Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

MODERATE avalanche danger continues above treeline and near treeline as ENE wind continues to drift snow and form wind slabs. LOW avalanche danger continues in wind protected areas below treeline.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    ENE winds continue to blow over ridgetops in the moderate to strong range. Wind speeds reached the strongest yet for the current wind event after sunset yesterday. While wind slab formation reported yesterday was fairly minimal, wind slabs are expected to have gradually grown larger and thicker last night and may continue to do so today. Recently formed wind slabs exist near treeline and above treeline on SE-S-SW-W-NW-N aspects. Avalanche size up to D2 is possible.

    Look for signs of where the most recent drifting and wind slab formation has occurred. Identify clues such as blowing snow, wind scouring along ridges, snow surface patterns indicative of scouring vs deposition, new wind pillows, and shooting cracks as indicators of wind slab development. Use these clues to identify where problematic wind slabs may exist and communicate within your group on how best to manage the combination of terrain and the avalanche problem.

Avalanche Discussion

* Foggy conditions were reported yesterday from the Ebbetts Pass, Carson Pass, and Luther Pass areas. Surface snow was reported to remain dry.

* Near treeline and above treeline blowing snow was reported yesterday. Fresh cornices were building, but new wind slab formation was limited.

* Some minor cracking was reported around the edges of newly formed wind slabs, but no test slope failures or unstable snowpit test results were noted yesterday.

Regions covered