February 15, 2019

    YESTERDAY:

    Broken cloud in the morning, first light.

    Looking North in the am.

    Thicker clouds to the South.

    Overcast by the afternoon.

    Near the end of the day.

   Snowing last night.


Weather Observations for February 15, 2019 taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters    -10, Winds were 20-30 KPH SE--Horstman Hut
2180 meters      -9, Winds were 25-35 KPH SE--Whistler Peak
1860 meters      -8, Winds were   5-10 KPH SE--Rendevous
1835 meters      -7, Winds were 15-20 KPH SE--Round House
1650 meters      -7, 6 cm of new, 6 cm in 24 hrs, Base 260 cm--Pig Alley
1565 meters      -7, 5 cm of new, 5 cm in 24 hrs, Base 188 cm--Catskinner

  660 meters      -6, Valley Temp, Max temp Yesterday was -4.0, 0.3 mm of precip recorded yest

    As of 07:00 hrs we have broken cloud and unlimited visibility.

FORECAST:

A weak upper low will bring mostly overcast skies today in a Southerly flow aloft. The FL will likely rise to 1000 meters with day time heating and drop below surface tonight. Not much moisture expected as the brunt of the wet stuff will stay South of our zone. Unsettled weather for the next few days with the chance of a weak front pushing through sometime Tuesday. Guesstimates: 1-3 cm by Saturday morning.

    GOES IR image from this am.

    Weak upper trough with cool temps.

    Fronts along the coast.

    Unsettled as the Arctic High rebuilds, below normal temperatures.

        Unsettled with the low spinning cloud our way into the Arctic High for Sunday.

    More unsettled weather for Monday with slightly warmer temps.



    AVALANCHE ACTIVITY:

    Yesterday-- minimal avalanche control, a Sz 1 Sc, some Na Sz 1 sluffs on steep terrain.

    INFORMATION & OBSERVATIONS:

    Snow layers on the storm grate.

    Kokanee Race Series yesterday on Lower Franz Run.

    Flat light in the alpine Thursday afternoon.

    Cornices are getting bigger with fragile noses..




From Avalanche Canada MIN Reports:

Fluffy snow on Paul Ridge:Feb 14, 2019



  From South Coast Touring:

Speaking yesterday with a former Blackcomb Mountain ski patrol who is following the issue of public access corridors through the mountain's tenure. His take? The Mountain can't have it both ways—deny public access corridors and charge over the top for backcountry passes. The cost of a backcountry pass should be an administrative fee only. Say $10. In return for the tenure that blocks public access to two provincial parks of high recreation value, the obligation is on the Mountain to not charge more than its administrative cost.

VIDEO FRIDAYS:

Large avalanche: Ladakh

Cold Coffee Technique: AAI

Avalanche Footage: Spanish Pyrenees


ARTICLES:

Multiple avalanches wreck havoc around town: Jackcon Hole

Butte priest caught in I-90 avalanche: Montana

Snoqualmie Pass breaks daily snowfall record with nearly three feet: Washington State

Two people have been killed on a cornice collapse in the Aravis Mountains: France

How to stay adventure smart this winter: Pique

February 14, 2019

    Happy Valentine's Day.



   YESTERDAY:

    Sunrise was at 07:27 Hrs.

    Lit up!!

    Awesome light in the am.

    Light dry powder!!!

    Cornices continue to grow.

            Great snow and no crowds!!!

    A few clouds on Decker Wednesday afternoon.

    Alpin Glow.

    Sunset was at 17:25.

    Wednesday afternoon.


Weather Observations for February 14, 2019 taken at 06:00 Hours.

2240 meters     -10, Winds were 30-50 KPH SE--Horstman Hut
2180 meters       -8, Winds were 40-60 KPH SE--Whistler Peak
1860 meters     -10, Winds were 10-15 KPH S--Rendevous
1835 meters     -12, Winds were  10-20 KPH NNE--Round House
1650 meters     -13, 0 cm of new, 0 cm in 24 hrs, Base 256 cm--Pig Alley
1565 meters     -10, 0 cm of new, 0 cm in 24 hrs, Base 185 cm--Catskinner

  660 meters     -12, Valley Temp, Max temp Yesterday was -5.4, trace of precip recorded yest

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

FORECAST:

A weak upper ridge with unsettled weather will transition to overcast skies by this afternoon with flurries and increasing snow tonight. Southerly winds aloft with this next front moving in from the South. An upper trough tomorrow will bring overcast skies and light snow for Friday, stalling and slowly exiting our area Saturday night. A ridge builds for Sunday with sunny skies. Unsettled weather will return for Monday into early next week. Guesstimates: 4-6 cm by Friday morning, 2-6 cm by Saturday morning, Trace-1 cm by Sunday morning.

    GOES IR image this am.

    Low off the coast, warmer temperatures, FL will spike just below 1000 meters.

    Fronts along the coast.

    Low and associated upper trough will persist into Saturday.

    Low weakens and will be pushed out by the Arctic High.

    Arctic high brings back cold sunny conditions.



    AVALANCHE ACTIVITY:

    Loose dry Na. Yesterday morning locally. Sc produced Sz 1 loose soft slabs.

    Some Na activity during the evening.

    Mr-30m at 1900 m NE facing in the upper Ryan. Travelled back out and around.         Al Collis Pic

    East facing slopes sloughing with the sun, 2000 meters. Yesterday.                             Al Collis Pic

    INFORMATION & OBSERVATIONS:

    Dry Smoke!!!

    Rumbling Glacier.

    Great turns to be had in the morning, and all day.

    The Base of the Blackcomb Gondola.

    A few cloud in the afternoon.

    Another awesome day in the mountains.

    Helicopters are our friends!!!

    Big picture Wednesday afternoon.



From Avalanche Canada MIN Reports:


Ski around Spearhead: Feb 13. 2019

ARTICLES:

Avalanche pose dangers even to backcoutry experts: Aspen Times

Avalanche danger rating rises in East Kootney: Elk Valley

Avalanche damages a car in Northwest Wyoming: Jackson

Experienced skier caught in avalanche tells of close call: Utah