Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

LOW avalanche danger continues for all elevations. Isolated areas of unstable snow may exist. Consider how terrain exposure may increase the consequences of a small unexpected avalanche.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Ridgetop winds out of the NE increased to strong in speed overnight. Wind speeds were similar to a previous NE wind event that occurred on January 22nd. Due to the previous wind event, limited snow was available for wind transport last night. Any new wind slab formation is expected to be small and isolated. Continued warming will allow for minor amounts of roller balls/loose wet instability in sun exposed areas at all elevations. Avalanches large enough to bury a person are unlikely today.

    Identify areas of wet snow surface conditions or where newly formed wind slab exists. If any avalanche activity occurs today, it will most likely occur in one of these locations. Small avalanches that would often be inconsequential may have significant consequences if occurring above cliffs, terrain traps, or in rocky chutes. Accidents in the current conditions are often traced back to terrain exposure, reliance on marginal islands of safety, and/or poor communication.

Avalanche Discussion

* Snow surface conditions are becoming affected by warming in many areas. The snow surface on shaded, wind protected N aspects remains unconsolidated and has escaped melt at the mid and upper elevations.

* Significant wind erosion of the snow surface has occurred in near treeline and above treeline areas on all aspects. Exposed rain crust and firm ice exist in some areas and present a travel hazard.

* Recent observations from around the forecast area indicate that the old weak layers buried deep in the snowpack continue to gain strength.

Regions covered