Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger should remain LOW for near and above treeline areas since wind slab formation should remain limited due to meager snowfall amounts. Below treeline potential rain on snow and warmer temperatures will keep the avalanche danger at MODERATE since loose wet avalanches may be possible.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Cooler daytime temperatures and a better overnight refreeze above 7500 ft. should keep most loose wet instabilities at bay today. However, some loose wet activity may be possible at the lower elevations especially if rain falls on snow. Some of these could still entrain enough snow to cause problems for backcountry travelers.

    If the snow becomes unsupportable and wet, it is time to reconsider the terrain and move an area/elevation where colder more frozen conditions still exist.  

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Up to 1 inch of snow last night and 1 to 3 inches of snow this afternoon should not provide enough new snow for significant wind slabs to form despite strong SW winds. Some small shallow wind slabs may develop along a few exposed ridgelines. They would be unlikely to cause problems for backcountry travelers unless travelers choose to travel in terrain where just getting knocked off balance would have serious consequences. If more snow falls than forecasted, larger more problematic wind slabs could form.

Avalanche Discussion

* Wet snow was observed on all aspects up to 9000 ft. in the Genoa Peak area and up to 7800 ft in Johnson Canyon yesterday. Some roller balls were spotted on E facing slopes in Johnson Canyon. 

* Snowmobile slope cuts on previously wind-loaded test slopes on Genoa Peak did not produce signs of lingering wind slab instability even when the slope was undercut. Snowpit tests in this area also did not yield unstable results.

Regions covered