Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 12 years ago.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

Highlights

Early this morning, avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations and aspects. In response to daytime warming, pockets of MODERATE danger will form on all aspects at all elevations on slopes 37 degrees and steeper. Human triggered loose wet avalanches are possible. Natural avalanches are unlikely.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    A decent to fairly good snow surface refreeze is expected to have occurred last night with near freezing air temperatures and clear skies. As daytime warming progresses, snow surface melt will allow for human triggered loose wet avalanches to become possible on all aspects at all elevations. Any avalanches that occur today are expected to be small. Once last night's snow surface refreeze is fully melted and the snowpack becomes unsupportable, move to more northerly aspects or exit from in or below avalanche terrain for the remainder of the day.

Avalanche Discussion

Observations made yesterday on Stevens Peak (Carson Pass area) revealed that a decent overnight refreeze had occurred in the area. Snow surface conditions remained supportable on all aspects until about noon and remained supportable longer on northerly aspects above 8,200'. Ski cuts on steep NE aspects at 8,000' to 8,200' at 12:30 pm produced only very limited wet snow instability in the form of small roller balls and tiny loose wet avalanches despite deep ski and boot penetration into wet snow. Significant snowpack melt has occurred in this area. Most areas of continuous snowcover are limited to NW-N-NE and previously wind loaded E aspects above 8,200'.

Yesterday on Powderhouse Peak (Luther Pass area), observations targeting the old near crust facets in the upper portion of the snowpack revealed isolated evidence of instability on a N aspect in an area near the valley floor (about 8,000'), likely due to cold air pooling.

Regions covered