Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

MODERATE avalanche danger will exist due to a wind slab avalanche problem in near and above treeline terrain.  Human triggered wind slab avalanches will be possible today.  Low avalanche danger will continue in below treeline areas.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    SW winds today will make wind slab avalanches possible on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects in near and above treeline terrain.  SW winds have been on the increase since yesterday afternoon and are now in the strong to gale force range early this morning along exposed ridges and peaks.  Substantial snow is available for wind transport that is still soft due to the recent cold temperatures.  Wind slab avalanches are expected today and could be large enough to bury or injure a backcountry user.  Most of these wind slab avalanches should be human triggered, but isolated natural wind slab avalanches cannot be ruled out in the most heavily wind loaded areas.

    Look for blowing snow, cornice formation, and newly formed wind pillows.  Intense snow transport is expected today.  Avoid steep wind loaded slopes and areas below large cornices.  Better snow quality will be found in protected below treeline terrain away from the wind slab avalanche problem.

Avalanche Discussion

*  Increasing SW winds reported area wide with snow transport in the mid to late afternoon hours.  Substantial amounts of snow available for transport found along the northern Sierra crest above 8000'

*  Cold unconsolidated snow exists on northerly aspects in below and near treeline areas.

*  Observations were reported targeting the buried Feb 14 rain crust and previous sun crusts.  No location showed current instabilities, but something to continue to monitor. 

Regions covered