February 26, 2015

    160 + feared dead in Afghanistan Avalanches. Story below.                                                  Net Pic

    Avalanche near Tumbler Ridge kills one rider. Story below.                                             AC Photo    

    Looking Northeast Wednesday February 25, 2015 at 08:00 Hours.

    Stratus layer began lifting by 08:00 Hours.

    Snowing early in the afternoon. 3 cm recorded at 1550 meters at 14:30 hours.

    Snow stopped by 17:00 Hours with a nice dusting above 1500 meters.

    Broken cloud by sunset, February 25, 2015.


Weather Observations for February 26, 2015; taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters       -7, Winds were 5-10 KPH from the SE
2180 meters       -6, Winds were 5-10 KPH from the SW
1860 meters       -6, Winds were 5-15 KPH from the E
1835 meters       -4, Winds were 5-15 KPH from the SW
1650 meters       -2, 3 cm of new snow in 24 hrs, Base 145 cm
1550 meters       -2, 3 cm of new snow in 24 hours, Base 110 cm,  Relative Humidity 93%.

  660 meters      +1, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +5.5, .4 mm 0f rain recorded

   As of 07:30 Hours we have broken cloud and unlimited visibility.

For the forecast, a weak front will pass South of the area today bringing unsettled weather to the area in a Northwest flow aloft. An upper low will also affect our area for Friday with cloud spilling into the zone as the flow shifts westerly bringing slightly more cloud to the area for Friday. The upper ridge will begin to strengthen on Friday night , bringing sunny conditions to the area for Saturday. Another weak system will pass South  of our area for Sunday and Monday with unsettled conditions expected before the ridge begins to strengthen again for Tuesday. Freezing levels will fluctuate slightly and hover around 1200 meters dropping on Friday night to surface. Fl will go back to around 1000 meters for Saturday and Sunday.A cooler pattern will begin early next week with the FL dropping to the valley floor. Looks like there is a shift in the ridge, it has been slowly moving West into the Pacific. Perhaps a change in the pattern will occur next week. Long term it looks like some precipitation may be expected next weekend.

    Image from 09:00 Hours Wednesday morning.

    Systems are moving South, notice where the high pressure is.

    We are surrounded by moisture but should stay relatively dry.

    By Friday night the ridge will strengthen.

    Saturday will be Blue Bird. Notice where the ridge is now.


ARTICLES:

At least 162 people dead as Avalanches ravage Panjshir Province: Afghanistan

Avalanche kills rider in Core lodge Area: Northern BC

Man killed in Aspen Avalanche a long time local: Aspendailyonline

France ponders changing school holiday to "save ski industry": Paris

    Groomers have been doing a great job keeping the lower mountain open.

    A Maui Owl.

    Strong Winds today.

    40 Knot winds were pushing the wave tops around.

    Cloudy day in paradise yesterday.

February 25, 2015

    Body recovered from avalanche in Castle Creek on Aspen Mountain. Story Below      CAIC Pic

    An avalanche in Tajikistan has killed at least 5 people. Story Below                                   Net Pic 

    An avalanche in Yakawlang region of Afghanistan has killed a family of four. Story Below Net Pic

    February 24, 2015 at 07:30 hours, looking broken to the South.

   No Pow, No Crowds. Upload 08:15. There appears to be a shift in the pattern coming in March.

    Started clearing out around 11:00 hours.

    By 16:00 hours it was Blue Bird.

    After sunset which was officially at 17:44, we are gaining 4 minutes of day light, daily.


Weather Observations for February 25, 2015; taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters       -6, Winds were 15-25 KPH from the SSE
2180 meters       -5, Winds were 10-15 KPH from the SSW
1860 meters       -4, Winds were 5-15 KPH from the SSW
1835 meters       -4, Winds were 0-5 KPH from the SSW
1650 meters       -5, No new new snow, Base 142 cm
1550 meters       -4, No new new snow, Base 107 cm,  Relative Humidity 85%.

  660 meters       -2, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +9.8

    As of 07:00 Hours we have very high overcast, stratus cloud in the valley and unlimited visibility.


For the forecast, a very weak front will move into the area this morning with cloudy conditions, very light precipitation this afternoon into this evening in a Northwest flow aloft. Stratus layer moved into the area last night with thick mid mountain cloud. Freezing levels will hover around 1300 meters, dropping to near surface this evening.  Should see a break on Thursday morning before another weak system moves onshore with very light precipitation and a slightly higher FL (1500 m). Friday is unsettled as the ridge begins to build with lingering cloud until clearing in the evening. The ridge strengthens for Saturday with sunny conditions and near normal temperatures. FL will drop below valley floor for Friday night , we will see day time heating raising it to 1000 meters. Sunday is looking sunny in the morning with clouds moving in by the afternoon for unsettled conditions. Guesstimates:Trace to 2 cm for Thursday morning, 1-2 cm by Friday morning.



ARTICLES:

An avalanche in Tajikistan has killed at least 5 people: Central Asia

More information on Aspen Avalanche Fatality: Avalanche.org

Body recovered from Castle Creek Avalanche: Aspen Mountain

Avalanche kills 4 Family Members in Bamyan: Afghanistan

Looking back 21,000 years to predict future rainfall patterns: Science Daily

    Alpen Glow 17:30 Hours February 24, 2015.

    Looking thin under Solar. Expecting snow the second week of March!!??

    Gimped, Beer Bellied Mountain Fish

    Sunset for me last night.

February 24, 2015

    Another awesome morning, February 23, 2015--07:30 Hours.

    Keener, 07:45 Hours Monday morning.

    Some clouds to the West early Monday morning.

    Official sunset was at 17:42 yesterday.

    February 24, 2014--Last Year--19 cm of dry champagne powder. Is there still hope??!!

   Wind hammered snow on Whistler Peak.                                                        Kary Firstbrook Photo



Weather Observations for February 24, 2015; taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters       -3, Winds were 15-25 KPH from the SSE
2180 meters       -2, Winds were 30-40 KPH from the SSW
1860 meters        0, Winds were 15-25 KPH from the ENE
1835 meters      +1, Winds were 20-40 KPH from the SSW
1650 meters    -0.5, No new new snow, Base 143 cm
1550 meters        0, No new new snow, Base 108 cm,  Relative Humidity 67%.

  660 meters       -2, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +12.8

   As of 07:00 Hours we have overcast skies and unlimited visibility.

For the forecast, a weak upper trough to the South will spread cloud into the are this morning, but clearing up as the day progresses. A moist Northwest flow aloft will prevail for Wednesday into Thursday we can expect unsettled conditions for Wednesday morning with increasing clouds during the afternoon into evening with light precipitation. As the very weak front passes we will see lingering cloud Thursday with unsettled conditions . The ridge will begin to strengthen Friday with unsettled weather than become sunny for Saturday. Freezing levels will range from 1800-1400 meters. Guesstimates 1-3 cm above 1200 meters by Thursday morning.

   Very light precipitation expected Wednesday-Thursday morning.

    Some cloud for Friday but unsettled conditions.


ARTICLES:

Skier killed in avalanche near Aspen Mountain: Pitkin County, Colorado

Snowmobile sales increase worldwide: Whistler??

Large Avalanches in the North Rockies: Avalanche Canada

Should climbing on Everest be banned?: RedOrbit

Nepal reassures Everest Climbers on safety a year after deadly avalanche: Katmandu

                                     Matier- February 21, 2015          Tasso Lazaridis Photo



Climbed Matier on Saturday. Not Skiable. Breakable crust the whole way up. Skied the lower half but it was unpleasant. Found some wind deposited snow that was ok. Picture and comments from Tasso.

    Still a decent ski out to the town centre.

    Some great colours  in the cirrus cloud yesterday afternoon.

    Using the B4 for Medevac on Blackcomb.

    Just like in the mountains, warning signs on the beach.

    Sunrise for me Monday morning.

    Sunset Monday evening.

February 23, 2015

    Another avalanche Fatality in France. Story Below                                                               Net Pic

    Nice pinks Sunday morning, February 22, 2015.

    Horstman Glacier Sunday morning.

    Some cloud around by Sunday mid morning.

    By 15:00 Hours there was significant cloud to the East. Still an awesome day.

    Sunset Sunday evening, similar colours to sunrise yesterday morning.



Weather Observations for February 23, 2015; taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters       +1, Winds were 20-30 KPH from the WSW
2180 meters       +2, Winds were 25-35 KPH from the NNW
1860 meters       +2, Winds were 10-15 KPH from the WNW
1835 meters       +3, Winds were 5-10 KPH from the E
1650 meters       +2, No new new snow, Base 143 cm
1550 meters       +3, No new new snow, Base 108 cm,  Relative Humidity 52%.

  660 meters        -3, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +9.3

   As of 07:00 Hours we have clear skies and unlimited visibility.

For the forecast, strong upper ridge with a Northerly flow will bring dry warm conditions for today. The ridge will weaken on Tuesday allowing the low to spill cloud into the zone for unsettled weather. A very weak front will move into the area on Wednesday afternoon with cloudy conditions and some light precipitation with a FL of about 1500 meters.Thursday will be a similar day, with unsettled weather in the morning then more cloud in the afternoon with a dry air mass. The ridge rebuilds for Friday with unsettled weather before more sunshine on the weekend. FL today will top out around 3200 meters and gradually drop to 1500 meters by Tuesday evening. Guesstimates trace to 2 cm by
Thursday morning.

 

 Image for this morning.

Low will spin some cloud and possibly some moisture our way Wednesday evening.


ARTICLES:

Death toll from weekend avalanches in the Alps rises to 5: 1 Fatality in the Taillefer Alps, France

Briancon Rescue Boss calls for vigilance: France

Another article on the Tabor Avalanche in France: Pistehors.com

Mountain Weather Forecast: Avalanche Canada

    Lots of folk enjoying the sun. +8, I am sure it felt warmer on the Longhorn deck!!

    Boarding of a different variety.

   Crazy Skim\ Boogie Boarder.

   A  Maui Sunset.