Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

In near and above treeline terrain, the avalanche danger is MODERATE today due to the potential for wind slabs in some terrain. Below treeline the avalanche danger is LOW.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    SW and NE winds combined with snow available for transport and some new snow could have allowed new wind slabs to form on any aspect in near and above treeline terrain. Most of these wind slabs should remain relatively small and confined to areas near exposed ridgelines. They could still have consequences especially in complex or extreme terrain or in areas where terrain traps can magnify the consequences of an avalanche. Some larger wind slabs are not impossible on isolated terrain features with the most wind-loading. Continued NE winds today may help add size to some of these wind slabs.

    Blowing snow, cornices, wind drifts, and other wind-created surface textures can all provide clues as to where a wind slab could exist. Light, cold, soft snow will exist in most sheltered areas and could provide great recreation with fewer chances for wind slabs or variable wind-affected surfaces.

Avalanche Discussion

* Observations yesterday from exposed slopes near ridgelines on Silver Peak found signs of wind transport from both SW and NE winds. Some scoured areas held exposed rain crusts covered by a dusting of new snow. Large cornices still loomed over some wind-loaded slopes in this area and near Polaris Point. No current signs of unstable wind slabs were observed. 

* In sheltered terrain on northerly aspects, observations revealed no signs of instability in the Polaris Point area or the Silver Peak area. In both places, cold soft snow still existed on the surface with more dense snow below it. Some thin sun crusts existed on lower elevation SE and S aspects in the Silver Peak area. 

 

Regions covered