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Snowpack Summary March 3, 2025
Posted by Allen Giernet @ 7:30am (this summary expires when we get substantial)
This summary applies to backcountry areas only.
Summary Update:
The Bottom Line –
We have limited field information at this time and even less seasonal snow. With only 2' - 3' recorded for the season near 8,000’ we are only providing occasional updates.
3” to 4” of snow was recorded near 8,000’ in the Past 24 hours.
With moderate West to Northwest winds and more snow at higher elevations, small wind slabs can be expected. Look for signs of wind scouring, cornices, textured snow surfaces and firm, pillowed, hollow sounding snow to point to wind slab development.
This problem could be on any aspect and mainly at upper elevations where snow was still on the ground. Look for wind slabs below ridges and along gullies where snow could be blown into. Expect variable surface conditions with firm and icy surfaces likely under the new snow and providing poor bonding for wind transported snow. - Use wind sheltered terrain to avoid this problem.
We are still operating on very limited on the ground data. If you are venturing out share any information through our
Submit Observation page.
For our general cautions read the General Concerns Below while we wait for more snow.
General Concerns
Obstacles and low snow coverage will be the biggest hazard at this time. As snow falls and accumulates remember even small avalanches can sweep you off your feet and carry you into dire situations. Be aware of changing snow conditions and what is below you as you move through the mountains.
Some things to keep in mind while traveling in the mountains with changing weather conditions on a daily basis:
Wet Loose – This can happen in our climate very quickly following a storm cycle especially with the warmer systems we are seeing so far this season. Significant warming and little to no overnight freezes will increase the chance of Wet snow instability. Start early and finish early while avoiding solar affected slopes. Watch for signs of wet snow as you travel and the day warms. Starting on firm snow that gives way to sinking to boot top depth is a sign of wet snow instability. Look for roller balls and pinwheels emanating from rock outcroppings and move to lower angel terrain and less solar affected aspects if you see these signs. Wet Loose avalanches will not generally bury you but can knock you off your feet and carry you through or over nasty terrain features with cataclysmic results. Be aware what is below you and rapidly changing snow conditions.
Fast Firm conditions – are possible on all aspects especially at upper elevations following warm sunny days with below freezing overnight temperatures. These conditions will pose the risk of slide for life scenarios especially following a warmer period. This hazard is the most prominent cause for rescues in our local mountains especially areas such as the Baldy Bowl. A slip and fall can result in an uncontrollable slide with potential catastrophic results. Be sure to bring proper equipment (ice axe & crampons) with the skills to use them before committing to steep firm slopes. Be aware of snow surfaces you are traveling on and changes as you move through different aspects and elevations as well as what is below you. Change terrain if these conditions develop before you find yourself in a situation you can’t retreat from.
Exercise caution if venturing out into the mountains and use avalanche protocols, travel with a partner and bring your beacon, shovel and probe.
Please share any information when you are out in the mountains. Even a photo is helpful. Submit observations to Submit Reports page.
Posted by Allen Giernet @ 7:30am (this summary expires when we get substantial)
This summary applies to backcountry areas only.
Summary Update:
The Bottom Line –
We have limited field information at this time and even less seasonal snow. With only 2' - 3' recorded for the season near 8,000’ we are only providing occasional updates.
3” to 4” of snow was recorded near 8,000’ in the Past 24 hours.
With moderate West to Northwest winds and more snow at higher elevations, small wind slabs can be expected. Look for signs of wind scouring, cornices, textured snow surfaces and firm, pillowed, hollow sounding snow to point to wind slab development.
This problem could be on any aspect and mainly at upper elevations where snow was still on the ground. Look for wind slabs below ridges and along gullies where snow could be blown into. Expect variable surface conditions with firm and icy surfaces likely under the new snow and providing poor bonding for wind transported snow. - Use wind sheltered terrain to avoid this problem.
We are still operating on very limited on the ground data. If you are venturing out share any information through our
Submit Observation page.
For our general cautions read the General Concerns Below while we wait for more snow.
General Concerns
Obstacles and low snow coverage will be the biggest hazard at this time. As snow falls and accumulates remember even small avalanches can sweep you off your feet and carry you into dire situations. Be aware of changing snow conditions and what is below you as you move through the mountains.
Some things to keep in mind while traveling in the mountains with changing weather conditions on a daily basis:
Wet Loose – This can happen in our climate very quickly following a storm cycle especially with the warmer systems we are seeing so far this season. Significant warming and little to no overnight freezes will increase the chance of Wet snow instability. Start early and finish early while avoiding solar affected slopes. Watch for signs of wet snow as you travel and the day warms. Starting on firm snow that gives way to sinking to boot top depth is a sign of wet snow instability. Look for roller balls and pinwheels emanating from rock outcroppings and move to lower angel terrain and less solar affected aspects if you see these signs. Wet Loose avalanches will not generally bury you but can knock you off your feet and carry you through or over nasty terrain features with cataclysmic results. Be aware what is below you and rapidly changing snow conditions.
Fast Firm conditions – are possible on all aspects especially at upper elevations following warm sunny days with below freezing overnight temperatures. These conditions will pose the risk of slide for life scenarios especially following a warmer period. This hazard is the most prominent cause for rescues in our local mountains especially areas such as the Baldy Bowl. A slip and fall can result in an uncontrollable slide with potential catastrophic results. Be sure to bring proper equipment (ice axe & crampons) with the skills to use them before committing to steep firm slopes. Be aware of snow surfaces you are traveling on and changes as you move through different aspects and elevations as well as what is below you. Change terrain if these conditions develop before you find yourself in a situation you can’t retreat from.
Exercise caution if venturing out into the mountains and use avalanche protocols, travel with a partner and bring your beacon, shovel and probe.
Please share any information when you are out in the mountains. Even a photo is helpful. Submit observations to Submit Reports page.
General discussion
Please share any information when you are out in the mountains. Even a photo is helpful, share with the community at our Submit Observations page.
Please share any information when you are out in the mountains. Even a photo is helpful, share with the community at our Submit Observations page.
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General Mountain Weather Forecast |
Disclaimer:
This Bulletin is designed to generally describe conditions where local variations always occur. Travelers are advised to exercise caution and make slope specific evaluations. As always, please treat this bulletin with appropriately guarded skepticism and make your own assessments. Help to provide more information to the community by reporting your observations
This Bulletin is designed to generally describe conditions where local variations always occur. Travelers are advised to exercise caution and make slope specific evaluations. As always, please treat this bulletin with appropriately guarded skepticism and make your own assessments. Help to provide more information to the community by reporting your observations
Recent Observtions
Click on the observation to go to the full report
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Snowpack Obs 03-16-25 San Gorgonio Alta Diablo
Comment - Snow pack was generally right side up. A foot and a half of fist hard followed by 1-2 inches of 1 finger hard followed by 2 inches of soft/fist hard snow followed by 1 inch 1 finger hard followed by a foot of 3 finger hard followed by ice to the base. Small 6 inch slab collapsed after the 25ist tap of an isolated column test but did not propagate. Never got anything below to move and couldn’t get the weak layer between the two 1 finger hard layers to collapse. |
Snowpack Obs 03-15-25 San Jacinto
Comment - We skied San Jacinto Peak from the tramway. It was already near melting temps when we went up on the second (8.15am) tram, and temps kept increasing quickly. Main concerns were low-tide conditions combined with heavy but variable snowpack. Only dug a hasty pit since no major signs of instability but rapid warming. - ECTX 13 on weak graupel layer likely from previous day + wind transport. 3-4 inches from surface - ECTN 24 on weak layer from previous week's storm, about a foot down (weak layer was partially a manzanita bush so take that with a grain of salt...) The top layer on the graupel seemed to be recent wind deposits and only be present in smaller pockets. Most of this will likely change with the even hotter forecasted temps tomorrow. |
Avalanche Obs 04-07-24 San G Below Front Country
Comment - Did not have to time to collect detailed data, we observed this slide on our decent in a sparsely tree slope. Slope was mostly sun 35 degrees but slid on a convex roll. I believe it was between the old snow / storm snow (4/5) interface. |
Avalanche Obs 04-07-24 Alta Diablo
Comment - We toured Alto Diablo from Jenks Lake trailhead 4/7. 8-10inches fairly fresh snow from 4/5 storm, cold temps last 24-48 hrs kept any appreciable level of sun crust from developing day prior. Temperature warmed through tour into early afternoon but didn’t experience any significant softening on sun exposed east facing slopes by our 1:00pm transition to ride. Fairly soft - well riding snow on the North aspects, remained quite dry until around 7,800ft and prior sun crest was well buried on entire decent. Wind scouring atop North/North East Faces - ridgeline. Saw several minor wet loose mostly triggered by riders at lower elevations. At a ridgeline on approach well below Alto Diablo peak, showed signs of wind loading and atop a convex roller into a N facing gully wind slab release. Evidence of a clear 8-12 inch deep crown with variable depth based on topographical contours and wind transported snow that had settled under ridgeline, propagated approximately 20 meters with a 40 meter runout, damaging burnt out trees. Ice crust clearly visible as a weak interface below new, relatively high SWE new snow for an April storm. Size D1.5, natural hazards in runout path. |
Click on the links below for the latest information
To better understand the challenges and potential variability over the large area we are producing information for please read our Snowpack Summary - Format and Limitations
General Caution
You should always use safe terrain management and carry avalanche rescue equipment in the backcountry. Most avalanches are triggered by someone in the party or the victim. Practice with your rescue gear often and be prepared should the worst happen. Though we do not have an avalanche forecast center in this area as of yet, the information posted and shared here as well as the resources available on this site will help to make informed decisions for your backcountry travels. Use avalanche forecasts in your travels wherever available and be aware that avalanche ratings are general information. Elevation, location, geographic variability’s, slope aspect and angle all have effects on the particular area you travel in. This is only one piece of the information you should use in your decision making process. There is no substitute for avalanche education, for more resources and information as well as education please refer to our resources page.
You should always use safe terrain management and carry avalanche rescue equipment in the backcountry. Most avalanches are triggered by someone in the party or the victim. Practice with your rescue gear often and be prepared should the worst happen. Though we do not have an avalanche forecast center in this area as of yet, the information posted and shared here as well as the resources available on this site will help to make informed decisions for your backcountry travels. Use avalanche forecasts in your travels wherever available and be aware that avalanche ratings are general information. Elevation, location, geographic variability’s, slope aspect and angle all have effects on the particular area you travel in. This is only one piece of the information you should use in your decision making process. There is no substitute for avalanche education, for more resources and information as well as education please refer to our resources page.
