Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations. There are no specific avalanche problems of concern. Normal caution is advised.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    0

    There are no specific avalanche problems of concern for today. Colder air temperatures and convective cooling by wind will significantly reduce surface wet snow formation today as compared to this past week. While some cloud cover occurred last night, this is not expected to have had a significant impact on overnight snow surface refreeze. Any areas that may have experienced a weak refreeze last night are expected to be tempered by today's reduced melt rates. Sun exposed aspects will be slow to melt today and may remain frozen well into the afternoon hours.

    Recent snowpit data and other observations from around the forecast area have not produced indications of a current slab avalanche problem. Increased ridgetop winds are not expected to produce significant amounts of blowing snow. Long sliding falls or a slip and fall on hard snow surfaces are some of the greatest hazards today.

Avalanche Discussion

* Recent observations from around the forecast area have revealed well established melt-freeze conditions on SE-S-SW aspects at all elevations. Recent snowpit data collected from NW-N-NE aspects has produced no signs of problematic slab instability.

* Thursday's observations on Mt. Houghton (Mount Rose area) noted that E aspects remained in a dry to wet snow transitional stage above about 9,000'. Friday's observations on Andesite Ridge (Donner Summit area) noted well established melt-freeze conditions on E aspects at around 8,000'.

* Snow coverage on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects varies significantly around the forecast area by location and elevation. Little to no continuous snow cover exists on some of these aspects below 8,200' to 9,000' depending on location. In some cases these aspects are mostly bare ground up to elevations above 10,000'.

* Areas of cold unconsolidated snow linger in the deep shade on out of the way N aspects. Snow surface conditions elsewhere on NW-N-NE aspects range from breakable crust to heavily tracked to firm wind scoured.

Regions covered