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

  Possible

  Tamaño

  1–2

  Winds continued to load leeward aspects yesterday. The slabs of wind drifted snow that formed near ridgelines, in gullies, and on open slopes exposed to the winds may still remain problematic today. Winds have shifted direction in some places and wind slabs may exist in some unusual spots. Large fragile cornices also loom above many wind-loaded slopes. Human-triggered wind slab avalanches large enough to bury or injure a person (size D2) remain possible today on steep wind-loaded slopes. If the sun comes out today, it could make triggering one of these wind slabs easier on sun-exposed slopes. 

  Look for cornices above a slope, wind pillows, snowdrifts, ripples on the snow surface, and other wind-created features to help identify where unstable wind slabs may exist. Avoiding steep wind-loaded areas in favor of more sheltered terrain will help limit your exposure to wind slab problems and could provide more consistent snow conditions. 

  

• 

  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

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

  Probabilidad

  Unlikely

  Tamaño

  1–2

  Cloud cover and cool temperatures should limit the formation of wet snow today. However, if the cloud cover is less widespread, the intense March sunshine on the new snow could provide enough warming to cause wet loose instabilities on steep sunny slopes.

  Since cloud cover is hard to forecast, pay attention to the weather and snow conditions as you travel and be willing to change plans as conditions change. If you are in a sunny area and start to see signs of wet snow like roller balls, pinwheels, or wet sticky snow, move to a colder aspect where the snow remains dry and soft or switch to lower angle slopes.