Central Sierra Nevada

Avalanche activity continues to remain unlikely today.  A weak storm is forecasted to bring light snow and increased wind to our area tonight and into Friday with no increase in avalanche danger expected.  Make a plan based on current conditions with your group if heading out into the backcountry today.

Normal caution

Avalanche activity remains unlikely for today.  Light snow with increased winds tonight could cause some blowing snow and small wind drifts to form near ridges.  The forecasted light amounts of new snow will not be enough to form wind slabs large enough to be a problem for backcountry users.  Recent warming temperatures have continued to transition the snow surface and provide more variable conditions.  Soft cold snow is limited to northerly aspects at mid to higher elevations.  Sun crusts have formed on most sun exposed terrain with wet and sticky snow at lower elevations below 7000'.

Make a plan with your group before departing into the backcountry.  Include every team member in the plan for the day and the decision making process.  Practice good communication skills and follow up with an end of the day debrief to review how your plan worked out.  Practicing and improving on all of these skills with your team will help develop a repeatable process that can be used on any day in the backcountry. 

Recent Observations:

• Recent light snow has barely covered the surface hoar in some open areas sheltered from the winds at low and mid-elevations. This surface hoar warrants watching to see if it remains a potential problem before the next storm.  
• Warming temperatures, dripping trees, and tree bombs, have been forming variable snow surface conditions-especially below 7400', with wet snow on most aspects below 7000'.
• The surface snow on most northerly aspects at mid and higher elevations remains soft and cold.
• Sun crusts have formed on the snow surface in many areas of direct sun exposure, mainly on SE-S-SW and lower elevation E aspects.