Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Areas of unstable wet snow are expected to develop today in response to daytime warming. Wet loose avalanches will become a concern after enough melt occurs to create a few inches or more of surface wet snow. Consider exiting avalanche terrain once rollerballs or pinwheels begin to occur.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    A strong snow surface refreeze occurred last night.  Widespread sun crust and melt-freeze crust are expected this morning across all aspects in all but the most heavily shaded areas. Daytime warming will melt the snow surface leading to the possibility of wet loose avalanches today. Recent new snow from Monday night/Tuesday is still transitioning over to melt-freeze, especially in the northern half of the forecast area where new snow amounts were greatest.

    Pay attention to snow surface warming if traveling in avalanche terrain today. Once surface wet snow becomes more than about ankle deep, rollerballs or pinwheels are occurring, or deep wet snow is present, wet loose avalanches could occur on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees. Long open slopes, especially in the northern half of the forecast area could experience sizable wet loose avalanches today. Consider exiting avalanche terrain once signs of unstable wet snow develop.

    (4/15/2023)

    Initially small wet loose avalanches can produce deep debris when they can run far on long open slopes.

    Photo: Public

Avalanche Discussion

  • Glide cracks have started to form on some steep slopes in rocky areas. The exact timing of glide crack avalanches is notoriously difficult to predict. Due to the uncertainty, consider avoiding travel on or below slopes with glide cracks.
  • Cornice fall remains an ongoing concern as air temperatures warm above freezing.
  • Large cracks have opened up behind many cornices, and falling into one of them could cause problems.

Regions covered