Central Sierra Nevada

Lawinenprobleme

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  1–2

  Blowing snow and wind slab development will remain possible as strong winds are forecasted for today and tonight.  NE winds are expected to increase to the strong to gale force range today before shifting to the NW later tonight.  With multiple wind shifts expected, wind slabs could form on most aspects in near and above treeline areas.  Recent rain crusts that exist along the Sierra Crest up to 9500' will limit most available snow for wind transport and the extent of this avalanche problem.  Areas East of the Sierra Crest or locations that did not receive the Monday night rain, will be the possible spots for wind slabs to form today.

  Look for blowing snow, cornice formation, and wind pillows as clues to where wind slabs may be forming.  Large built out cornices exist along many of the exposed ridgelines and should be avoided.  

  

• 

  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  1–2

  Wet loose avalanches will become possible today as daytime warming occurs.  This is the time of year that solar radiation starts to have a bigger impact on our snowpack with increased sun angles and longer days.  Most wet loose instability will be in the form of roller balls and pinwheels on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects.  Larger wet loose avalanches are also possible as the snow surface looses strength from rapid warming and could involve most or all of the recent storm snow.   Wind protected locations around rocks, cliffs, and gully features will be the most likely areas for more solar radiation and these wet loose avalanches to occur.  Even small wet loose avalanches could have increased consequences where terrain traps or secondary exposure exists.