Central Sierra Nevada

LOW avalanche danger continues with avalanches remaining unlikely.  Variable snow surfaces exist throughout the forecast region.  Continue to monitor conditions while travelling in the backcountry and change plans if you encounter unstable snow or unexpected conditions.  

Normal caution

Isolated areas of wet unstable snow could develop on steeper slopes today.  Roller balls, pinwheels, and even some smaller wet loose sluffs could occur where deeper wet snow has formed.  Adjust terrain choices if unexpected conditions or unstable snow are encountered.

Observations and data from across the forecast area indicate the snowpack continues to consolidate and strengthen.  Multiple days of cloud cover and above freezing air temperatures have changed the snow surface on many aspects.  Melt freeze conditions in general will have a poor refreeze, but could still be found in colder locations and higher elevations on mostly southerly aspects.  Colder and dryer snow that existed on shaded northerly aspects has mostly become moist to wet from the recent cloud cover and warm temperatures.  Unconsolidated colder snow has still be reported at higher elevations and in some colder areas.  Snow surface conditions are a mixed bag with a variety of crusts, wet to sticky snow, and wind scoured snow surfaces.    

Deep open holes, open creeks, and ponded water persist around the forecast area, mainly below 8,000' in low-lying areas and in isolated distribution at higher elevations.