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

LOW avalanche danger is expected through most of this morning. Starting from mid day onwards, areas of MODERATE avalanche danger will form as loose wet avalanche problems develop in response to daytime warming. During the afternoon hours, loose wet instability is expected at all elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Warmer air temperatures last night along with some high level cloud cover are expected to have decreased the thickness of overnight snow surface refreeze as compared to 24 hours ago. Areas of loose wet avalanche problems are expected to form today from mid day onwards. The vast majority of instability will occur on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects at all elevations. Some areas of instability are also possible on lower elevation NW-N-NE aspects.

    Pay attention to the degree of surface snow supportability. As the surface snow melts and becomes unsupportable exposing deep wet snow, it is time to move to a colder aspect or leave the area.  Terrain traps can greatly magnify the consequences of small loose wet avalanches.

Avalanche Discussion

Observations made yesterday on Red Lake Peak (Carson Pass area) and on Mt. Ralston (Echo Summit area) revealed that a very good snow surface refreeze had occurred the night before with clear skies and below freezing air temperatures. Snow surface conditions on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects had experienced some melt by the mid to late morning hours, but were still very supportable at mid day. NW-N-NE aspects remained frozen in many areas at mid day.

Regions covered