Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Warmer temperatures with periods of strong sunshine will create areas of wet unstable snow today.  Wet loose avalanches will become possible as daytime warming occurs.  Identify where unstable snow may exist and move around these areas of concern.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Above freezing temperatures and periods of strong sunshine will create wet snow instabilities as daytime warming occurs today.  Wet loose avalanches will become possible on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects at all elevations.  Increased cloud cover along with light to moderate East winds may limit snow surface warming in some areas.  Longer slopes will be capable of producing longer running wet loose avalanches potentially entraining more of the recent storm snow. 

    Roller balls and pinwheels could indicate that the surface snow is losing strength and that larger wet loose avalanches could become possible.  If the surface snow becomes wet and deep, it's time to change aspects or move to lower angle terrain.  Terrain traps could easily magnify the consequences of being caught in even a small wet loose avalanche.

    (2/22/2024)

    Small roller ball activity on an E-SE aspect at 8600'.  Incline Lake Peak, Mt Rose area

    Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center

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