Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Areas of MODERATE avalanche danger may exist this morning in locations that did not refreeze last night. In areas that did refreeze last night, MODERATE avalanche danger will develop at all elevations as daytime warming progresses. Loose wet avalanche problems are expected today at all elevations. Last night's snow surface refreeze is expected to have been relatively poor in the areas where it occurred.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Above freezing air temperatures and periods of cloud cover last night are expected to have produced a relatively poor overnight snow surface refreeze. Forecast cloud cover this morning may slow the snow surface melt rate, possibly leading to a widow of supportable travel conditions on open slopes early this morning.  If skies are sunny, expect areas of instability to form rapidly. Areas of loose wet instability will develop at all elevations in response to daytime warming on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects as well as lower elevation NW-N-NE aspects.

    If little to no evidence of snow surface refreeze from last night exists in treed areas, know that any refreeze that exists on open slopes is fairly poor and very superficial. When surface snow becomes unsupportable and deep wet snow is exposed, it is time to move to a colder aspect, slopes less than 30 degrees in slope angle without steeper terrain above, or leave the area.

Avalanche Discussion

Observations were made yesterday on Castle Peak (Donner Summit area) and on Squaw Ridge near Silver Lake (Carson Pass area). In both locations, a decent to good snow surface refreeze lasted into the mid day hours. Greater than forecast cloud cover slowed the snow surface melt rate and extended the window of supportable travel conditions. By the afternoon hours, deep wet snow with some signs of instability was observed in wind protected areas.

Regions covered