Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

SE-S-SW-W-NW aspects loaded by the NE winds in near and above treeline terrain may hold some pockets of MODERATE avalanche danger on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. These pockets of higher avalanche danger will most likely exist on slopes that had previous snow cover near ridgelines where the most new snow fell. Human-triggered wind slab avalanches may be possible in these areas.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    The winds shifted to the north and east last night and have remained strong enough to redistribute the new snow that fell yesterday afternoon and evening. These winds have scoured the traditionally wind loaded aspects and deposited new wind slabs on top of frozen crusts on some of the SE-S-SW-W-NW aspects. Human triggered avalanches involving these wind slabs will be possible today. Most of these wind slabs should remain limited to areas near ridgelines, remain relatively small, and should not extend very far down slope due to the limited amount of snow available for transport. However, some larger wind slabs may exist in the most heavily wind loaded areas and in areas that received more new snow.

    Snow conditions today will be a mix of scoured frozen crusts, dust on crust, and wind slabs depending on aspect, elevation, and exposure.

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday on Andesite Ridge new snow started to fall around 2pm and deposited a layer of graupel (ball bearing shaped snow) on top of the frozen crusts that existed on all aspects. This crust varied from supportable to breakable in the Andesite area. Snowpit data started to hint at a possible weak layer forming just below the frozen rain crust on northerly aspects.

Regions covered