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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Some areas of minor loose wet instabilities may exist in areas that are receiving rain this morning, but these concerns should diminish as the day cools off. The avalanche danger should remain LOW today due to the small amount of new snow accumulation expected out of this storm. LOW danger does not mean no danger and some small wind slabs could still form on isolated terrain features. If more snow falls than forecasted larger wind slabs could exist.  

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Some small wet snow instabilities like roller balls, pinwheels, and small point releases may remain possible this morning in areas where rain is still occurring. These wet snow instabilities should become unlikely as the day cools off and snow levels fall to Lake level. At higher elevations, the 1 to 2 inches of snow from last night combined with the 1 to 3 inches of new snow today should not provide enough accumulation to create significant widespread avalanche problems. Some small wind slabs may form on wind-loaded terrain. In some isolated areas that receive the most snow or in areas where more snow falls than forecasted some isolated and slightly larger wind slabs may form. If the storm disobey's the forecast and provides more snow to more widespread areas, then these wind slabs could also be more widespread and more significant human-triggered avalanches would become possible. 

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday observations on Rose Knob Peak, Mt. Rose, and Castle Peak all found wet snow on a supportable crust early in the day. The snowpack became unsupportable between 11 am and noon in those areas leaving deep wet snow on the sun-exposed slopes. Some minor natural and skier triggered loose wet instabilities including small roller balls and pinwheels occurred on all but the due north aspects in the Fireplug and Mt. Rose areas.

Regions covered