Central Sierra Nevada

A shallow and mostly weak snowpack exists throughout the forecast region.  Avalanches remain unlikely at this point.  Extra caution is warranted to avoid hitting rocks, bushes, logs, and countless obstacles that are exposed or barely covered by the limited snowpack.

Normal caution

A shallow snowpack of 1 to 2 feet deep exists on most shaded northerly aspects with 1 foot or less on more sun exposed terrain.  More consistent snow surface conditions exist in shaded and wind protected near treeline to below treeline areas.  Wind exposed terrain has been scoured from previous wind events and areas that have been getting sun exposure have more variable snow surface conditions with snow surface crusts and shallower snowpacks.  The long nights and low sun angles this time of year have begun the faceting process of the snowpack during this recent dry spell since our last storms weeks ago.  The snowpack has been turning more sugary and less supportive during this time frame.  This is not currently an issue for avalanche stability, but this weak snowpack structure could lead to future buried weak layers and avalanche activity as we get additional load from upcoming storms.   

Rocks, bushes, tree stumps, open water-there are a lot of obstacles to hit out there with this shallow snowpack.  Extra caution should be used if recreating in the backcountry.  We have already had reports of injuries out there, so remember it's a long season and it just started.