4 Feb 2016

February 4, 2016

    A snowmobiler has died in an avalanche at Wolf Creek Pass, CO-info in article section. Net Pic

     2300 m., S.S.E aspect, Feb. 2, 2016 Cottonwood Creek, (Duffey lake area) 350m fracture line.remote (20m.) Initial       
     fracture on Jan hoar frost. Stepped down creating size 3 ran 750m. Thanks to Greg Smith for submitting this.


     February 2, 2016  Cottonwood Creek.                                                                                              Greg Smith Photo               


    February 2, 2016-Cottonwood Creek                                                                      Greg Smith Photo

    Snowing lightly first lift up Wednesday February 3, 2016. Only 1 cm recorded at 14:00 Hrs.

   Very grey in the morning with very little precip.

    Making snow in the valley Wednesday morning.

   Wind transport yesterday morning.

    Snowing moderately at 18:00 hours last night.


Weather Observations for February 4, 2016: taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters     -6, Winds were 20-30 KPH SSW   --Horstman Hut Station
2180 meters     -7, Winds were 30-35 KPH SSW   --Whistler Peak
1860 meters     -6, Winds were 10-20 KPH SE       --Rendevous
1835 meters     -4, Winds were 15-30 KPH S         --Roundhouse
1650 meters     -3, 10 cm of new snow, 11 cm in 24 hrs, 208 cm Base, RH 98%  --Pig Alley
1550 meters     -4, 12 cm of new snow, 13 cm in 24 hrs, 179 cm Base        --Catskinner 
  660 meters      0, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was 0. 5.1 mm of Precip recorded

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


For the forecast, the cold front pushed through early this morning with an upper trough following in its wake. We can expect overcast skies today with light snow in a Southwest flow aloft. A weak ridge of high pressure is close by so we may see some breaks this afternoon, but unlikely. The freezing level will hover around  1000 meters. A stronger--warmer--wetter front pushes in on Friday into Friday night with moderate snowfall and strong winds. The FL could rise to 1400 meters on Friday morning, dropping to around 800 meters by Friday night. At this time Saturday is looking unsettled as a ridge begins to build into the area with a cool Northwesterly flow aloft. We will likely see a weak short lived frontal band for Sunday morning, then the ridge rebuilding for the late afternoon/evening. Monday into Tuesday, we will see a warm off shore flow bring rising freezing levels to the area with mostly sunny skies. Guesstimates: 6-8 cm for Friday morning, 20-30 cm for Saturday morning.

   Trough moving through, chance of some breaks.


    Trough with light snow for today.

    Front for Friday into early Saturday morning.

   A front to the North will touch our zone early Sunday morning with some light snowfall.

   High pressure will bring warm temperatures into the area Monday into Tuesday from the South.


ARTICLES:

Snowmobiler killed in an avalanche in Colorado: Wolf Creek Pass

Technical report on above incident: CAIC Party involved did not have shovels!!?

Avalanche Canada stresses need for preparedness in wake of McBride Fatalities: Mountaineer

Employers with workers in BC backcountry urged to consider avalanche risks: Infotel.ca

Antarctic study identifies melting ice sheet's role in Sea Level Rise: Science Daily

Avalanches make for a deadly January in North America: Pique


   Snow falling in the afternoon yesterday, but very light.

    Southwest flow but not a pineapple!!

    Big picture yesterday, will be interesting to see how far South it draws for Friday.

    Very light snowfall in the valley. Front finally arrived!!

    Whister or Whoville?

    Snowing in the valley last night.

3 Feb 2016

February 3, 2016


    An avalanche near Pointy Peak Utah has killed a backcountry skier, story in articles, UAC Pic

    First light on Rainbow, Tuesday January 2, 2016.

    Dark to the Southwest in the morning.

    Bright to the Northwest.

    Bluebird to the East in the afternoon.

    Still some awesome snow around.

    Size 0.5 Sa off Spearhead Peak.

    Great snow up to 30 cm deep.

    Clouds rolled back in during the afternoon.

    Multiple cloud layers.

    Sunset Tuesday evening.


Weather Observations for February 3, 2016: taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters     -8, Winds were 30-45 KPH SSE     --Horstman Hut Station
2180 meters     -9, Winds were 15-30 KPH S          --Whistler Peak
1860 meters     -8, Winds were 15-20 KPH ESE     --Rendevous
1835 meters     -6, Winds were 10-20 KPH SE       --Roundhouse
1650 meters     -5, 1 cm of new snow, 1 cm in 24 hrs, 203 cm Base, RH 90%  --Pig Alley
1550 meters     -7, trace of new snow, 0 cm in 24 hrs, 171 cm Base        --Catskinner 
  660 meters     -4, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +0.3. 0 mm of Precip recorded

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


For the forecast, overcast skies with light snowfall today with the FL staying below 1200 meters in a Southwesterly flow aloft. Winds will pick up by noon.  By this evening we should see moderate snowfall and the FL dropping to 800 meters.  Thursday will also be overcast with light snowfall and the FL hovering around 1200 meters. A more vigorous front moves in for Friday with the FL spiking to 1400 meters in the morning, then dropping to 1000 meters in the evening. Looks like most of the precipitation will occur in the afternoon with some clearing Friday night. A ridge begins to build for Saturday with unsettled conditions and a near surface FL. Unsettled weather over the weekend, Monday is looking unsettled and warm. Guesstimates: 15-20 cm by Thursday morning, 8-12 cm by Friday morning, 24-28 cm by Saturday morning.




    Front pushing onshore this am.

    Light precipitation for Wednesday afternoon.


    Vigorous front for Friday.

    High pressure likely for Sunday into Monday. Warm air moving into the area for Monday.




ARTICLES:

Missing skier found buried in Summit County: Utah

Zermatt Avalanche Radar: Switzerland

Tragic ending to out-of-bounds snowboarder: Cypress Mountain

Western Montana Avalanche danger hiked to considerable: Missoula

The Selection of Desires: Ying, Yang, and You

More intel on the avalanche that killed a ski tourer in Grand Cret Bowl: France--Jan 30, 2016

10 soldiers missing as avalanche hits Siachen Glacier: Northern India


 
    Early Tuesday morning.

    Image taken at 14:45

    Wednesday's Front approaching, Fridays developing.

    Some draw from the South, but that should go South of our Zone. Atmospheric river?

    Ipsoot first light yesterday.

    Very thin cloud to the southeast in the morning.

    Point releases as the sun warmed things up.

    Mount Currie sandwich.

    Cornice noses are fragile.

    Later in the afternoon.

2 Feb 2016

February 2, 2016

   An avalanche in Japan has killed a backcountry skier, story in articles below:  Snow Japan Pic

    Snowing lightly and overcast early Monday morning.

    Marine cloud layer made it feel cold in the morning. Started breaking around noon.

    Light snow flurries for most of the morning into the early afternoon. 2 cm recorded at 1560 meters.

   Snowmaking meets sun.

    Funnel cloud at around 16:43 Hours on Monday.

    By 16:46 it was morphing.

    Sunset February 1, 2016; was officially at 17:04.


Weather Observations for February 2, 2016: taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters    -11, Winds were 10-20 KPH SSE    --Horstman Hut Station
2180 meters    -10, Winds were 10-15 KPH SSW   --Whistler Peak
1860 meters    -10, Winds were 15-20 KPH E         --Rendevous
1835 meters      -9, Winds were 5-10 KPH ESE      --Roundhouse
1650 meters      -9, Trace of new snow, trace in 24 hrs, 205 cm Base, RH 91%  --Pig Alley
1550 meters      -9, Trace of new snow, 2 cm in 24 hrs, 175 cm Base        --Catskinner 
  660 meters      -5, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +1.7. 0 mm of Precip recorded

    As of 07:00 Hours this am we have broken cloud and unlimited visibility.


For the forecast, a very weak dissipating front will give us mostly cloudy skies, with some breaks, and the chance of some isolated convective flurries in a cool Northwesterly flow aloft. The Freezing Level will remain below surface. For Wednesday a weak warm front will move onshore with the FL hovering around 1000 meters and light snowfall. Thursday will be overcast and bring light snow to the area, with the FL hovering in the 1000 meter range. Friday, a vigorous system moves onshore with the bulk of the snow coming in the evening. Saturday at this time is looking unsettled.
Guesstimates: 0-2 for Wednesday morning, 8-12 cm for Thursday morning, 4-6 cm for Friday morning, 20-30 cm for Saturday morning.

    Mostly cloudy for today.

    Weak front moving onshore.

    Weak warm front for Wednesday. FL hovering around 1000 meters.


    More vigorous front Friday. Heavy snow to the valley. FL as of now 1200 meters.

    High pressure builds for Saturday.



ARTICLES:

Backcountry skier dies in an avalanche near Katashina Village: Japan

Alberta Avalanche accidentally triggered during avalanche assessment: Icefield Parkway

Avalanche Investigation Unfinished: Globe&Mail

Avalanche Danger hits new heights: Norway

Tatum Monod's backcountry safety tips: RedBull

BC Chief Coroner expects to know cause of deadly avalanche: CTV News

Steamboat patrol share expertise during China Mission: Colorado

Coast Mountain Backcountry Report: January 31, 2016



   Moist marine layer yesterday morning.

    Very light snow in the trees.

    Some great light later in the afternoon.

    Snow quality yesterday was awesome.

    Tree line cornice control.