Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 10 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Low avalanche danger exists on all aspects and elevations throughout the forecast area.  Normal caution is advised.  Generally safe avalanche conditions exist.  Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    0

    Normal caution is advised for travel throughout the forecast region.  Normal caution means exercising proper backcountry travel protocols.  Communicate with your group members about potential unstable snow and terrain options.  Only exposed one member of your group to avalanche terrain at a time.  Re-group out of avalanche terrain and have a travel plan.   

    Very isolated wind slabs could be present in near treeline and above treeline terrain.  Over the last several days the winds have shifted many different directions loading most aspects in exposed terrain.  NE winds will increase throughout the day and could form wind slabs on SE-S-SW-W-NW aspects in near treeline and above treeline terrain.  Although the available snow for transport is limited, further scouring of windward aspects could occur with gale force winds.  Watch for blowing snow, cornice formation and wind pillows.

    Weak faceted old snow from late October and early November remains buried near the ground above basal ice.  This weak layer is buried 1 to 3 feet deep below the snow surface on North aspects along the northern portion of the Sierra Crest above 8300' and in the Mt. Rose area above 9300'.  This persistent slab problem remains a low likelihood but not impossible situation.

Avalanche Discussion

Observations were made yesterday on Tamarack Peak in the Mt. Rose area.  Widespread previous wind scouring was observed on N-NE-E aspects above 9300'.  No signs of instability were observed from the recently formed wind slabs.  A snowprofile at 9700' on a north aspect revealed the ongoing issue of faceted snow over basal ice.  Snowpack tests were mixed but overall showed that this weak layer is becoming harder to trigger.  

The deepest and most usable snowpack within the forecast area exists along the northern portion of the Sierra Crest. Along the Sierra Crest south of Tahoe City, snowpack depths decrease, even at the highest elevations. Recent storms have added to the snowpack in all areas but many rocks and shallowly buried obstacles still exist. The Mount Rose area in the NE portion of the forecast area has decent snowcover, but impact with rocks remains likely at the lower elevations in this area as well.

All of the recent avalanche and snowpack observations submitted by local users have been greatly appreciated and have contributed towards producing the best possible avalanche advisories. Please continue to submit observations through the "submit observations" buttons found throughout this website.

Regions covered