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Snowpack Summary February 24, 2022
Posted by Allen Giernet @ 8:45pm (this summary expires in 24 hours)
This summary applies to backcountry areas only.
The Bottom Line –
Recent snow with strong to moderate winds put wind slabs on our problem list. Watch for isolated slabs mainly on Easterly to Southerly slopes but possible on other aspects especially at upper elevations below ridges and sides of gullies. Look for signs of wind drifted snow, sculpting, scouring and pillowed firm snow. Not likely large enough to bury you but serious consequences will be possible in steep terrain with hazards or terrain traps below. The past few days of hard freezing temperatures will create the possibility of slide for life conditions in isolated areas. Be aware of changing snow surfaces and look for wind scoured surfaces that could be fast and firm.
If you venture out please submit your observations to the avalanche center Submit Reports page.
Posted by Allen Giernet @ 8:45pm (this summary expires in 24 hours)
This summary applies to backcountry areas only.
The Bottom Line –
Recent snow with strong to moderate winds put wind slabs on our problem list. Watch for isolated slabs mainly on Easterly to Southerly slopes but possible on other aspects especially at upper elevations below ridges and sides of gullies. Look for signs of wind drifted snow, sculpting, scouring and pillowed firm snow. Not likely large enough to bury you but serious consequences will be possible in steep terrain with hazards or terrain traps below. The past few days of hard freezing temperatures will create the possibility of slide for life conditions in isolated areas. Be aware of changing snow surfaces and look for wind scoured surfaces that could be fast and firm.
If you venture out please submit your observations to the avalanche center Submit Reports page.
Problem #1
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
General Summary
6” to 9” of snow in the past two days near 8,000’ accompanied by moderate to strong West to Northwest winds makes Wind Slab Avalanches our primary concern. Small to medium slabs will have formed on leeward sides of ridges and gullies primarily East to Southeast but will be possible on any aspect due to local topographic influence. Look for signs of wind drifted snow such as scouring, sculpting and firm, smooth, hollow, pillowed features. If triggered these will have the potential to knock you off your feet or possibly bury you in the right terrain. Use caution in steep terrain or on slopes with hazards and terrain traps below. The past few days have been significantly cold following warm conditions. Be prepared for various conditions and watch for icy fast firm surfaces where snow is thin or has been blown away. Slide for life conditions may be possible in isolated areas.
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.
6” to 9” of snow in the past two days near 8,000’ accompanied by moderate to strong West to Northwest winds makes Wind Slab Avalanches our primary concern. Small to medium slabs will have formed on leeward sides of ridges and gullies primarily East to Southeast but will be possible on any aspect due to local topographic influence. Look for signs of wind drifted snow such as scouring, sculpting and firm, smooth, hollow, pillowed features. If triggered these will have the potential to knock you off your feet or possibly bury you in the right terrain. Use caution in steep terrain or on slopes with hazards and terrain traps below. The past few days have been significantly cold following warm conditions. Be prepared for various conditions and watch for icy fast firm surfaces where snow is thin or has been blown away. Slide for life conditions may be possible in isolated areas.
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 |
2-24-22
Thursday - A couple more inches of snow yesterday added to the total with this morning starting even colder yesterday. Today will be warmer with clear and sunny skies. North to West winds will be light to moderate.
Friday - Slightly warmer with clear skies and light winds
Gradual warming each day into next week with mostly clear to sunny skies and light to moderate winds. A cooling trend returns midweek next week.
Thursday - A couple more inches of snow yesterday added to the total with this morning starting even colder yesterday. Today will be warmer with clear and sunny skies. North to West winds will be light to moderate.
Friday - Slightly warmer with clear skies and light winds
Gradual warming each day into next week with mostly clear to sunny skies and light to moderate winds. A cooling trend returns midweek next week.
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
Click on the links below for the latest information
Latest Observtions
Click on the observation to go to the full report
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Observation type -
Snowpack Location - San G Big Daw Chutes Date (yyyymmdd) - 20220219 Comment - Terrible conditions this weekend. Snow was mashed potatoes as soon as the sun rose up. It was a mix of powdery new snow from Tuesday's storm in the shade, and Spring slush in the sun. Under the slush/powder was a hard sheet of compacted snow/ice. About 6" of new snow above 9000'. Ridges and chutes were in decent shape, but were wind-scoured in places. Upper Big Draw was hard ice, and lower was powder/slush. 7 days of heat, and the an cold storm last week made for sketchy conditions all around. Signs or wet loose avalanches in steep sun-exposed gullies. |
Observation type
Snowpack Location - San G Wilderness Date (yyyymmdd) - 20220219 Comment With intentions to scout the snow and hopefully ski Charlton, we hiked the south fork trail from Jenks Lake Road. The first section of the south fork trail was completely destroyed from mud slides and tree falls. This delayed us significantly so we ended up just hiking to Poopout Hill. From Poopout hill the snow pack on San Gorgonio and Alta Diablo looked low tide and barely rideable. We were never able to transition from booting to skinning because of the lack of snow but we only climbed to 7800ft. |
Observation type
Snowpack Location - Little San G San Bernardino Mtns. Date (yyyymmdd) - 20220217 Comment - Observed a significant layer of sleet/graupel in the snowpack. Top layer of snow is 5cm of well consolidated new snow. Below this layer there is a layer of 3-4cm of very loose and granular graupel. If this layer does not consolidate it could cause significant problems and become a weak layer in the snowpack if additional snow accumulates on top. The existing top layer released very easily, rolling across the graupel like they were ball bearings. This layer was observed at all elevations above 7,000 feet (turned around at 8,000 feet). |
Observation type
Avalanche Location - Mt. Baden Powel Date (yyyymmdd) - 20220213 Comment - On Sunday around 10:00 a.m. I hiked up the mountain baden-powell trail with my dog with the intent to snowboard down the path of the trail. Before arriving at the trailhead, I snapped a picture of a previous very large avalanche that had run down the gully to the east of the hiking trail. This slide looks like it had been there for a while. I then hiked up to the point where my map shows that I turned around because my dog slid out on the ice after I had observed the crown of a previous avalanche above and a wind slab across the trail that had been tracked in. I have photos of this avalanche, but I'm only able to upload one photo. I then went back along the same path and proceeded to transition into my snowboard. While transitioning, my snowboard slid out and kept sliding down the slope. I went after it, and slid out until I was able to self arrest on a tree and catch my dog behind me. Looking downhill, directly to the right of me between me and the trail was another avalanche that seemed relatively new that I do not believe I caused. While proceeding uphill to safer terrain, I observed rollerballing and boot penetration. These conditions exist very close to the Mount Baden Powell trail and could take out an unsuspecting victim at any time. Be safe out there! |
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.
