Central Sierra Nevada

A few very small, isolated areas of unstable snow might exist in complex or extreme terrain where blowing snow has filled in an isolated terrain feature. In most other areas, large avalanches should remain unlikely. Pay attention to your surroundings and adjust your travel plans if you find any signs of unstable snow or unexpected conditions.

Normal caution

Expect variable snow conditions in the mountains today. Make plans targeting terrain and conditions that match your group's skills. Triggering a significant avalanche remains unlikely, but it may not be impossible, especially if your travel plans take you into more complex or extreme terrain. Monitor the conditions as you travel. If you see any signs of unstable snow, such as snow surface cracking, or encounter any other unexpected conditions, adjust your plans accordingly.

East winds have remained strong enough to blow snow for the last few days and should continue today. However, limited snow remains available for transport by these winds, so most new deposits of wind-blown snow should remain shallow and not extend very far down slope. Variable snow surfaces will represent the main consequence of this wind transport in most terrain, and problematic wind slabs will remain unlikely. In complex or extreme terrain where cliffs, rocks, or other terrain traps lurk, these small, isolated wind slabs might pose a threat, as they could knock a person over and cause them to fall off a cliff or slide into rocks or other hazards. 

Observations and data from across the forecast area indicate the snowpack continues to consolidate and strengthen. Surface conditions also remain variable across the region. Wind-exposed areas have every kind of wind-affected surface imaginable: sastrugi, wind-scoured surfaces, rippled snow, dense wind-buff, exposed rain crusts, etc. Softer snow still lingers on some wind-protected slopes, especially on north aspects.

Sun and warm weather have left sun crusts on some slopes. Surface wet snow also forms on these slopes during the day and may result in a few roller balls or pinwheels, but larger wet loose avalanches should remain unlikely. The warming could also cause cracks to form behind large cornices.

Deep open holes, open creeks, and ponded water persist around the forecast area. These deep holes and open creek areas are especially prominent below 8,000' in low-lying areas, but have been observed at higher elevations as well.