Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago.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

LOW avalanche danger will occur for most of today at all elevations. Following the onset of precipitation, the trend of increasing avalanche danger will begin with MODERATE avalanche danger forming tonight as wind slabs develop near treeline and above treeline. An avalanche watch has been issued for expected periods of HIGH avalanche danger Saturday morning into Tuesday morning.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    For most of the day today, no specific avalanche problem will exist. Following the onset of snowfall late today, a wind slab avalanche problem will begin to form this evening. The vast majority of wind slabs that form within the next 24 hours will occur near treeline and above treeline on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects. Slopes below or adjacent to cornice features will be the most suspect.

    Normal caution will be appropriate travel advice for most of today. This evening into the predawn hours Saturday, a wind slab problem will need to be managed by identifying and carefully evaluating travel on or below slopes where wind drifted snow is depositing.

Avalanche Discussion

*Recent observations from around the forecast area have identified melt-freeze snow surface conditions on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects. NW-N-NE aspects have either thin melt-freeze crust on the surface or have escaped snow surface melt in the steeper shaded areas.

* Some small surface hoar was noted on N-NE aspects yesterday on Stevens Peak (Carson Pass area) in near to above treeline terrain. Any locations where surface hoar persists and becomes buried by new snow tonight could have greater instability in the coming days. Have a look around out there today for surface hoar that could become buried.

* Below the snow surface, the existing snowpack is well bonded on all aspects and is in good condition to handle new snow loading. Avalanche activity during the upcoming storm cycle is expected to occur either at the old/new snow interface or within the storm snow.

Regions covered