Hi Skiers,

Hope you are enjoying skiing the groomers in the sunshine. The views are great in the clear, mild air on the upper slopes. There is an inversion, where the lower slopes are colder than the upper slopes, at some ski areas. The freezing levels are way up at 10,000-11,000 feet. As a result we have warm air aloft, overriding chilly air at lower elevations. The snow pack is near normal, but it is early season so watch for thin spots in the pack. Beware, because grooming can till up a few rocks into the snowpack, considering the shallow snowpack in places.

The snowless weather pattern is being caused by a ridge of high pressure, which is blocking storms from moving into the Pacific Northwest. The massive high-pressure is anchored in and not moving much, forcing storms well to the north. In fact, the entire Western U.S. and much of BC is dry. So, it's the same forecast for Whistler. The forecast indicates more of the same, at least for another week or more. I thought we might have some action by mid month, but now I believe it will be a bit later. Again, these blocking patterns can last a couple of weeks or more. A few days to three weeks is the typical lifespan.

Be careful on the drive, around town or up to the slopes. With temperatures near freezing in the lowlands and some areas of fog, there may be icy or frosty spots on the road, especially in the morning, in shady spots and on elevated overpasses.


Larry Schick
Meteorologist
Grand Poobah of Powder