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Snowpack Summary November 7, 2022
Posted by Allen Giernet @ (this summary expires in 24 hours)
This summary applies to backcountry areas only.
The Bottom Line –
Pre Season update - With the first significant storm approaching and forecast amounts ranging from 7" to 40"+ depending on range and forecasting agency it is time to get your avi savy mindset. Information at this time is very limited so remember "If Theres Enough Snow To Ride Theres Enough Snow To Slide".
Early season will pose many hazards besides avalanches regardless of your mountain activities rather it be a hike, snowshoeing or skiing/ boarding. Exposed obstacles and low tide conditions should be on your mind. Warming cycles follow by cold spells create firm fast and icy conditions very often in our mountains, a slip and fall in these early season conditions can be catastrophic as slide for life scenarios are some of our biggest rescue situations. Early season snowfall also brings the foundation for our base and can be the future weak layer depending upon conditions. Watch weather conditions and keep track on what is happening in the snowpack starting now and following the trends all season will help prepare you to make more informed decisions.
During this period as we wait for the snowpack to develop it is a great time to:
Check all your gear, avalanche transceivers, check for updates and recalls.
Check your shovels and probes to make sure they are all functioning properly.
Check all your backcountry travel equipment, skis, boards, snow shoes, skins poles etc.
Brush up on your avalanche training or look into booking an avalanche course. There are many avalanche awareness programs throughout the country and many are virtual and free.
Avalanche education courses fill up fast so it's not too early to book your class.
SCSAC will begin posting weather forecasts later this month and snowpack summaries once we have a snowpack developed. Currently we are busy working on programming and will be updating the website soon with education opportunities and information. In the mean time please share any information when you are out in the mountains. Even a photo is helpful.
Please share your observations with us at the avalanche center Submit Reports page.
Posted by Allen Giernet @ (this summary expires in 24 hours)
This summary applies to backcountry areas only.
The Bottom Line –
Pre Season update - With the first significant storm approaching and forecast amounts ranging from 7" to 40"+ depending on range and forecasting agency it is time to get your avi savy mindset. Information at this time is very limited so remember "If Theres Enough Snow To Ride Theres Enough Snow To Slide".
Early season will pose many hazards besides avalanches regardless of your mountain activities rather it be a hike, snowshoeing or skiing/ boarding. Exposed obstacles and low tide conditions should be on your mind. Warming cycles follow by cold spells create firm fast and icy conditions very often in our mountains, a slip and fall in these early season conditions can be catastrophic as slide for life scenarios are some of our biggest rescue situations. Early season snowfall also brings the foundation for our base and can be the future weak layer depending upon conditions. Watch weather conditions and keep track on what is happening in the snowpack starting now and following the trends all season will help prepare you to make more informed decisions.
During this period as we wait for the snowpack to develop it is a great time to:
Check all your gear, avalanche transceivers, check for updates and recalls.
Check your shovels and probes to make sure they are all functioning properly.
Check all your backcountry travel equipment, skis, boards, snow shoes, skins poles etc.
Brush up on your avalanche training or look into booking an avalanche course. There are many avalanche awareness programs throughout the country and many are virtual and free.
Avalanche education courses fill up fast so it's not too early to book your class.
SCSAC will begin posting weather forecasts later this month and snowpack summaries once we have a snowpack developed. Currently we are busy working on programming and will be updating the website soon with education opportunities and information. In the mean time please share any information when you are out in the mountains. Even a photo is helpful.
Please share your observations with us at the avalanche center Submit Reports page.
General Caution
General Summary
Updates coming soon.
Exercise caution on slopes over 30° as these conditions will exist throughout all mountain ranges. Always exercise caution when entering into winter mountain areas. Bring a Beacon Shovel and Probe and know how to use them. Travel with a partner and make conservative decisions.
Updates coming soon.
Exercise caution on slopes over 30° as these conditions will exist throughout all mountain ranges. Always exercise caution when entering into winter mountain areas. Bring a Beacon Shovel and Probe and know how to use them. Travel with a partner and make conservative decisions.
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General Mountain Weather Forecast |
Daily forecasts coming soon
Click on the links below for the latest information
Click here for this Season's Snow Pack Summaries
To better understand the challenges and potential variability over the large area we are producing information for please read our Snowpack Summary - Format and Limitations
Disclaimer:
This Bulletin is designed to generally describe conditions where local variations always occur. Travelers are advised to exercise caution and make slope specific evaluations. As always, please treat this bulletin with appropriately guarded skepticism and make your own assessments. Help to provide more information to the community by reporting your observations
This Bulletin is designed to generally describe conditions where local variations always occur. Travelers are advised to exercise caution and make slope specific evaluations. As always, please treat this bulletin with appropriately guarded skepticism and make your own assessments. Help to provide more information to the community by reporting your observations
Latest Observtions
Click on the observation to go to the full report
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Observation type
Snowpack Location - Mt. Pinos Summit Date (yyyymmdd) - 20221111 Comment - Comment Powder lingering well from the storm earlier in the week, coverage in summit area quite skiable. |
Observation type
Snowpack Location - Wrightwood Date (yyyymmdd) - 20221109 Comment - First snowstorm of the season rolled through the Eastern San Gabriel mountains late Tuesday 11/8 after a day of torrential rain and wind (~4in liquid per my station, 60mph gusts) that came in warmer than originally forecast. Storm switched over to snow at roughly 7pm on Tuesday evening and cleared out before sunrise Wednesday. Snow totals at 2000m were 6cm of dense, high-moisture white stuff. Reports of 12cm from 2400m on the ridge above. Not bad, considering it's still early November, but a shame the storm didn't come in a few degrees cooler and with more snow. I'll get out this weekend for some exploration on the ridgelines to see how much loaded up on the Northern leeward slopes. |
Observation type -
Snowpack Location - Kratka Ridge Date (yyyymmdd) - 20220402 Comment - Hard and slippery on the ascent (~9AM), crampons recommended if ascending before 10AM, we probably could’ve held off for a bit on the ascent to let things soften a bit. Softening snow in aspects in the sun on the descent, shaded areas still hard. Coverage is barely there, wouldn’t have known it snowed on 3/28/2022, lots of rocks and branches beginning to poke out, choose your path wisely. This was likely the last weekend this area was skiable. |
Observation type
Avalanche Location - Wanat Peak, Yucaipa Ridge Date (yyyymmdd) - 20220330 Comment Wet slab avalanche observed on north aspect at lower elevation. Crown was only 6cm but bed surface measured approximately 200 feet long and 30 feet wide resulting in a significant amount of snow in the debris field. Debris field measured 150cm at its deepest point. Snowpack in this area consists of 5-6cm of wet heavy snow on top of a very firm crust. Top layer was very susceptible to movement on slopes exceeding 30 degrees and was able to trigger multiple small fast moving slabs on slopes exceeding 35 degrees that ran out down the entire slope. Slabs observed could easily knock a person down and on large exposed slopes there is the potential for burial. Additionally pinwheels and small wet loose avalanches observed in areas of solar warming. Rockfall presents an additional hazard. Observed and heard lots of rockfall activity due to warming including boulders exceeding the size of a basketball. |
General Caution
You should always use safe terrain management and carry avalanche rescue equipment in the backcountry. Most avalanches are triggered by someone in the party or the victim. Practice with your rescue gear often and be prepared should the worst happen. Though we do not have an avalanche forecast center in this area as of yet, the information posted and shared here as well as the resources available on this site will help to make informed decisions for your backcountry travels. Use avalanche forecasts in your travels wherever available and be aware that avalanche ratings are general information. Elevation, location, geographic variability’s, slope aspect and angle all have effects on the particular area you travel in. This is only one piece of the information you should use in your decision making process. There is no substitute for avalanche education, for more resources and information as well as education please refer to our resources page.
You should always use safe terrain management and carry avalanche rescue equipment in the backcountry. Most avalanches are triggered by someone in the party or the victim. Practice with your rescue gear often and be prepared should the worst happen. Though we do not have an avalanche forecast center in this area as of yet, the information posted and shared here as well as the resources available on this site will help to make informed decisions for your backcountry travels. Use avalanche forecasts in your travels wherever available and be aware that avalanche ratings are general information. Elevation, location, geographic variability’s, slope aspect and angle all have effects on the particular area you travel in. This is only one piece of the information you should use in your decision making process. There is no substitute for avalanche education, for more resources and information as well as education please refer to our resources page.
