May 4, 2016

    Soft at 10:00 Hrs Tuesday May 3, 2016.

    Looked nasty in the morning but the moisture stayed to the West.

    Cloudy in the morning with showers in the area but dry on Blackcomb.

    It even brightened up later in the morning.

    Unsettled early in the afternoon.

    Cloudy and raining at 16:00 Hours.

   There has been a cougar sighting on Blackcomb on the hiking/biking trails. Be aware!! Story below.


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

2240 meters        0, Winds were  20-30 KPH SSE --Horstman Hut
1860 meters      +2, Winds were  10-20 KPH ESE --Rendevous
1550 meters      +3, 0 cm of new snow, 0 cm in 24 hrs, 170 cm Base, RH 97%  --Catskinner

  660 meters      +9, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +20.1. 1.5 mm of Precip recorded yest

    As of 07:00 Hrs this am at 1860 meters we have overcast skies and unlimited visibility.

For the forecast, a splitting upper level trough in a Southerly flow aloft will bring light rain early this morning, turning to showers this am with the majority of the system moving South. Once the rain stops we should be in for some unsettled weather.  We should see gradual clearing by this evening as the high pressure aloft begins to build on Thursday into Saturday. The FL will remain near 2300 meters today, gradually climbing to the 4000 meter mark by Saturday. There may be some cloud around for Sunday but the ridge is likely to strengthen for Monday. There is some disagreement in the models for early next week, trof or ridging, time will tell!!

    Should see some sunny breaks by the afternoon.

    Southerly flow aloft for today, switching to a Northwest onshore flow by tonight.

    Light rain should slowly turn to showers this am.

    Ridge rebuilds for Thursday into the weekend.

    Should see some clearing by Thursday morning.




ARTICLES:

Cougar charges hikers on Blackcomb Mountain: The Province

Cascade Designs recall Avalanche Rescue Probes: Faulty Lock Button

Spring 2016: Valdez Avalanche Center

Two more bodies recovered from the avalanche in Chitral on March 19Th, 2016: Pakistan

    10:30 Hours Tuesday morning.

    15:15 Hours Tuesday afternoon. Thickening cloud.

    Big picture Tuesday afternoon.

    Showers to the North Tuesday morning.

    Some low level cloud in the afternoon.

    There were some convective clouds around as well.

    You just never know what you will see when there are sightseers.

    Sky at 17:30 Hours. 4.4 mil of rain recorded at 1550 meters over night.

May 3, 2016

    Just after sunrise Tuesday May 3, 2016.

    Another warm amazing day in the mountains, May 2, 2016.

    Conditions were soft mid mountain at 10:00 Hours.

    Road access to the Round House.

    In the morning Monday May 2, 2016.

    By mid day.

    Later in the day.

    Great clouds Monday afternoon.

   What is there not to like about Spring Skiing??

    Clouds to the West, just before sunset Monday evening. They look dark!!

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

2240 meters      +4, Winds were  20-25 KPH SE --Horstman Hut
1860 meters      +6, Winds were    5-10 KPH SE --Rendevous
1550 meters      +7, 0 cm of new snow, 0 cm in 24 hrs, 175 cm Base, RH 67%  --Catskinner

  660 meters      +9, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +25.7. 0.0 mm of Precip recorded yest

It did rain briefly last night around Midnight, 1-2 mm recorded at Catskinner and Pig Alley. Winds were also moderate to strong, 60-100 KPH at 02:00 Hrs this morning.

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

   This is the view to the South. Looks nasty!!


For the forecast,  a splitting upper level trough in a Southerly flow will bring mostly cloudy skies and periodic rain showers of varying intensity. The FL will remain fairly high, with it hovering around 2600+ meters. Wednesday will bring a similar day with a mostly cloudy day and rain showers with the FL hovering in the 2400+ meter range. As of now Thursday morning is looking unsettled with a mix of sun and cloud and the possibility of some very light showers. The ridge rebuilds Thursday afternoon with sunny weather expected into the weekend. Yet another weekend when warm temperatures could break all the old records. The snow is melting very quickly, record temperatures through April did not really help to preserve any base, and the heat just keeps coming.

    There are some bands of moisture heading our way.

    Clouds will get thicker before the Mountain opens.

    Showers later this morning.

    Some precipitation for later today, most should go North and South.

    Split flow with the stronger low to our South on Wednesday..

    Low spinning some weather at us on Wednesday, looks unsettled by Thursday morning..



ARTICLES:

Warmer winter results in fewer avalanche deaths: Switzerland

Report shows 72 avalanches in Southern Montana in 2016: GNF

Avalanche Centre recognised for Safety Effort: AAIC

A very warm spring: Cliff Mass Weather Blog

Temperature records shattered across B.C.: Vancouver Sun

    Monday Morning May 2, 2016 at 10:00 Hours.

    Monday afternoon.

    15:00 Hours Monday.

    Photo/video session at Lemmings Leap.

    Big Air.

    Mount Currie later in the day.


    Maximum temp + 25.7 degrees on Monday in the valley, +25.9 on Sunday. Record shattered!!

    Snow around the rocks is very rotten.

    Should be easy to get the Bike Park in full swing with the lack of snow mid mountain down.