Central Sierra Nevada

Normal caution tactics are advised for any travel in avalanche terrain at this time. Anticipate shallow snowcover, early season conditions. Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations.

Snowpit data and other field observations indicate that avalanches are unlikely at this time. The existing snowpack is shallow but supportable for over snow travel. Numerous obstacles such as rocks, logs, etc are usually easily avoidable with a little care (i.e. slower speeds and conservative route choices). In areas protected from wind and sun, faceting processes are at work, especially on the upper portion of the snowpack. In sun exposed areas melt-freeze has affected the snow surface. In wind exposed areas, some scouring has occurred with rough (sastrugi) and sometimes firm snow surface conditions. Historically, some of our most problematic weak layers tend to form during dry spells such as the current one, so snowpack monitoring remains ongoing.