Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

Triggering an avalanche remains possible today, where slabs of wind-blown snow have piled up near ridges, on open slopes, and in gullies. Watch out for any signs of unstable snow like recent avalanches, cracking, or feeling dense wind-blown snow on top of softer snow. You can move to more sheltered areas or terrain not steep enough for snow to slide downhill to decrease the chances of triggering an avalanche today.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Even though little to no snow has fallen since yesterday morning, the winds have stayed strong enough to keep blowing snow. This blowing snow has landed on top of the wind slabs that formed during the storm. Triggering a wind slab avalanche large enough to bury or injure a person remains possible today. These lingering wind slabs will most likely exist on open slopes, the downwind side of ridges, in gullies, and near other wind-exposed terrain features. Large, fragile cornices may also lurk above some of these wind-loaded slopes. 

    Recent avalanches, snow surface cracking, blowing snow, cornices, drifted snow, and snow surface texture can all help identify where unstable wind slabs may exist. These clues can also indicate where wind-hammered snow lurks. Traveling in areas sheltered from the wind can reduce the chance of triggering a wind slab and increase your chances of finding softer, more consistent snow.

    (3/28/2024)

    A snowmobile cut on this wind-loaded test slope yesterday near Blue Lakes produced this small avalanche at the new/old interface.

    Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday, the fresh snow was more dense than expected and it started to settle quickly in sheltered areas. This reduced the potential for loose snow sluffs and led to more dense snow conditions. While most avalanche activity should remain unlikely in lower elevation areas sheltered from the wind, unforecasted changes in the weather, like more sun or more snow than expected, could bring loose snow issues to these sheltered areas. 

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