Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Unstable slabs of wind drifted snow may exist in places where new snow has drifted and filled in near ridgetops. The recent new snow has wet snow characteristics, so expect the possibility of wet snow avalanches today. Move cautiously around avalanche terrain, especially if you encounter signs of unstable snow. Increasing avalanche danger is expected to occur tonight.

The last daily forecast of the season is planned for Monday, April 13. We will provide intermittent General Avalanche Information bulletins through the end of April as conditions warrant.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Ridgetop winds out of the SW have drifted new snow, filling in slopes below ridgetops and creating new wind slabs over the past 24 hours. This problem is most likely to exist in areas above about 8,000' where the most new snow has fallen. Look for clues of potentially unstable wind slab, such as visible drifting snow, areas of locally deeper new snow on the downwind side of ridgetops, snow surface cracking, or recent avalanches. Move cautiously around avalanche terrain today, especially where signs of unstable snow are present.

    (4/10/2026)

    Visible signs of previously wind drifted snow leading to locally deeper areas on the downwind side of ridgetops.

    Miess Meadow area, Carson Pass, CA

    Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center

  • Loose Wet

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

    Snow level was around 8,000' yesterday, and the recent new snow has wet snow characteristics in many areas. Backcountry travelers could trigger wet loose avalanches today in places where new snow has fallen on top of old snow. Use clues such as roller balls, pinwheels, and recent loose snow avalanches to identify areas of concern. Move cautiously around avalanche terrain where signs of instability are present. An initially small wet loose avalanche could have consequences in complex terrain or if it becomes larger by entraining additional snow while moving downhill.

    (4/10/2026)

    Roller balls are a sign of surface wet snow instabilty. Meiss Meadow area, Carson Pass, CA

    Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

New snow is starting to hide the previously exposed rocks, logs, and stumps that had melted out of the snowpack, creating early season style conditions. Consider moving around cautiously while anticipating the potential for collision with these hidden obstacles.

March and April's record setting heat and strong sun led to record setting snowmelt throughout the forecast area. Continuous snow cover is generally limited to NW-N-NE-E aspect terrain above 7,500' to 8,000'. Large areas of bare ground are present on these aspects at lower elevations. With limited exceptions, SE-S-SW-W aspect terrain was largely bare ground at all elevations before the current snowfall. Access to continuous snow cover is limited to the highest elevation trailheads within the forecast area.

Regions covered