Central Sierra Nevada

LOW avalanche danger continues throughout the forecast region.  Avalanches remain unlikely today, but isolated areas of unstable snow may still exist.  Normal caution is advised when traveling in the backcountry.  

Normal caution

Avalanches remain unlikely and normal caution is advised.  Strong to gale force SW winds are forecasted for today and into tonight as a storm passes by to our north.  Currently limited snow is available for wind transport along with light amounts possible from this storm today with a rain/snow mix for areas north of I-80.  Blowing snow and wind slab development should remain limited today .  A mostly stable snowpack exists in the vast majority of the forecast region.  Encountering instabilities associated with the Dec 11 PWL at the bottom of the snowpack remains unlikely but not impossible.  Practice normal caution to lower your risks while traveling in the backcountry.

Recent Observations:

*  The Dec 11 PWL continues to gain strength throughout the forecast region.  Recent observations are showing continued improving stability associated with this layer located in the lower portion of the snowpack on W-NW-N-NE-E aspects above and below treeline.  Stability improvements have occurred more rapidly in the northern 2/3rds of the forecast area where the snowpack is deeper.  In the southern 1/3rd of the forecast area, especially to the east of the Sierra Crest in the Carson Pass and Ebbetts Pass areas, the snowpack remains overall shallower and weaker.  

* Recent SW and NE wind events have scoured wind exposed areas down to wind board  or firm snow surfaces.  These recent wind events have not created any problematic wind drifts or wind slab formation.

* Faceting is beginning to form in some locations around the recently formed rain crust that exists in the upper snowpack in areas below about 7,800' to 8,200'.