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Out of date — this forecast expired 12 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

LOW avalanche danger exists on all elevations and aspects. Some isolated and minor wet snow instabilities may form today if any rain materializes this afternoon. Continue to practice safe travel habits and thoughtful decision making when traveling in the backcountry.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Slightly cooler temperatures and increasing cloud cover forecasted for today mean less daytime warming and less wet snow. Some of the southerly aspects may still soften today if they receive direct sunshine, but significant wet snow instabilities remain unlikely. Later this afternoon as a chance for some rain showers develops, some wet snow instabilities like roller balls, pinwheels, or minor wet snow sluffs may become possible if any slopes actually receive any rain.

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday on the sun-exposed slopes on the south side of Castle Peak, the snow surface softened during the morning, and 1-3 inches of soft corn snow existed on top of a supportable base by 11 am up to at least 8500 ft. By 11:30 am 10 to 12 inches of wet, sticky, and less supportable snow existed on sun exposed S-SW aspects at 7600 ft. In the shaded areas and on the non-southerly aspects the snow surface remained cold and frozen.

Regions covered