Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

MODERATE avalanche danger will exist as daytime warming occurs and a loose wet avalanche problem develops at all elevations.  Unstable snowpack conditions can quickly form as snow becomes unsupportable and loses strength.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    As daytime warming occurs, loose wet avalanches will become possible on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects at all elevations.  As the day progresses, loose wet avalanche instabilities will also spread to NW-N-NE aspects.  Clear overnight skies with near freezing temperatures should provide a fairly good snow surface refreeze in most areas.  In areas at lower elevations, places with a thin snowpack, areas around rocks and trees, and densely treed areas, the snow surface refreeze may be limited or nonexistent.

    Measuring boot and/or ski penetrations are good ways to constantly monitor the snow surface and supportability throughout the day.  Avoid avalanche terrain where natural or human triggered roller balls are occurring.  Unstable snowpack conditions can quickly develop as the snow loses supportability and strength.

Avalanche Discussion

* Snow surface conditions were mostly smooth with good supportability above 8000' on Mt. Tallac (Desolation Wilderness area) at midday yesterday.  Areas below 8000' on E/SE aspects, were mostly unsupportable wet deep snow just after 12noon.  Small skier triggered loose wet avalanches occurred in steeper terrain in these areas of unsupportable snow.

* A party reported fully unsupportable snow conditions on Silver Peak (Pole Creek area) yesterday.  No refreeze was observed with unsupportable snow conditions consistent to the summit high point of 8200' back down to the trailhead at 6200'.

Regions covered