Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New snowfall and wind are creating potentially dangerous avalanche conditions in a variety of areas. If the sun starts to break through the cloud cover later this afternoon, rapid warming may further add to unstable snowpack conditions. Consider avoiding travel in or below avalanche terrain today, opting instead for lower angle terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New slabs of wind drifted snow are forming in lee areas near ridgelines. The vast majority of these wind slabs will form above treeline and near treeline on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects. If the strong mid April sun comes out later this afternoon, sun exposed slopes could potentially become more unstable after snowfall ends. It may not take much of a break in cloud cover to create rapid warming instability given the amount of incoming solar radiation this time of year.

    Look for and identify the locations of potentially unstable wind slabs today. Use clues such as new cornice formations, wind drifts, snow surface texture, and snow surface cracking to help identify the areas of concern. Consider avoiding these areas of concern, especially if the sun comes out.

    (4/15/2022)

    Wind slab avalanche with about a 2 foot crown on the NE aspect of Andesite Peak that was skier triggered at about 1:15 pm on 4/15 under recent new snow and rapid warming conditions. Two partial burials occurred.

    Photo: Public

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Rapid snowfall accumulation this morning may create unstable slabs of storm snow in wind protected areas below treeline and near treeline on all aspects. Some of these storm slabs could have some wet snow characteristics to them today. Look for snow surface cracking in wind protected areas as a clue to the presence of unstable storm slabs. If the sun starts to shine through the cloud cover this afternoon, roller balls and pinwheels will be early indications of potential rapid warming instability.

Avalanche Discussion

  • Many NW-N-NE-E aspects have good snow coverage. Large areas of bare ground or very limited snow cover existed on most SE-S-SW-W aspects prior to snowfall this past week.
  • Snowfall this past week has greatly favored the Sierra Crest in the northern half of the forecast area. Substantial improvements in snow cover have occurred in this portion of the forecast area.

Regions covered