Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 9 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations. Small wind slabs could form as winds increase today and tomorrow. Normal caution is appropriate for travel in and around avalanche terrain throughout the forecast area.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Normal caution is appropriate for travel around the snow covered portions of the forecast area. This means carying companion rescue gear and actively using best practice travel techniques when passing above, through, or below avalanche terrain despite low hazard. Expose only one person at a time to avalanche terrain, do not travel directly above others, and regroup only in areas truly outside of avalanche paths and runout zones.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Small wind slabs could become an issue in isolated areas near treeline and above treeline. As winds increase today and tomorrow, any snow that remains available for wind transport could contribute to new wind slab formation.  Identify areas of blowing snow and avoid areas of current wind loading. This will be most prominent along ridgelines and below cornice features.

Avalanche Discussion

-Areas with a usable snowpack are generally limited to locations above 8,000'. Snowpack usability in the 7,300' to 8,000' range varies significantly by location.

-Northerly aspects hold a snowpack that is 2' to 3' deep and is highly supportable.

-Melt-freeze surface conditions exist on southerly aspects and cold dry faceted surface snow can be found on northerly aspects and in other shaded areas.

-The layers deeper in the snowpack are well bonded and previously affected by rain and melt.

-Supportable rain crust exists near and occationally at the snow surface in most locations below 10,000'.  

Regions covered