Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 9 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

LOW avalanche danger continues for all elevations within the forecast area. Normal caution is advised. Avalanche danger may increase Sunday evening.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    No specific avalanche problems of concern exist within the forecast area at this time. Keep an eye out for the unlikely presence of a small, isolated wind slab within the generally wind scoured areas near and above treeline.

    Above freezing air temperatures today will create some areas of snow surface melt. Loose wet avalanche problems remain very unlikely due to the current snowpack structure and distribution in areas of direct sun exposure.

    Firm wind scoured surfaces and crusts exist in most near and above treeline areas and could pose a travel hazard in steep terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

* Observations made yesterday on Silver Peak (Pole Creek area) matched well with recent observations from Ellis Peak (Blackwood Canyon area), and Meiss Ridge (Carson Pass area). Signs of very minor recent wind transport of snow existed with no problematic wind slab development.  Snow surfaces ranged from firm crusts in wind and/or sun exposed areas to soft snow in shaded wind protected areas.

* Recent strong winds have scoured most near and above treeline terrain along the Sierra Crest down to firm crusts.

* Thin snow cover conditions exist throughout the forecast area on all aspects at lower elevations. Thin snow cover or bare ground exists on most sun exposed aspects at all elevations with a few notable exceptions.

Regions covered