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 slab and storm slab avalanche problems. Human-triggered avalanches large enough to have consequences remain possible today. If the clouds part today, the strong March sunshine could exacerbate the existing avalanche problems and could allow wet snow instabilities to form. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Wind-loaded N-NE-E aspects and cross-loaded NW and SE aspects in near and above treeline terrain should hold the largest slabs of wind drifted snow. Some additional snow and wind today could cause these slabs to continue increasing in size and extent. Adding the weight of a person to these wind-loaded slopes could trigger a wind slab avalanche today. These avalanches may entrain enough snow to bury, injure, or kill a person. If the sun makes an appearance today, some of these wind slabs could be easier to trigger on sun-exposed slopes.

    Maintain awareness of the conditions and terrain by using clues like cornices above a slope, blowing snow, drifted snow, and other wind created surface textures to locate potential wind slabs. This information will also help find softer non-wind-affected snow where recreation conditions may be more fun and less avalanche concerns exist.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    As the storm snow begins to settle and consolidate, storm slab avalanches should become more difficult to trigger in most places. However, human-triggered storm slab avalanches may remain possible today in some areas. Many of these soft slabs should remain small and only involve the new snow. Steep open slopes in sheltered terrain have the potential to hold lingering storm slabs. If the strong March sunshine breaks through the clouds today, some storm slabs may release more easily or loose wet snow instabilities may form on sun-exposed slopes. 

    Signs that storm snow weaknesses may remain active include shooting cracks and recent avalanche activity. Features of concern could include areas with convex rollovers, terrain traps, and areas of more complex terrain. Identifying these areas can help maintain an appropriate safety margin. 

Avalanche Discussion

* Yesterday natural wind slab and storm slab avalanches occurred on Incline Lake Peak and on Tamarack Peak. The storm slabs failed on a layer of lower density snow about 8 to 12 inches below the surface. Some of the wind slabs had 1 to 2 ft crowns. 

* Skier triggered wind slabs of similar size also occurred on test slopes on Tamarack Peak and Andesite Peak.

* Observers reported continuous blowing snow on Donner Summit, in the Mt. Rose backcountry, and on Echo Summit. 

Regions covered