Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Strong winds and light snow will cause blowing snow to occur today and create slabs of windblown snow.  This windblown snow may become unstable in areas below ridges and gully features.  Look for signs of instability while traveling in the backcountry.  Wind protected areas at lower elevations will provide more consistent snow and a way to avoid todays avalanche problem.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Gale force SW winds with gusts up to 70-100mph will create areas of wind slabs in near and above treeline terrain.  Light snow today will add to the available snow for wind transport and will help to further build out these wind slabs.  The areas that have the most previous snow available for wind transport will be able to create the largest wind slabs.  These wind slabs will be forming on a variety of old snow surfaces: wind scoured areas, firm wind board, and previous wind slabs.

    Blowing snow should be widespread in all wind exposed areas today.  Newly forming cornices, snow surface cracking, and wind pillows may also be clues as to where these wind slabs exist.  Snow surface conditions will be more consistent in wind protected below treeline areas away from the wind slab avalanche problem.  Make a plan with your group that factors in the current avalanche, weather, and snow conditions, before heading out into the backcountry.

Avalanche Discussion

  • Buried surface hoar exists in many locations throughout the forecast region.  Currently it remains dormant, preserved, and slightly buried under 2 to 6'' of recent storm snow with no overlying slab.  A larger future storm, like the one forecasted for Saturday night-Sunday, could cause this layer to become reactive.
  • Widespread wind-affected snow exists in open areas near and above treeline. 
  • Snow surface conditions ranged from moist to wet on shaded to sun exposed aspects yesterday up to 8300'.

Regions covered