Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Continued warm weather will create areas of wet snow at all elevations.  Wet loose avalanches will become possible as daytime warming occurs quickly today.  Once the snow surface becomes wet, it’s time to move off of steep slopes that are capable of producing avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Another day of well above average temperatures are expected with periods of strong solar radiation.  Marginal to potentially poor overnight refreeze conditions have occurred with some overnight cloud cover through the forecast area and remote weather sensors above 8000' reporting mid 30's to mid 40's for overnight low temperatures.  As daytime warming occurs quickly this morning, loose wet avalanches will become possible at all elevations.  Most wet snow instabilities have been focused on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects, but areas with cloud cover may develop more wet snow instabilities on NW-N-NE aspects as well today.  

    Look for roller balls, pinwheels, or signs of wet surface snow.  These will be indicators that loose wet avalanches could occur and it's time to move to another aspect or off of steep terrain capable of producing avalanches.    

Avalanche Discussion

  • Observers have reported loose wet avalanches, roller balls, pinwheels, and wet sticky snow across the forecast area. The largest wet snow instabilities have occurred on sunny SE-S-SW facing slopes, but some also occurred on NE and NW aspects. 
  • Cold snow is becoming hard to find with some still existing on shaded steep north aspects.
  • Weak snow (facets) formed in the upper portion of the snowpack during the 38 day Jan/Feb dry spell on some wind-sheltered NW-N-NE aspects. It now exists under 6 to 12 inches of settled snow that fell during the recent storm. No avalanches have been reported on this weak layer, and most data indicates that it does not have enough load on top of it to cause avalanche problems currently.
  • Snowmelt on SE-S-SW aspects has allowed more obstacles (rocks, bushes, etc) and areas of bare ground to re-emerge.

Regions covered