Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Warm temperatures today will make loose wet avalanches possible as daytime warming occurs into the mid-day to afternoon hours.  MODERATE avalanche danger is expected at all elevations.  Updated at 8:15am to correct problem rose.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Warm temperatures with similar conditions are forecasted again for our area today.  Loose wet avalanches will become possible as daytime warming occurs into the late morning through afternoon hours.  Strong to gale force SW winds should limit snow surface softening on above treeline terrain on S-SW-W aspects.  Areas where the snow surface is still transitioning to melt freeze crusts will have the greatest chances of producing loose wet avalanches.

    The best time to recreate on southerly aspects will be in the mid to late morning hours in wind protected terrain.  Snow quality will decrease with the possibility of loose wet avalanches occurring as the snow surface becomes wet and punchy into the afternoon hours. 

Avalanche Discussion

Observations were made on Mt. Judah in the Donner Summit area yesterday.  Warm daytime temperatures softened the snow surface quickly and provided good corn snow conditions at 10am on east aspects and by 11am on south aspects.  Thick melt freeze crusts existed with 2'' of corn snow on these southerly aspects.  Transitional snow that has not been through enough melt freeze cycles to consolidate was found in some areas on east aspects.

Regions covered