Central Sierra Nevada

Avalanche problems

• 

  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Possible

  Size

  1–2

  As the day warms up, the re-frozen snow surfaces that exist this morning may melt, leaving wet, mushy snow on sunny slopes. When the snow surface starts to feel wet, becomes unsupportable, or you see other indicators of wet surface snow, like roller balls or pinwheels, it's time to move off slopes steep enough for wet loose snow to slide down. 

  Another night of clear skies and below-freezing temperatures made for another good refreeze. Expect firm and frozen snow conditions this morning. As the day warms up, the strong March sun and warm weather will soften the snow on sunny slopes. The melt-freeze crust may melt away completely in some areas by this afternoon, leaving deeper wet snow on some sunny slopes. Once this happens, avalanches of wet, loose snow will become possible on steep sunny slopes. Most of these should remain small, but larger wet loose avalanches may be possible on long, steep, sunny slopes. This problem should be less prevalent on shady northerly aspects, but those slopes should remain firm and frozen for most of the day.