Snowpack Summary January 6,
2022
Posted by Allen Giernet @ 7:56am
This summary applies to backcountry areas only.
The Bottom Line –
Warming temperatures with above freezing overnight temps will bring increasing chances of Wet snow instability through the day. This problem will be most prominent on Southerly aspects E,SE,S,SW & W through the day. Any slopes that receive sun exposure will be suspect especially as the temperatures rise. Watch for signs of Wet snow instability near rock bands and outcroppings, Pinwheels and roller balls, sinking deeper into the snow as the day progresses to boot top depth are signs it’s time to rethink your plan. There were reports of Wet slides on Western aspects near Mt Watermen from yesterday afternoon. Early morning will bering a chance of fast and firm conditions especially on packed out trails with slide for life scenarios. There are reports of a deeply buried weak layer at the higher elevations on Northern aspects in the San Gabriel Mountains. This poses a potential for large avalanches like the natural slide reported Monday on Baden Powell. Remember this possibility could be present in steep terrain and is not easy ti identify without digging into the snow. Be cautious and and if in doubt make conservative decisions. We have very little first hand data from the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. Please send in reports from those areas.
If you venture out please submit your observations to the avalanche center. All the
weather links and reports pages are working. Any info is helpful.
2022
Posted by Allen Giernet @ 7:56am
This summary applies to backcountry areas only.
The Bottom Line –
Warming temperatures with above freezing overnight temps will bring increasing chances of Wet snow instability through the day. This problem will be most prominent on Southerly aspects E,SE,S,SW & W through the day. Any slopes that receive sun exposure will be suspect especially as the temperatures rise. Watch for signs of Wet snow instability near rock bands and outcroppings, Pinwheels and roller balls, sinking deeper into the snow as the day progresses to boot top depth are signs it’s time to rethink your plan. There were reports of Wet slides on Western aspects near Mt Watermen from yesterday afternoon. Early morning will bering a chance of fast and firm conditions especially on packed out trails with slide for life scenarios. There are reports of a deeply buried weak layer at the higher elevations on Northern aspects in the San Gabriel Mountains. This poses a potential for large avalanches like the natural slide reported Monday on Baden Powell. Remember this possibility could be present in steep terrain and is not easy ti identify without digging into the snow. Be cautious and and if in doubt make conservative decisions. We have very little first hand data from the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. Please send in reports from those areas.
If you venture out please submit your observations to the avalanche center. All the
weather links and reports pages are working. Any info is helpful.