Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 12 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

This morning the avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. As the day warms up loose wet snow instabilities will become possible and areas of MODERATE avalanche danger will form on the E-SE-S-SW-W aspects. The southerly aspects will be the most suspect.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Temperatures in the mid to upper 40's above 7000 ft, strong March sunshine, and deceasing winds will allow more melting to occur in the snowpack today. This melting could generate enough wet surface snow for loose wet snow instabilities to form on the sun exposed E-SE-S-SW-W aspects. The majority of wet snow instabilities that do occur today should remain limited to small roller balls, pinwheels, and small loose wet snow slides. However, a few isolated wet snow instabilities could entrain enough snow to cause problems for backcountry travelers. Wet slabs remain unlikely, but a small isolated wet slab is not impossible. Areas where Monday's snow still exists on sun-exposed slopes represent the best places to find these larger wet snow instabilities. 

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday on Mt. Judah the strong east and northeast winds kept the snow surface mostly frozen on all aspects with minor surface melting only occurring on sunny below treeline southerly aspects sheltered from those cold strong winds. Even though the winds remained strong very little snow transport occurred due to a lack of snow on the windward aspects. Wind loading caused by the strong E and NE winds remained very limited and any deposits remained shallow and small. Observations did not reveal any signs of instability concerning old or new wind slabs. 

Regions covered