Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Fresh slabs of wind drifted snow (wind slabs) will exist on leeward aspects as a result of new snow and gale-force winds. Human-triggered avalanches will be possible today. If the sun comes out it could make these easier to trigger or introduce the possibility for small loose wet instabilities. MODERATE danger exists in near and above treeline terrain with LOW danger below treeline.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Gale force winds and new snow have built fresh slabs of wind drifted snow on leeward aspects. Most of the wind slabs should exist near ridgelines, in gullies, and on open slopes in near and above treeline terrain, but some may lurk in below treeline areas due to the strength of the winds. In many places, these wind slabs should remain small and shallow due to the limited amount of new snow accumulation. However, some of them could grow large enough to create problems for backcountry travelers especially in areas with the most new snow or where terrain like gullies, cliffs, or other terrain traps can magnify the consequences of any size avalanche. Human-triggered wind slab avalanches will be possible today.  

    Blowing snow, cornices above a slope, wind pillows, snowdrifts, ripples on the snow surface, and other wind-created features can help identify where wind slabs may exist. Areas sheltered from the wind should hold better snow conditions and less potential for instability. 

Avalanche Discussion

If the strong March sunshine makes an appearance today, it could provide enough warming to make triggering one of the wind slabs mentioned above easier or allow some small loose wet instabilities to form on sunny slopes. 

* A variety of snow surfaces including melt-freeze crusts, rain crusts, and wind-scoured surfaces existed before this storm. Expect "dust on crust" conditions in many areas as a result of these firm surfaces under the new snow. 

* Observations have indicated that some of the snow around the buried rain crusts has started to weaken (facet).

* Large cornices exist along many ridgelines.

Regions covered