22nd December 2010

[El Perro Negro]

The Christmas holiday period unsettled spell is set to continue bringing more snow above 2000m. In the past week we have seen average snowfalls of 1m, more in drifting NE and E facing slopes, less on SW windblown slopes. A harder crust has begun to form windslab.

This new layer overlays a very hard icy, consolidated layer. Avalanche conditions exist and are likely in many areas and if in any doubt you should stick to ridges and windblown slopes.

The weather will continue to bring snow showers, sometimes prolonged over the coming week accompanied at times by high wind speeds. Tomorrow snow levels will drop as low as 1000m bringing access problems. All in all not a great forecast for the festive season in the Sierras.