Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago.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

Highlights

Sunshine this morning and rain showers this afternoon should provide enough warming for avalanches of loose wet snow to become possible on mid to low elevation slopes again today. At upper elevations where this afternoon's precipitation falls as snow, loose wet avalanches may remain unlikely. Slabs of wet snow may also still warrant concern in some areas. The avalanche danger will rise to MODERATE at mid to low elevations and should remain LOW at upper elevations today. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Mostly clear skies and below-freezing temperatures should have allowed a good refreeze to occur last night. Cooler temperatures and some wind today should cause this refreeze to last longer than it has on previous days. Despite these cooling influences, the strong April sun will work to soften the snow on sun-exposed slopes this morning. By this afternoon rain showers below ~7500 ft will add to the warming and loose wet avalanches will become possible on steep slopes. Some of these could entrain enough snow to bury a person. Above ~7500 ft where precipitation is forecast to fall as snow, the refreeze may last through the day and significant loose wet avalanches may remain unlikely. 

    Expect firm icy snow conditions on slopes this morning. It may take longer for the snow surface to soften today and some areas may not soften at upper elevations. In areas where rain does fall on the snow, it will quickly become wet and unsupportable.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Recent warming and rain have continued to consolidate the layers in the snowpack making wet slabs less of a concern. Still, enough uncertainty surrounds wet slab avalanches that this problem deserves some consideration for now. If a wet slab avalanche does occur, it could involve enough snow to bury or injure a person.

    Using timing and terrain to avoid wet snow and/or steep terrain can help avoid wet slabs.

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday a firm refrozen surface existed in most places in the Carson Pass area and on Relay Peak in the morning. By mid-morning (9:30-10:30) this refreeze had already started to become unsupportable on sunny slopes below 8800 ft near Carson Pass and up to about 9600 ft on Relay Peak. 

Observers reported several recent loose wet avalanches large enough to bury a person in the Round Top/Summit City area. These likely occurred on Saturday. 

Regions covered