Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 10 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Low avalanche danger exists through the early morning hours on all aspects and elevations.  As daytime warming occurs, avalanche danger will rise to Moderate on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects on slopes steeper than 35 degrees due to the possibility of loose wet instabilities.  

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    A moderate snow surface refreeze is expected to have occurred last night with mostly above freezing temperatures and increased thin cloud cover compared with yesterday.  Increasing winds today will help to keep the snow surface cool and delay snow surface melt mostly in near treeline and above treeline terrain.  In wind exposed areas, the snow surface may not soften at all today.  In wind protected gullies, rock features, and below treeline areas little to no delay in warming may occur due to the increased winds and cloud cover.  Wet snow instabilities are expected to form on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects on slopes steeper than 35 degrees in wind protected and below treeline terrain during the late morning and early afternoon hours as daytime warming occurs. 

    Recent roller balls or pinwheels are an indication that the snow surface is loosing strength and that loose wet avalanches are becoming possible.  Use boot penetration to constantly monitor the supportability of the snow surface.  If boot penetration exceeds 10-12 inches into wet snow, it's time to move to a less sun exposed aspect and/or terrain under 30 degrees without steeper terrain above.

       

Avalanche Discussion

Observations from Tamarack Peak and Mt. Houghton (Mt. Rose area) showed similar conditions that have been reported over the last few days through the forecast area.  Melt freeze crusts have formed on most SE-S-SW aspects providing skier supportable snow conditions with "corn snow" as daytime warming occurs.  Transitional snow exists on mid to low elevation NW-N-NE aspects along with upper elevation East aspects where a thin crust or several inches of wet snow exist on top of colder dryer snow that has not undergone the melt freeze process.  Pockets of unconsolidated snow and wind effected snow can be found on the most shaded northerly aspects.

Regions covered