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Out of date — this forecast expired 12 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. Continue to exercise normal caution while traveling in the backcountry.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Generally stable snowpack conditions have been observed around the forecast area over the past several days. Loose wet snow avalanche activity is unlikely but not impossible from mid day onwards in areas of significant sun exposure. The most likely locations for wet snow instability to occur is on mid and upper elevation E-SE aspects where the snowpack remains transitional and marginally supportable during melt phase.

Avalanche Discussion

Observations made yesterday on Jake's Peak (West Shore Tahoe area) and on Round Top Peak (Carson Pass area) revealed overall stable snowpack conditions. Areas of wet surface snow up to 4 to 6 inches deep were noted during the afternoon hours on E-SE-S aspects around 9,000'. Despite significant amounts of wet snow, no wet snow instability was observed.

On Round Top Peak, northerly aspect bed surfaces from slab avalanche activity Feb 8-9 were noted to hold several layers of weak faceted snow. With no overlying slab at this time, there is no current instability issue. As a slab of new snow is placed on top of these weak layers tomorrow night, slab avalanche problems may arise. Similar snowpack conditions were noted Sunday within old northerly aspect bed surfaces on Powderhouse Peak (Luther Pass area).

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