November 5, 2014

    Monday morning brought a few showers but also some nice breaks.

    Leaves are starting to fall off a little faster. A frost would be nice!!

    Alpine is still looking good.

    Whistler Bowl looks to be filling in.

    Lots of advection yesterday. In meteorology and physical oceanography, advection often refers to the     transport of some property of the atmosphere or ocean, such as heat, humidity or salinity. Advection is important for the formation of orographic clouds and the precipitation of water from clouds, as part of the hydrological cycle.


Weather observations for November 5, 2014; taken at 07:00 Hours.

2240 meters        -4, Winds were 25-35 KPH from the SSW
1860 meters        -3, Winds were 10-20 KPH from the SSE
1550 meters         0, Relative Humidity was 97 %
  660 meters       +4, Valley Temperature, Max Temp Yesterday +10.9, 2.6 mm of rain recorded Yest

    Overcast skies this am, still unseasonably warm, average max temps should be about +5 at 660 M.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

For the Forecast, the lull between the rain events ended early this morning . We can expect cloudy conditions with very light precipitation for most of the day as a warm front ushers in another Mod- Heavy precipitation event this evening with freezing levels higher than Wedge Mountain. The precipitation should ease off Thursday afternoon, then an upper trough moves through with light precipitation in the afternoon and a declining freezing level which should level out at around 1500 meters late in the evening from a trailing cold front. A weak high pressure will build for Friday into the weekend with unsettled conditions. Friday is looking like the coldest day with freezing levels as low as 1200 meters in the morning, unfortunately at this time it looks like the FL will steadily rise into Monday, topping out at around 3500 meters. Still a ways off so more on that in future posts.
                                                                        

    Could get pretty wet this evening!!

   The next three days in motion.

    Warm fronts followed by cold fronts, we seem to be in a pattern.


Doug Sproul is looking for support to publish a new book on Rogers Pass Backcountry Skiing, check out his link: Kickstarter

How to prepare for your level 1 Avalanche course: Backcountry Magazine

Eighth Century Ski found in Norway: Viking Powder Ski

Decision-Making Practises in Alaska's Dynamic Mountain Environment: Study of Prof. Mtn. Guides

Construction of $1-Billion B.C. Lodge in an Avalanche Path: Invermere, B.C.

    Birds eye view of the town centre.

    There were some nice sunny periods during the afternoon Monday.

    Colours on Green Lake.

    River of Golden Dreams was very full Monday afternoon.

    Future compost.

November 4, 2014

    Avalanche on Mont Ama Dablam kills a Guide and injures 2 people. Story Below   Internet Photo

    Yes, there was heavy rain in Squamish yesterday. 49.4 mm of rain recorded there yesterday.

    Breaks at first light this morning, but rain showers are likely.



Weather observations for November 4, 2014; taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters        -1, Winds were 35-45 KPH from the SSW
1860 meters         0, Winds were 20-45 KPH from the SSE
1550 meters       +3, Humidity was 95 %
  660 meters       +8, Valley Temperature, Max Temp Yesterday +7.5, 16.7 mm of rain recorded Yest

    Mostly cloudy with unlimited visibility this am. Still looking good!! Max temp at 1835 +3 Yest.

    Satellite image from yesterday afternoon, yes those are wet looking clouds, in Whistler by dusk.

    Looks like an atmospheric river heading to the South coast of BC, November 3, 2014.


For the Forecast, the strong frontal system has passed with the brunt of the moisture to the South of our zone. Unstable air in its wake will bring some isolated showers this morning. A weak high pressure will influence the area this morning into this evening, before a weak warm front brings precipitation to the area on Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday evening. A deep low will affect the area on Thursday with more moderate-heavy precipitation. As of now Friday and Saturday are looking like nice days if you need to be doing yard work, unsettled but dry. Freezing levels will drop today with the unsettled weather but the next warm front will bring them back up and hovering around 2500 meters Wednesday evening.

    Long range models have Saturday looking like a dry sunny day with a possible inversion.




Avalanche kills Nepalese guiding Swiss climbers: Nepal

WhiteScout for Freerider's: European App

Avalanche Riding: Speed Riding

Rescue Teams deal with Avalanche Terrain in Colorado: Pitkin County, Colo

Avalanche on November 2, 2014; think its somewhere in Russia: Snowmobiling

      Warm air to the South could bring warmer temperatures for Friday.

November 3, 2014

    There were a few breaks in the morning but a fairly wet day.

Just prior to the rain in Squamish Sunday morning.

    Still leaves on the trees, they just experienced the warmest October in Vancouver on record.

     Noticed a little early season activity in Husume on the rain crust from earlier this week.            Caleb Del Begio Image


Weather observations for November 3, 2014; taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters        -2, Winds were 20-30 KPH from the S
1860 meters         0, Winds were 15-30 KPH from the SSE
1550 meters       +1, Relative Humidity was 99 %
  660 meters       +5, Valley Temperature, Max Temp Yesterday +6, .3 mm of rain recorded Yest

For the Forecast, a vigorous warm front with Pineapple Express written all over it (origin is just North of Hawaii) will move into our zone this morning with moderate  precipitation expected this afternoon in a Westerly flow. A weak surface high should bring unsettled conditions to our area Tuesday afternoon, prior to the next warm front arriving on Wednesday. Looks like we will see dry and cooler conditions Friday into the weekend. Freezing levels will fluctuate from 1900m meters today, dropping to 1500 meters by Tuesday night then rising to as high as 2500 meters by Thursday.

    Warm front moving on shore this morning, should be wetter to the South of our Zone.

    Surface High pressure will bring unsettled conditions for Tuesday.

    Trailing cold front may not help us on Thursday. Looks to be moving South. Warm air on the way.



Snow & Avalanches-Understanding and Managing Risk: Trailer from France

Reflections on the Canadian Avalanche Size Classification: So, Was it a Size 5

Late Snow can mean fewer Avalanches: CAIC

What Field Observations tell us about Avalanche Danger: University of Calgary



                                                                               
Pictures and Intel from Alex Gibbs:

Lots of people at Keith's hut this weekend.  Saturday was nice, Sunday was a bit cloudy.

130cm HS @ 2400m on an East aspect (top of the Anniversary).   There was a clean moderate hard sheer about 15-20cm down.  No obvious interface.  Evidence of one natural observed on SE aspect on Joffre (same weakness).  Didn't detect any other weakness lower in the snow pack.

                                                                                                                                                                   Alex Gibbs Photo

                                                                                                                                                                   Alex Gibbs Photo

                                                                                                                                                                   Alex Gibbs Photo

     Taxi!!!

 

    Watched the game last night, good hockey , unfortunately the Canucks lost 3-1 to the Predators.

November 2, 2014

    First light looking towards Sky Pilot, November 1, 2014.

   A few clouds around Saturday morning, by afternoon it was an awesome sunny day.

    Mount Garibaldi, 2678 meters: Info on Mount Garibaldi

    Snow line is very respectable for this time of the year considering where the temperatures were at!!

    215 cm of snow at 2300 meters above Circle Lake. Looks consistent.             John Furneaux Photo


Weather observations for November 2, 2014; taken at 07:00 Hours.

2240 meters        -6, Winds were 15-20 KPH from the SSW
1860 meters        -4, Winds were 10-20 KPH from the SSE
1550 meters        -1, Relative Humidity was 97 %
  660 meters       +3, Valley Temperature, Max Temp Yesterday +8

   As of 07:00 hrs we have overcast skies with limited visibility. Mid and upper cloud layers.


For the Forecast,  a cloudy day with isolated showers in the valley with snow flurries in the alpine. A very weak warm front is moving through our zone today. A slightly stronger warm front will bring light rain to the area on Monday into Tuesday, with freezing levels hovering around 1800 meters. Tuesday is looking unsettled with some isolated showers. A strong warm from will be arriving for Wednesday evening with moderate to heavy precipitation and freezing levels as high as 2700 meters. A cold front is forecasted for Thursday which should bring the freezing level back down to around 1800 meters by the evening. Its still early in November, we can use a good base and early heavy snow to fix some of the crevasse issues we have. If you are out venturing in the mountains be sure to bring some crevasse rescue gear. With all the snow we have had there will be some large crevasses with weak bridging.



             

    Moisture moving in for today.

   Looks wetter on Monday.

    Weak warm front followed by a slightly stinger one.

    Cold front expected for Thursday. Hopefully it will be colder than forecasted.


Want to support a great cause, Whistler Health Care Foundation has supported the HeliPad at the Whistler Clinic in the past and is again donating $160,000.00 dollars for the upgrades to enable single engine helicopter access the pad after a 2 year hiatus. Have been voicing my opinion on that topic and will certainly be attending to support the cause. For ticket information: Whistler Health Care Foundation

Fracture speeds of triggered avalanches: ISSW 2014

WB crew had some nice looking turns yesterday: Pow Turns

                      Surface hoar near Blacktusk, November 1, 2014. Photo from Holly Walker.

    11 Year old climber set up on Dream Catcher.

    Considering how gnarly West Bowl is in the summer it looks like a good start.

    The Rain Forest!!

November 1, 2014

    Clouds began to open up yesterday afternoon, just in time for Trick and Treating.

    Tantalus Range just before sunset Friday afternoon.

    As soon as it began to cool off the ground fog formed. Snow line is still looking good.

    End of the day Friday, looking into Horstman Glacier. Sunset officially at 17:51.

   This image is from last year on November 1, 2013. Colder but actually less snow.

    Above the cloud layer its clear, cold and the snow guns are blowing snow. 07:15 this AM.

Weather observations for November 1, 2014; taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters        -6, Winds were 5-15 KPH from the NNW
1860 meters        -4, Winds were 5-10 KPH from the S
1550 meters        -3, Relative Humidity was 96 %
  660 meters       +2, Valley Temperature, Max Temp Yesterday +7.6, 5.1 mm of rain recorded

For the Forecast, we can expect a dry day with unsettled conditions (mix of sun and cloud) once the fog layer dissipates. Sunday is looking cloudy with the chance of some light  snow flurries in the alpine with freezing levels near mid mountain for both days. A series of warm fronts will affect our area next week, with freezing levels hovering near the upper elevations. This trend will hopefully change by Friday. Certainly feels cooler in the valley this morning.

    Weak upper level trough South of us haven some influence.

    Image from yesterday, still lots of moisture out in the Pacific.



The Wisdom of Crowds in Avalanche Forecasting: Temper & Diegel

4th Annual Eastern Snow & Avalanche Workshop: November 7 & 8, 2014

Low Risk Travel in Avalanche Terrain: NAC

    Anatomy of an Avalanche: NSIDC

    The Room, Stawamus Chief Provincial Park. Good place to be when it is raining.

    Cheakamus River below Daisy Lake was flowing along on Friday.

   Moon came out Friday evening with dry conditions.

    The season will be with us soon enough, temperatures could be a bit cooler for an ideal situation.