Central Sierra Nevada

Warm and mild conditions will continue through today and into this weekend.  Avalanche danger remains LOW, with avalanche activity unlikely.

Normal caution

Increased winds overnight and into this morning may have caused some light blowing snow in wind exposed areas.  Warm temperatures will continue to transition the snow surface on most all aspects and provide more variable conditions.  Wet and sticky snow surfaces have expanded to most aspects throughout this warm spell in the low to mid elevation zones.  Deteriorating snow surface conditions are expected through the weekend as warm conditions continue.  Soft cold snow is becoming hard to find and limited on northerly aspects.  

Avalanche activity remains unlikely for today. 

Recent Observations:

• Surface hoar has been observed at many locations in the forecast area, some slightly buried and some still on the surface.  The slightly buried surface hoar might have some protection from the current warm temperatures.  
• Warming temperatures, dripping trees, and tree bombs, have been forming variable snow surface conditions.  Wet snow now exists on most aspects at low and mid elevations due to the warm and cloudy conditions.
• Small roller balls occurred yesterday below 8000' on northerly aspects as previous cold dry snow became wet.