Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Most avalanche activity should remain unlikely today since cooler, cloudier weather should keep wet snow from forming and very little soft snow remains for the wind to blow around. Still, an isolated area of unstable snow may exist if enough wind-blown snow piles up on a slope. Make plans that use good backcountry travel habits, and be willing to change those plans if you see something different than expected.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The winds shifted back to the SE-S-SW last night and increased. While these winds should remain strong enough to transport snow, very little snow remains available for transport. In many places, the snow on the SE-S-SW-W aspects got wet yesterday and likely refroze last night. Those crusts should help keep the snow in place today. Additionally, the forecast only calls for a trace to an inch of new snow this afternoon. Due to the combination of small amounts of new snow and lack of old soft snow available for transport, wind slab formation today should remain limited and problematic wind slabs should remain unlikely. Still, some small wind slabs might form at upper elevations where softer snow may linger for transport.

    Talk with your partners and plan routes that match your group's skills and goals with the expected conditions. If you see signs that unstable wind slabs may exist, like blowing snow, snow drifts, cornices above a slope, cracking in wind-loaded areas, or other wind-created surface textures, go ahead and skirt around those areas. These clues can also help lead your party into more sheltered terrain where more consistent snow conditions may linger. 

Avalanche Discussion

A solid refreeze last night combined with the cloud cover forecasted for today and cooler daytime temperatures should limit wet snow formation today.

Expect variable snow conditions today, with supportable and breakable crusts on sun-exposed slopes, wind-affected snow in exposed areas, and patches of softer snow lingering in sheltered and shaded places.

Regions covered