Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Gale force winds will occur today with continued areas of drifting snow. Recent winds have created slabs of dense windblown snow which could be unstable. Consider avoiding slopes that sound or feel hollow underfoot, have signs of instability such as snow surface cracking, or are adjacent to recent avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Ridgetop winds shifted to the NE yesterday morning and have been steadily increasing in speed. Ridgetop gusts to 100 mph out of the NE are expected today. A patchwork of rough wind scoured surfaces, dense wind slabs, and firm icy surfaces exist near treeline and above treeline.  Unstable wind slabs remain a concern mainly in near treeline and above treeline terrain and in isolated areas below treeline. Firm, unstable slabs of wind drifted snow may be encountered on any aspect today.

    Snow surface cracking may occur around the edges of these slabs, especially where they are thin. Thicker unstable hard slabs may not show cracking and may allow a person to travel far out onto the slab before an avalanche occurs. Hard slabs may feel or sound hollow underfoot. Wind exposed avalanche terrain that appears more filled in, smoother, and less scoured than surrounding areas remains suspect for human triggered avalanches today.  Consider avoiding any suspect terrain. Cornices along ridgetops are very large and should be given a wide safety margin.

    (1/22/2023)

    Wind slab over buried surface hoar cracking in the trees on a N aspect at 9,600', above Horse Meadow, north of Luther Pass, CA.

    Photo: SAC

Avalanche Discussion

  • No new reports of avalanche occurrences were received yesterday.
  • Buried surface hoar - Reactive buried surface hoar was observed yesterday underneath wind slab on both N and SE aspects at 9,600' above Horse Meadow, north of Luther Pass, CA.  Otherwise, snowpit tests from numerous locations around the forecast area have suggested that this layer is unreactive in the vast majority of locations.
  • Melt-freeze crust exists on the snow surface of many slopes that were sun exposed during Saturday's warming event.

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