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Out of date — this forecast expired 13 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger remains LOW at all elevations on snow covered NW-N-NE-E aspects. Avalanche danger is generally nonexistent on SE-S-SW-W aspects due to the lack of snow cover.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Avalanche activity on a region scale remains unlikely. Due to the variability associated with faceted persistent weak layers such as those buried in the current snowpack, finding a localized area of unstable snow is not impossible. If this were to occur, it would present as a small persistent slab on an isolated terrain feature located near treeline or below treeline on a NW-N-NE aspect.

    For this reason, it remains prudent to evaluate the snowpack before committing to a slope. Stack the odds on survival through the use backcountry travel practices such as traveling one at a time through avalanche terrain and by spotting partners from known safe zones outside of the avalanche path. Numerous rocks, trees, stumps, logs, and other obstacles remain exposed and present an additional hazard for injury and equipment damage.

Avalanche Discussion

Observations made yesterday on Billy's Peak at the head of the Deep Creek drainage revealed significant near surface faceting and buried facet layers within the snowpack. This is similar to other recent observations from around the forecast area. The snowpack that exists near treeline and below treeline on NW-N-NE aspects has shown indications that it is weak but stable at this time. Buried weak layers have generally shown the ability to support the current load of the shallow overlying snowpack, plus the weight of a person traveling on the snow surface.

With the potential for precipitation on the horizon, it is important to understand that despite the persistent drought pattern, the existing snowpack on NW-N-NE aspects is in poor condition to handle new loading from either rain or snow.

Regions covered