Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Strong and shifting winds up high will blow snow onto slopes near ridges where people could trigger avalanches today. At lower elevations, strong sun, warmer air, and less wind may provide enough warming for wet snow to slide down steep slopes. Watch out for open slopes near ridges where wind-blown snow has piled up and open sunny slopes at lower elevations where the snow feels wet. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The winds shifted to the NE overnight. They started scouring previously loaded slopes and blowing snow back across the ridges to form new slabs of wind-blown snow on NW-W-SW-S-SE aspects. Some of the wind slabs that formed yesterday on N-NE-E aspects may have escaped scouring. Most of the wind slabs will exist at mid and upper elevations near ridges where the winds are strongest. Wind slab avalanches could be possible today, especially on newly loaded slopes. Some of the wind slabs could be small and not involve much snow, but some of these wind slabs could involve enough snow to bury or injure a person.  

    Blowing snow, cornices above a slope, wind drifts, snow surface texture, and snow surface cracking can all help identify areas where fragile wind slabs may exist. Move around these areas with caution. Places sheltered from the winds will hold more consistent and less wind-affected snow. 

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Above freezing daytime highs, strong March sunshine, and light winds should allow wet snow to form on sunny slopes below 8000 ft. today. As the new snow starts to warm up expect to see roller balls and pinwheels. Enough wet snow may form in some areas for an avalanche of wet loose snow. Places near sunny rocks and trees will experience the most warming, but open E-SE-S-SW-W aspects at mid to low elevations could get warm enough for wet loose issues. Wet loose avalanches gather more snow as they move downhill, so long steep slopes can produce larger wet loose avalanches. Above 8000 ft, cooler temperatures and stronger NE winds should limit the amount of warming that occurs. 

    Look for signs of wet snow as you travel. When you start to see rollerballs, pinwheels, or sticky wet snow, it is time to avoid steep slopes and move into lower-angle terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

  • Snowmelt on SE-S-SW aspects has exposed bare ground in many areas, limiting over snow travel options on these aspects.
  • The old near surface facet layer that was buried on Feb 14 following the prolonged Jan/Feb dry spell has become less of a concern over the past week. In many locations, the moisture content and strength of this layer have increased. Any areas where this layer remains drier and weaker with the ability to collapse and propagate will be extremely isolated across the forecast area if they exist at all.

Regions covered