Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Low avalanche danger exists throughout the forecast area at all elevations.  Normal caution is advised.  As daytime warming occurs, small loose wet instabilities may form on isolated terrain features.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Normal caution is advised throughout the forecast region.  Well above average temperatures with decreased winds today could allow for minor wet snow instabilities to form in isolated areas on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects as daytime warming occurs.  Instabilities are expected to be small and in the form of roller balls and pinwheels.  Limited snow coverage exists on many of these southerly aspects.  Steep E-SE facing terrain where more snow exists and/or where the recent snow has not fully transitioned to melt freeze snow hold the best potential for isolated loose wet instabilities. 

Avalanche Discussion

* Cold unconsolidated snow continues to exist on northerly aspects throughout the forecast region, including Slab Cliffs (Mt. Rose area) and Peak 9269' (West Shore area) yesterday.  Recent winds have scoured some snow surfaces in exposed areas. 

* Melt freeze crusts have formed or are transitioning on many E-SE-S-SW-W aspects.  Snow coverage varies on southerly aspects depending on aspect and elevation with little continuous snow below 8200'.  Melt freeze crusts were found on N aspects up to 8000' on Rubicon Peak (West Shore area). 

* Snowpack tests have been done over the last few days at the following locations: Red Lake Peak (Carson Pass area), Castle Peak (Donner Summit area), Slab Cliffs (Mt. Rose area), and Rubicon Peak (West Shore area).  Most areas continue to show a strengthening of the previous weak faceted snow near a buried crust. 

 

Regions covered