Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New snow and wind will create areas of blowing and drifting snow today with avalanche potential increasing from late this morning into this evening. Watch out for any areas near ridgelines where drifting new snow accumulates to a few inches deep or more. Avalanche terrain that looks filled in by wind drifted snow is suspect, potentially holding unstable snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    As new snow begins to accumulate today, strong SW winds will drift and deposit the new snow forming wind slabs in lee areas near ridgetops. The development of this avalanche problem today will depend on how rapidly new snow accumulates and if the low end or upper end of forecast new snow totals are reached. This avalanche problem may develop by late morning or not until late this afternoon or even hold off until this evening.

    Pay attention to changing conditions and the potential for areas of unstable snow to develop as the day progresses. Once new snow amounts exceed a couple of inches in wind sheltered areas, expect that some amount of new wind slab has formed near ridgetops on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects. Snow surface cracking in lee areas is an additional indicator that wind slabs have formed. Cornices that would traditionally help provide clues to the location of wind slabs have been wind scoured and melted back to wind drifts in many areas. Any avalanche terrain on the downwind side of ridgelines that appears filled in and smoothed out compared to the surrounding terrain is suspect for unstable wind slabs. Identify these areas and move around them with increased caution today.

Avalanche Discussion

  • Snowmelt on SE-S-SW aspects has exposed bare ground in many areas. Over snow travel options are limited on these aspects.
  • It is unlikely that the old facet layer that was buried on Feb 14 will receive a sufficient new snow load today to create an avalanche problem on that layer.

Regions covered