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Snowpack Summary March 3, 2025
Posted by Allen Giernet @ 7:30am (this summary expires when we get substantial)
This summary applies to backcountry areas only.
Summary Update:
The Bottom Line –
We have limited field information at this time and even less seasonal snow. With only 2' - 3' recorded for the season near 8,000’ we are only providing occasional updates.
3” to 4” of snow was recorded near 8,000’ in the Past 24 hours.
With moderate West to Northwest winds and more snow at higher elevations, small wind slabs can be expected. Look for signs of wind scouring, cornices, textured snow surfaces and firm, pillowed, hollow sounding snow to point to wind slab development.
This problem could be on any aspect and mainly at upper elevations where snow was still on the ground. Look for wind slabs below ridges and along gullies where snow could be blown into. Expect variable surface conditions with firm and icy surfaces likely under the new snow and providing poor bonding for wind transported snow. - Use wind sheltered terrain to avoid this problem.
We are still operating on very limited on the ground data. If you are venturing out share any information through our
Submit Observation page.
For our general cautions read the General Concerns Below while we wait for more snow.
General Concerns
Obstacles and low snow coverage will be the biggest hazard at this time. As snow falls and accumulates remember even small avalanches can sweep you off your feet and carry you into dire situations. Be aware of changing snow conditions and what is below you as you move through the mountains.
Some things to keep in mind while traveling in the mountains with changing weather conditions on a daily basis:
Wet Loose – This can happen in our climate very quickly following a storm cycle especially with the warmer systems we are seeing so far this season. Significant warming and little to no overnight freezes will increase the chance of Wet snow instability. Start early and finish early while avoiding solar affected slopes. Watch for signs of wet snow as you travel and the day warms. Starting on firm snow that gives way to sinking to boot top depth is a sign of wet snow instability. Look for roller balls and pinwheels emanating from rock outcroppings and move to lower angel terrain and less solar affected aspects if you see these signs. Wet Loose avalanches will not generally bury you but can knock you off your feet and carry you through or over nasty terrain features with cataclysmic results. Be aware what is below you and rapidly changing snow conditions.
Fast Firm conditions – are possible on all aspects especially at upper elevations following warm sunny days with below freezing overnight temperatures. These conditions will pose the risk of slide for life scenarios especially following a warmer period. This hazard is the most prominent cause for rescues in our local mountains especially areas such as the Baldy Bowl. A slip and fall can result in an uncontrollable slide with potential catastrophic results. Be sure to bring proper equipment (ice axe & crampons) with the skills to use them before committing to steep firm slopes. Be aware of snow surfaces you are traveling on and changes as you move through different aspects and elevations as well as what is below you. Change terrain if these conditions develop before you find yourself in a situation you can’t retreat from.
Exercise caution if venturing out into the mountains and use avalanche protocols, travel with a partner and bring your beacon, shovel and probe.
Please share any information when you are out in the mountains. Even a photo is helpful. Submit observations to Submit Reports page.
Posted by Allen Giernet @ 7:30am (this summary expires when we get substantial)
This summary applies to backcountry areas only.
Summary Update:
The Bottom Line –
We have limited field information at this time and even less seasonal snow. With only 2' - 3' recorded for the season near 8,000’ we are only providing occasional updates.
3” to 4” of snow was recorded near 8,000’ in the Past 24 hours.
With moderate West to Northwest winds and more snow at higher elevations, small wind slabs can be expected. Look for signs of wind scouring, cornices, textured snow surfaces and firm, pillowed, hollow sounding snow to point to wind slab development.
This problem could be on any aspect and mainly at upper elevations where snow was still on the ground. Look for wind slabs below ridges and along gullies where snow could be blown into. Expect variable surface conditions with firm and icy surfaces likely under the new snow and providing poor bonding for wind transported snow. - Use wind sheltered terrain to avoid this problem.
We are still operating on very limited on the ground data. If you are venturing out share any information through our
Submit Observation page.
For our general cautions read the General Concerns Below while we wait for more snow.
General Concerns
Obstacles and low snow coverage will be the biggest hazard at this time. As snow falls and accumulates remember even small avalanches can sweep you off your feet and carry you into dire situations. Be aware of changing snow conditions and what is below you as you move through the mountains.
Some things to keep in mind while traveling in the mountains with changing weather conditions on a daily basis:
Wet Loose – This can happen in our climate very quickly following a storm cycle especially with the warmer systems we are seeing so far this season. Significant warming and little to no overnight freezes will increase the chance of Wet snow instability. Start early and finish early while avoiding solar affected slopes. Watch for signs of wet snow as you travel and the day warms. Starting on firm snow that gives way to sinking to boot top depth is a sign of wet snow instability. Look for roller balls and pinwheels emanating from rock outcroppings and move to lower angel terrain and less solar affected aspects if you see these signs. Wet Loose avalanches will not generally bury you but can knock you off your feet and carry you through or over nasty terrain features with cataclysmic results. Be aware what is below you and rapidly changing snow conditions.
Fast Firm conditions – are possible on all aspects especially at upper elevations following warm sunny days with below freezing overnight temperatures. These conditions will pose the risk of slide for life scenarios especially following a warmer period. This hazard is the most prominent cause for rescues in our local mountains especially areas such as the Baldy Bowl. A slip and fall can result in an uncontrollable slide with potential catastrophic results. Be sure to bring proper equipment (ice axe & crampons) with the skills to use them before committing to steep firm slopes. Be aware of snow surfaces you are traveling on and changes as you move through different aspects and elevations as well as what is below you. Change terrain if these conditions develop before you find yourself in a situation you can’t retreat from.
Exercise caution if venturing out into the mountains and use avalanche protocols, travel with a partner and bring your beacon, shovel and probe.
Please share any information when you are out in the mountains. Even a photo is helpful. Submit observations to Submit Reports page.
General discussion
Please share any information when you are out in the mountains. Even a photo is helpful, share with the community at our Submit Observations page.
Please share any information when you are out in the mountains. Even a photo is helpful, share with the community at our Submit Observations page.
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General Mountain Weather Forecast |
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
Recent Observtions
Click on the observation to go to the full report
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Avalanche Obs 04-07-24 San G Below Front Country
Comment - Did not have to time to collect detailed data, we observed this slide on our decent in a sparsely tree slope. Slope was mostly sun 35 degrees but slid on a convex roll. I believe it was between the old snow / storm snow (4/5) interface. |
Avalanche Obs 04-07-24 Alta Diablo
Comment - We toured Alto Diablo from Jenks Lake trailhead 4/7. 8-10inches fairly fresh snow from 4/5 storm, cold temps last 24-48 hrs kept any appreciable level of sun crust from developing day prior. Temperature warmed through tour into early afternoon but didn’t experience any significant softening on sun exposed east facing slopes by our 1:00pm transition to ride. Fairly soft - well riding snow on the North aspects, remained quite dry until around 7,800ft and prior sun crest was well buried on entire decent. Wind scouring atop North/North East Faces - ridgeline. Saw several minor wet loose mostly triggered by riders at lower elevations. At a ridgeline on approach well below Alto Diablo peak, showed signs of wind loading and atop a convex roller into a N facing gully wind slab release. Evidence of a clear 8-12 inch deep crown with variable depth based on topographical contours and wind transported snow that had settled under ridgeline, propagated approximately 20 meters with a 40 meter runout, damaging burnt out trees. Ice crust clearly visible as a weak interface below new, relatively high SWE new snow for an April storm. Size D1.5, natural hazards in runout path. |
Pro Obs 04-6-24 Angeles Nat Forest Baden Area
Comment - 4pm on descent Steeper slope angles dry loose avalanches were easily triggered D1 begin around 8500’ At lower elevation approximately 7800’ noted numerous wet loose avalanche on WNW aspects Continuing down to lower elevations a crust develop from the refreezing early warm snow surfaces. Near 7000’ noted numerous wet loose releases from rocks and tree snow dropping on NE-N-NW aspects. Overall the day became much warmer than forecast with temperatures up to 2C above 8000’ clouds developed in the afternoon, heavy low clouds rolled in in the south side of the ridge around 2pm and snow surface on that aspect became fairly moist. By 2:30pm the clouds spread over to the N but remained high with ovc skies. Temperatures began to fall to below freezing near 9100’. Poor bonding to surface crust at elevations was noted although actual avalanche release and running down slope was only noted on steeper terrain. The crust was very firm at lower elevations below 8,000’ and became thinner and less notable as elevation increased. No wind slabs were observed near the ridge although significant signs of wind transported was. Winds were most likely high enough to cause saltation rather than transport most of the time. Fairly large cornices were noted all along the ridge but were solid at this time. Also wind transport had packed snow into the overhanging (N) side of many cornices. Variable conditions were not on the ascent and descent crampons would be advised and if skinning skin wax also due to warming snow surfaces at lower elevation. From the sign of wet loose releases on Northern aspects it will be safe to assume wet loose avalanches will become more numerous and larger with the warmer expected over the next few days until the snow pack can adjust and much of the new snow either sheds or begins to consolidate to the old snow surface. |
Click on the links below for the latest information
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
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.
