Central Sierra Nevada

Continuous snow cover with a shallow snowpack that is weakening day to day exists at the higher elevations. Avalanches will remain unlikely until we receive a new load of rain or snow on top of the existing snowpack. If traveling over snow, expect to encounter highly variable snow surface conditions that may be firm and icy.

Normal caution

There are some areas where over snow travel is possible around the forecast area. These are generally NW-N-NE aspects above about 8,000' to 8,500'. The snowpack in these areas tends to be shallow but supportable. Snow surface conditions are highly variable between sun exposed and shaded areas with firm icy surfaces in many locations.

During the last few weeks of mainly dry and clear conditions following the early storms of late October and early November, the snowpack has become progressively weaker. Despite the above average air temperatures, the nights are some of the longest of the year right now and sun angles are low. This is driving the continued weakening of the snowpack via the faceting process. The middle and upper portions of the snowpack have become increasingly sugary (faceted), especially around the decomposing icy (rain) crust layers. This weakening is most pronounced on slopes that receive shade on the snow surface all day long.

Until we receive a new load of snow or rain on top of the existing snowpack avalanche activity is unlikely. That said, the existing snowpack in many areas is not in good condition to handle substantial new snow loading.  Our most problematic weak layers within the snowpack tend to form during these prolonged dry spells and then contribute to difficult to manage avalanche problems later on.

Recent Observations:

* The existing snowpack is 1 to 3 feet deep and limited mainly to NW-N-NE aspects above about 8,000'.

* Continuous bare ground is found on almost all SE-S-SW-W aspects. A very limited number of high elevation E-SE aspects hold continuous snow cover.