Snowpack Summary December 23,
2021
Posted by Allen Giernet @ 7:45am
This summary applies to backcountry areas only.
The Bottom Line –
We will begin posting regular snowpack summaries once we build up a snowpack
The first of a series of disturbances is settling into the area. This another warm
moisture laden system. We could see up to 6” of water in our local mountains from now
into Saturday. Snow level is quite high with this system with freeze line begin near
10,000’ this morning and only lowering slowly to around 8,500’ this evening. Snow fall
is forecast to remain above 8,000’ into to Friday afternoon. What this basically means is
we will see a lot of water dumped into our early season snowpack soaking and eroding
the existing base up to the highest peaks for the bulk of the moisture from this system.
Forecast call for up to 12” above 8,000’ and possibly 18” at the highest elevations. This
will be dependent upon how much available moisture remains as the snowline drops.
There will be a potential for Loose Wet Avalanches above 8,000’ where there is some
snow especially in favored accumulation areas in the range. Loose Wet Avalanches will
likely with the water loading but generally small except where snow has drifted in
deeper as we have seen in some North Facing drainages. There could still be several
inches of snow below 8,000’ Friday afternoon into Saturday as temperatures drop. Our
bigger concern when temperatures drop is the remaining snow will freeze solid with
moisture saturation and develop a virtual skating rink our there. This will have to be
traveled through on every aspect to get to any significant accumulation at the highest
elevations. By mid day to later in the day “ SLIDE FOR LIFE CONDITIONS” will exist on
any snow covered aspect up to at least 8,500’ or higher. If you go out be prepared and
travel with ice axe and crampons and be solid in your self arrest skills!!! There will be a
“Winter Weather Advisory” in effect on 12-24 12:00am to 12:00pm. A “Wind Advisory”
on 12-24 from 6:00am to 6:00pm and a “Flood Watch” from 12-23 7:00pm to 12-24
12:00pm.
Early season conditions will exist and coverage will be low tide and treacherous. We
have no base yet and it’ll be best to wait for a base to build. Exercise avalanche safety
any time you head into winter mountains. Always travel with a partner, carry a beacon
shovel and probe and know how to use them.
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.
2021
Posted by Allen Giernet @ 7:45am
This summary applies to backcountry areas only.
The Bottom Line –
We will begin posting regular snowpack summaries once we build up a snowpack
The first of a series of disturbances is settling into the area. This another warm
moisture laden system. We could see up to 6” of water in our local mountains from now
into Saturday. Snow level is quite high with this system with freeze line begin near
10,000’ this morning and only lowering slowly to around 8,500’ this evening. Snow fall
is forecast to remain above 8,000’ into to Friday afternoon. What this basically means is
we will see a lot of water dumped into our early season snowpack soaking and eroding
the existing base up to the highest peaks for the bulk of the moisture from this system.
Forecast call for up to 12” above 8,000’ and possibly 18” at the highest elevations. This
will be dependent upon how much available moisture remains as the snowline drops.
There will be a potential for Loose Wet Avalanches above 8,000’ where there is some
snow especially in favored accumulation areas in the range. Loose Wet Avalanches will
likely with the water loading but generally small except where snow has drifted in
deeper as we have seen in some North Facing drainages. There could still be several
inches of snow below 8,000’ Friday afternoon into Saturday as temperatures drop. Our
bigger concern when temperatures drop is the remaining snow will freeze solid with
moisture saturation and develop a virtual skating rink our there. This will have to be
traveled through on every aspect to get to any significant accumulation at the highest
elevations. By mid day to later in the day “ SLIDE FOR LIFE CONDITIONS” will exist on
any snow covered aspect up to at least 8,500’ or higher. If you go out be prepared and
travel with ice axe and crampons and be solid in your self arrest skills!!! There will be a
“Winter Weather Advisory” in effect on 12-24 12:00am to 12:00pm. A “Wind Advisory”
on 12-24 from 6:00am to 6:00pm and a “Flood Watch” from 12-23 7:00pm to 12-24
12:00pm.
Early season conditions will exist and coverage will be low tide and treacherous. We
have no base yet and it’ll be best to wait for a base to build. Exercise avalanche safety
any time you head into winter mountains. Always travel with a partner, carry a beacon
shovel and probe and know how to use them.
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.
