Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Increasing winds today will create more slabs of wind blown snow in exposed areas.  These wind slabs will be most prevalent on open slopes, near ridges, and in gully features.  Look for signs of unstable snow and carefully move around areas of concern.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Increasing SW/W winds today will create more wind slabs in near and above treeline areas.  These wind slabs will be largest in areas that have received the most recent storm snow with the most snow available for wind transport today.   Most recent wind slab avalanches reported have been small up to D1.5 in size, but larger avalanches could be possible in the most wind prone areas.  A strong NE wind event is expected to start later tonight which will redistribute large amounts of snow onto different aspects for Saturday.

    Look for recent avalanches, blowing snow, new cornice formation, and wind pillows as clues to where these wind slabs may have formed.  Shifting winds may make identify where wind slabs exist more difficult today.  Identify areas of concern and carefully move around terrain where wind slabs may exist.

    (2/8/2024)

    Wind slab avalanche in N. Judah Bowl, Donner Summit area.  Partially covered by additional snow and wind transport.

Avalanche Discussion

The deep slab avalanche problem that existed on the eastern side of the forecast region has come to an end for now.  These areas with a shallow snowpack with weak faceted snow near the ground have gained some strength and have adjusted to the recent storm load.  We had 1 deep slab avalanche reported 4 days ago on Monday Feb 5 on Relay Peak in the Mt. Rose area.  Observations at the site of this avalanche and at other similar areas indicate that triggering a deep slab avalanche is unlikely.     

Regions covered