Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A major gale force wind event is blowing and drifting snow in pretty much any wind exposed area. It remains possible for people to trigger avalanches in the places where this blowing snow accumulates. Move cautiously around areas that appear to have been filled in by blowing and drifting snow rather than scoured out by the wind.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind speeds are continuing to increase, blowing and drifting snow onto many slopes and creating wind slabs. This video shows it well along the top of the West Shore. Occasionally these wind slabs are easy to trigger, often they are very difficult to trigger. Wind slabs today may be of the hard slab or soft slab variety. Above treeline and near treeline NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects are where this avalanche problem is most widespread. That said, the winds are strong enough to create isolated areas of unstable wind slabs below treeline or on other aspects where terrain steers the wind differently.

    Anywhere blowing snow is depositing is suspect so travel accordingly. If you see blowing snow, cornice features, or recently formed wind drifts the slopes below may hold unstable wind slabs. Use these clues to identify the areas of concern and navigate them carefully.

    (1/2/2022)

    Test slope wind slab failure. About a 10 inch thick 1F hard slab over F hard recent storm snow. Near treeline northerly aspect, Carpenter Ridge, CA

    Photo: Kevin Mecham

Avalanche Discussion

* Below treeline areas with the best wind protection continue to hold powder snow conditions. This is also where you have the most options for avoiding the wind slab avalanche problem.

Regions covered