Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A weaker refreeze last night and near record warmth today will contribute to unstable wet snow. Avalanches triggered by backcountry travelers are possible today. Consider avoiding avalanche terrain if wet snow is more than boot top deep or the snow surface becomes unsupportable.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    It was quite warm last night with air temperatures at most mid and upper elevation locations well into the 40s. A weaker snow surface refreeze is expected to have occurred last night. This refreeze will have been fully reliant on radiational cooling of the snowpack under clear skies. The strongest refreezes will exist on open slopes away from the forest canopy. Air temperatures at sunrise will have a solid head start toward reaching near record warmth for the second day in a row.

    If your goal is to travel in avalanche terrain with supportable conditions, start very early and choose an objective with a short approach. If your goal is to travel deeper wet snow, you shouldn't have to wait very long for that this morning. Consider avoiding travel in or below avalanche terrain if wet snow is more than boot top deep or the snow surface becomes unsupportable beneath your equipment.

Avalanche Discussion

  • Snowmelt continues on all aspects around the forecast area, especially below 7,000' to 7,500'. Many NW-N-NE-E aspects still have decent snow coverage. Large areas of bare ground or very limited snow cover exist on most SE-S-SW-W aspects.

Regions covered