Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Areas of unstable surface wet snow are possible today, mainly on slopes that have both direct sun exposure and wind protection. Move carefully around areas of steep terrain where surface wet snow is present. You can use aspect and slope angle to your advantage as needed to minimize the avalanche hazard.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Air temperatures at the mid and upper elevations are warmer this morning than they were 24 hours ago. Increasing SW winds are expected to cool the snow surface and limit the distribution of wet loose avalanches to more specific areas today. Slopes that have both direct sun exposure and wind protection are expected to warm quickly. Areas exposed to the winds will warm more slowly. This could lead to a substantial difference in the amount of surface wet snow that exists near the ridgetop vs mid-slope.

    Once the melt-freeze crust that formed last night across sun exposed aspects melts away, this avalanche problem will materialize. Roller balls and pinwheels indicate that wet loose avalanches could occur.  If signs of instability are present, consider changing to a less sun exposed aspect or moving to lower angle terrain.  Terrain traps could easily magnify the consequences of being caught in even a small wet loose avalanche.

    (2/24/2024)

    A small natural wet loose avalanche from prior to 11 am yesterday on E aspect terrain near 8,300'. Ophir Peak, NV

    Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

The melt-freeze crust that formed on the surface last night across sun exposed aspects is expected to keep blowing and drifting to a minimum today despite the increasing SW winds.

Concern exists that areas of surface hoar persisting across wind protected NW-N-NE aspects could become buried by tomorrow's snowfall. This would lead to the formation of a problematic weak layer in the snowpack. If you see areas of intact surface hoar today, please let us know by submitting an observation.

Regions covered