Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Early this morning, LOW avalanche danger exists for all elevations and aspects. Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger will form in response to daytime warming mainly on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to the possibility of loose wet avalanches. Isolated loose wet instability may occur in some areas on NW-N-NE aspects as well.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    The surface snow will continue to warm over the next few days and begin the slow transition from recent storm snow to well established supportable melt-freeze snow. During this time period, an upper snowpack structure of surface wet snow on top of yet to transition colder recent storm snow will be prone to human triggered loose wet avalanches. Most instability is expected to take on the form of roller balls and pinwheels. In areas where human triggered loose wet avalanches occur, enough snow is available to create avalanches large enough to bury or injure a person. The vast majority of instability is expected to occur on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects. Isolated instability may occur on low to mid elevation NW-N-NE aspects as well.

    Avoid the premature search for "corn snow" while the upper snowpack remains in a transitional state. Use quick hand pits to identify surface wet snow on top of colder recent storm snow, yet to undergo melt-freeze. Slopes steeper than 35 degrees where this near surface snowpack structure exists are best avoided once a couple inches or more of surface wet snow are present. Human triggering of roller balls and pinwheels approaching or exceeding 1 foot in diameter are indicators that loose wet avalanche activity is possible.  

Avalanche Discussion

Observations made and received yesterday from Silver Peak (Pole Creek area) and Horse Canyon (Bear Valley area) gave no indications of ongoing instability within either the recent storm snow or recently formed wind slabs. Widespread areas of wind affected surface snow were observed both above and below treeline on all aspects on Silver Peak. Snow surface warming was observed during the mid day hours in sun exposed areas on all aspects below 7,500' to 8,000'.

Regions covered