Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The avalanche danger will rise to MODERATE during the day as new wind slabs form in near and above treeline terrain. Human-triggered avalanches will become possible. Overnight the avalanche danger will continue rising to CONSIDERABLE as wind slabs become larger and more widespread and storm slabs may become possible in below treeline terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1

    New snow and wind will form wind slabs on wind-loaded N-NE-E aspects and on cross-loaded NW and SE aspects. They should start small this morning but could grow large enough to bury or injure a person during the day. Human-triggered wind slab avalanches will become possible today. As the storm intensifies tonight, wind slabs will become larger, more widespread, and more fragile. Natural wind slabs avalanches will become possible tonight.

    Watch for signs of wind-loading to identify where wind slabs may be growing today. Those areas will likely hold variable and challenging snow conditions with the possibility of finding an unstable wind slab. On the other hand, if softer more consistent snow with fewer chances of instability sounds fun, upper elevation areas sheltered from the wind could be a good bet.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Storm slab avalanches should remain unlikely for most of the day due to the expected snowfall amounts and snowfall rates. During the night, increased snowfall rates and accumulation could allow storm slabs to become larger and more widespread.

Avalanche Discussion

* Observations on the Sierra Crest yesterday found about an inch of new snow resting on top of a variable rain crust. At the upper elevations (above 8700 ft), this crust becomes more breakable and thin. The crust did not exist above 8800 ft. in the Mt. Rose backcountry.

* Some potential weak layers still exist near and just below the snow surface.

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