Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Warming temperatures and strong March sunshine will create widespread wet snow instabilities today.  This wet snow will form in many areas and could involve much of the recent storm snow and areas where wind-blown snow has accumulated.  These problems will increase as daytime warming occurs and wet snow forms throughout the day.  Make a plan with your group to move away from areas of concern as wet snow instabilities develop. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Strong solar radiation will occur today even with some periods of thin cloud cover expected.  Wet loose avalanches will quickly become likely as the recent storm snow becomes wet from the warm temperatures and strong late March sunshine.  These wet loose avalanches could occur on most aspects and elevations as rapid warming occurs.  Many of these wet instabilities will be small in size, but larger wet loose avalanches are also expected to run long distances on steeper slopes entraining more of the recent storm snow.  Terrain traps; like cliffs, rocks, and trees- could magnify the consequences of even small wet loose avalanches today.

    As solar radiation intensifies, slopes will develop deep wet snow.  Roller balls and pinwheels may be indicators that the surface snow is becoming wet and capable of producing larger avalanches.  As the snow becomes deep and wet, it’s time to move away from avalanche terrain or change aspects to where colder snow exists.

    (3/23/2024)

    Skier triggered D1 wet loose avalanche that entrained quite a bit of snow on the shoulder of Trestle Peak, Donner Summit area.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Wind slabs that have formed during our recent storm may remain reactive today.  Multiple wind slab avalanches have been reported over the last couple days throughout the forecast region.  Winds have shifted from the S-SW to mostly W over the last 24 hours and could remain strong enough to transport snow, building new wind slabs.  Strong solar radiation could weaken these existing wind slabs potentially leading to easier to trigger avalanches today.  This would be most concerning on NE-E-SE aspects that receive direct sun starting this morning.

    Look for blowing snow, wind pillows, snow surface clues, and cornice formation.  Newly formed cornices may also weaken and fail due to rapid warming today.  Wind slab avalanches could be large enough to injure or bury a backcountry user.  Make a plan to move around wind loaded areas and slopes below large cornices.

    (3/24/2024)

    Natural avalanche activity.  Little Alaska, Ward Canyon Area.

Regions covered