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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A warming trend beginning today will start to allow the snow surface to soften with the potential for small loose wet instabilities.  Normal caution is advised with LOW avalanche danger expected throughout the forecast region.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    The snow surface remains a variety of supportable and unsupportable crusts.  Challenging travel conditions could be encountered with firm and variable surfaces.  With increasing cloud cover today and continued NE winds, softening of these crusts should be limited at the higher elevations.  At mid and lower elevations, some small loose wet instabilities could occur.  These would be in the form of roller balls and pinwheels in areas that warm up quickly around rocks, cliffs, and gully features.  Loose wet instabilities are expected to increase over the next few days as temperatures continue to warm.  

    In some isolated near and above treeline areas, wind slabs may exist from the recent NE wind event.  In most cases, these wind slabs should be small and not be a concern for backcountry users. 

    Normal caution is advised throughout the forecast area.  Make sure your group has a travel plan, practices good communication, and everyone carries the proper equipment (including avalanche rescue gear).     

Avalanche Discussion

Variable snow surface conditions were reported from Castle Peak (Donner Summit area) yesterday.  Most areas had breakable crust on the surface, or slightly buried under the recent snow.  Minimal to no wind slab development was found in this area from the recent NE/E wind event.

Regions covered