In this webinar we will examine a structured way to access and digest the vast array of weather information starting from the big picture and funneling down to the local level for your tour.

We will look at a selected array of free weather products on the internet and how they can be structured to give you a handle on what to expect before you head out on your tour. We will certainly focus on some of the AvCan resources, but also highlight some other great free resources that may enhance your ability to get a handle on what’s going on out there. Since weather is the architect of avalanches, this may help sharpen your awareness of how the snow stability and avalanche hazard may be altered by the forecasts you obtain. I will show a couple of ways to set up your browser (or iPad for that matter) so that you don’t have to spend hours looking for relevant information.

This session is part of what I have featured on Avalanche Update courses that I have taught in recent years. Many participants felt it was one of the most valuable aspects of that course. I have also drawn from the process that we used each day before heli-skiing.

Cyril is an ACMG / IFMGA Mountain Guide, an ITRA Level 3 Rescue Instructor and owner of the company “Rescue Dynamics”. He joined the ACC in 1975 and has been a member ever since. He was inducted as an Honorary (Life) Member of the Alpine Club and has taught courses and guided for the ACC for decades.

Some technical details every participant needs to know: There will be a maximum of participants admitted to the webinar, so sign up early. If you are not going to attend please cancel your participation so someone else on the waiting list is allowed to attend. If you do not cancel and do not attend you may compromise your ability to sign up for any of the future webinars in this series.

This webinar will be presented using the Zoom platform. To limit the potential for the unfortunate phenomenon known as “Zoom Bombing” where uninvited guests disrupt presentations, Zoom has updated its software and we are undertaking a few additional recommended steps. Prior to joining, you should download the most recent version of Zoom or you may not be able to log in. You must sign up on the Calgary Section website as you would for any ACC Calgary trip. If you name isn’t on the sign-up list you won’t be allowed to connect to the webinar. Once you have signed up you will be sent an email the day before the webinar with the link to attend.

You are encouraged to connect to the webinar 5 to 10 minutes early where you will find yourself in a “waiting room”. A co-host will check your name and email address against the sign-up list before you will be admitted to the webinar. Note that if you attempt to join using a pseudonym other than your real name you will not be admitted. When you connect to the webinar your microphone will be muted and screen sharing and chat will be disabled, so this is not like a zoom meeting in that respect. No logins to the webinar will be accepted after 6:40 PM so please don’t try to sign in late.

There will be specified times during the session where questions and answers will be taken, at which time chat may be enabled or your microphone may be turned on at the discretion of the hosts.