Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 11 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger should remain LOW in most places today. Small human triggerable wind slabs may linger on isolated terrain features on previously wind loaded NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects in near and above treeline terrain. These terrain features could include extreme or complex terrain, wind loaded slopes above cliffs, other unsupported slopes, couliors, and gullies. If enough warming occurs today, some small isolated loose wet snow instabilities may also form.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    While triggering a small wind slab has become unlikely in most areas today, some small human triggerable wind slabs may linger on isolated terrain features on some wind loaded and cross loaded NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects. The isolated terrain features where small unstable wind slabs may linger include extreme or complex terrain, wind loaded slopes above cliffs, other unsupported slopes, couliors, and gullies near ridge lines along the Sierra Crest. This kind of terrain magnifies the consequences of small avalanches. Most of the wind slabs that have formed remain relatively small and do not extend very far down slope. In some of the more heavily wind loaded areas where the most new snow fell, wind slabs around a foot in depth may exist.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Some loose wet snow instabilities may start to occur this afternoon if enough daytime warming occurs. These wet snow instabilities should remain limited to small loose wet snow sluffs, pinwheels, and roller balls. While wet snow could form on any aspect, most of the wet snow activity should remain limited to slopes below 8000 ft. If the day warms up more than expected or the sunshine breaks through the clouds earlier than expected, wet snow instabilities could become more widespread.

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday on Andesite Ridge the new snow fell on bare ground in some places and on warm melt-freeze crusts in other places. The storm deposited a lighter softer layer of snow at first. A heavier layer of snow that fell later in the storm existed on top of that lighter layer. Skier triggered shooting cracks and unstable snowpit test results did occur on wind loaded test slopes in near and above treeline terrain. The winds slabs measured about 1 ft. in depth and did not extend very far down slope. In non wind loaded areas, some small loose wet snow sluffs started to occur on very steep test slopes during the afternoon as the day warmed up.

Regions covered