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Out of date — this forecast expired 10 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

LOW avalanche danger exists for all elevations. Isolated old wind slabs may linger in near and above treeline terrain. Normal caution is advised.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    The 0 to 1 inch of new snow last night was insufficient to create new avalanche problems. The focus remains on old lingering wind slabs that are becoming increasingly difficult to trigger. Complex terrain in and around chutes and cliff bands is the type of terrain where instability tends to linger the longest. Signs of lingering instability preceding any human triggered avalanche activity that occurs today may not be obvious. Minimize risk by traveling one at a time on or under steep slopes, not grouping up in runout zones, and not relying on marginal islands of safety.

Avalanche Discussion

Observations made yesterday on Tamarack Peak (Mount Rose area) and in the Meiss Headwaters (Carson Pass area) revealed both near crust facets forming above the Dec 15 rain crust at the base of the recent storm snow and near surface facets forming within the recent storm snow. This matches well with other observations gathered over the past several days. Observations have indicated that faceting is most prevalent in wind protected, shaded areas especially between 8,500' and 9,000', but has been observed to exist between 8,000' and 9,500' around the forecast area. Locations that hold 3 inches to 1 foot of recent storm snow on top of the Dec 15 rain crust seem to have the most well developed facets. Snowpit tests have indicated that this combination of faceted weak layer above the crust and overlying slab of recent storm snow is unlikely to sustain propagation in its current state. This could easily change with new snow loading.

Regions covered