February 1, 2016

    Another avalanche death over the weekend in Idaho, story in article section.             Net Pic

    Snowing lightly yesterday morning, last day of January 2016. More than 7 cm here in the am!!

    Power flurries yesterday deposited 7 cm of new at 1650 meters, and 11 cm of new at 1550 M.

    Visibility was variable in the morning, couloirs are always a good option.

    Visibility improved in the afternoon.

    Snowing in the valley in the afternoon.

    Just before sunset.

    Sunset was at 17:02.



Weather Observations for February 1, 2016: taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters     -9, Winds were 10-20 KPH SSE     --Horstman Hut Station
2180 meters     -9, Winds were 15-25 KPH SSW    --Whistler Peak
1860 meters     -9, Winds were 5-10 KPH SE          --Rendevous
1835 meters     -8, Winds were 5-10 KPH W           --Roundhouse
1650 meters     -6, trace of new snow,  7 cm in 24 hrs, 212 cm Base, RH 94%  --Pig Alley
1550 meters     -7, trace of new snow, 11 cm in 24 hrs, 177 cm Base        --Catskinner 

  660 meters     -2, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +2.3. 1.9 mm of Precip recorded

   As of 07:00 Hours we have overcast skies, variable visibility and it is snowing very lightly.


For the forecast, a very weak high pressure aloft will bring unsettled weather to the area for today and Tuesday in a cool Northerly flow aloft.The cold upper trough from yesterday still has some clouds lingering in the zone.   A weak warm front will bring light snow to the area on Wednesday with the freezing level reaching 1000 meters. Another weak ridge building for Thursday with another warm front slated for Friday. There is some disagreement in the models for Thursday onward so stay tuned for some possible changes. Guesstimates: 0-2 cm by Tuesday morning, 0-2 cm by Wednesday morning, 10-15 cm by Thursday morning.

    Weak high pressure with lingering cloud for today.

   Unsettled for today with a mix of sun and cloud, mostly cloudy--isolated flurries.

   Weak warm front for Wednesday.

    Wednesday should give us 10-15 cm.

    Another warm front for Friday into Saturday.


ARTICLES:

An avalanche has killed a 20 year old male while snowmobiling: Twin Lakes, Idaho

Ski Tourer killed in a large avalanche in Grand Cret Bowl: Haute Savoie, France

"You're pretty sure you're going to die: Man who survived fatal BC avalanche

Update on the Avalanche near McBride: Globe&Mail

Update on the Avalanche in Kashmir: Northern India

Melting permafrost and the sliding future of Ski Tourism: Europe

Swede Creek, Montana-- Avalanche Incident Report: January 23, 2016

    Mostly overcast Sunday.

   Some moisture out in the Pacific.

    System way out there here for Wednesday.

    Lost ski above Franz's Meadow.

    Just a bit of Rimeing.

    Some cool light in the afternoon.

    Great snow on the steeps yesterday.

   ChickPee Restraunt.

    Rainbow just before sunset Sunday.

January 31, 2016

    Sunrise Saturday, January 30, 2016.

    Overcast most of the day with periods of light snow.

    Skiing in the alpine was quite good.

    Higher elevation lifts were busy.

    Snow quality in some areas was very good.

    Snowing moderately yesterday afternoon around 15:00 Hours.



Weather Observations for January 31, 2016: taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters    -8, Winds were 20-35 KPH S          --Horstman Hut Station
2180 meters    -8, Winds were 25-30 KPH SSW    --Whistler Peak
1860 meters    -7, Winds were 10-20 KPH ESE      --Rendevous
1835 meters    -6, Winds were 15-30 KPH SSW     --Roundhouse
1650 meters    -4, 7 cm of new snow, 9 cm in 24 hrs, 209 cm Base, RH 90%  --Pig Alley
1550 meters    -5, 7 cm of new snow, 8 cm in 24 hrs, 172 cm Base        --Catskinner 

  660 meters     0, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +1.2. 2.0 mm of Precip recorded

    As of 0700 Hours this am we have overcast skies, variable visibility and it is snowing lightly.


For the forecast, low pressure aloft will send a weak trough onto the coast this morning with a moist and unstable air mass in a Westerly flow. We can expect overcast skies with some light snowfall and a freezing level at or just above the surface. A weak ridge of high pressure will begin to build tonight with unsettled cool conditions expected for Monday and Tuesday with the chance of some isolated flurries in a mix of sun and cloud. The flow will become Northwesterly tonight. A weak warm front
moves on shore for Wednesday with the FL rising to around 1000 meters with light snowfall. As of now Thursday is also looking unsettled. Guesstimates: 4-6 cm by Monday morning, trace to 2 cm by Tuesday morning, 8-12 cm for Thursday morning.

     Cloudy with some light snowfall for today.

    Cloudy today, unsettled for tomorrow. Northerly flow aloft.

    High pressure will influence the zone with unsettled weather for Monday into Tuesday.

    Still some clouds in the area.

    We may see some sun on Tuesday.

    Weak warm front on Wednesday.



ARTICLES:

Teenager died, two others injured in an avalanche in Kashmir: India

Snowmobilers killed near McBride were all from Alberta: CBC News

Chances of surviving an avalanche plummet after 10 minutes: TorontoSun

'Bigger than Thou"-Awestruck snowmobilers won't stop after 5 avalanche deaths: MetroNews

Renshaw snowmobile area temporarily closed after deadly avalanche: TheGoatNews

    Snowing lightly when this image was taken yesterday.

    Chainsaw Ridge.

    Skin Track up Lower Disease Ridge.

    Visibility was challenging at times yesterday.

January 30, 2016

    An avalanche near Mount Renshaw has killed 5 snowmobilers, story in article section-Snowest Pic

    Natural Size 3.5 out of Robertson's on Whistler Mountain during storm cycle. More photos below.

  Almost snowing in the valley at 10:45, Friday-January 29, 2016.

    Visibility yesterday had its moments.

    Buried excavator, Horstman Hut.

    Best skiing was near the highest possible elevation, here not so much, crusty!!

    Large debris from avalanche cycle in the Teetering's, on Blackcomb.

    Snowing in the valley yesterday afternoon.

    After closing yesterday afternoon.


Weather Observations for January 30, 2016: taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters    -10, Winds were 25-40 KPH S          --Horstman Hut Station
2180 meters    -10, Winds were 30-40 KPH SSW    --Whistler Peak
1860 meters    -10, Winds were 20-30 KPH ESE      --Rendevous
1835 meters      -8, Winds were 20-35 KPH S           --Roundhouse
1650 meters      -7, 10 cm of new snow, 16 cm in 24 hrs, 206 cm Base, RH 80%  --Pig Alley
1550 meters      -6, 4 of new snow, 10 cm in 24 hrs, 166 cm Base        --Catskinner 

  660 meters       0, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +2. 3.1 mm of Precip recorded

    As of 07:00 Hrs this am we have broken skies, unlimited visibility and it is snowing lightly.

Avalanche control on WB yesterday produced size 1-2 slabs with explosives. Natural avalanches from the recent storm were observed, Sz 1-3.

For the forecast, low pressure will continue to bring cool unsettled weather to the area over the weekend in a Northesterly flow aloft. The airmass is moist and unstable so precipitation amounts are a challenge. Unsettled weather for Sunday and Monday with flurries expected both days with a freezing level at or just above surface.  A brief high pressure will build over the area for Tuesday with sunny skies. A very weak front is forecasted to reach the coast on Thursday in a warm Southerly flow. Guesstimates: 10-15 cm by Sunday morning, 2-4 cm by Monday morning, 0-2 cm by Tuesday morning.

    Upper level trough for the weekend.

    Flow into Monday.

   A bit more snow for today with cooler temperatures.

    Unsettled for Sunday with a mix of sun, cloud, and flurries.



ARTICLES:

Avalanche near McBride kills 5 snowboarders: CBC News

MIN report from the Duffy Area: Avalanche Canada

BC Ski Resort gets environmental and First Nations Support: Garibaldi Resorts

Avalanche Research in Rogers Pass: Mount Fidelity

Snowmobiler unintentionally triggered Fatal Avalanche: Montana

Some facts about Snowmobiles and Avalanches in BC in recent years: Canadian Press

Skiers barely escape avalanche at Red Mountain Pass, Expert explains snowpack : Colorado

    Snow yesterday afternoon.

    Hope the system brings us some more precipitation.

    Visibility yesterday was  challenging.

    Snowing at 1860 meters yesterday around noon.

    Some of the debris form Robertson's climax size 3.5 avalanche.

    A few trigger points in the fracture line.

    Debris below the road.

   A few large trees succumbed to the avalanche. Debris below Burnt Stew Traverse.