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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Moderate Avalanche Danger will exist as continued high winds affect our region today and tonight.  Wind slab avalanches will be possible in near and above treeline terrain.  Low Avalanche Danger will exist in below treeline terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Wind slab avalanches will be possible on all aspects in near treeline and above treeline terrain.  Strong to gale force NE/E winds yesterday will decrease into today before shifting to the West tonight and increasing back in speed.  Wind slabs will continue to build on S-SW-W aspects through today.  Many N-NE-E wind exposed aspects will continue to be scoured today before being reloaded tonight as the winds change to the West.  Some of these wind slabs may be sitting on top of old weak surface snow.

    Look for blowing snow and cornice formation.  Winds will continue to redistribute snow and scour other areas down to old firm snow surfaces.  Wind protected, below treeline terrain, will provide some of the best options for finding soft snow away from the wind slab instabilities.

Avalanche Discussion

*  Strong to gale force NE/E winds were transporting snow on Castle Peak (Donner Summit area), Tamarack Peak (Mt. Rose area), and Thunder Mountain (Carson Pass area).  8 to 10'' of new storm snow was reported from the Fireplug area near Tamarack Peak.  Unstable snowpack test results were reported from Castle Peak, with snow transport and new cornice formation on multiple aspects.

*  Near crust faceting was observed in the old snow below the recent storm snow in the Carson Pass area and in the Independence Lake area.  This weak snow was seen below the most recent rain crust. 

Regions covered