Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Today's strong sun could allow avalanches of wet loose snow to become possible on steep slopes. Strong NE winds could also pile slabs of unstable wind-blown snow onto slopes near ridges today. You can reduce your chance of triggering an avalanche by moving away from slopes with wet snow on them, using less steep slopes, and sticking to areas without wind-blown snow. 

 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    After a few partly to mostly cloudy days post-storm, the recent storm snow will experience its first full day of sun today. The strong March sunshine should provide enough warming to melt through surface crusts and produce wet snow on sunny slopes, especially at mid to lower elevations. Enough wet snow could form that wet loose avalanches become possible on steep sunny slopes. These avalanches can gather more snow as they move, making larger avalanches possible on long, steep slopes. The increased NE winds at the upper elevations could help limit the amount of wet snow that forms at higher elevations. 

    Watch and feel for changes in the snow as the day warms up. When it starts to feel wet, or you see signs of unstable wet snow like roller balls or pinwheels, it's time to look for colder snow on different aspects or move to lower-angle slopes.

    (2/11/2024)

    An example of a small wet loose avalanche from an earlier warm period.

    Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    NE winds increased and exceeded their forecasted speeds along the ridges last night. They likely already moved some of the soft snow that lingers on N-NE-E aspects over the ridges onto NW-W-SW-S-SE aspects, and those winds may remain strong enough to keep moving snow today. As this newly wind-blown snow piles up on previously scoured surfaces, wind slab avalanches could become possible in those areas today. Most of these wind slabs should remain small and limited to areas near exposed ridges. Still, some could grow large enough to cause problems for backcountry travelers, particularly if the winds remain stronger than forecast. 

    Look for clues like blowing snow, snow drifts, cornices above a slope, and other wind-created surface textures to recognize where wind slabs may exist. Signs of instability, such as recent avalanches, cracking, and unstable test results, can also provide clear indications that the wind slabs are unstable. Traveling in sheltered areas where wind-blown snow has not piled up can reduce the chances of triggering a wind slab avalanche and may help find more consistent snow. 

     

    (1/7/2024)

    An example of blowing snow along the Sierra Crest from a wind event earlier this season. 

    Photo: SAC

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