Central Sierra Nevada

Decreased wind, slowly warming weather, and settlement and consolidation in the existing snow should keep avalanches unlikely today. Unlikely does not mean impossible, and some small avalanche might still occur on an isolated terrain feature, especially in an area where wind-blown snow has piled up. Watch for any signs of unstable snow and be willing to change plans if you see different conditions than expected.

Normal caution

Strong winds earlier this week left a mix of firm wind-pressed snow, wind-carved snow, wind-scoured snow, and some slabs of wind-deposited snow near ridges, in gullies, and on open slopes near and above treeline. Large wind slab avalanches remain unlikely since most of these older wind slabs have bonded to the snowpack below them. Unlikely does not mean impossible, so keep an eye out for instability on isolated terrain features where a small wind slab may linger, especially if the terrain could magnify the consequences of an avalanche. 

Gradual warming during the days and cold nights have slowly started incorporating the recent snow into the melt-freeze conditions on the sunny E-SE-S-SW-W aspects. As long as this process continues happening a little at a time, areas of deep wet snow should remain minimal. Expect crusts on these slopes in the mornings and softer wet surfaces in the afternoons. On more shady aspects (NW-N-NE) sheltered from the winds, cold soft snow still exists. 

Discuss the current and expected conditions to make plans that allow the group to match snow and terrain with their goals and skills. Even though avalanches may be unlikely, keep an eye out for signs of instability, like cracks in the snow or rollerballs/pinwheels, and be willing to change plans if needed. Practice good travel techniques by moving through avalanche terrain one at a time and regrouping in safe areas away from steep terrain. 

Recent Observations:

• No avalanches got reported yesterday. The last reported avalanche occurred on Thursday, and it was a small D1 (relatively harmless to people) wind slab. Widespread uneven wind-affected snow surfaces exist on exposed slopes, including sastrugi, wind-sculpted snow, wind-pressed snow, and wind-scoured snow.
• Soft, unconsolidated snow still exists on shaded northerly aspects in wind protected below treeline terrain.
• Melt-freeze crusts exist on most sun-exposed slopes.
• Older weak layers of buried surface hoar, near-surface facets, or graupel still exist in some areas about one to two feet below the snow surface. Observations indicate improved bonding and decreasing reactivity on these layers.