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Out of date — this forecast expired 12 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects.

Normal caution is advised.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Air temperatures were once again above freezing last night at the mid and upper elevations. A decent overnight snow surface refreeze is expected to have occurred through the process of radiational cooling under clear skies. Frozen snow surfaces on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects this morning will give way to surface wet snow formation as the day progresses. Snow surface conditions are likely to remain supportable into the afternoon hours with minimal loose wet instability expected.

Avalanche Discussion

Observations made yesterday on Waterhouse Peak (Luther Pass area) matched well with other recent observations from around the forecast area. Snowpit data collected on a N aspect at 9,440' revealed a well bonded snowpack with no evidence of instability. A decent snow surface refreeze had occurred in this area overnight. By mid day, 1 to 2 inches of wet surface snow over supportable melt-freeze crust was noted on ESE-SE-S aspects in the area from the summit around 9,500' down to pass level around 7,700'. No signs of wet snow instability were observed at mid day.

Regions covered