Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Well above freezing air temperatures today will allow wet surface snow to form in sun exposed areas. Watch for developing signs of unstable wet snow such as rollerballs, pinwheels, or wet loose avalanches. Travel cautiously and conservatively in or below avalanche terrain when these signs of unstable snow are present.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Air temperature inversion conditions have near to above freezing air temperatures at many locations this morning at mid slope and above. Well above freezing daytime air temperatures and strong incoming solar radiation will drive snow surface melt today on sun exposed slopes, especially in wind protected areas. The vast majority of surface wet snow development will occur across ENE-SE-S-SW-WNW aspects. The sun angle is starting to get high enough to have more effect on some NE and NW aspects so treat all sun exposed slopes with caution today.

    Rollerballs, pinwheels, and wet loose avalanches are all signs of unstable wet snow. When these signs of instability are present, move to lower angle slopes without steeper terrain above. Instability will increase as daytime warming progresses through the late morning and afternoon hours. Anticipate the changing conditions.

    Rollerballs and pinwheels on NE to E aspect terrain. A sign of potentially unstable wet snow.

Avalanche Discussion

  • Snowmelt on SE-S-SW aspects has exposed bare ground in many areas. Over snow travel options are limited on these aspects.
  • We are continuing to monitor the old near surface facet layer that was buried on Feb 14. There appear to be isolated pockets in well shaded areas on NW-N-NE aspects where this layer may still be able to collapse and propagate once a new snow load or rain is added. There are a couple of storms in the forecast over the next week that might be able to add enough new loading to create an avalanche problem of isolated distribution on this weak layer.

Regions covered