Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Previous strong winds have blown snow into areas below ridges and gully features.  Winds have decreased in speed and changed direction with limited blowing snow expected today.  Avalanches have become unlikely, normal caution is advised while traveling in the backcountry.

Avalanche Discussion

Normal caution

Recent strong to gale force NE winds have blown snow over to SE-S-SW-W-NW aspects in near and above treeline areas, with some new wind slabs being formed below ridges and in gully features over the last few days.  NE winds started to decrease yesterday afternoon with less blowing snow observed at the higher elevations.  Winds have shifted to the SW early this morning and should remain mostly light today.  Some lingering wind slabs could continue to exist in isolated areas, but these would be expected to be small in size and not extend downslope very far.

Sunny skies are expected for most of today with a gradual warming trend into the weekend.  Melt freeze crusts exist on most E-SE-S-SW-W aspects.  Wet loose instabilities are not expected to occur today, aside from the possible small roller ball or pinwheel.  Wind scoured surfaces exist in most all near and above treeline areas with soft unconsolidated snow continuing to exist on northerly aspects in wind protected below treeline terrain.

As always, keep a lookout for signs of instability while traveling in the backcountry like: recent avalanche activity, blowing snow, and snow surface cracking.  Practice good travel techniques by moving through avalanche terrain one at a time and regrouping in safe areas away from steep terrain.  

Recent Observations:

  • Unconsolidated snow, unaffected by previous melt lingers on shaded northerly aspects in wind protected terrain below treeline.
  • Melt-freeze crust exists on most sun-exposed slopes.
  • About one to two feet below the snow surface, older weak layers of buried surface hoar, near-surface facets, and/or graupel remain in some areas. Observations indicate a trend of increasing stability on these layers with improved bonding and decreasing reactivity in snowpit tests.

Regions covered