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Out of date — this forecast expired 9 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations. On a regional scale, triggering an avalanche is unlikely. Signs of isolated, difficult to trigger slab instability continue to show both above and below treeline. Normal caution is advised.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Yesterday's field observations continued to find isolated areas of difficult to trigger (stubborn) instability both above and below treeline on WNW to N aspects within the forecast area. Weak faceted snow below hard slabs in near and above treeline terrain as well as weak faceted snow below soft slabs in below treeline terrain continues to yield unstable snowpit test results. Human triggered avalanches up to size D2 are not impossible.

    The isolated distribution and stubborn difficulty of triggering make avalanche activity on a regional scale an unlikely event. While it has been well over a week since any avalanche activity has been reported, the data continues to point out that instability remains. Use normal caution (best practice travel techniques) for travel in or around avalanche terrain to help improve the outcome in the unlikely event of a human triggered avalanche. More info on the meaning of normal caution can be found here.

    Any blowing snow today is not expected to create new areas of instability.

     

Avalanche Discussion

* Unstable snowpit test results were noted over the past two days from hard wind slabs over facets near and above treeline on WNW to NW aspects on Trimmer Peak (Luther Pass/Job/Freel area) and on Andesite Peak (Donner Summit area).

* Unstable snowpit test results were noted yesterday from soft slab over facets below treeline on a N aspect below Frog Lake Cliffs (Carson Pass area).

* Widespread firm, wind scoured snow surfaces exist on most aspects near and above treeline.

* Variable snow surfaces with some areas of softer snow exist near and below treeline in shaded, wind protected areas.

* Areas north of Emerald Bay above 8,000', hold decent snow coverage. Below 8,000' snow coverage remains patchy and shallow. South of Emerald Bay, less snow exists with areas below 8,500' holding very little snow.

* Snow coverage on southerly aspects has decreased due to melt throughout the forecast area.

Regions covered