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Out of date — this forecast expired 13 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger remains LOW at all elevations on snow covered NW-N-NE-E aspects. Avalanche danger and snow cover are generally nonexistent on SE-S-SW-W aspects.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Avalanche activity on a region scale remains unlikely. However the variability and uncertainty associated with persistent weak layers like those buried in the current snowpack means finding some unstable snow in the form of a small persistent slab on an isolated terrain feature on a NW-N-NE aspect is not impossible. Continue to evaluate the snowpack before committing to a slope and employ safe backcountry travel practices like traveling one at a time and spotting partners from known safe zones outside of any avalanche path. Numerous rocks, trees, stumps, logs, and other obstacles remain exposed and could easily injure people or break equipment.

Avalanche Discussion

The snowpack continues to shrink. Yesterday on Red Lake Peak most of the snow had melted off a road that had previously provided snow covered access to elevations above 8200 ft. Above 8200 ft. in this area, snow cover still exists on the northerly aspects. The snowpack here shows characteristics similar to those seen around the region. The snowpack consists of mostly faceted weak snow. Tests on N-NE slopes between 8200 ft. and 9200 ft. in this area showed greater variation in results with some results pointing towards instability and others indicating stability. Overall, other data combined with these variable tests still indicated that the weak snowpack can currently support itself and people recreating on top of it.

Regions covered