Central Sierra Nevada

Problematic avalanches remain unlikely. Warm weather last night and today will make the snow wet and may allow for a small sluff of wet snow on an isolated slope. Travel in ways that reduce the consequences of a small unexpected avalanche.

Normal caution

Data and observations from around the region show a well-consolidated snowpack with variable surface conditions. The warm and sunny weather has produced wet surface snow on many slopes. However, the wet snow has remained shallow because of the long nights and January's lower sun angles. This limited warming has also limited the potential for problematic loose wet avalanches. Wet snow will form on slopes earlier today than previous days since overnight cloud cover and warm nighttime air temperatures prevented a strong refreeze. Some wet sticky snow could also form on other typically shaded aspects today. Still, there should not be enough ongoing warming for much more than rollerballs or pinwheels of wet snow.  If a loose wet avalanche that unexpectedly entrains more snow occurs, it would happen in a gully feature, on a long, steep, open slope, and/or in an area around rocks or cliffs.

Despite LOW avalanche danger today, making a travel plan with appropriate safety margins remains a good idea. Talk with your partners to understand your group's skills and goals then create a travel plan targeting terrain that matches those skills and goals. As always, move through terrain in ways that minimize exposure to avalanche hazards like only exposing one person at a time to avalanche terrain and regrouping in safe zones out of avalanche terrain and runout zones.

Recent Observations:

* Variable snow surface conditions exist across the forecast area including firm ice, unconsolidated snow on top of supportable crusts, wind-packed surfaces, breakable crusts, pockets of unconsolidated snow, and wet spring type snow.

* Large cornices exist along many ridgelines. Some of these have deep fissures behind them where they have pulled away from the ridge.