Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 12 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Human-triggered wind slab avalanches are possible (MODERATE avalanche danger) on wind-loaded NW-N-NE-E aspects 35 degrees and steeper in near and above treeline terrain. Due to shifting winds some isolated pockets of wind slabs may exist on SE aspects in near and above treeline terrain. Use clues like cornices, drifted snow, ripples in the snow surface, and other wind created textures to help determine where wind slabs may exist.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Human-triggered avalanches involving the wind slabs that formed over the last 24 hours will remain possible today. These wind slabs rest on a layer of softer snow that can serve as a weak layer. Wind-loaded NW-N-NE-E aspects in near and above treeline terrain represent the most likely places to find wind slabs today. However, some cross-loaded SE may hold small wind slabs as well. Due to winds shifting between south and southwest during the storm wind slabs may have formed in some atypical areas. Use clues like cornices, drifted snow, ripples in the snow surface, and other wind created textures to help determine where wind slabs may exist. Most of these wind slabs should not extend too far down slope but many of them could be 1 to 2 ft. in depth. In the most heavily wind-loaded areas or in areas where terrain traps magnify the consequences of the wind slabs, they could involve enough snow to bury a person. 

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday more snow than expected created larger wind slabs than expected. On Mt. Judah wind slabs 6 to 12 inches in depth existed on the N-NE-ENE aspects in near and above treeline terrain. Several small skier-triggered avalanches occurred on wind-loaded test slopes and a few small wind slabs failed due to natural cornice failures. A layer of softer snow below the wind slabs served as the weak layer in all of these wind slab failures. Check out yesterday's observations for photos, videos, and more information. 

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