Central Sierra Nevada

Lawinenprobleme

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  1

  Gale force ENE winds have left scoured surfaces on windward (N-NE-E) aspects and fresh slabs of wind drifted snow on leeward (SE-S-SW-W-NW) aspects. These wind slabs could measure a few feet in depth and could involve enough snow to bury or injure a person. The weight of a person recreating on a wind-loaded slope could still trigger wind slab avalanches today. Strong sunshine and warmer temperatures may make some of these wind slabs more fragile especially on the sun-exposed SE-S-SW aspects. 

  Identify where wind slabs may exist by using clues like cornices above a slope, drifted snow, and other wind created textures. These areas have the best chances for finding variable wind affected snow and unstable wind slabs. Lower angle more sheltered terrain will hold more consistent snow and present fewer avalanche hazards. 

• 

  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  1

  Strong March sunshine and a significant jump in air temperatures could produce enough warming to destabilize yesterday's cold light snow. Some wet snow instabilities will be possible today on sun-exposed slopes especially in areas sheltered from the strong ENE winds. While most of these wet snow instabilities may manifest as roller balls near exposed rocks or pinwheels on open slopes, some larger loose wet avalanches may be possible today. Expect more widespread loose wet activity as the warming trend continues for the next few days. 

  Watch for signs of a warming snowpack like roller balls or pinwheels, dripping trees, or wet sticky surface snow. These signs indicate that rapid warming is affecting the snowpack and that it is time to move to a colder aspect.