Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Moderate Avalanche Danger will exist today due to a wind slab avalanche problem.  Wind slab avalanches will remain possible in near and above treeline terrain.  Low Avalanche Danger will exist in below treeline terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Wind slab avalanches will remain possible today in near and above treeline terrain, mostly on N-NE-E aspects with some potential on cross loaded NW and SE aspects.  Wind slabs that formed yesterday could still be reactive today.  Many wind slab avalanches occurred yesterday, both human and natural triggered, and up to D2 in size.  While winds are forecasted to switch to the S today and remain moderate to strong, active wind transport should taper off due to a decrease in available snow for transport.

    Look for signs of previous wind loading and cornice formation.  Cornice failure caused some of the wind slab avalanches seen yesterday.  The best snow conditions will be in protected below treeline terrain away from the wind effected snow. 

Avalanche Discussion

*  Up to 10 different wind slab avalanches were observed yesterday in the Mt. Judah area.  All were on NE-E aspects, small in size - D1, and most did not extend very far downslope.  Natural cornice failure looked to be responsible for the majority of these avalanches.

*  A D2 skier triggered wind slab avalanche was reported from Jackson Meadows (Independence Lakes area).  Avalanche occurred on a north aspect in above treeline terrain, with crown reported up to 3' deep.  Limited details are available.

*  Strong SW winds throughout the day yesterday observed in most near and above treeline areas throughout the forecast region.  Snow transport was reported as strong to intense at times, with wind slab development reported from many areas.

Regions covered