Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago.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. Difficult to trigger wind slabs exist in recently wind loaded areas, mainly near treeline and above treeline. Human triggered avalanches are unlikely today but not impossible.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Drifting snow has diminished. NE wind speeds have decreased and snow available for transport has become limited. Difficult to trigger wind slabs exist in a variety of areas. The majority of wind slabs exist near treeline and above treeline on S-SW-W-NW aspects, but look for them in other wind exposed areas. Firm wind slabs that sit on top of weak, faceted snow are the most suspect. Avalanche size up to D2 is possible (large enough to bury or injure a person).

    Look for unstable snow in isolated areas. Identify suspect areas where recently wind drifted snow has deposited using clues such as wind pillows and firm, textured snow surfaces. The unlikely human triggered avalanche could be a bit of a surprise today, so avoid being lulled into a sense of security and complacency. Keep a substantial margin of safety by employing best practices for travel in avalanche terrain (see Bruce Tremper's "Ten Commandments of Low-Risk Travel").

Avalanche Discussion

* NE winds were observed to create areas of drifting snow yesterday morning in near treeline and above treeline areas.

* Small wind slabs have been observed on numerous aspects in wind exposed areas, mainly near treeline and above treeline. In some areas these wind slabs sit on top of weak faceted snow.

* The snowpack continues to facet in many locations, especially on northerly aspects that hold a shallow snowpack. This remains a monitoring concern up to the next new snow loading event.

Regions covered