Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Continued strong winds will make slabs of wind-blown snow exist in many areas today.  Storm slabs will continue to be a concern within the recent deep snow we received.  While the natural avalanche cycle is coming to an end today, large human triggered avalanches remain likely.  Dangerous avalanche conditions will continue today in the backcountry.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3

    Gale force winds have been constant throughout this large storm cycle with gusts well over 100mph along the Sierra Crest since last Thursday.  Wind slabs have formed in near and above treeline areas and have also formed in unusual locations in below treeline terrain.  Very large wind slab avalanches could occur today along with large cornice collapses.  Continued active wind transport will occur for most of the day even as the winds start to decrease this afternoon.

    Look for areas of blowing snow, cornice formation, wind pillows, and snow surface scouring to help identify where wind slabs have formed.  Plan for a wide safety margin around wind loaded terrain and areas below large cornices.

    (3/2/2024)

    Natural wind slab avalanche.  Munchkins

     

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Snowfall will start to decrease today after a storm producing 60 to 100'' of storm snow.  We have had limited observations and access to terrain during this storm period.  A layer of buried surface hoar on NW-N-NE aspects and a more widespread layer of graupel on top of a crust existed at the old snow surface.  This layer potentially was involved in an avalanche early on in this storm cycle.  It is thought that most areas with this weak snow have already avalanched during the storm, but uncertainty exists.  Other signs of storm snow instability continued to occur yesterday involving upper layers of the storm snow.  The storm snow will take time to bond and gain strength with this process occurring slower at these colder temperatures.

    Look for signs of slab formation within the storm snow, like cracking, collapsing, or shooting cracks.  In areas where no storm slab exist, dry loose sluffing may run long distances today.  Move away from steeper terrain if you see signs of unstable snow. 

    (3/1/2024)

    This skier triggered avalanche caught and partially buried the partner of the skier who unintentionally triggered it. N aspect terrain in Deep Creek, CA. The avalanche was reported as around 100 feet wide and 1 to 1.5 feet deep at the crown.

Regions covered