Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 11 years ago.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

Highlights

Avalanche danger is low on all aspects and elevations.  Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.  Normal caution is advised.  Small isolated wind slabs could form on SE-S-SW-W-NW aspects above treeline.  Very isolated deep slab avalanches are unlikely but not impossible on N-NE-E aspects near treeline and below treeline.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    NE winds increased in speed late last night and into this morning in the moderate to strong range.  Wind slabs could form on SE-S-SW-W-NW aspects above treeline.  These wind slabs are expected to be small in size and limited to exposed higher peaks and ridgelines.  The NE winds are forecasted to decrease in speed and switch direction to the S by midday.  If the NE winds further increase in speed or last longer than forecasted, these wind slabs could become more reactive and larger than expected.

    Look for visible blowing snow, cornice formation, wind pillows, and snow surface scouring as clues to identify suspect slopes.  

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    3

    Buried surface hoar that is 1.5 to 4.5 feet deep in the snowpack in some areas has become unlikely as a deep persistent slab avalanche problem.  A widespread persistent slab avalanche cycle occurred Jan 5 through Jan 19 on these weak layers.  Many slopes have been cleaned out by already avalanching, or the surface hoar has been collapsed or compressed and has started to gain strength.  No avalanche activity has been associated with these buried surface hoar layers over the past week.

    Although this avalanche problem is unlikely, the consequences associated with a deep persistent slab avalanche would be severe.  This problem exists on N-NE-E aspects near treeline and below treeline in open areas on slopes 32 degrees and steeper.

Avalanche Discussion

Observations throughout the forecast area are showing a well bonded and consolidating snowpack.  The forecasted NE wind event for Monday morning did not materialize and little wind scouring and no wind slab development occurred.  Unconsolidated snow with good travel conditions exists on N-NE-E aspects.  Reports continued to come in of avalanche activity that occurred with the last storm cycle on Friday/Saturday that were both natural and human triggered. 

Observations that targeted the deep persistent slab problem on Talking Mountain (Echo Summit area) did not find any evidence of buried surface hoar.

Regions covered