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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Highlights

MODERATE avalanche danger continues for all aspects below 9,000' on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to ongoing loose wet avalanche problems. The minimal amount of new snow that has deposited under light wind conditions over the upper elevations is not expected to have created new avalanche problems. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. Identify and avoid the areas where unsupportable deep wet snow exists.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Continued rain on snow and new snow falling on a 0 deg C wet snow surface will keep loose wet instability ongoing today on all aspects in areas below 9,000'. With the rain amounts that occurred over the past 24 hours, free water drainage is becoming increasingly well established on NW-N-NE aspects below 8,500' to 9,000'. The vast majority of today's instability is expected to take the form of loose wet avalanches, however isolated wet slab and glide avalanches are not impossible.

    Widespread areas of deep wet snow currently exist and will continue to exist through the day today. Evaluate areas of wet snow for supportability. If in doubt, step off of equipment and observed the depth of body weight boot penetration into wet snow. Anything deeper than 8 to 10 inches is problematic. Avoid travel on or below slopes 35 degrees and steeper when unsupportable deep wet snow conditions are present.

Avalanche Discussion

Observations made yesterday on Becker Ridge (Echo Summit area) revealed a mix of rain and snow up to the high point of travel at 8,000' during the morning hours. Generally light to moderate rain was observed with periods of snowfall down to 7,900' during bursts of higher intensity precipitation. No accumulation was observed. A saturated wet snow surface existed on all aspects. At 8,000', wet snow made up at least the top 2 feet of the snowpack on N aspects. Ski cuts on N aspect test slopes steeper than 40 degrees produced shallow loose wet avalanche activity.

Regions covered