Central Sierra Nevada

Problemas de aludes

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta montaña
  • Límite del bosque
  • Bajo el límite del bosque

  Probabilidad

  Likely

  Tamaño

  1–2

  The winds have remained lighter than the usual Sierra storm winds, but they are still strong enough to transport this storm's cold, light snow. Human-triggered cracking and small wind slabs started to occur yesterday afternoon, indicating poor bonding between the old snow surfaces and the new snow. The slabs of wind-blown snow grew in size and distribution during the night as more snow fell. Human-triggered wind slab avalanches large enough to bury or injure a person will be likely today. Wind slabs will most likely exist on open slopes, on the downwind side of ridges, in gullies, and near other wind-exposed terrain features. Fragile cornices may also lurk above some of these wind-loaded slopes. 

  Recent avalanches, snow surface cracking, blowing snow, cornices, drifted snow, and snow surface texture can all help identify where unstable wind slabs may exist. Due to the lighter winds, some of the clues may not be as clear as they often are, so giving yourself larger buffers around any terrain that might be wind-loaded makes sense. Traveling in areas sheltered from the wind can reduce the chance of triggering a wind slab and increase your chances of finding softer, more consistent snow.

  

• 

  Storm Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta montaña
  • Límite del bosque
  • Bajo el límite del bosque

  Probabilidad

  Possible

  Tamaño

  1–2

  The fresh snow has fallen on various old snow surfaces, including crusts and old soft snow. Yesterday, people reported some cracking at the interface between the new snow and the old snow, and the new snow sluffed off the old snow in some areas. Enough snow fell last night that soft slabs of storm snow could exist in some areas today. These could break away from the old snow surfaces and result in storm slab avalanches. In places where the new snow has less cohesion it could slide off the old snow surfaces as a loose snow avalanche. This problem could exist treed areas people typically think of as safe. 

  Watch out for any signs of unstable snow, such as recent avalanches, cracking, test slope failures, or sluffing. Sometimes, it is hard to recognize where a storm slab may lurk since the snow surface seems soft and powdery. If you see any signs of unstable snow or have doubts about a slope go ahead and move to terrain not steep enough for snow to slide down.