Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Skyline Area Mountains Issued by Brett Kobernik for Saturday - January 24, 2015 - 6:59am
bottom line

The avalanche danger will be mostly LOW over the weekend. Wind slabs can be triggered along the very steep more east facing slopes. Keep in mind the consequences of even a small avalanche if you are in steep, radical terrain.




special announcement

We will be hosting an avalanche class for snowmobilers at the end of the month. We will do presentations on avalanche safety Friday, January 30, 6 to 9pm at Big Pine Sports. We will be out in the mountains for hands on learning Saturday, January 31. Sign up HERE.

current conditions

We've had moderate speed west winds along the ridges over the last week. Temperatures got cold mid week and are starting to rebound. Most mountain stations are in the low to mid 20s this morning. Northerly winds look fairly light this morning. The snow surface varies greatly from place to place as we haven't seen any significant snow since January 12th. You'll find wind crusts and sun crusts on the majority of the terrain. You will, however, still find nice soft snow if you hunt around.

Here are a few recent observations:

Region Occurence Date Type/Location Name
Skyline 01/23/2015 Observation: Seeley Creek Darce Trotter/Steve Cote/Carey Pierce Details
Skyline 01/23/2015 Observation: Potters Kobernik Details
Skyline 01/22/2015 Avalanche: Wedding Ring Ridge Darce Trotter/Steve Cote/Carey Pierce Details
recent activity

There were a couple of wind slabs that released on Wedding Ring Ridge. These were formed from the continued wind that we've seen over the last week which drifted snow into these slabs. These were most likely triggered by snowmobilers. These are quite typical for this area.

Avalanche Problem 1
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

We have been enjoying relatively safe avalanche conditions in the mountains over the last week. With nice weather in store for the weekend, avalanche conditions will continue to be pretty safe.

Avalanche Problem 2
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

On the steepest more east facing slopes, you may be able to find a wind slab that could release. These won't be huge but perhaps big enough to knock you off your sled. If you are in terrain where you'll be carried into rocks or trees or pushed off a cliff if you get caught by a small wind slab, consider those consequences.

weather

We'll have mostly clear skies today with ridgetop highs around freezing. Northerly winds will be in the light to moderate speed range. We should see more clear skies on Sunday but with warmer temperatures by about 10 degrees with just slightly more gusty wind. Monday will be the warmest day as the ridge of high pressure will be directly over us. We are watching a "closed low" which may push a storm through Tuesday from the southwest. Currently it looks like it weakens as it makes it's way inland. However, it may produce enough snow accumulations to give us a "refresher". It looks as if the blocking pattern with the same ridge of high pressure will move back in later in the week.

general announcements

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The information in this advisory is from the US Forest Service which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

This advisory will be updated by 7:00 AM Saturday, January 31, 2015 or sooner if conditions warrant.