Central Sierra Nevada

Lawinenprobleme

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  2

  New snow and strong winds have created new wind slabs on wind-loaded NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects in near and above treeline terrain. Strong winds today should allow wind-loading to continue in some areas. Human triggered wind slab avalanches will be possible today and some of these could entrain enough snow to bury or injure a person. If less clouds develop than forecasted today, strong april sunshine could make these wind slabs even easier to trigger especially on E and SE aspects.

  Use clues blowing snow, cornices above a slope, drifted snow, ripples in the snow surface, and other wind created features to identify where wind slabs may exist. Avoid those areas in favor of more sheltered slopes where softer snow is also more likely to exist.

• 

  Loose Dry

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  1

  Changing conditions during the storm may have created some weaknesses within the storm snow. Some storm slab avalanche problems may be possible in areas that recieved the most new snow last night. In most places any storm slabs that do exist should remain small, but some could pose more of a threat especially when paired with a terrain trap that could magnifiy the consequences of any size avalanche. Like the wind slabs mentioned above, strong april sunshine could make storm slabs easier to trigger on sun-exposed slopes where the most new snow exists if less clouds develop than forecasted today. Sun exposure may also tigger some loose wet instabilities if the forecasted cloud cover does not materialize.

  Recent avalanche activity, shooting cracks, and feeling layer changes in the storm snow can all indicate that storm slab issues may be present. Stay alert and continually assess the snowpack and terrain around you for clues that can help avoid potential avalanche problems. Conditions can change quickly from cold soft snow to sunny warm unstable snow.