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Out of date — this forecast expired 11 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger remains LOW for all elevations and aspects. Areas of wet surface snow that form today are not expected to pose a significant hazard to backcountry travelers. Normal caution is advised.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Avalanche concerns for today are minimal. Despite air temperatures remaining above freezing in most mid and upper elevation areas last night, a decent overnight snow surface refreeze is expected to have occurred due to radiational cooling under clear skies. Areas of surface wet snow are expected to form in response to daytime warming on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects. Snow surface conditions are expected to remain supportable well into the afternoon hours. Any areas of loose wet snow instability that form this afternoon are expected to remain small and shallow, not posing a significant hazard to backcountry travelers.

Avalanche Discussion

Observations made yesterday on Red Vista/Elephant's Hump (Carson Pass area) and on Tamarack Peak (Mount Rose area) matched well with other recent observations from around the forecast area indicating stable snowpack conditions. Well established melt-freeze conditions exist on top of a well consolidated and well bonded snowpack in the majority of areas. The notable exception is isolated areas of near surface facets up to 15 cm thick at the snow surface sitting on top of high density rain crust. These facets have been observed in near treeline and below treeline terrain on NW-N-NE aspects that have at least some shade and moderate protection from NE winds. Without an overlying slab, these near surface facets are not a stability concern for today. They will however become a layer to keep an eye on if new snow loading occurs this weekend as is currently forecast.

Regions covered