June 13, 2016

    An avalanche in Austria has killed a mountaineer, story in article section--Net Pic.

    Unsettled on Monday, June 6, 2016-- mostly sunny with a high of + 29.5 in the valley.

    Monday June 6, 2016--New valley trail underpass at Mon's Crossing.

    Tuesday June 7, 2016--unsettled with a high of +26.5 in the valley.

    Wednesday June 8, 2016, high of +15.6 in the valley, showery--3.8 mm of rain recorded at 660 m.

    Overcast with showers all day on Wednesday.

    Thursday June 9, 2016--overcast with some breaks, high of +16 in the valley.

   Thursday looked ominous but it did not rain.

    Friday June 10, 2016--Cold and Showery--3.2 mm recorded at 660 meters.

    Rain off and on Friday, -1 at 1835 meters early Friday morning.

    7.1 mm of rain recorded at 660 meters on Friday.

    Snowing, -1 at 1835 meters--Saturday--June 11, 2016 at 07:00 Hours. June-uary!!

    Image from Saturday morning. Another cold low from the Gulf of Alaska.

    Saturday morning snowing as low as 1550 meters. +1 at the bottom of Catskinner chair.

    Sunday morning June 12, 2016--overcast but dry, slight improvement with breaks in the PM.

    Sunday evening, clouds rolled back in for overcast conditions. High of +14.5 recorded in valley.


Weather Observations for June 13, 2016: taken at 07:00 Hours.

2240 meters      -1, Winds were 20-30 KPH SE  --Horstman Hut
1860 meters     +2, Winds were 10-20  KPH SE --Rendevous
1550 meters     +3, RH 96%-- Catskinner

  660 meters     +9, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +14.5. 0.0 mm of Precip recorded yest

0.6 mm of precipitation recorded at 1550 meters early this am.

    As of 08:00 Hrs this am we have overcast skies with rain clouds moving up the valley.


For the forecast, June-uary weather will continue into early this week with cool showery/rainy conditions expected into Wednesday. A weak cold front will move through today before the deep upper level low out off the Gulf of Alaska pushes through the South Coast. Expect a light westerly flow today with the FL hovering in the 2000 meter range mid day, by tonight it could drop to as low as 1300 meters. Tuesday is looking fairly wet with the FL rising to 1800 meters by mid day, dropping again Tuesday evening. The models are agreeing on a split flow for sometime Wednesday bringing unsettled weather into the weekend. Still looking at cloudy conditions in the mountains with some sunny breaks in the mix. Periods of precipitation can be expected as well but timing is variable.
The demise of the El Nino has changed the global circulations, low pressure systems tend to move through our zone in June when La Nina builds. We likely will not see a summer like the past two, will be interesting to watch what happens with the newest cycle in the ever changing weather patterns.

    A weak cold front moves onshore today.

    Another low moving in from the Gulf of Alaska, cool, showery- with snow in the upper elevations.

    Tuesday will likely be the coldest day of the week.

    Low continues to bring cool wet weather into Wednesday.

    Upper low will likely split later on Wednesday bringing unsettled weather into next weekend

    Flow up until Thursday.




ARTICLES:

Mountaineer killed in an avalanche in Austria : June 4, 2016-Near Salzburg

Backcountry Skier missing since November found on Hatcher Pass: Alaska

Massive debris flow visible on Mount Baker: Washington State

75% chance of La Nina for the 2016-2017 Winter: SnowBrains

Technology improves avalanche gear for backcountry travellers: Utah

Wildsnow Technical Report-Binding Mount Screw Lengths: Backcountry Skiing Blog

Avalanches are an Inherent Risk of Skiing, Court Rules: Colorado

Keeping safe on early season hikes: Seattle Times

    Satellite image from 07:30 Hours Monday morning.

    June 11, 2015 Not much snow compared to this year.

June 6, 2016

    June 1, 2016-- Mostly cloudy did eventually rain--3.1 mm recorded at Nesters-- 660 meters.

    June 1, 2016. Clouds thickened as the day progressed.

    June 2, 2016-- Mostly cloudy with some breaks. No Rain.

    June 2, 2016-- Max Temperature was 16.9 Degrees C.

    June 3, 2016-- mix of sun and cloud--no rain.

    June 3, 2016-- Max Temperature was 18.6 Degrees C.

    Sunset, Friday June 3, 2016. Nice weather is here!!

    Saturday afternoon-- June 4, 2016--Bluebird. Maximum Temperature was 30.4 Degrees C.

    June 4, 2016-- Very busy day at the heliport.

    June 4, 2016--Helicopters and CDFL Training.

    June 5, 2016--Awesome day-- 32.6 degrees recorded at the Nesters weather stn for a new record.

    June 5, 2016-- Silt from Fitzsimmons Creek flowing into Green Lake.

    High Cirrus cloud around for most of the day, Sunday.


Weather Observations for June 6, 2016: taken at 07:00 Hours.

2240 meters    +11, Winds were 25-30 KPH S        --Horstman Hut
1860 meters    +12, Winds were 10-20  KPH SSE --Rendevous
1550 meters    +15, RH 52%-- Catskinner

  660 meters    +11, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +32.6. 0.0 mm of Precip recorded yest

   As of 08:00 Hrs this am we have broken cloud and unlimited visibility.

For the forecast, the upper level ridge which brought us record breaking temperatures yesterday will begin slowly shifting East with a light SW flow aloft this am. Should see a slight increase in the cloud cover each day as the flow becomes moderate by Wednesday, when an upper level trough moves into our zone. Temperatures will also slightly decrease each day through this transition and there is a chance of some showers late Wednesday into Thursday. The upper low is expected to move through our zone by the weekend but the models are not consistent in its strength, timing and track. Looks like a mixed bag, some cloud, sun and the occasional shower into Sunday. Typical June weather!!

    High will bring mostly sunny weather into Wednesday.

    Low to the North will begin to affect our area by Wednesday.

    Showers likely by Thursday.

    Flow for this week into the weekend. Unsettled conditions Thursday through Sunday.

     Low will bring cloud and some moisture later in the week. Models are unsure of the Lows path.

     Looks cloudy for the weekend as well. Time will tell!!



NOT MUCH NEWS IN THE AVALANCHE WORLD!!


ARTICLES:

Court rules Winter Park not liable for Avalanche Death: Colorado

When melting mountains shake: Nepal

Winter has arrived in South America: SnowBrains

Remains of missing National Guardsman found in Chugach State Park: Alaska



Some interesting data for May over the past ten years from the Nesters Weather Station.

Year                    Max Avg Temp                    Total Precipitation

2007                           +17.0                                      32.3 mm
2008                           +17.4                                      36.2 mm
2009                           +16.5                                      40.2 mm
2010                           +15.0                                      49.6 mm
2011                           +13.4                                      31.4 mm
2012                           +15.5                                      21.6 mm
2013                           +17.6                                      65.1 mm
2014                           +17.7                                      20.4 mm
2015                           +20.7                                      28.4 mm
2016                           +18.6                                      46.6 mm

    Early Sunday morning.

    17:00 Hours Sunday afternoon. High pressure is holding some high scattered cloud around.

    This is an image from June 5, 2015. Deja Vu.

May 31, 2016

    06:00 Hours Tuesday May 31, 2016.

    05:00 Hours Monday May 30, 2016.

    An awesome morning, with white capped peaks.

    A few clouds in the mix.

    Some high clouds in the morning.

    Cumulus clouds in the afternoon.

    Mount Currie later in the afternoon on Monday.

This is the last post for the 2015-2016 season, may occasionally post during the summer when there is some avalanche activity to report!! Future of the blog is uncertain, need to find some serious backers for next season if it is to continue. If you know any companies or individuals who would be in a position to help keep the site up and running please contact me this summer. Cheers Wayne



Weather Observations for May 31, 2016: taken at 07:00 Hours.

2240 meters    +6, Winds were 10-20 KPH SE --Horstman Hut
1860 meters    +5, Winds were  5-10  KPH SE --Rendevous
1550 meters    +6, 0 cm of new snow, 0 cm in 24 hrs, 100 cm Base, RH 62%

  660 meters    +7, Valley Temp, Max Temp Yesterday was +20.3. 0.0 mm of Precip recorded test

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

For the forecast, high cloud will move into the area today as an offshore flow pushes marine cloud into the area, the upper level flow is Westerly. The high pressure will weaken today, slowly drifting East allowing high cloud to move into the area this morning with low clouds developing later in the day. A weak front will arrive on Wednesday with more cloud, the chance of some showers Wednesday night with the front strengthening for Thursday with cloudier conditions. The ridge rebuilds for the weekend.

    High pressure again for today, which will move East as the day progresses.

    High pressure for Tuesday, with high cloud moving into the area.

    Some moisture just to our North on Wednesday.

    Weak front slated to be in our zone for Wednesday with an increase in cloud expected.

    Cloud pushes in Wednesday morning.

    More cloud Wednesday evening into Thursday.

    High rebuilds Friday afternoon.

    Ridging over the weekend into early next week.

ARTICLES:

Key to the Ski Touring Kingdom-E Bikes: Backcountry Ski Blog

Bodies of US climbers left on mountain out of respect: Reuters

Czech Mountaineer dies in Messner couloir: Denali, Alaska

    09:15 Hours Monday Morning.

    16:45 Hrs Monday afternoon

    Big picture Monday afternoon, big high but the low to the North will likely send cloud our way.

    Have a custom 1982 Harley for sale if anyone is interested.

    Awesome ride, new tires and brakes.

    Bike park was quiet Monday, awesome time to be riding.

    Young Buck!