Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

This morning's frozen snow surfaces will quickly turn wet and soft as the day warms up. Avalanches of wet loose snow will become possible on steep slopes. Once the snow becomes wet and unsupportable, it is time to move away from steep slopes onto terrain not steep enough to avalanche.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Last night's clear skies and cooler temperatures should have allowed a thicker refreeze. This should provide a slightly longer window of supportable snow during the morning, but the warm weather and intense April sun will still melt through it as the day warms up. When that happens, deep, wet snow will exist on many slopes and could slide downhill as avalanches of wet loose snow. These wet loose avalanches can entrain snow as they move, making larger avalanches possible on long steep slopes. 

    Watch for changing conditions as the day warms up. The snow will go from supportable to deep and wet quickly. If you see signs of unstable snow like rollerballs, pinwheels, or sinking into ankle-deep wet snow, it's time to get away from slopes steep enough for snow to slide downhill. 

    (4/23/2023)

    Large cornices and recent wet loose activity along the Becker/Talking/Ralston ridge.

    Photo: SAC

Avalanche Discussion

  • Warm weather has allowed for cornice collapses and caused deep crevasse-like cracks to form behind cornices as they pull away from the ridges. It's best to give cornices a wide berth and spend as little time as possible on slopes below them.  
  • Glide cracks have also opened up on some steep slopes in rocky areas. The exact timing of glide crack avalanches is notoriously difficult to predict. Due to the uncertainty, consider avoiding travel on or below slopes with glide cracks.

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