Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Firm surface snow that exists this morning will quickly melt into wet snow on sunny slopes. Wet loose avalanches will become possible as deep wet snow forms due to daytime warming. As the snow surface becomes wet and unsupportable, choose non-avalanche terrain or move to an aspect with less sun exposure.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Pay attention to changing snow conditions today. The snow surface refreeze may be limited in some areas due to warmer temperatures and overnight cloud cover.  Firm snow surfaces this morning will quickly transition to wet snow as daytime warming occurs. As the snow surface becomes mushy and unsupportable, wet loose avalanches will become possible.   

    Overnight temperatures were slightly warmer than the previous night with increased overnight cloud cover. This high level cloud cover may limit the overnight radiational cooling of the snow surface which may lead to less of an overnight refreeze in some areas. As these surface crusts melt away as daytime warming occurs, wet loose avalanches will become possible as deeper wet snow is exposed. Increased sun angles, warmer temperatures, along with additional cloud cover expected today will spread wet snow instabilities to all aspects throughout the day.

    Our snow has transitioned into a late spring/early summer snowpack with repeated melt-freeze cycles, previous rain, and well established free water drainage channels. This means that most wet loose avalanches will remain small in size with the potential for larger avalanches in isolated areas on bigger terrain features.  Keep in mind that even small avalanches can have increased consequences in exposed terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

Profound snowmelt occurred across all aspects and elevations during the record setting March heat wave, especially below 8000'. Large areas of bare ground and open, flowing creeks with few to no snow bridges are making the approaches to terrain difficult in many places, especially from lower-elevation trailheads. 

Northerly aspects offer better snow coverage, but obstacles like rocks, stumps, and logs have melted out on these slopes as well.

Long, sliding falls remain a hazard in areas with frozen snow surfaces.

Regions covered