Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Unstable wet snow will form as daytime warming occurs on all aspects today.  Some light blowing snow and small slabs of wind blown snow could still exist at wind exposed upper elevations.  Pay attention to changing conditions today and move around any areas where unstable snow may exist.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Warmer temperatures with intense April sunshine will form wet snow as daytime warming occurs.  Surface crusts have developed on most aspects over the last few days as a gradual warming trend has occurred.  As these crusts melt away today, deeper wet snow will be exposed.  Increasing cloud cover with warmer temperatures later today could act like a greenhouse and hold in the heat causing wet snow to develop on more aspects and elevations today. 

    Areas around exposed rocks and cliffs bands, gully features, and lower elevation terrain, will warm faster than other surrounding areas.  Roller balls and pinwheels will indicate that the snow surface is losing strength and that larger wet loose avalanches could occur.  Even small wet loose avalanches could have increased consequences if taken into terrain traps such as rocks, trees, or cliffs.  Once the snow becomes deep and wet, it's time to change aspects or move away from avalanche terrain. 

    (4/3/2025)

    Natural wet loose avalanche off of rocks on an East aspect. Ran several hundred feet with a large debris pile, approaching D2 in size.  Porcupine Ridge

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Moderate to strong northeast winds have continued over the last 24 to 36 hours with some light blowing snow and small wind slab development reported in the forecast region.  As more crusts develop on the snow surface and scouring continues, the amount of snow available for wind transport has decreased.  Many of the SE-S-SW-W aspects where this wind blown snow is being deposited have minimal amounts of snow coverage to begin with. Wind slab avalanches will be unlikely today as these northeast winds are expected to decrease in speed.  Any areas where wind blown snow exists on sun exposed slopes could become wet snow instabilities as snow surface warming occurs.

Regions covered