Snowpack Summary January 6,
2022
Posted by Allen Giernet @ 6:32am
This summary applies to backcountry areas only.
The Bottom Line –
We are currently in spring like conditions with a freeze thaw cycle. Our top concern will be 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. As clouds develop this afternoon the greenhouse effect will increase the the possibility for Wet Snow Avalanches. Get out early and get off early. We received a couple reports yesterday of Loose Wet Avalanches observed in the late afternoon of January 4. Early morning will bering a chance of fast and firm conditions especially on packed out trails with slide for life scenarios. The report of a deeply buried weak layer at the higher elevations on Northern aspects in the San Gabriel Mountains remains. We have limited data on this and do not know how widespread it is. Another concern is Deep Persistent Slab Avalanches Though unlikely and possibly in isolated areas this will produce large and likely fatal avalanches if triggered. Remember this possibility could be present in steep terrain and is not easy to identify without digging into the snow. Be cautious and and if in doubt make conservative decisions. Be wary of high elevation steep slopes over 30 degrees on northern aspects. We have very little first hand data from the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. Please send in reports from those areas. We do not see any overnight freezing in the forecast below 10,000’ until Sunday night. This will the possibility for Wet Snow instability through the weekend.
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 @ 6:32am
This summary applies to backcountry areas only.
The Bottom Line –
We are currently in spring like conditions with a freeze thaw cycle. Our top concern will be 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. As clouds develop this afternoon the greenhouse effect will increase the the possibility for Wet Snow Avalanches. Get out early and get off early. We received a couple reports yesterday of Loose Wet Avalanches observed in the late afternoon of January 4. Early morning will bering a chance of fast and firm conditions especially on packed out trails with slide for life scenarios. The report of a deeply buried weak layer at the higher elevations on Northern aspects in the San Gabriel Mountains remains. We have limited data on this and do not know how widespread it is. Another concern is Deep Persistent Slab Avalanches Though unlikely and possibly in isolated areas this will produce large and likely fatal avalanches if triggered. Remember this possibility could be present in steep terrain and is not easy to identify without digging into the snow. Be cautious and and if in doubt make conservative decisions. Be wary of high elevation steep slopes over 30 degrees on northern aspects. We have very little first hand data from the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. Please send in reports from those areas. We do not see any overnight freezing in the forecast below 10,000’ until Sunday night. This will the possibility for Wet Snow instability through the weekend.
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.
