Early Season Snowpack Conditions- ESAC Reports
Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2023 8:25 am
Below is a very small selection from the overall discussion found in yesterday's Forecast report by the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center.
Just wanted to note that their great site is up and running again for the 2023-24 season. We highly recommend checking it out, coupled with the NOAA Weather Forecast, as part of your winter travel planning process.
I keep my own "Snowpack Log," gleaned from these ESAC reports. When lazy, I simply copy the best parts of it verbatim into a computer file.
FORECAST DISCUSSION
....Snow showers last brushed our area in the final days of November. The last significant snowstorm, November 18th, brought about a foot of snow at higher elevations. Cold temperatures have allowed snow to stick around, particularly on the northern half of the compass above 8000’. In addition, there are patches of snow still lingering from last season. While this is good for future coverage, it may be problematic as we continue to build a layered snowpack. Weak, sugary facets dominate our current snowpack and this faceting process will likely continue over the coming days of cool and dry weather. This raises the potential for widespread weak layers. We will continue to monitor the snowpack as we look towards future loading events...
Here is a link to their website: https://www.esavalanche.org/
Good Luck out there!
Just wanted to note that their great site is up and running again for the 2023-24 season. We highly recommend checking it out, coupled with the NOAA Weather Forecast, as part of your winter travel planning process.
I keep my own "Snowpack Log," gleaned from these ESAC reports. When lazy, I simply copy the best parts of it verbatim into a computer file.
FORECAST DISCUSSION
....Snow showers last brushed our area in the final days of November. The last significant snowstorm, November 18th, brought about a foot of snow at higher elevations. Cold temperatures have allowed snow to stick around, particularly on the northern half of the compass above 8000’. In addition, there are patches of snow still lingering from last season. While this is good for future coverage, it may be problematic as we continue to build a layered snowpack. Weak, sugary facets dominate our current snowpack and this faceting process will likely continue over the coming days of cool and dry weather. This raises the potential for widespread weak layers. We will continue to monitor the snowpack as we look towards future loading events...
Here is a link to their website: https://www.esavalanche.org/
Good Luck out there!