Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
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Treeline
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Below
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Highlights

Early season conditions update #1 - Regular avalanche advisories will begin later this fall.

Significant snowfall is expected to affect the forecast area this weekend. Natural and human triggered avalanches will be possible. Anyone participating in over snow travel in or near avalanche terrain needs to carry and properly use companion rescue gear a well as apply avalanche avoidance training. Stoke is high. Don't let it disrupt sound decision making.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    0

    The mostly likely avalanche problem to exist during and after this first major storm of the season is wind slab. With 1 to 2 feet of new snow and gale force SW to W winds expected above 7,000', the conditions will be right for new wind slab formation. This will generally occur in near and above treeline areas where blowing snow exists. Sizable hold over patches of snow from last winter remain in isolated areas on northerly aspects. While these patches will provide an inviting base for recreation, they also provide a relatively planer bed surface for avalanches. Don't fool yourself with thinking that it is too early in the season for avalanches. The ingredients are expected to come together with this storm.

Avalanche Discussion

Some sizable snow patches remain from last winter in isolated areas on northerly aspects.

With the arrival of avalanche hazard, it is imperative that the avalanche mindset is established. Unfortunately, one avalanche fatality has already occurred in the US this fall. Anyone engaging in on snow recreation either in or near avalanche terrain needs to carry and properly use companion rescue gear - transceiver, shovel, and probe. Do more than just put new batteries in the transceiver, get a group of friends together for a practice session. What is your greater rescue plan once a buried person is uncovered? Do you have significant first aid training for remote environments? What will you do if you have no cell service to call 911? What will you do to care for an injured individual during the hours that it will likely take for Search and Rescue to arrive after a 911 call is made? What will you do for treatment for traumatic injuries to the chest, abdomen, head, limbs? Developing hypothermia in patient and potentially rescuers? Establish a plan and carry the gear needed to address the identified issues in your plan. Identify the areas where additional training is needed to be able to implement all parts of the plan.

Once you have the gear and a plan, how is your avalanche avoidance training? Recent and on the front of your brain status? Fuzzy, informal, dated, but hey, nothing bad has ever happened status? You can brush up on avalanche avoidance knowledge at the education section of avalanche.org (video) and also at fsavalanche.org (online tutorial). There are also tutorials and videos on companion rescue at fsavalanche.org

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