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Out of date — this forecast expired last year.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 develop as rain on snow and daytime warming occurs today.  In areas where blowing snow has been occuring, slabs of wind drifted snow will remain a concern for triggering an avalanche.  Look for areas where wet snow or wind blown snow could be problematic today and move around these areas of concern with caution.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Light rain and snow is expected today with snow levels increasing to 8000'.  Rain on snow, along with daytime warming, will create unstable wet snow instabilities throughout the day.  This wet snow could form on all aspects and at elevations well above where the light rain is occuring.  Some locations will have a marginal or no overnight refreeze of the snow surface due to warm temperatures and cloudy skies leading to deeper wet snow available.  Low level cloud cover with warming temperatures could also create additional wet snow development later this afternoon. 

    Monitor the snow surface throughout the day and look for changing conditions.  Roller balls and pinwheels will be indicators that larger wet loose avalanches could occur.  If the snow surface becomes deep and wet , it's time to move away from avalanche terrain onto less steep slopes.    

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong winds with blowing snow and reactive wind slab avalanches were reported yesterday.  The amount of snow available for wind transport continues to decrease as wet snow expands on more aspects and elevations with our current spring weather.  Areas with soft snow seem to be limited to the northern part of the forecast region and at elevations around 8000-8500' or higher.  These wind slabs could exist below ridges, near cornices, in gully features, and in open areas.  Warming and light rain today could make wind slab avalanches easier to trigger.  

    Look for blowing snow, cornice development, and snow surface scouring as clues to where wind slabs have been forming.  Large cornices exist along ridgelines and could remain fragile today.  Snow surface cracking with dense surface snow over softer snow could indicate unstable wind slab.  Identify where wind slabs and large cornices exist and move around these areas of concern.      

    (3/21/2025) Fairly deep natural wind slab avalanche below the ridge.

    Anderson Ridge, Northern Sierra Crest.

Regions covered