Central Sierra Nevada

This morning the snow will be firm and frozen. Shallow, wet snow may form on some sunny slopes as the day warms up, but not enough for large sluffs of wet snow. Avalanches are unlikely. 

Normal caution

Sunny, mild weather with light winds will return to the forecast area today. The sun and warmer daytime temperatures should provide enough warming for the snow surface to soften on sunny SE-S-SW aspects at mid to low elevations. Some of the upper elevation slopes could stay mostly frozen today since temperatures may only reach the upper 30's and low 40's. The wet snow that does form today should remain shallow. Any wet snow instabilities should remain limited to small rollerballs or pinwheels. Avalanches are unlikely today.

Talk with your partners before you head out. Make a plan that matches your group's skills and goals with today's snow conditions. Keep building good habits by only putting one person on a slope at a time and keeping your partner in view. 

Recent Observations:

• Variable snow surface conditions exist across the forecast area. Expect to encounter firm ice, shallow unconsolidated snow, wind-packed surfaces, wind-scoured surfaces, breakable crusts, and melt/freeze snow.
• The snowpack is mostly consolidated on most aspects and elevations.  On open wind-protected northerly aspects, the upper snowpack is gradually becoming weaker as near-surface faceting continues.  We would need a new snow load on top of this weakening snow before any potential avalanche problems could occur.