Central Sierra Nevada

Lawinenprobleme

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  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  1

  Yesterday's storm did create some wind slabs on wind-loaded N-NE-E aspects and possibly some cross-loaded NW and SE aspects in near and above treeline terrain. Most of these wind slabs remain relatively small and do not extend very far away from the ridgelines. However, some uncertainty exists as to whether larger ones with enough snow to bury or injure a person could still be lurking in some of the most heavily wind-loaded areas. These wind slabs exist on top of a weak layer of old surface snow and human-triggered wind slab avalanches may remain possible today.

  Avoiding wind-loaded areas where fragile wind slabs may exist represents a great safety margin for today. Planning to recreate in more sheltered terrain will also help take advantage of the soft unconsolidated snow. Maintain awareness of the conditions and terrain by looking for signs of wind-loading like cornices above a slope, blowing snow, or wind created textures on the snow surface.

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  Wet Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  1

  Some small, easy to manage, and mostly inconsequential loose dry sluffs could occur on steep slopes today as the new snow slides off of the old weak surface snow. However, some isolated sluffs could involve enough snow to interfere with a person's balance which could have consequences in more serious terrain.