Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Partly frozen snow this morning will quickly turn into deep wet mush as the unusually hot, sunny weather continues. Avalanches of wet loose snow will be possible, especially on steep sunny slopes. Once the snow feels unsupportable or mushy, or if you start sinking into boot-top-deep wet snow, consider moving away from avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Firm snow surfaces that may exist this morning could quickly become wet and mushy as the day warms up, especially on sunny slopes. Pay attention as the wet snow develops. Clues like sinking into boot-top-deep wet snow, roller balls, and pinwheels can indicate that wet, loose avalanches may soon occur. Once the snow starts feeling wet and mushy, it's time to move away from avalanche terrain. 

    The March heatwave continues with overnight temperatures well above freezing and daytime highs that feel more like late spring or early summer. This hot, sunny weather has resulted in weak overnight refreezes that quickly melt in the morning, leaving loose, unsupportable wet snow on the surface of many sunny slopes. The surface wet snow deepens quickly during the day, and wet, loose avalanches become possible, especially on sunny slopes.

    Most wet loose avalanches should remain small since repeated melt-freeze cycles and prior rain have transformed the snowpack into late-spring- or even summer-like snow and established effective water drainage channels in the snowpack. Still, an isolated, larger wet loose avalanche might be possible on a long, steep slope, where a small wet loose avalanche could entrain more snow as it slides downhill. Keep in mind that small avalanches can have increased consequences in exposed terrain.

    (3/21/2026)

    Ski cuts triggered roller balls and small sluffs of wet snow on SE aspects at 9500 ft at 10:15 am on Incline Lake Peak. 

    Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Most cornices have already collapsed or melted. If you find an overhanging cornice lingering along a ridge, consider it suspect for collapse during this hot weather and give it a wide berth.

Dramatic snow melt has occurred on all aspects below 7,500' and on southerly aspects at all elevations. Large areas of bare ground and open flowing creeks with few to no snow bridges are making the approaches to terrain difficult in many places, especially from lower elevation trailheads.

While shaded northerly aspects offer better snow coverage, they also hold much firmer and bumpier snow surfaces. Some of the lower-angle N aspects have started to soften during the day as sun angles get higher. Long sliding falls remain a hazard in areas that hold frozen snow surfaces.

Regions covered