Central Sierra Nevada

Problemas de aludes

• 

  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

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

  Probabilidad

  Possible

  Tamaño

  1–2

  Increased cloud cover on Monday limited wet snow instabilities throughout the forecast region.  Warming temperatures today with strong late March sunshine will create wet snow instabilities as clouds decrease this morning.  Wet loose avalanches are expected to occur throughout the forecast region on most aspects and elevations due to the high late March sun angles.  Many of these wet snow instabilities will be small in size, but larger wet loose avalanches could also run long distances on steeper slopes entraining more of the recent storm snow.  Terrain traps such as cliffs, rocks, and trees-could increase the consequences of even small wet loose avalanches today.

  Roller balls and pinwheels may be indicators that the surface snow is becoming wet and capable of producing larger avalanches.  As the snow becomes deep and wet, it’s time to move away from avalanche terrain or change aspects to where colder snow exists.

  

• 

  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

  West winds continue to be strong enough to transport snow in some areas of the forecast region.  Reactive wind slabs continue to exist in some of these near and above treeline areas.  Some wind slab avalanches that have been triggered may have been failing on a buried layer of graupel within the recent storm snow.  This graupel layer would explain the continued reactivity and wide propagation of some of these wind slab avalanches.  Wide propagating wind slab avalanches could remain possible for today.  Rapid warming with expected strong late March sunshine could also weaken wind slabs that are receiving intense solar radiation today.

  Look for blowing snow, snow surface clues, and cornices above a slope as clues to where these wind slabs have formed.  Large cornices that have built out during the storm could become weak and fail with warming today.  Identify and move around wind loaded areas and slopes below large cornices.