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

Early this morning, avalanche danger is LOW for all elevations. MODERATE avalanche danger will form quickly during the mid to late morning hours as loose wet avalanche problems develop at all elevations in response to daytime warming. Start early and exit avalanche terrain early. Avoid travel on or below steep slopes with wet snow and no supportable surface crust.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Another relatively poor snow surface refreeze is expected to have occurred last night. Radiational cooling under clear skies will have formed surface crusts in open areas that are expected to be supportable early this morning. These crusts will melt quickly today and become unsupportable. Once supportable crusts are melted away, loose wet avalanches will be possible. This avalanche problem is expected to start during the mid to late morning hours and last through this evening. As daytime warming progresses, this loose wet avalanche problem is expected to spread to all aspects and elevations. Avalanche size could be large enough to bury a person, especially if a terrain trap is involved.

    Start early and exit from avalanche terrain early. Avoid travel on or below steep slopes with wet snow and no supportable surface crust.

Avalanche Discussion

Observations made and received yesterday from Angora Peak (Echo summit area), Silver peak (Pole Creek area), and Andesite Peak (Donner Summit area) all indicated that a relatively poor snow surface refreeze had occurred the night before. Little to no refreeze had occurred in areas under forest canopy. Open areas held around 2 inches of melt-freeze surface crust that lost supportability between 9:30 and 11 am. Deep wet snow was noted in numerous areas from 10:30 am to 1 pm onwards.

Regions covered