Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Conditions are lining up for a little bit of extra surface wet snow formation today. Minor snow surface instabilities may occur on slopes with direct sun exposure, especially near exposed rock. Problematic avalanches remain unlikely outside of complex or extreme terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

Normal caution

Above freezing air temperatures up on the peaks this morning, light winds, and forecast maximum daytime air temperatures well into the 40s are expected to increase the amount of surface wet snow that forms today. By midday, 2 to 3 inches of surface wet snow is likely on SE-S-SW aspects. Small wet loose surface sluffs are possible today, mainly triggered by backcountry travelers. Areas near exposed rock on slopes with direct sun exposure are the most likely trigger points. Other aspects with less direct sun exposure will have substantially less snow surface melt or may remain frozen all day. Even with today's expected increase in snow surface melt, larger problematic avalanches remain unlikely unless you choose to travel in complex or extreme terrain.

Quality pre-trip planning will help your group find conditions and terrain that fit your travel mode and goals.  Maintain safety margins through best-practice backcountry travel techniques such as carrying proper safety gear, performing trailhead transceiver checks, exposing only one person at a time to avalanche terrain, and keeping your partner in view. 

Recent Observations:

  • An increasing amount of bare ground has emerged on southerly aspects over the past two weeks.
  • Snow surface conditions remain highly variable across the forecast area. Expect to encounter firm ice, rough wind sculpted snow, firm wind-packed snow, shallow soft snow, breakable crusts, and melt-freeze snow.
  • A well-bonded and consolidated snowpack exists across nearly all aspects and elevations. Gradual near-surface faceting has substantially weakened the top portion of the snowpack on most NW-N-NE aspects with wind protection.  A new snow load is needed on top of this developing weak layer before slab avalanche problems occur.

Regions covered