Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Unusually hot, sunny weather will quickly melt the snow surface in sun exposed areas. Once the firm snow surface is mostly melted away, avalanches of wet loose snow are possible on steep sun exposed slopes. If the snow surface feels unsupportable, mushy, or if you can sink boot-top-deep into wet snow, consider opting for non-avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Rapid warming this morning will quickly melt any firm snow surfaces on sun exposed slopes. Pay attention to quickly changing snow conditions today. Once the snow feels wet and mushy or unsupportable, it's a good idea to opt for recreating on low angle slopes well away from avalanche terrain. Small wet snow sluffs or sinking boot-top-deep into wet snow indicate that wet loose avalanches may occur.

    Air temperatures at the mid to upper elevations are in the mid 40s to mid 50s at sunrise this morning. Today's strong March sun and hot weather will melt through any refrozen surface crust that formed last night in short order, transitioning the surface to unsupportable wet snow. Open slopes will have undergone some refreeze last night, with no refreeze in areas under forest canopy. Surface wet snow will get deeper quickly as the day progresses, with wet loose avalanches becoming possible on sun exposed slopes.

    Repeated melt-freeze cycles and previous rain have helped the snowpack transform into late-spring or summer-like snow with good free water drainage channels established through the snowpack. This means that most wet loose avalanches are expected to remain small. In isolated areas on long, steep, sustained slopes, initially small wet loose avalanches could become larger where they entrain additional snow as they slide downhill. Keep in mind that even small avalanches can have increased consequences in exposed terrain.

    (3/16/2026)

    D1 wet loose avalanche intentionally triggered by ski cutting on a convex roll. SE aspect terrain near 7,900' at 11:10 -11:15 am. Mt. Judah, Donner Summit area, CA

    Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Most cornices have already collapsed or melted. If you encounter an isolated overhanging cornice that lingers near a ridgetop, treat it as suspect for collapse during this heat wave.

Dramatic snow melt has occurred on all aspects below 7,500' and on southerly aspects at all elevations. Large areas of bare ground and open flowing creeks with few to no snow bridges are making approaches to terrain difficult in many places, especially from lower elevation trailheads.

While shaded northerly aspects offer better snow coverage, they also hold much firmer and bumpier snow surfaces. Long sliding falls remain a hazard in areas that hold frozen snow surfaces.

Regions covered