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Out of date — this forecast expired 11 years ago.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 for all elevations and aspects. The possibility of lingering wind slabs remains in near and above treeline terrain. Shallow snow cover and rocks remain a significant hazard. On Sunday, a significant increase in avalanche danger is expected to occur as new snow accumulates across the forecast area.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Wind slabs that formed at the beginning of the week are the main focus for potential instability today. The most recent skier triggered avalanche activity occurred on Wednesday in the Carson Pass area (more info). While several days have passed since the last known evidence of instability was reported, the forecast area is still fairly data sparse. Exercise normal caution and carefully evaluate previously wind loaded slopes for any signs of instability. Near and above treeline areas on shaded N-NE aspects with slope angles 35 degrees and steeper are the most suspect. At this point, obvious clues to instability are unlikely, so some snowpit work will be helpful in finding less obvious indications of instability.

Avalanche Discussion

Significant amounts of snowmelt have occurred over the past few days on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects. Bare ground has emerged on these sunny aspects in numerous areas, especially below 9,000'. NW-N-NE aspects have remained cold and are generally faceting. Weak faceted snow exists in the lower half and/or at the bottom of the snowpack in a number of areas on northerly aspects above about 8,500'. Depending on the amount of new snow loading that occurs on Sunday, this faceted snow may or may not present as a deeper weak layer for potential avalanche activity.

Regions covered