Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Air temperatures were above freezing last night. A shortened time window is expected for travel in avalanche terrain this morning before wet loose avalanches become a concern. Consider exiting avalanche terrain once rollerballs or pinwheels begin to occur or more than a couple of inches of surface wet snow is present.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Air temperature inversion conditions limited below freezing air temperatures last night to just a few areas on the mountain valley floors. Don't be fooled by a seemingly hard overnight refreeze at the trailhead, it was much warmer overnight higher up on the peaks. Air temperatures are already above freezing at sunrise this morning on the peaks which will assist in rapid warming. While some refreeze occurred last night at all elevations thanks to radiational cooling under clear skies, it won't take long before enough wet snow is present for a wet loose avalanche problem to develop today. Recent new snow from Monday night/Tuesday is still transitioning over to melt-freeze. This recent new snow will remain prone to wet loose avalanches.

    Pay attention to snow surface warming if traveling in avalanche terrain today. Once surface wet snow becomes more than about ankle deep or rollerballs or pinwheels are occurring, wet loose avalanches could occur on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees. Long open slopes could experience sizable wet loose avalanches today. Consider exiting avalanche terrain once signs of unstable wet snow develop.

    (4/15/2023)

    Initially small wet loose avalanches can produce deep debris when they can run far on long open slopes.

    Photo: Public

Avalanche Discussion

  • Glide cracks have formed on some steep slopes in rocky areas. The exact timing of glide crack avalanches is notoriously difficult to predict. Due to the uncertainty, consider avoiding travel on or below slopes with glide cracks.
  • Cornice fall remains an ongoing concern as air temperatures warm above freezing.

Regions covered