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Out of date — this forecast expired 11 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. Remember LOW danger means that areas of unstable snow can still exist on isolated terrain features. Even though human triggered avalanches are unlikely, they are not impossible. Watch for small loose wet snow instabilities on sun exposed slopes and isolated, small, unlikely wind slabs in more extreme terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Warmer daytime highs and clear sunny skies should provide enough heat for some wet loose snow instabilities to form on any sun exposed slopes steeper than 37 degrees today. Roller balls and pinwheels should represent most of the loose wet snow instabilities that form today, but some small loose wet avalanches may also become possible on the most sun exposed aspects. These instabilities may not involve enough snow to bury a person, but they could push someone off course or knock a person over. Areas below 8000 ft. hold the best potential for loose wet instabilities since they should experience more warming, but sun-exposed slopes at the higher elevations may also see enough warming for some wet snow instabilities. Larger loose wet avalanches and wet slab avalanches will remain unlikely, but they are not impossible on slopes that undergo the most warming.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Wind slabs have become unlikely. Unlikely does not mean impossible, and some small isolated wind slabs may still linger in complex or extreme terrain especially in steep couliors or gullies and on unsupported wind loaded slopes. March's stronger sun shining on the recent snow today could contribute to this lingering instability on the sun-exposed and previously wind loaded SE-S-SW slopes.

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday in the Grouse Rocks area and in the Red Vista area, data and observations showed 10-14 inches of recent snow sitting above the old snow surfaces on wind protected aspects. Near the summit of Grouse Rocks, the recent N-NE winds had scoured the softer snow away from the N-NE facing slopes in near and above treeline terrain. The recent snow remained soft and unconsolidated on more sheltered northerly aspects. In both of these areas below 8000 ft, this recent snow rests on top of thick rain crusts. Above 8000 ft. a small layer of old sugary snow did exist at the base of the recent snow in the Red Vista area. Tests and observations targeting this older layer in the Red Vista area showed it has gained strength and is starting to bond to the snow around it. In both areas ski cuts, snowpit data, and general observations did not produce signs of instabilities.

Regions covered