Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

This past week we received over 100 inches of snowfall on the peaks with ridgetop winds in excess of 130 mph. Intense blowing and drifting snow have been observed above and below treeline with natural avalanches occurring where this blowing snow has accumulated.  Slopes and gullies at any elevation with wind drifts or cornices along the top or side should be avoided today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    While SW ridgetop winds are decreasing this morning, gusts are still reporting in at 40 to 50+ mph. Intense blowing snow has been observed above and below treeline for the past several days leading to wind slab avalanches occurring on slopes and gullies where blowing and drifting snow has deposited. The vast majority of blowing snow deposition and avalanches have occurred on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects. That said, don't rule out unstable snow on the less commonly wind loaded S-SW-W aspects, especially where terrain steers winds in different directions leading to cross loaded gullies.

    Use clues such as cornices, wind drifts, wind textured snow surfaces, and signs of recent avalanches to help identify the areas to avoid. Lots of snow has been blowing around at and below treeline so look for signs of mid slope cross loading in addition to more direct over the ridgetop wind loading.

Avalanche Discussion

* A new record for December snowfall at 193.7 inches and counting was just set on Donner Summit at the Central Sierra Snow Lab. The previous record was 179" of snow in December of 1970.

Regions covered