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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Warming temperatures with decreasing winds could allow for small loose wet instabilities to form during the midday hours.  Areas of firm snow continue with potential falling hazards.  LOW avalanche danger exists with normal caution advised.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Warmer overnight temperatures with decreasing winds should allow the snow surface to soften on more aspects and elevations today.  The snowpack on southerly aspects is coming off of multiple days of below freezing temperatures which has left a strong and well consolidated snowpack.  Soft corn snow developed on wind protected lower to mid elevations yesterday with favorable conditions today to see more widespread softening.  Small loose wet instabilities could develop on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects at all elevations as warming occurs throughout the day.  These instabilities are expected to be small in size and in the form of roller balls and pinwheels.

    Large areas of firm snow continue to exist throughout the backcountry, especially in heavily wind scoured locations.  Exposed terrain on NW-N-NE aspects is not expected to soften today and will remain rock hard in many locations.  Sliding falls remain a concern.

    Make a travel plan with your group that is appropriate for the current conditions.  Utilize terrain options to avoid any areas of concern.                           

Avalanche Discussion

Soft corn snow developed on wind protected southerly aspects on Silver Peak (Pole Creek area) by early afternoon.  Firm snow conditions were present in the morning and softened on SE/S aspects below 8000' with other areas remaining firm.  In wind protected northerly areas, decomposing surface crusts with near surface facets provided consistent travel conditions.

Observations from Blue Lakes (Carson Pass area), showed a very firm snowpack in the morning that softened slightly into the afternoon.  Some areas of soft unconsolidated snow existed in wind protected gullies and drainages.  

Regions covered