May 21, 2016

    Mostly overcast in the morning and into noon, Friday May 20, 2016.

    Lots of snow in Whistler Bowl!!

    Unsettled conditions but dry on Friday.

    There were a few dark clouds around Friday afternoon.

    More blue later in the afternoon.

   Just before sunset.


Weather Observations for May 21, 2016: taken at 07:00 Hours.

2240 meters    +1, Winds were 15-30 KPH E      --Horstman Hut
1860 meters      0, Winds were 15-20 KPH ESE --Rendevous
1550 meters    +3, 0 cm of new snow, 0 cm in 24 hrs, 118 cm Base, RH 71%

  660 meters    +6, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +16.9. 0.0 mm of Precip recorded yest

.70 mm of rain recorded at 1550 meters in the past 12 hours.

    As of 08:00 Hrs this am we have high overcast and unlimited visibility.

For the forecast, the upper level low to the South will bring unsettled conditions to the area this morning in a Northeast offshore flow. We can expect mostly cloudy conditions this am with very light rain by the afternoon switching to showers by the evening, with some breaks possible. The FL will max out this afternoon at around 2500 meters.  Sunday is also looking wet with overcast skies and very light rain as the low continues to spin cloud into our zone as it moves Northeast. By Monday the low should drift further East but continue to send cloud and moisture towards the coast. Difficult to nail down how much precipitation we will actually receive in the next few days, we may even see fairly dry conditions with overcast skies most of the time with the odd break and some intermittent showers. As of now Tuesday is looking unsettled as the low continues East, the next low will affect our area by Wednesday and it will be moving in from the western Pacific for more cool showery weather.

    Most of the moisture is East but we should see some very light rain by this afternoon.

    Model suggests precipitation later this afternoon/evening.

    Northeasterly offshore flow for Saturday.

    There appears to be some moisture coming our way over the weekend.

    Potential for moisture on Sunday as well with some possible breaks.

    Low will continue to spin cloud our way.

    Much of the moisture is heading East.

    Low begins to move inland and North Saturday into Sunday.

    Monday looks cloudier than Sunday in this model.

    Another low from the West will bring cool moist weather into our zone later in the week.



ARTICLES:

Annual reopening of Independence pass starts with a bang: Colorado

Independence Pass Avalanche Mitigation: You Tube

As European Glaciers dwindle, dams could replace them: Science Daily

    08:00 Hours Friday morning.

    16:30 Hours Friday

    Big picture Friday afternoon.

    Fresh snow in the upper elevations.

    Some decent breaks mid afternoon.

    Whistler from Green Lake.

May 20, 2016

    Snow below the tree line Thursday May 19, 2016. A trace recorded at 1550 meters.

    Snow in the alpine pretty much all day, with a few breaks. HI of +3 at 16:30 Hrs at 1860 meters.

   Visibility was variable at times, there were some periods of good visibility.

    Rendevous Deck Thursday at noon.

    Wet snow later in the afternoon.

    Breaks by 17:00 Hours in the valley.


Weather Observations for May 20, 2016: taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters     -3, Winds were 20-40 KPH SSE --Horstman Hut
1860 meters     -1, Winds were 20-25 KPH NNE --Rendevous
1550 meters    +1, 0 cm of new snow, 0 cm in 24 hrs, 120 cm Base, RH 98%--Catskinner

  660 meters    +7, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +10.2. 3.5 mm of Precip recorded yest

    At 07:00 Hours we had obscured skies and limited visibility.

    By 08:00 Hrs we have broken cloud and variable visibility.



For the forecast, air mass will dry out today with unsettled conditions in a Northeasterly flow. There is a chance of some very light intermittent showers this am with the FL hovering in the 2300 meter range by this afternoon. Good chance of some sunny breaks in the mix.  By Saturday the low to the Southeast will send more cloud our way by the afternoon with some light rain showers. The overcast wet conditions will move into Sunday with light precipitation and overcast conditions, likely the wettest day of the weekend.  Unfortunately,  Monday is also looking overcast with some showers as the low continues to spin cloud and moisture our way. Long range models are in disagreement past Sunday but it looks like the upper trough will continue to bring seasonable temperatures and typical May showers for next week.

    Low is over Southern Oregon/Northern California. Will continue to send spring like weather!!

    Low will be spinning clouds at us for a few days.

    Unsettled with some breaks as the morning progresses.

    Today is looking like a fairly nice day.

    Northeasterly flow for today.

    Unsettled Saturday morning as well with more cloud later in the day.

    Looking overcast and wet for Sunday as well.

    Looking into early next week. Moist!!

    Low shifts to the east but continues to send spring like conditions our way.


VIDEO FRIDAY:

Self sufficent Ski Area: Laxx, Switzerland

La Nina 2016: You Tube

Double Cork Belly Flop: OUCH

Speed Kiter accidently starts monster avalanche: France



ARTICLES:

Colorado considers expanding remote avalanche control system: Gazex

More than 150 scale Mount Everest after weather improves: Kathmandu

99% chance 2016 will be the hottest year on record: Scientific America

April breaks global temperature record, making 7 months of new highs: The Guardian

    07:30 Hours Thursday morning.

    14:30 Hours on Thursday.

    Big picture Thursday afternoon.

    Snow in the alpine was skiing well before the FL went up and made it wet.

    Downloading on the solar, from white to--

    Green on the Wizard.

May 19, 2016

    Overcast for most of the day, Wednesday May 18, 2016.

    Expressway on the way to Seventh Heaven Chair Lift.

    There were some dark clouds but no showers during the late morning/afternoon.

    Cloud layer did drop below the top elevation from time to time.

   Large Glide Crack skiers right lower Pakalolo.

    There was a bit of convective activity.

    Fairly dark at closing time.

    Looking into the valley it started raining there at around 18:00 Hours. 4.9 mm recorded up to 24:00



Weather Observations for May 19, 2016: taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters     -2, Winds were 10-15 KPH SSE--Horstman Hut
1860 meters     -1, Winds were 10-20 KPH S     --Rendevous
1550 meters    +1, Trace of new snow, 0 cm in 24 hrs, 124 cm Base, RH 100%--Catskinner

  660 meters    +7, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +15.5. 4.9 mm of Precip recorded yest

6 mm recorded at Catskinner, likely wet snow there. Will update once numbers become available.

    As of 07:00 Hrs this am we obscured skies, limited visibility and it is snowing lightly.

    Obscured and snowing at 2180 meters.

   Snow in the alpine down to a least 1500 meters!!




For the forecast, the cool low pressure system moving in from the Gulf of Alaska has slowed and weakened over our zone. Today will likely be the wettest of the next few days with the FL rising and hovering in the 2000 meter range. The weather for Friday into Saturday will be dependant on how much cloud and precipitation the low will spin at us once it settles in to the South. For now it looks unsettled, with partly to mostly cloudy periods with the chance of light intermittent showers. The air mass for Sunday is looking quite moist, especially in the morning, lets say Sunday could be a moist day with breaks later in the afternoon. The low will continue to bring cool showery weather into early next week, models are not in agreement to what is happening past Sunday. Standby for an update Friday.

    Low is slowly drifting South.

    Certainly some precipitation heading our way, but it feels like the system is weakening.

    Flow for Thursday.

    Expected precipitation for today into tomorrow. Breaks Friday afternoon.

    Looking mostly cloudy for Friday with some sunny breaks.

    Another decent unsettled day for Saturday as well. Rain possible in the evening.

    Looking towards Sunday!

    Breaks on Monday morning with showers slated for the afternoon.



ARTICLES:

New Data on Variability of Earth's Reflectance over the past 16 years: Science Daily

Grizzlies and Glaciers: Backcountry Skiing Blog

Climbing Skin Science-2016: Backcountry Skiing Blog

Early snow melt means rising rivers: Montana

    07:30 Hours Wednesday May 18, 2016.

    16:00 Hours Wednesday. Most of the moisture went South. Are we in a draught?

    Big picture Wednesday afternoon.

     Lots of foot passengers.

    Both sides of the Horstman Creek were pumping Wednesday.

    Double down loading, 17:00 Hrs.