Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Above freezing overnight temperatures along with rapid warming will create areas of unstable wet snow today.  A short window for supportable snow surface conditions is expected to occur this morning.  Think about exiting avalanche terrain before the snow surface becomes deep, wet, and unsupportable.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Another night of above freezing air temperatures occurred again.  Radiational cooling of the snowpack from clear skies overnight has provided a superficial refreeze of the snow surface.  This refreeze is expected to melt away quickly this morning as daytime warming occurs exposing more deep wet snow.  Unsupportable deep wet snow will be capable of producing wet loose avalanches today.  Larger terrain and slopes could produce longer running wet loose avalanches. 

    Roller balls, pinwheels, and ankle deep wet snow will be signs that wet loose avalanches are becoming possible.  Once you see signs of unstable wet snow, it's time to move away from avalanche terrain.  An early start and exit will be critical if you are looking to catch the window for supportable snow conditions.

    (4/22/2023)

    Recent wet loose avalanches on E aspect slopes just to the north of Cathedral Bowl.  Mt. Tallac.

    Photo: SAC

Avalanche Discussion

  • Glide cracks have formed 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.
  • Cornice fall remains an ongoing concern as air temperatures warm above freezing.  Limit exposure below cornices and use extra caution while moving around ridgelines where cornices exist.
  • Rockfall has been observed in many areas of the forecast region.

Regions covered