January 23, 2020

    YESTERDAY:

    08:30 hrs Wednesday Jan 22, 2020.

    Another powder day.

    A few breaks to the North.

    Overcast but decent light in the alpine.

    Visibility was more challenging in the afternoon.

    End of the day, busy in the town centre.

Weather Observations for January 23, 2020 taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters    -2, Winds were 100-125 KPH ESE--Horstman Hut

2180 meters    -2, Winds were 115-140 KPH SE--Whistler Peak
1860 meters    -1, Winds were     35-60 KPH ENE --Rendevous 

1835 meters    -1, Winds were    20-45  KPH E--Round House

1650 meters   +1, 31 cm in 12 Hrs, 32 cm in 24 Hrs, Base 247 cm --Pig Alle
1560 meters    -2, 33 cm in 12 Hrs, 34 cm in 24 Hrs, Base 178 cm--Catskinner

  660 meters     0, Valley Temp, Max temp Yesterday was +1.9, 4.3 mm of precip yesterday.

FORECAST:

A warm front will push through today in a Southwesterly flow aloft. The freezing level should max out at around 1800 meters, dropping to 1400 meters by tomorrow. An upper level trough will bring periods of light precipitation for Friday. A series of frontal bands continues to bring winter weather into next week.  Guesstimates: 25-35 cm by Friday morning, 8-12 cm by Saturday morning, 4-8 cm by Sunday morning.

    As of 07:00 Hrs we have obscured skies, limited visibility and it is snowing 3 cm per hour.

    Goes Ir image from this am.

     Low continues to send moisture, slightly cooler temps.

    Fronts along the coast.

      Upper level trough for Friday, slightly cooler.

     Weakening upper level trough.




   AVALANCHE ACTIVITY:

    Search operations for 7 buried in avalanches suspended in Nepal. Article below.              Net Pic

    Avalanche control on Blackcomb produced Sz 1-1.5 Xe, Xh, Sc.

    Soft slabs up to Sz 1.5 on Blackcomb.

    Avalanche control on Whistler produced Sz 1-3.5 Xh, Xe, Xc.

    Hanging Face went Sz 3.5.

    Debris in West Bowl went over Hwy 86. Ripped out some small trees.





    INFORMATION & OBSERVATIONS:

    Cornices continue to grow.

    Always be aware of avalanche debris when the light is flat.

    Getting into West Cirque.

    Nice turns to be had in the Cirque.



FROM AVALANCHE CANADA MIN REPORTS:

Russet: Jan 21, 2020

Oboe/Apostles: Jan 22, 2020

Cowboyin: Jan 22, 2020



VIDEOS:

Whistler weather with meteorologist: David Jones



ARTICLES:

Search operations for 7 buried in Avalanches suspended due to bad weather: Nepal

The average age of people dying in avalanches is increasing: Unoffical Networks

Avalanche risk closes Mt Baker Hwy beyond glacier: Washington State

Local Avalanche Risk Zones (LARZ Project, contest): Escape Route

January 22, 2020

    YESTERDAY:

    First lift up Tuesday morning, snowing in the valley.

    First break of the day was around 09:30 Hrs.

    Clumpy snow below 1500 meters, but still nice turns, in the am.

    Snow conditions improved as the day progressed.

    Several breaks during the day.

    Tuesday January 21, 2020. 12:00 Hrs. -4.0 Deg C with a 15-30KPH East wind.

    Power flurries at around noon.

    Big picture around noon on Tuesday. More storms brewing in the Pacific.

    Awesome skiing by days end.

    Some awesome light at times!

Weather Observations for January 22, 2020 taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters    -7, Winds were 35-50 KPH SE--Horstman Hut

2180 meters    -7, Winds were 35-55 KPH SSW--Whistler Peak
1860 meters    -5, Winds were 15-25 KPH S --Rendevous 

1835 meters    -5, Winds were 15-30 KPH S--Round House

1650 meters    -3, 12 cm in 12 Hrs, 30 cm in 24 Hrs, Base 227 cm --Pig Alley
1560 meters .  -3,   8 cm in 12 Hrs, 22 cm in 24 Hrs, Base 153 cm--Catskinner

  660 meters   +1, Valley Temp, Max temp Yesterday was + 3.0, 11.1 mm of precip yesterday.

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

FORECAST:

A series of warm and wet Pacific fronts will arrive today into the weekend. Northwest flow aloft will switch to a Westerly flow aloft. Periods of light snow for today. The freezing level will hover in the 1000 meter range for most of the day, rising to 1800 meters by tonight/ Thursday as a potent warm front pushes through our zone. Still a chance the FL will spike to 2000 meters, fingers crossed. Upper level trough for Friday with cooler temperatures and periods of light precipitation. A more active front arrives for Saturday. More of the same into early next week. Guesstimates: 20-30 cm above 1700 meters by Thursday morning, 20-40 cm above 1700 meters by Friday morning, 10-15 cm by Saturday morning.

    GOES IR image from this am.

    Low will be sending a warm front into the South Coast later today.

    Fronts along the coast.

    Flow continues with cooler temps by Thursday night.

     Weaker front for Friday with cooler temps.






    AVALANCHE ACTIVITY:

    Cornice noses are collapsing.

    Minimal Avalanche control on Whistler yesterday produced mostly Sz 1-1.5. Xe Sc. A few Sz 2.

    Avalanche control on Blackcomb yesterday produced some Sz 1 Xe, Xt, Sc.

     A brief glimpse on Monday & Tuesday. Na Sz 2.5 out of Disease Ridge, Na Sz 3 Fissile. File Pic





    INFORMATION & OBSERVATIONS:

    Snowing hard early Tuesday morning.

    Snowballing below 1500 meters Tuesday morning.

    Riming at 2200 meters.

    Cornices are getting large.

    Snow sculpturing.

    Some areas were wind affected.

    Cornices around tree line had a melt freeze cycle on Monday.

    Grouse was happy to be in a snow storm.

    We have had 124 cm of new snow in the past 7 days.



FROM AVALANCHE CANADA MIN REPORTS:

Cayoosh West: Jan 20, 2020

Duffey Lake: Jan 17-20, 2020

Russet: Jan 21, 2020



VIDEOS:

Whistler Weather with meteorologist: David Jones

A Nasty Ride: Flo Goeller

When things go wrong: Cliff Rescue

Big Slides = Big Consequences: Avalanche Guys



ARTICLES:

Series of Avalanches in the French Alps: No Fatalities

Guide saw wall of snow carry Korean Trekking Team: Nepal

Stay out of avalanche terrain right now: Vancouver Island

Snowboarder dies in a tree well in Whitewater Ski Resort: B.C.

Skier dies at Fernie Mountain Resort in a tree well: B.C.

Avalanche Canada warns of potential danger after record snowfall: AvCan

An avalanche is coming for Vail Resorts as labour costs and economic risk rise: Harrison Schwartz