Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

MODERATE avalanche danger continues near treeline and above treeline in specific areas where blowing snow has formed new wind slabs. In wind protected areas below treeline, LOW avalanche danger exists.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Ridgetop winds out of the NE increased last night with gusts to 98 mph. This will have further scoured N-NE-E aspects. Redistributed snow will allow for newly formed wind slabs near and above treeline on some S-SW-W-NW aspects. NW aspects may be the most concerning due to a mix of new loading on top of faceted snow. For the most part, avalanche size is expected to be small (size D1) with the isolated possibility of avalanches large enough to bury or injure a person (size D2).

    Determine which slopes have elevated hazard and make travel decisions accordingly. Identify slopes where recently drifted snow has accumulated. Look for wind pillows, new cornices, and snow surface texturing. Today's wind slabs may take on hard slab characteristics. The best opportunity to avoid this avalanche problem and find soft snow will be in wind protected areas below treeline.

Avalanche Discussion

* Moderate amounts of blowing snow were noted in ridgetop locations over the past 24 hours.

* Firm ice may be encountered in some heavily wind scoured locations.

* The snowpack continues to facet in many locations, especially on northerly aspects that hold a shallow snowpack. This remains a monitoring concern up to the next new snow loading event.

Regions covered