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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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A partial refreeze of the snow surface is expected this morning.  Loose wet avalanches will become possible as the snow surface melts and loses supportability.  Cornice fall will also be a concern.  MODERATE avalanche danger will exist today at all elevations.  The last avalanche forecast for the season will be on Sunday May 3rd.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Above freezing overnight temperatures with mostly clear skies will allow the snow surface to partially refreeze due to radiational cooling.  As rapid warming occurs this morning, this surface crust will quickly melt and become unsupportive.  Loose wet avalanches will become possible as the snow becomes wet and deep.  E-SE-S aspects will warm and melt the quickest, followed by SW-W-NW-N-NE aspects as the day progresses.  Strong SW winds today may slow melt rates near ridgetops, but expect rapid warming on the slopes below.

    Avoid avalanche terrain once the snow surface has become wet and unsupportive.  Exposed obstacles could pose travel concerns as our snowpack continues to melt out.  

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Cornice fall remains a concern throughout the forecast area.  Large cornice collapses could cause injury or trigger loose wet or wet slab avalanches as they load the slopes below.  Avoid traveling on slopes below large cornices.  Along ridges, these cornices can break much farther back from there edges than expected. 

Avalanche Discussion

Spring melt freeze conditions exist on all aspects and elevations across the forecast area.

Observations were conducted yesterday on Mt. Judah in the Donner Summit area.  A weak to non-existent refreeze was seen in this area with above freezing overnight temperatures along with cloudy skies.  Even with that, the snow surface was still mainly supportive for the morning hours.  Many obstacles exist as the snowpack melts out quickly at this location.

Numerous glide cracks exist were the snowpack overlies steep slabs of rock. No signs of glide avalanches have been reported.

Regions covered