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Snowpack Summary December 7, 2019
Posted by Allen Giernet @ 5:00am This summary applies to backcountry areas only. The Bottom Line – Wet slab avalanches at elevations above 7,500’/ 2,286m on Northerly aspects are possible and loose wet avalanches will become possible on all aspects as we receive more rain on snow up to 9,000’/ 2,743m. With another inch or more of water expected on Saturday. The last storm system of Dec. 4 brought rain to 8,000’/ 2,438m reducing snow below this level and saturating the snowpack with heavy dense snow above this level. Temperatures have remained warm and the current system has come in warmer than the last one. Another inch or more of water is expected through Saturday. Current observations show stability and no reports of avalanches have been observed. Tests have found wet slab potential with failure on a wet facet layer at the bottom of the snow pack. This is the Nov 21 snow that remained on Northerly aspects through the cold spell and was buried by subsequent storm. Though wet, this layer has not refrozen and remains reactive in isolated areas. With the added water expected from the current system wet loose avalanches will become possible as the snowpack is further saturated over the next two days. Following this system a high pressure ridge will develop for next week and prevent below freezing temperatures. With the warmer temperatures and solar exposure especially on east, south and west aspects loose wet avalanches will become possible through the day. Next week expect spring like conditions with firmer snow in the morning and softening through the day. Loss of snow can be expected at most elevations especially below 7,500’/ 2,286m. It’s still early season and hazards may be hidden near the surface especially at lower elevations. Exercise caution on slopes >30°. Be well aware of your surroundings and changing conditions throughout the day and your travel area. Expect variable conditions, be prepared with the proper equipment and plan accordingly. Please share any and all snow observations through our reports page. Any information is valuable no matter how simple
General Summary
Avalanche Problem #1 – Wet slab avalanches are possible on Northern - NE, N, NW aspects above 7,500'/ 2,286m due to the facet layer at ground from the Nov 21 storm. Avalanche Problem #2 – Will become possible on all aspects due to rain on snow forecast through Saturday. Also warmer temperatures and solar influence next week create the possibility for wet loose avalanches on E, SE, S, SW, and W aspects through the day each day. Always practice use of avalanche skills when entering avalanche terrain and on steep slopes. Travel with a partner, use proper safe travel practices and carry a beacon shovel and probe. Most importantly know how to use them! 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 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
12-11-19 A few degrees warmer than yesterday with partially cloudy skies and light to moderate North to Northwest winds. Thursday will be much warmer as high pressure strengthens through the end of the week. There will be periods of clouds with warm temperatures into Saturday. A weak low pressure systems passes through California for the weekend bringing much cooler temperatures through Sunday. Monday will see another warm up to start the week off. Hint: for historical weather forecast data use our facebook page as all posts are there on a running timeline. For more details check each areas forecast and weather stations for most current information. Latest Observtions
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Observation type - Snowpack
Location (general area) - Sugar Lump Ridge - Big Bear Date (yyyymmdd) - 20191206 Comment - Dug a pit on a NW facing test slope on the ridge below Sugarlump. With a few questions in mind. Got some answers. +What did the rain do to the snowpack? -Well it got pretty wet. Our basal facets from November soaked up all that water like a sponge, making for a nice weak layer right on the ground. +Is our new snow able to create a cohesive slab? -Looks like it! We've got a pretty solid slab from last week's snow that has a lot of cohesion (sticks to itself well) but not a lot of adhesion (sticks to the layer underneath). It's wet now too so we have to think about the potential for wet slabs. +Any other layers of concern? -Noticed some snow near the surface that are facets GOING TO rounds. Not in a critical temp gradient but something of note. We also have a temperature crust on the surface. With warming I could anticipate this making for some slushy-slidey action. (aka wet loose) |
Observation type
Snowpack Location - Bear Mountain-Goldmine Canyon Date (yyyymmdd) - 20191130 Comment - Extensive whumping in Goldmine Canyon. Stuck to trails after that. |
Observation type
Snowpack Location - Mt. Baldy area (Big Butch Wash) Date (yyyymmdd) - 20191130 Comment - Depth of 32in in Big Butch Wash. Consolidating, no obvious layering before dirt. |
Observation type
- Snowpack Location (general area) - Angeles Crest Date (yyyymmdd) - 20191129 Comment - Snowline on highway 2 is below Mt Wilson turnoff. Parked at Winston Spring road closure and toured up to Mt Waterman. 50cm new snow on highway 2 at the bottom of Mt Waterman. 85cm at the top of the first chair. Great skiing. Deep! Didn't hit anything underneath the snow. The road was well plowed on our exit, but still closed, which made for an epic walk out. The higher peaks to the east (Islip-Baldy) were covered in clouds, but the high desert and peaks far to the north look good in white. Great start to the season! |
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.
SCSAC T-shirts and Hats now available
with donation
Fundraising
campaign
We are raising funds to purchase and install the first of several weather stations at remote locations in our local mountains. This will bring us much needed pertinent data from above snow line that we doe not have reliable resources for. Satelite link up will bring us snow depth and amounts, along with wind, temperature and much more and will be available to the public.
Our goal is to raise $10,000 to purchase the equipment, cover installations costs and provide for a much needed overhaul of the website.
Please contribute to make this a reality for us all. Click on the donate button below and come out to join our annual fundraiser event at Mt. Baldy
Goal: $10,000 Recieved: $2,500.00
For more information go to the Fundraiser Program page
campaign
We are raising funds to purchase and install the first of several weather stations at remote locations in our local mountains. This will bring us much needed pertinent data from above snow line that we doe not have reliable resources for. Satelite link up will bring us snow depth and amounts, along with wind, temperature and much more and will be available to the public.
Our goal is to raise $10,000 to purchase the equipment, cover installations costs and provide for a much needed overhaul of the website.
Please contribute to make this a reality for us all. Click on the donate button below and come out to join our annual fundraiser event at Mt. Baldy
Goal: $10,000 Recieved: $2,500.00
For more information go to the Fundraiser Program page
2019/20 Events
The Avalanche Center
The Avalanche Center
Events 2019/20Free Avalanche
Awareness
Presentations:
Everyone is welcome
Our first presentation of the Season
Sports LTD
Unfortunately Rescheduled for a later date
More Dates and locations coming soon
Awareness
Presentations:
Everyone is welcome
Our first presentation of the Season
Sports LTD
Unfortunately Rescheduled for a later date
More Dates and locations coming soon
National Ski
Patrol - Local
Claremont Calif. L.A.
Level 1 Class sessions
Registration
live now
January 14 & 16
Field sessions
January 25 & 26
February 22 & 23
March 7 & 8
Level 2 Class sessions
January 28 & 30
Registration
live now
Field sessions February 22 & 23
March 7 & 8
Go To Events page for full details
Sierra Mountain
Center
Bishop, Ca
Sierra Mountain
Guides
Bishop, Ca.
Sierra
Mountaineering
International
Bishop, Ca
For the current curriculum nationwide visit the
AAI
AAIRE
&
A3
websites
Patrol - Local
Claremont Calif. L.A.
Level 1 Class sessions
Registration
live now
January 14 & 16
Field sessions
January 25 & 26
February 22 & 23
March 7 & 8
Level 2 Class sessions
January 28 & 30
Registration
live now
Field sessions February 22 & 23
March 7 & 8
Go To Events page for full details
Sierra Mountain
Center
Bishop, Ca
Sierra Mountain
Guides
Bishop, Ca.
Sierra
Mountaineering
International
Bishop, Ca
For the current curriculum nationwide visit the
AAI
AAIRE
&
A3
websites
