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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Backcountry travelers should expect variable snow surfaces and shallow early season conditions with lots of exposed and barely covered obstacles. Travel using normal caution. LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations. 

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    While the shallow snowpack remains mostly supportable, it has left numerous obstacles like trees, stumps, rocks, logs, etc exposed or barely covered. A fall or loss of control while traveling on variable surfaces or merely running into something while moving at speed could result in equipment damage or bodily injury. Being observant and moving at slower speeds on more mellow terrain can help identify and avoid many of the obstacles. Avalanche activity will remain unlikely today. 

    Early season represents a great time to practice avalanche rescue skills, route finding, and terrain identification. Practicing safe travel strategies now can help make them a habit for the rest of the year.

Avalanche Discussion

Northerly aspects above 8600 ft in the Mt Rose backcountry and above 7800 ft. along the Sierra Crest hold the best coverage with more snow in the northern part of the forecast area. Numerous obstacles still poke through the shallow snowpack. Observations from Deep Creek and Tamarack Peak yesterday continued to show variable snow surface conditions. Observers have found scoured and wind-affected surfaces on wind-exposed slopes, patchy snow on sun-exposed aspects, and some soft surface snow (near-surface facets) in sheltered areas on northerly aspects.

Regions covered