Central Sierra Nevada

Avalanches remain unlikely on a regional scale. Talk with your group to make plans that match your skills to the current conditions. Keep using best-practice backcountry travel techniques, such as only exposing one person at a time to steep slopes and assessing the snow and terrain as you travel. 

Today's winds should not get strong enough to blow significant amounts of snow or change the existing snow surfaces. Much stronger winds earlier this week already scoured and reshaped the snow surface on most open slopes near and above treeline. Uneven, wind-sculpted features, firm, wind-packed snow, and scoured ice crusts will remain on these slopes for the foreseeable future. If your travel plans take you into alpine terrain near exposed ridges, gullies, and open areas, expect to find variable, firm, and uneven snow surfaces. Below treeline, some shaded slopes protected from the wind, like tree-covered slopes and areas where other terrain blocks the wind, still hold soft, consistent snow. In addition to having more enjoyable snow conditions, traveling in these areas can help reduce exposure to those firm, challenging snow surface conditions above treeline.

Many slopes where wet snow formed yesterday will remain frozen today due to slightly cooler temperatures, increased NE winds, and weak January sun. 

Travel plans that start with a conversation about the current conditions and an honest assessment of your group's abilities can help you find terrain and conditions that match the group's skills and interests. An end-of-the-day debrief that identifies what went well or poorly will refine your group's decision-making and communication skills. Keep using good travel techniques such as carrying avalanche safety gear, only exposing one person at a time when traveling in steep terrain, and regrouping in safe zones.