Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

A powerful storm providing rain on new snow, high intensity snowfall, and drifting snow is expected to produce widespread areas of unstable snow and a natural avalanche cycle today and tonight. Travel in, near, or below avalanche terrain is not recommended at this time.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    In places without an unstable slab, rain on snow is expected to lead to wet loose avalanches rather than wet slab avalanches. Becoming caught in even a small wet loose avalanche can have substantial consequences. Any place where wet loose avalanches have a long open slope to run on will allow for increased avalanche size to occur.

     

    (3/13/2023)

    Natural wet loose avalanche, Woodfords Canyon, CA.

    Photo: SAC

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    Above the rain/snow line, gale force SW winds will drift high intensity snowfall into thick, cohesive slabs. Rapid loading rates are expected to make these wind slabs unstable with the potential for natural avalanches to occur. Any slopes where wind drifted snow is depositing are highly suspect. 

    Travel in, near, or below avalanche terrain is not recommended at this time.

    (3/13/2023)

    Wind slab avalanche on Jake's Peak "Spring Run", E to NE aspect. West Shore Tahoe area, CA

    Photo: Public

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Snow levels rising to around 8,000' today will put rain on recent new snow. Storm slabs and wind slabs that were reactive yesterday are expected to fail as wet slab avalanches during rainfall today. Wet slab avalanches could occur on any aspect today up to elevations of a couple of hundred vertical feet above the rain/snow line. High density wet avalanche debris can be destructive and very difficult to excavate, increasing the consequences of becoming caught in an avalanche.

Avalanche Discussion

  • Wind slab, storm slab, and wet loose avalanches occurred yesterday.
  • Poor visibility and stormy conditions have limited observations of larger terrain. Many larger slopes have likely avalanched over the past several days.

Regions covered