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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations. Watch for isolated areas of wind slab instability if blowing and drifting snow is encountered.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Ridgetop winds shifted back to the W but have remained too slow to drift significant amounts of snow. Forecast wind speeds for today are expected to move very little snow. If wind speeds remain as forecast today, no specific avalanche problem will exist and the ideas of normal caution will be appropriate.

    Keep an eye out for areas of blowing and drifting snow. There is plenty of snow available for transport in ridgetop areas. If wind speed exceeds forecast amounts today, small wind slabs will form near treeline and above treeline on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects where drifting snow is depositing. As SW wind speeds increase tomorrow, problematic wind slab development is likely.

Avalanche Discussion

* Recent NE winds have scoured N-NE-E aspect terrain in near and above treeline areas. Plenty of snow is available in ridgetop areas for future wind transport by SW winds.

* Recent signs of instability below treeline have been isolated and limited to skier triggered surface sluffs in very steep/extreme terrain.

* The mid and bottom portions of the snowpack remain well bonded with instabilities limited to the upper portion of the snowpack.

Gradual warming today under the late February sun may allow for some minor warming instability, especially at the low and mid elevations. Expect to see some minor amounts of roller balls in sun exposed areas as snow falls off of rocks and trees. Problematic loose wet avalanches are not expected at this time.

Regions covered