Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Winds shifted overnight and increased in speed transporting snow.  These winds will create new slabs of wind blown snow in open areas, near ridges, and in gully features.  Look for signs of where unstable snow may exist and make a plan to move around these areas of concern.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Winds shifted to the NE yesterday evening and have increased in speed to gale force.  Wind gusts along the Sierra Crest have been 70 to 110mph.  This wind direction change will take much of the soft snow that exists on N-NE-E aspects in near and above treeline areas, and transport it over to S-SW-W-NW aspects.  Wind slabs and cornice development will form on these new aspects today in open areas.  Places with the most snow available for wind transport will have larger wind slabs.

    Intense blowing snow and wind scouring is expected to occur today.  Some windward areas may get scoured back down to firm rain crusts.  The most wind protected below treeline terrain will offer the best snow quality away from the winds.

    (2/9/2024)

    Small cornice development from previous SW winds yesterday.  Current NE winds will scour and erode this area transporting the snow and forming new wind slabs on the other side of the ridge today.  Mt. Tallac.

Avalanche Discussion

The deep slab avalanche problem that existed on the eastern side of the forecast region has come to an end for now.  These areas with a shallow snowpack with weak faceted snow near the ground have gained some strength and have adjusted to the recent storm load.  We had 1 deep slab avalanche reported 5 days ago on Monday Feb 5 on Relay Peak in the Mt. Rose area.  Observations at the site of this avalanche and at other similar areas indicate that triggering a deep slab avalanche is unlikely.     

Regions covered