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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Highlights

Avalanche danger remains MODERATE for all elevations and aspects on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to a mix of loose wet snow and lingering wind slabs.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Widespread areas of wet snow are expected today on all aspect below 8,800'. Poor overnight refreeze and areas of rain this morning have kept loose wet avalanche concerns from yesterday ongoing on slopes 37 degrees and steeper. Small human triggered loose wet avalanches are possible today at nearly all elevations on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects and below 8,800' on NW-N-NE aspects. Natural loose wet avalanches will become possible again tonight as rainfall rates increase and snow level rises.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2

    Above 8,800', unstable wind slabs may linger in isolated areas of near treeline and above treeline terrain on NW-N-NE aspects. Isolated human triggered slab avalanches with slab depths of 1 to 3 feet are unlikely but not impossible today in these areas.

Avalanche Discussion

Observations made yesterday on Jake's Peak (West Shore Tahoe area) and on Donner Peak (Donner Summit area) showed warm air temperatures and minor loose wet snow instability. Small loose wet avalanches were observed to occur naturally beginning around 9 am as wet snow began to fall off of rocks and trees in steep terrain. These conditions continued throughout the day as sun breaks and solar heating through thin fog continued to increase air temperatures and partial clearing allowed for more incoming solar radiation.

Snowpit data collected near the summit of Jake's Peak in a previously wind loaded area indicated that isolated areas of unstable wind slab remain on N-NE aspects above 8,800'.

Regions covered