Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Continued strong winds will drift snow and create potentially unstable slabs of windblown snow near ridgetops and gully features today. Move cautiously around slopes where wind drifted snow is depositing, especially in areas adjacent to or below cornice features. A substantial increase in avalanche danger is expected tonight into tomorrow with a natural avalanche cycle expected.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Areas of blowing and drifting snow have occurred over the past two days during strong to gale force SW winds. This has created areas of mostly small wind slabs in near and above treeline terrain across NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects. Continued blowing and drifting snow today will continue to fuel this avalanche problem in areas where drifting snow has deposited as a cohesive slab.

    Identify and move cautiously around areas where drifted snow is depositing. Slopes below cornice features and gullies with cornices along the edge are highly suspect areas.  Snow surface cracking and wind pillows may provide additional clues as to where problematic wind slabs exist. Limiting travel to wind protected areas below treeline and away from ridgetops and gullies will provide more consistent snow surface conditions and a way to reduce the risk of encountering today's avalanche problem.

    (2/3/2023)

    Blowing and drifting snow depositing onto N aspect terrain near treeline. Sliver Peak, Pole Creek drainage, CA

    Photo: SAC

Avalanche Discussion

  • Buried surface hoar exists in many wind protected locations throughout the forecast area.  Today it remains dormant, preserved, and slightly buried under 2 to 6 inches of recent storm snow with no overlying slab.  Rapid new snow loading tonight into tomorrow could cause this layer to become reactive and allow for wide propagating avalanches in some areas.
  • Widespread, dense wind-affected snow surfaces exist in open areas near and above treeline. 
  • A variety of surface crusts exist on sun exposed aspects, especially below about 8000'.

Regions covered