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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Small loose wet instabilities could form today as daytime warming occurs.  LOW avalanche danger will continue at all elevations.  Avalanche danger is expected to rise tomorrow as a large storm impacts our region

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Warm temperatures with sunny skies will allow the snow surface to soften on solar aspects as daytime warming occurs.  Small loose wet instabilities could occur in the late morning and afternoon hours.  Increasing SW winds this afternoon should limit some of the warming and softening in wind exposed areas.  The majority of these loose wet instabilities are expected to be small in size.

    Monitor the snow surface warming and supportability throughout the day.  The best travel conditions will be in the mid to late morning hours on wind protected terrain.  As the snow becomes wet and punchy, it's time to change aspects and/or elevations or call it a day.

Avalanche Discussion

Observations were made on Powderhouse Peak in the Luther Pass area yesterday.  Breakable melt freeze crusts were encountered on all northerly aspects up to the peak.  South and east aspects softened throughout the day providing more enjoyable travel.   

A weak upper snowpack structure continues to exist throughout the forecast region on northerly aspects in near and below treeline areas.  Weak crusts and loose sugary snow make up the upper snowpack in many of these locations.  This weak snow structure remains a concern for a possible deep slab avalanche problem with a large loading event in the forecast. 

Regions covered