Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Wet snow avalanches will become likely on sun exposed slopes as daytime warming occurs with warmer temperatures and strong April sunshine expected today. Increased winds overnight and through today could create slabs of wind blown snow along ridges, in gully features, and in open areas. If you see signs of unstable wet snow or areas of wind blown snow, move around these areas of concern or away from avalanche terrain.  

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Expect variable snow surface conditions that change throughout the day. Slopes with sun exposure yesterday that were wetted are expected to have newly formed sun crusts this morning. Shaded northerly aspects and higher elevation areas may continue to have colder storm snow present this morning. As temperatures warm today with strong sunshine, wet snow is expected to form on most aspects and elevations. Roller balls and pinwheels will indicate that the snow surface is loosing strength and that wet loose avalanches are becoming possible. As the snow surface becomes wet and unsupportable, it's time to move to a different aspects with less sun exposure or away from avalanche terrain.

    Today is expected to be warmer than yesterday with strong solar radiation from April sunshine. Strong East winds could delay some snow surface warming at the highest elevations. Snow conditions are expected to deteriorate throughout the day in all but the most shaded and cold slopes as the sun makes the snow surface wet and heavy. Wet loose avalanches could be large in size today and could entrain some or most of the recent storm snow. As you see signs of unstable wet snow developing, move away from steeper slopes of concern. 

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Winds shifted to the East last evening and increased in speed. Ridgetop gusts of 40 to 60mph have been recorded early this morning along the Sierra Crest with continued winds expected through today. Recent storm snow will get scoured and transported to S-SW-W-NW-N aspects in near and above treeline areas as these East wind continue.  Look for blowing snow, snow surface scouring, and newly developed wind pillows as clues to where these new wind slabs may exist. Identify and move around any areas of concern.    

Avalanche Discussion

Before this storm, significant snowmelt occurred across the forecast area. Large areas of bare ground were present on all aspects below 7,500' to 8,000' as well as on southerly aspects at all elevations. Numerous hazards such as rocks, stumps, logs, etc are barely hidden under the recent new snow. Anticipate conditions similar to early season, where it is very easy to hit hard objects under the snow surface as you travel.

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