Central Sierra Nevada

Lawinenprobleme

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  1–2

  Gale force winds on Wednesday created wind slabs and scoured many exposed and even wind protected areas.  Lingering wind slabs could exist in near and above treeline areas today.  Southwest winds continue in the strong to gale force range with ridge gusts expected up to 55mph this afternoon.  Many windward slopes have well developed melt freeze crusts that will limit any available snow for wind transport.  At higher elevations or places with some soft snow available, some blowing snow and new wind slab development may continue for today.

  Look for blowing snow, recent wind scouring, and snow surface cracking in wind loaded areas.  If you see signs of instability, move around these areas of concern with caution.  Wind protected below treeline areas will avoid this avalanche problem and potentially provide improved snow surface conditions.  

  

• 

  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  1–1.5

  Air temperatures warm into the mid 30's to mid 40's again today after overnight temperatures were near to below freezing.  Cloudy skies will slightly decrease throughout the day to partly cloudy in the afternoon with southwest winds increasing.  Overall, these weather conditions should lead to less snow surface warming and wet snow development.  Warming temperatures with low level cloud cover could form some additional wet snow, potentially in the northern part of the forecast region this afternoon.  Strong solar radiation will create some amount of wet snow on sun exposed slopes and northerly aspects below around 7500-8000'. 

  Monitor the snow surface throughout the day.  Roller balls and pinwheels will be indicators that larger wet loose avalanches could occur.  If the snow surface becomes deep and wet , it's time to move away from avalanche terrain onto less steep slopes.