Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 11 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger remains low on all aspects and elevations through the daytime hours today.  Normal caution is advised.  As the incoming storm arrives, avalanche danger will quickly rise into tonight and through tomorrow.  Natural avalanche activity will become likely this evening and into the early morning hours.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    0

    A strong winter storm will impact our forecast area today.  Gale force winds are forecasted to be 60 to 70mph with gusts over 100mph above 8000'. With the winds and cloud cover no melting of the snow surface is expected throughout today.  Firm snow surface conditions could be encountered in most wind exposed areas.  Any precipitation today that falls should be either light rain or snow and should have limited impacts in the daylight hours.  As evening approaches, the storm intensifies and snowfall rates increase to 2 to 3'' per hour.  Avalanche danger will quickly rise with natural avalanche activity becoming likely from this evening into Thursday.

    Normal caution means exercising basic travel techniques.  Travel one at a time in avalanche terrain, regroup in safe spots out of the avalanche path, avoid travel near terrain traps, and practice effective communication within your group.

Avalanche Discussion

Observations throughout the last week show a well bonded snowpack ready for additional load.  On shaded aspects, the snowpack is made up of mostly crusts and strong rounded snow with no indications of any problematic layers for the future.  Solar aspects have established melt freeze crusts and have had mostly supportable skiing conditions.

Observations from Meiss Meadows (Carson Pass area) and Angora Peak (Echo Peak area) both showed melt freeze crusts softening throughout the day.  On northerly aspects in both areas, snowpack tests showed no signs of any weaknesses around the many crusts in the upper snowpack.  On Angora Peak, areas of minimal snow coverage on solar aspects became unsupportable around midday.  Although, no signs of loose wet avalanche activity was observed.

Regions covered