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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Highlights

People may be able to trigger avalanches on slopes where strong winds pile snow up today especially in places where 3 to 4 inches of new snow accumulates. Watch out for slopes near ridges, gullies filled with wind-blown snow, and slopes below cornices. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Gale force SW winds returned to the region in the last 24 hours. These winds will blow today's new snow over ridges and pile it up on leeward slopes. The slabs of drifted snow that form on the NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects could get several times deeper than the forecasted snow amounts. If new snow accumulation reaches the high end of the forecasted range, some wind slabs could grow large enough to cause problems for backcountry travelers. In places where new snowfall remains limited, the wind slabs will stay shallow and not extend very far away from ridges. Large cornices also still exist above many wind-loaded slopes and these will continue to grow today.

    The largest wind slabs will exist in places where the most new snow falls and where the most wind-loading occurs. Identify these areas by looking for blowing snow, cornices above a slope, snowdrifts, and wind-created surface textures. 

Avalanche Discussion

* Variable conditions including crusts, wind-affected surfaces, firm wind-packed surfaces, and punchy snow exist across the region.

* Several cornice collapses and wind slab avalanches have been reported this week. 

Regions covered