Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

If your heading into the backcountry, be prepared for early season conditions with a thin and variable snowpack.  LOW avalanche danger exists with avalanche activity unlikely.  Normal caution is advised.  

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    We have 1-2 feet of a useable and mostly supportable snowpack.  Lots of obstacles are present with early season conditions throughout the forecast region.  Variable snow conditions exist with recent strong winds scouring most exposed areas creating wind crusts.  Soft unconsolidated snow can still be found in wind protected northerly terrain.  Now is still a great time to prepare for the winter.  Get all your gear together, make sure everything is in working order, and get out and practice with your partners.  Normal caution is advised if traveling in the backcountry. 

Avalanche Discussion

1-2 feet of a supportable snowpack exists on northerly aspects above 8600' in the Mt. Rose area, above 7000' along the northern Sierra Crest, and above 8000' along the southern Sierra Crest.  Southerly aspects have seen snow melt and loss with many areas back down to dirt.  Variable snow conditions are found with recent E wind scouring in open near and above treeline areas.  The faceting process continues with clear skies, cold nights, and low sun angles.  This is most apparent near the surface of the snowpack with near surface facets existing on wind protected northerly aspects.  These near surface facets along with some slightly buried surface hoar will have to be monitored and could present future problems when we get our next storm cycle.

Regions covered