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Out of date — this forecast expired 12 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger should remain LOW today on all aspects and elevations. LOW danger does not mean no danger and unlikely does not mean impossible. Some small, shallow, isolated areas of unstable snow could lurk on isolated terrain features. Continue to practice safe travel habits and thoughtful decision making when traveling in the backcountry.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Observations indicated that yesterday's light winds and 2 to 3 inches of snow did not create significant slabs on top of the old snow surfaces. Data also indicated that the new snow seemed to bond well to the old snow surfaces. As this new snow continues to bond and settle today, significant avalanche activity will remain unlikely. The light to moderate NE winds will also reduce the depth of snow on some of the slopes that did experience light wind loading yesterday making any small, isolated wind slabs that did form even more scarce today. Unlikely does not mean impossible. In some of the isolated areas south of Highway 50 where more snow fell, some small, shallow, and isolated wind slabs may have formed on slopes that typically experience the most wind loading. These should not extend very far down slope nor should they be very deep or widespread. Similar to yesterday some minor sluffing involving the new snow may occur on steep slopes, but these sluffs should remain small and isolated. Overall these small, isolated, and unlikely issues should not pose much hazard to backcountry travelers unless they occur in areas that magnify the consequences of any size avalanche or where a stumble or fall can have serious consequences.

Avalanche Discussion

Observations from Andesite Ridge yesterday, showed new snow sitting on top of frozen crusts. The 2 inches of new snow seemed to bond well to the old snow surfaces in this area. On one steep, open slope near the summit of Andesite Ridge a ski cut triggered a very small inconsequential sluff that involved the 1-2 inches of new snow and did not run very far down slope. Significant wind loading had not occurred in areas that typically experience heavy wind loading on Andesite Ridge and observations did not reveal any significant wind slabs. In these wind loaded areas snow amounts only increased by 1-2 inches creating 2-4 inch deep drifts. Father south on Carson Pass near Carson Spur an observer reported up to 5 inches of new snow in some areas with more like 3 inches in most places. Observations in this area still indicated good bonding between the new snow and the old snow surfaces.

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