Central Sierra Nevada

Today will be a break in storm activity with mild weather conditions.  Avalanches will remain unlikely, use normal caution if traveling in the backcountry today.  Avalanche danger is expected to increase tomorrow as a stronger storm enters our forecast region.

Mild temperatures with partly cloudy skies are forecasted today.  Southwest winds have decreased and are expected to be in the light to moderate range.  Any wind slab development that occurred yesterday is expected to be very limited and isolated to our highest elevation terrain.  Up to 1 to 2 inches of wet new snow could exist on the snow surface above around 8000'.  Rain levels went up to 8000-9000' throughout most of the forecast region yesterday and overnight.  In areas that cleared out this morning and dropped below freezing, firm rain crusts may exist on the snow surface.  These rain crusts could provide some travel issues for today.  In areas that did not refreeze overnight and as daytime warming occurs, some small wet loose instabilities will remain possible today.  These are expected to remain small and not pose travel issues for backcountry users.     

The Dec 12 persistent weak layer and basal facets continue to exist in the southern and eastern portions of the forecast region.  These areas are mostly above 8000-8500' and in locations with a shallower and weaker snowpack.  Both of these layers are unreactive from an avalanche perspective.  Some lingering signs of instabilities have continued in the form of unstable snowpack test results in isolated locations.  In many areas, these weak layers have gained strength as our snowpack becomes deeper and stronger.  These weak layers could reactivate in the future if a large storm loading event were to occur. 

Use normal caution if heading out today.  Make sure you have a plan ahead of time with your group and everyone is on board in the decision making process.