Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations today due to wind slabs on wind-loaded slopes and possible storm slabs in more sheltered terrain. Human-triggered avalanches are possible today. Evaluate the snowpack and terrain carefully to identify where avalanche problems may exist. Use this information to avoid areas with possible avalanche problems. If the storm ends earlier than forecasted and the sun comes out, rapid warming could accentuate these problems and also cause loose wet avalanche problems to form.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Strong southwest winds and last night's snow combined with the new snow expected to fall today means that wind slabs will exist on wind-loaded slopes. Human-triggered wind slab avalanches will be possible today. Wind slabs could exist on wind-loaded N-NE-E aspects as well as on cross-loaded NW and SE aspects. Any wind slab avalanches that occur today could involve enough snow to bury or injure a person. The largest and most fragile wind slabs will exist in near and above treeline terrain in areas where the most new snow has accumulated, but some wind slabs could exist on open slopes in below treeline terrain as well due to the strength of the winds. 

    Clues like blowing snow, cornices above slopes, drifted snow, ripples in the snow surface, and other wind created textures can help identify where fragile wind slabs may exist. Use this information to avoid the wind slabs and to find sheltered non-wind-affected snow for better and safer recreation.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Changing snowfall rates, winds, and other changing storm conditions combined with warming temperatures and additional snow today means that human-triggered storm slab avalanches may be possible in some areas especially where upside-down storm snow layering exists. The size and likelihood of these storm slab avalanches will depend on how much new snow an area has. The places with the most new snow hold the best potential for problematic storm slabs. While the possible storm slabs should remain smaller than the wind slabs mentioned above, some of the largest storm slabs could involve enough snow to injure or bury a person.

    Recent avalanche activity, shooting cracks, snowpits, and probing can all help identify where storm slabs or upside-down layering may exist. Use this information to avoid steep slopes where storm slabs may exist. 

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday observations on Mt. Tallac found wet rain-soaked snow up to about 8700 ft. on northerly aspects and a mix of crusts and wet loose snow on all other aspects up to 9000 ft. Above 8700 ft. on the northerly aspects, a thin rain crust existed over colder snow. Ski cuts triggered large pinwheels and some loose wet sluffs on the northerly aspects below 8700 ft. and small pinwheels on the other aspects. Strong winds buffeted the area and rain fell up to at least 9000 ft. throughout the day.  

Regions covered