Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Warm temperatures, light winds, and strong sunshine will form wet snow instabilities as daytime warming occurs.  Wet snow avalanches could be larger today due to increased temperatures and decreased winds.  Overhanging snow along ridges will also weaken and could fall or collapse downhill.  Make a plan to avoid areas where increased hazards exist today.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Another night of near to above freezing temperatures above 7000’.  Today will be the warmest day this week with light winds and strong sunshine.  Rapid warming this morning will quickly melt through any recently formed melt freeze crusts.  As the day progresses, this wet snow will become deeper and more unsupportable.  Areas where this deeper wet snow exists will have the potential for larger wet loose avalanches to occur today.

    Roller balls and pinwheels will be indicators that enough wet snow exists for wet loose avalanches to occur.  When the snow starts to feel wet and mushy, it's time to switch to a different aspect where the snow remains colder or move to lower-angle slopes without steep sunny slopes above.

    (3/18/2024)

    Easy to trigger wet loose instability on test slopes at the south summit of Slide Mountain. E aspect terrain at 9,650' at 11 am. Mount Rose area, NV

    Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center

  • Cornices

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

    Large cornices exist along ridgelines throughout the forecast region.  Multiple nights of near to above freezing temperatures, strong sunshine, and light winds today will all work to further weaken these cornices.  Large falls and/or chucks of cornice blocks could result from any cornice collapse with the potential for severe consequences. 

    Cornice collapses almost always surprise people. They can fail farther back from the edge than expected and break wider than expected. If your route takes you along a corniced ridge, keep exposed rocks or trees between you and the cornice edge. Also, be wary of traveling on slopes below cornices. It's best to avoid these slopes, but if you have to travel on them, spend as little time as possible doing so. 

    (3/17/2024)

    Sierra Crest near Mt. Lincoln.  Large cornices exist and also areas of eroded  wind soured cornices.

    Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center

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