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Out of date — this forecast expired 12 years ago.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

The avalanche danger will remain LOW for all elevations and aspects today. Continue to use normal caution when traveling in the backcountry.

Expect the avalanche danger to increase dramatically starting tomorrow as a strong winter storm arrives over the forecast area. Wind slab, storm slab, and deep persistent slab avalanches could all become problems during this storm.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    3

    Even though a persistent weak layer of loose sugary snow (facets) still lingers on some NW-N-NE aspects above 9000-9500 ft, triggering a persistent slab avalanche has become unlikely. As new snow adds significant weight to the snowpack over the next few days, it could overload this weak layer, and destructive deep persistent slab avalanches could occur. Excitement for snow covered mountains and fresh tracks can make people forget about things like persistent weak layers lurking in the snowpack. A slope breaking around a person and avalanching often represents the only warning that persistent slabs like those that could again become likely during this storm give people. For some advice on dealing with persistent slabs check out this page here.

Avalanche Discussion

Recent data from around the forecast area indicates that weak layers still exist near the base of the snowpack above 9000 ft. on some NW-N-NE aspects. Tests on the layers of weak sugary snow continue to imply that if these layers break the resulting fractures can travel along the persistent weak layers. At the top of the snowpack a mix of soft snow and crusts exists depending on elevation and aspect. Yesterday on Poison Peak in the Bear Valley area up to 8500 ft. a supportable rain crust existed on the snow surface on all aspects. On the northerly aspects soft loose snow existed below this crust. 

Regions covered