sunrise was officially at 06:59 on Tuesday September 23, 2014. Unsettled with mostly clear skies.

Tuesday morning at Alta Lake. September 23, 2014.

Rain began to fall on Tuesday afternoon, the dry ground did not absorb it very well.

Very wet Wednesday morning.

By 12:00 Hrs on Wednesday we had unsettled conditions with sun in the valley. Wet Wed night.

Multi Layer clouds Thursday morning, a few showers but a relatively nice day. Sunrise was 07:02.

This was last year on September 26, 2013. Certainly not looking like this right now. Patience!!

Weather observations for September 26, 2014; taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters +1, Winds were 5-10 KPH form the S
1860 meters +2, Winds were 10-15 KPH from the E
1550 meters +5, Relative Humidity 97%
660 meters +9, Valley Temperature, Max Temp Yest was +14.8, 1.7 mm of Precip Yest

From Monday until 24:00 hrs last night 21.1 mm of precip was recorded at the Nesters Weather Stn. The atmospheric river event flowed to the south, for the most part missed us!!

As of 06:30 hours we have overcast skies with limited visibility, September 26, 2014.

For the forecast, the surface trough from Thursday stalled and will bring light rain showers to the area today. This frontal band in a strong South\Southwesterly flow will shift east later today with unsettled conditions developing by the evening. Saturday morning looks cloudy but the ridge will slowly build and we should see some clearing later in the day. Sunday is looking like a nice sunny day, enjoy, as a cooler Northwest flow aloft will bring showery weather to the area into the middle of next week. A weak cold front is scheduled to move on shore for Monday. Looks like we may see some negative temperatures in the high alpine on Monday, likely some snow will fall above 2000 meters. There are some inconsistencies in the models but the ECMWF is on the side of wetter conditions than the NAM and GFS from Monday into Wednesday. Will update on Monday.

Slow moving trough will bring showery weather for most of the day.

High pressure should dissipate clouds by Saturday afternoon, with sunny skies by Sunday.

Satellite image from yesterday afternoon.

Video Friday's;

A new video on the AvaTech snow probe: SP1

Pyrocumulus Cloud from King Fire: Near Lake Tahoe

Flash Flood in Joshua Tree: California

This cyclist should have bought a lottery ticket: Russia

B.A.S.E.- Jumping Film Teaser: Vimeo

The Cheese Grater: Chamonix Wingsuit Line

Articles:

Two climbers disappear after avalanche on Shisha Pangma: Nepal

A push for climbing reform on Everest: Earth Sky

Crystal Ball: New Zealand's Avalanche Periodical

The Fickle El Nino of 2014: Science Daily

Judge dismisses Snowboarders lawsuit: Salt Lake City

Mammoth Resorts acquires Bear Mountain and Snow Summit: Cali4nia Pass

Love your local Avy Center: Powder

Ground fog early Tuesday morning.

Alta Lake September 23, 2014.

Big picture from Thursday, looks like we are in a typical fall pattern with cool moist weather.

Farmers were hard at work Thursday.

High above the Pemberton valley!