Snowpack Summary December 25,
2021
Posted by Allen Giernet @ 8:05am
This summary applies to backcountry areas only.
The Bottom Line –
We will begin posting regular snowpack summaries once we build up a snowpack
Reports indicate a few inches of snow has fallen overnight at resort level with the onset of this next system moving in. Temperatures are much colder and more favorable for snowfall into lower elevations. Our concerns will be with the colder temperatures some hard freezing in the existing snowpack that was moisture saturated or fell as wet heavy snow. Expect “ Fast Firm Conditions with Slide for Life Scenarios Likely” above 8,000’ for snow still remains. Any snow that has fallen will be dust on crust and we anticipate poor bonding of new snow to old snow. Forecast for today is snow levels around 5,500’ and dropping over night. The bulk of the energy will be this evening and overnight with estimates of 6” to 12” at the 8,000’ level and several inches lower. West to Southwest winds will increase this evening. This forecast presents our other concerns especially into tomorrow as the storm moves out. Storm Slab Avalanches due to poor bonding in the new to old snow interface. Though not large but but likely where old snow existed. Also Wind Slab Avalanches will be possible with the forecast winds this evening on NE, N, NW, and potentially on other aspects due to topographic influence. Watch for wind drifted snow especially on leeward aspects, below ridges and in gullies. Any sliding decent will be compounded by early season conditions. Coverage will be low tide and treacherous. We have no base except at the highest elevations and that could be thin due the recent rains in many areas.
There are a series of systems forecast for next week beginning again on Monday with low elevation light snow forecast. Wednesday into Thursday there is the potential for even lower elevation snow levels and much heavier snow fall with another system moving in for the end of the year. We will have to watch and see how these systems develop over the course of the coming week.
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 @ 8:05am
This summary applies to backcountry areas only.
The Bottom Line –
We will begin posting regular snowpack summaries once we build up a snowpack
Reports indicate a few inches of snow has fallen overnight at resort level with the onset of this next system moving in. Temperatures are much colder and more favorable for snowfall into lower elevations. Our concerns will be with the colder temperatures some hard freezing in the existing snowpack that was moisture saturated or fell as wet heavy snow. Expect “ Fast Firm Conditions with Slide for Life Scenarios Likely” above 8,000’ for snow still remains. Any snow that has fallen will be dust on crust and we anticipate poor bonding of new snow to old snow. Forecast for today is snow levels around 5,500’ and dropping over night. The bulk of the energy will be this evening and overnight with estimates of 6” to 12” at the 8,000’ level and several inches lower. West to Southwest winds will increase this evening. This forecast presents our other concerns especially into tomorrow as the storm moves out. Storm Slab Avalanches due to poor bonding in the new to old snow interface. Though not large but but likely where old snow existed. Also Wind Slab Avalanches will be possible with the forecast winds this evening on NE, N, NW, and potentially on other aspects due to topographic influence. Watch for wind drifted snow especially on leeward aspects, below ridges and in gullies. Any sliding decent will be compounded by early season conditions. Coverage will be low tide and treacherous. We have no base except at the highest elevations and that could be thin due the recent rains in many areas.
There are a series of systems forecast for next week beginning again on Monday with low elevation light snow forecast. Wednesday into Thursday there is the potential for even lower elevation snow levels and much heavier snow fall with another system moving in for the end of the year. We will have to watch and see how these systems develop over the course of the coming week.
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.
