Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche activity has become unlikely for most of the forecast area. Still, triggering an avalanche may not be impossible on an isolated terrain feature in extreme terrain where wind-blown snow has piled up. Continue to use best-practice backcountry travel techniques, such as only exposing one person at a time to steep slopes and assessing the snow and terrain as you travel.

The next update to the avalanche forecast will occur on Jan 2, 2025 @ 7:00 am.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The slabs of wind-blown snow formed on leeward slopes during the last storm continue to bond to themselves and the old snow surfaces below them. As the snowpack gets stronger, triggering an avalanche becomes more difficult. At this point, avalanche activity has grown unlikely for most of the forecast area.

    Most people will not see signs of unstable snow or trigger avalanches today. Still, unlikely does not mean impossible. An unstable wind slab or two may still lurk on an isolated terrain feature, especially in extreme terrain like steep alpine couloirs or exposed cliffy areas or on a hanging snowfield without support from below. Unfortunately, unexpected avalanches can have more serious consequences in this terrain.  

    Continue to identify areas where wind-blown snow has piled up by looking for clues like cornices above a slope, piles of drifted snow, and wind-created surface textures. If you see signs of unstable snow like cracking or hollow sounding/feeling snow, you may have found one of those isolated spots where a wind slab might linger. In this case, moving on to a different area makes sense. In general, smoother, softer, and more consistent snow exists in areas sheltered from the winds. 

Avalanche Discussion

Despite the incremental loading during the recent storms, no signs of instability related to the deeper weak layers that linger above 8,000' to 8,500' in the eastern and southern portions of the forecast area have been reported. A thick layer of refreezing wet snow exists above these layers in many places. As this wet snow refreezes, the snowpack will continue to gain strength. 

Regions covered