Snowpack Summary December 27,
2021
Posted by Allen Giernet @ 6:15am
This summary applies to backcountry areas only.
The Bottom Line –
We will begin posting regular snowpack summaries once we build up a snowpack
Reports Sunday morning indicated 4” to 10” had fallen overnight varying with location and elevation. We are still operating on very limited data at this time. PLease share your filed observations to the reports pageWith the continued cold temperatures we can still expect “ Fast Firm Conditions with Slide for Life Scenarios Likely” above 8,000’ especially in wind scoured ridge line areas and on heavily used packed out trails.Due to the cold temperatures and moderate to strong winds our other concerns will be lingering Storm Slab Avalanches due to poor bonding in the new to old snow interface. Though not large but still possible where old snow existed. Wind Slab Avalanches will be possible on leeward slopes E, NE, N, NW & SE, 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 little to no base except at the highest elevations be aware of shallow or unvaried obstacles. This afternoon the next system moves in with most of the energy this evening and overnight. Low snow levels will be around 4,000 - 5,000’ and drop tonight to near 3,500’. Forecast accumulations of 6” to 12” are possible near the 8,000’ level. This light snow and strong west winds will increase the potential for Wind Slab avalanches on leeward slopes N, NE, E, SE, & S and possibly other aspects for Tuesday. There will be a “Winter Storm Warning” in effect from Noon today until Midnight tonight. The next system is moving in Wednesday and has the potential to be much stronger. Confidence is low in the forecast but if it does materialize avalanche danger could increase significantly. We’ll watch things over the next few days.
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 @ 6:15am
This summary applies to backcountry areas only.
The Bottom Line –
We will begin posting regular snowpack summaries once we build up a snowpack
Reports Sunday morning indicated 4” to 10” had fallen overnight varying with location and elevation. We are still operating on very limited data at this time. PLease share your filed observations to the reports pageWith the continued cold temperatures we can still expect “ Fast Firm Conditions with Slide for Life Scenarios Likely” above 8,000’ especially in wind scoured ridge line areas and on heavily used packed out trails.Due to the cold temperatures and moderate to strong winds our other concerns will be lingering Storm Slab Avalanches due to poor bonding in the new to old snow interface. Though not large but still possible where old snow existed. Wind Slab Avalanches will be possible on leeward slopes E, NE, N, NW & SE, 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 little to no base except at the highest elevations be aware of shallow or unvaried obstacles. This afternoon the next system moves in with most of the energy this evening and overnight. Low snow levels will be around 4,000 - 5,000’ and drop tonight to near 3,500’. Forecast accumulations of 6” to 12” are possible near the 8,000’ level. This light snow and strong west winds will increase the potential for Wind Slab avalanches on leeward slopes N, NE, E, SE, & S and possibly other aspects for Tuesday. There will be a “Winter Storm Warning” in effect from Noon today until Midnight tonight. The next system is moving in Wednesday and has the potential to be much stronger. Confidence is low in the forecast but if it does materialize avalanche danger could increase significantly. We’ll watch things over the next few days.
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.
