Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Considerable avalanche danger will continue today due to additional snow and strong to gale force winds.  Dangerous avalanche conditions exist.  Wind slab, storm slab, and loose dry avalanche problems are likely at all elevations.  Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are likely.  Evaluate snow and terrain carefully before committing to a slope.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2

    Strong to gale force SW/W winds with additional snow today will further wind slab development on NW-N-NE-E-SE-S aspects in near and above treeline terrain.  These wind slabs could be natural or human triggered and be well over 4 feet deep in size.  Avalanches associated with these wind slabs and/or large cornice failures could have severe consequences.

    Avoid steep wind loaded terrain and run out zones.  Do not travel below large cornices.  Look for blowing snow, cornice formation, and wind pillows as clues to where wind slabs are located.  Make a plan to avoid all steep wind loaded areas. 

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1

    Storm slabs will be likely on all aspects in near and below treeline terrain.  Storm snow totals are 2 to 3+ feet with additional snow forecasted for this morning.  Cold temperatures may slow the bonding process of this new storm snow.  Additional intense snowfall rates this morning may also add to instability.  Look for cracking around skis or any signs of cohesion of the new storm snow.  Avoid slopes that have signs of unstable snow.

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1

    Continued cold temperatures with additional snow will make loose dry avalanches likely on slopes steeper than 35 degrees in wind protected areas.  Most loose dry avalanches will be in wind protected below treeline terrain but could also occur in other more exposed locations.  Terrain traps, such as rocks, trees, and gullies, would magnify the consequences of being caught in a small loose dry avalanche. 

Avalanche Discussion

Observations were made and received from Hidden Peak (West Shore area), Powderhouse Peak (Luther Pass area), and Juniper Creek (Hirschdale area).  Signs of storm slab and wind slab instabilities were reported from all areas.  A small skier triggered storm slab was observed on Hidden Peak that was 1' deep at 7600' on a NE aspect.  All areas reported sensitive wind slabs with test slope failures.  Snowfall rates were observed up to 3-4''/hour in the morning before tapering and then picking back up in the afternoon.  Blowing snow with white out conditions occurred throughout most of the day.

Regions covered