Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger remains LOW across the forecast area. Continue to use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry and watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features especially in areas where small wind slabs exist on top of weaker snow. 

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Human triggered avalanches remain unlikely today. Unlikely does not mean impossible and some unstable snow may exist on some small isolated terrain features. Areas where small wind slabs rest on top of weak sugary snow represent the best places to find these lingering small isolated instabilities. Firm icy surfaces still exist on most near and above treeline slopes exposed to the wind. Northerly, lower angle, wind protected, below treeline slopes, still offer the best chances of finding soft winter snow. 

    Early season conditions exist with numerous exposed and barely covered obstacles present in most places. Collisions with these hard immovable objects while sliding down an icy slope or getting carried by a small isolated patch of unstable wind slab or even just colliding with one of the obstacles while traveling across the snow could have serious consequences. Use normal caution and safe travel protocols when traveling in the backcountry. 

Avalanche Discussion

* Variable snow surface conditions ranging from wind scoured snow and firm icy crusts on exposed slopes to some lingering areas of soft unconsolidated snow on sheltered below treeline northerly aspects exist.

* On Black Butte (near Carson Pass) yesterday, tests yielded unstable results and skier triggered whumphing occurred in areas where wind slabs sat on top of a layer of weak sugary snow. Pockets of terrain where this combination existed remained small and isolated with small shallow wind slabs. 

* Weak sugary snow still exists just below the surface and above the old rain crusts on many northerly aspects, but little to no slab layer exists above this weak layer in most places. 

* Northerly facing terrain above 8000 ft in the Mt. Rose area and along the Sierra Crest north of Emerald Bay holds the best snow coverage. Overall less snow cover exists south of Emerald Bay, but decent coverage exists above 8,500 ft. on northerly aspects. Coverage becomes patchy on other aspects and large areas of bare ground exist on many southerly aspects at all elevations.

Regions covered