Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Lingering areas of unstable snow remain an avalanche concern following a period of blowing and drifting snow over the past couple of days. Once snowfall begins tonight, new snow and wind will increase the avalanche danger during the overnight hours. Exercise caution today on slopes where wind blown snow has accumulated, especially below cornices or on slopes with rippled wind textured surfaces.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Moderate to gale force SW winds have blown, drifted, and redistributed snow on the ground over the past couple of days. There are now hard wind slabs in areas where this blowing snow was deposited, mainly above treeline and near treeline on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects. No new avalanches were reported yesterday but unstable snowpit test results were observed on 4 to 12 inch thick wind slabs.

    Identify and move cautiously around slopes where these hard wind slabs exist. Use clues such as cornices, rippled wind textured snow surfaces, snow surface cracking, and firm snow surfaces to help identify areas of concern.

    Once snowfall begins tonight, more blowing snow will lead to new softer wind slabs forming on top of these older hard wind slabs.

    (12/20/2021)

    New small wind deposits cracking with the weight of a skier on Silver Peak, Pole Creek, CA.

    Photo: Steve Reynaud

Avalanche Discussion

* We've been monitoring surface hoar around the forecast area as a potential future weak layer if it persists to burial or is destroyed by wind and warming prior to snowfall tonight. Some surface hoar was observed to become buried Sunday under drifting snow near the junction of wind exposed and wind sheltered terrain in the Carson Pass area. In the more wind exposed areas, it had been knocked over prior to burial. The reports of still intact surface hoar with the potential for burial by new snow have become limited to shaded, wind protected, lower elevation areas. If you see surface hoar out there today at mid or upper elevations, please let us know via submit observation or email [email protected].

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