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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

LOW avalanche danger continues for all elevations. Avalanche activity is unlikely, but remain cautious if traveling in areas of firm wind slab.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Areas of firm wind slab formed yesterday as well as earlier this week. These slabs are difficult to trigger and avalanche activity is unlikely. Avalanche size is expected to be too small to bury a person (size D1). Move around the mountains today exercising normal caution. Have a travel plan for the day, travel through avalanche terrain one at a time, regroup out of avalanche terrain, and practice effective communication within your group. Keep the odds stacked in your favor in case the unexpected area of unstable snow is encountered.

    If you insist on traveling in areas of firm wind slab, this is where the unlikely avalanche event would probably happen. Avoid the firm wind slab and go enjoy the soft near surface facets on out of the way wind protected northerly aspects below treeline.

Avalanche Discussion

* Observations made and received yesterday from the Carson Pass, Ward Canyon, Deep Creek, and Donner Summit areas all reported isolated areas of blowing snow (and in some cases small rocks) in near treeline and above treeline terrain. Some small, shallow, difficult to trigger wind slabs were observed in areas where wind drifted snow accumulated. Thin snowcover and early season conditions exist in many areas.

* Significantly wind affected snow surfaces exist near treeline and above treeline with a mix of hard ice, wind scoured areas, and firm wind slab.

* Below treeline there is a mix of near surface facets, varying degrees of the Dec 4 buried surface hoar layer, areas of firm wind slab, as well as melt-freeze crust depending on aspect and exposure to sun and previous winds.

* Areas where the upper portion of the snowpack holds near surface facets or the Dec 4 buried surface hoar layer are in poor condition to handle new snow loading. This is mainly on NW-N-NE-ENE aspects.

* The mid and lower portions of the snowpack on all aspects are well bonded and lack a problematic weak layer.

Regions covered