Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations. Normal caution is advised.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Improving snowpack stability coming out of the last storm cycle has made triggering an avalanche unlikely at this time on a regional scale. Unlikely is not impossible, especially for the isolated occurrence of a one-off human triggered avalanche somewhere within the forecast area. Use the ideas of normal caution to minimize consequences of the isolated avalanche event. Create a travel plan, stick to your travel plan, carry companion rescue gear, actively look for evidence of instability while on the snow, communicate well within your group, and expose only one person at a time to avalanche terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

* Deeply buried facet layers below the recent storm snow continue to gain strength and are now very difficult to collapse. In some locations, some snowpit tests indicate that these layers retain the ability to propagate. Monitoring of these layers remains prudent up to the next new snow loading event.

* The previously unsupportable upper snowpack has become supportable in most areas.

* Recently formed wind slabs on the snow surface appear to have bonded well to the upper snowpack.

Regions covered