Central Sierra Nevada

LOW avalanche danger continues with avalanches remaining unlikely today.   Soft cold snow, spring snow, and variable snow surface conditions can all be found in the backcountry.  Make a plan with options and change plans or choose a different route if you encounter unwanted conditions. 

Normal caution

Nice weather and minimal avalanche concerns make it a great time to get out into the mountains.  Expect and plan to encounter variable snow surfaces with the potential for challenging travel conditions in some areas.  Make a plan with options and adjust if conditions are unexpected or are in poor condition. 

Snow surface conditions range throughout the forecast region.  Melt freeze crusts exist on southerly aspects with firm snow expected this morning, softening as daytime warming occurs.  Cold soft snow can be found where near surface faceting is occurring mainly on wind protected northerly aspects, but also exists on many open shaded slopes.  A mix of more undesirable conditions can also be found in between the winter and spring snow including breakable crusts, firm rain crusts, and wind scoured surfaces.  Areas that have been heavily used with refrozen tracks and areas under refrozen tree drippings under dense tree cover, can have especially poor travel conditions. 

Wet snow has been forming consistently on sun exposed slopes due to daytime warming with only minor wet snow instabilities expected for today.  Snow coverage loss has accelerated with more exposed dirt, rock, and obstacles becoming visible at lower elevations and on sunny aspects.  Available south facing terrain has become more limited as many of these slopes have melted out.  Open water, creeks, and holes continue to exist in low lying areas.