Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago.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

Highlights

Triggering avalanches will be possible today where wind-blown snow piles up on open slopes near ridges and gullies. Look out for any signs of wind-drifted snow, like blowing snow, smooth pillow-like areas of snow, or overhangs of snow above a slope. Use these clues to plan routes around suspect terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The strong SW winds moved snow back across the ridges yesterday afternoon and continued through the night as 2 to 6 inches of new snow accumulated. Today, expect to find new slabs of wind-drifted snow on open slopes near ridges, gullies and couloirs, and cross-loaded areas. The largest and most fragile wind slabs should exist on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects in near and above treeline terrain. However, some smaller wind slabs may still linger on other aspects due to the previous NE winds. Wind slabs will rest on top of a mix of old surfaces ranging from wind-sculpted snow to exposed rain crusts. People can trigger wind slab avalanches large enough to bury them today. 

    A patchwork of wind-scoured and wind-loaded areas exists in near and above treeline terrain. Look closely for any signs of wind loading on a slope before committing to it. Blowing snow, cornices above a slope, snow drifts, and smooth hollow sounding snow can all indicate the presence of wind slabs. Focusing on areas sheltered from the wind represents one tactic that could help mitigate the risk of encountering an unstable wind slab and increase the chances of finding consistent soft snow.

    (1/2/2023)

    Blowing snow along the ridge on Hidden Peak in near treeline terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

 

  • "Punchy," upside-down conditions have been reported around the forecast area at all elevations on sheltered and exposed terrain. While this has made travel trickier, no signs of instability have been reported associated with this slightly upside-down layering. 
  • No new avalanches were reported yesterday.
  • No additional reports of storm slab instability were received yesterday.
  • Recent winds have scoured away the recent storm snow and exposed a firm icy rain crust in a variety of near treeline and above treeline areas, especially below 9,000'.

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