Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

This morning's crusty snow will get wet and mushy as the day warms up, and wet loose avalanches will become possible. Once the snow feels wet or mushy, it's time to move away from slopes steep enough to avalanche. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    The strong April sun and warm weather should melt through the refrozen crusts that formed on the snow surface last night. Once this happens, wet loose avalanches will become possible. Wet snow will form on slopes that get morning sun first, then progress to other slopes as the sun moves across the sky. Due to the high sun angles and warm temperatures, wet snow may form on any aspect and at any elevation today. Wet loose avalanches could entrain enough snow to knock a person over or push them into a terrain trap that magnifies the consequences of an avalanche. On long, steep slopes, wet loose avalanches could grow larger since they gather more snow as they slide downhill.

    Monitor the snow conditions as the day warms up. Sinking into boot-top deep wet snow, roller balls, and pinwheels can indicate larger, wet loose avalanches may soon occur. Once the snow feels wet and unsupportable, it's time to move away from avalanche terrain onto less steep slopes.

    (4/3/2025)

    Natural wet loose avalanche off of rocks on an East aspect. Ran several hundred feet with a large debris pile, approaching D2 in size.  Porcupine Ridge

Avalanche Discussion

While triggering a wind slab avalanche has become unlikely in most of the forecast area, a few areas may still hold enough wind-blown snow for a small wind slab failure. In most places, these would remain small and inconsequential, but they could have consequences in more extreme terrain. 

Regions covered