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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Around the clock above freezing air temperatures and poor snow surface refreeze conditions last night will allow for continued shallow wet snow instability at most elevations today. Backcountry travelers can expect to trigger small wet snow avalanches on steep slopes in locations where there are a couple of inches or more of wet surface snow. Terrain selection based on slope angles of less than 35 degrees is an easy way to avoid this avalanche problem if you so desire.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Poor conditions for snow surface refreeze occurred again last night. We are facing the cumulative effects of multiple days and nights of surface wet snow development without a substantial refreeze above the mountain valley floors. The vast majority of problematic surface wet snow exists across E-SE-S-SW-W aspect terrain at nearly all elevations. Surface wet snow exists to a lesser extent across NW-N-NE aspects, mainly below about 9,200'. If you encounter a frozen, supportable snow surface at the trailhead, expect it to dissipate as you gain elevation. Overnight air temperatures were warmer higher up.

    Expect to trigger small wet loose avalanches of size D1 to D1.5 if you are traveling slopes steeper than 35 degrees. The majority of instability is expected across E-SE-S-SW-W aspects but may occur to a lesser extent on NW-N-NE aspects. Keep in mind that small wet loose avalanches can push you into rocks, cliffs, trees, or terrain traps. Choose terrain accordingly.

     

    (1/27/2024)

    Size D1 loose wet avalanches were easy to trigger yesterday from the late morning hours onward on sunny slopes. SE aspect terrain near 9,100', Castle Crag Peak, NV

    Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

The persistent slab avalanche problem that was with us for most of the season has been put to rest for now. Any lingering concern is specific to isolated areas along the eastern side of the forecast area where the snowpack is less than about 3 feet deep and still holds faceted snow in the lower half of the snowpack. This shallow and weak snowpack structure may not handle a large new snow loading event if one were to occur east of the Sierra Crest.

Regions covered