Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Increasing winds today will cause blowing snow and slabs of windblown snow to form below ridges and in gully features.  These newly formed areas of windblown snow may become unstable to backcountry users.  Identify where these areas of concern exist and utilize non-avalanche terrain if signs of instability are present.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Winds switched last night to Southwest and increased in speed this morning into the strong range along upper ridges and peaks.  These SW winds are forecasted to become gale force in speed later today as a low pressure system enters our region.  Many locations along ridges will have available snow for wind transport due to the wind deposition from the previous NE/E winds and previous storm snow.  Wind slab development will be limited to the amount of available snow for transport in your area.  These new wind slabs will be forming on top of previous wind scoured surfaces, firm wind board, and in some locations other wind slabs that formed from the previous NE/E winds.

    Look for blowing snow, wind pillows, new cornice formation, and snow surface cracking as clues to where these wind slabs may be forming and reactive.  Snow surface conditions greatly improve in wind protected below treeline areas and could avoid the wind slab problem.  

Avalanche Discussion

  • Buried surface hoar exists in multiple locations throughout the forecast region.  Currently it remains dormant and preserved, as it is slightly buried under 2 to 6'' of recent storm snow with no overlying slab.  A larger future storm could cause this layer to become reactive in some locations.
  • Widespread wind-affected snow exists in open areas near and above treeline. 

Regions covered