Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

MODERATE avalanche danger will continue as daytime warming occurs due to a loose wet avalanche problem.  Loose wet avalanches will become possible at all elevations today.  Avoid avalanche terrain with unsupportable wet snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Loose wet avalanches will become possible on all aspects and elevations as daytime warming occurs.  Warmer overnight temperatures along with increased cloud cover should provide a more marginal overnight refreeze of the snow surface in most locations.  Snow surface supportability could deteriorate more quickly this morning than over the last several days when a better refreeze occurred.  Roller balls, pinwheels, and loose wet avalanches large enough to injure or bury a backcountry user (size D2) are possible today.    

    Measuring boot and/or ski penetrations are good ways to constantly monitor the snow surface and supportability throughout the day.  Avoid avalanche terrain where natural or human triggered roller balls are occurring.  Unstable snowpack conditions can quickly develop as the snow loses supportability and strength.  

Avalanche Discussion

* Observations yesterday targeted the Feb. facet layer that has been responsible for widespread deep slab avalanche cycles in March.  On Jakes Peak (West Shore area) snowpack tests showed failure on this layer and propagation potential.  Concern exists that the atmospheric river storm forecasted for Fri/Sat could overload and weaken this layer causing failure.

*  Spring snow conditions existed on Jakes Peak (West Shore area) into the midday.  Mostly supportable conditions with soft wet surface snow was present in most areas by 11am.  Unsupportable snow existed throughout the area especially in dense trees, shallow snowpack areas, and around rocks and bushes.  Wet instabilities were limited to small roller balls while downskiing.

Regions covered