Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 9 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

MODERATE avalanche danger will exist today at all elevations. Lingering wind slabs and developing wet loose avalanche problems are the concerns to manage today. Identify specific slopes of concern. Account for changing snowpack stability as daytime warming increases the likelihood of wet loose instability in sun exposed areas.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Wind slabs remain an ongoing concern in near treeline and above treeline terrain on NW-N-NE-E-SE-S aspects. Continued drifting snow yesterday combined with below average air temperatures may have slowed the rate of wind slab stabilization. Human triggered wind slab avalanches remain possible today.

    Areas of instability will likely exist within surrounding areas of seemingly stable snow. Identify areas of recently wind drifted snow and avoid suspect slopes steeper then 35 degrees.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Warming air temperatures and decreasing cloud cover will allow for natural and human triggered wet loose avalanches to become increasingly widespread over the next few days. The vast majority of wet loose instability is expected to occur on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects.

    Areas around exposed rocks and trees will heat up quickly. Avoid travel on slopes 35 degrees and steeper where roller balls are occurring.

Avalanche Discussion

A wind slab avalanche occurred yesterday morning on Peak 9269' (West Shore Tahoe area) on an E to SE aspect 39 degree slope at 9,000'.  The avalanche was most likely human triggered and appeared to overrun the triggering party's skin track. Not all details regarding triggering of this avalanche are confirmed. Observations made yesterday on Hidden Peak (West Shore Tahoe area) and on Flagpole Peak (Echo Summit area) revealed mostly dry loose instability and some ongoing areas of blowing snow. Wind slabs were present but difficult to trigger.

Regions covered