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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Early season conditions exist with limited terrain available for over the snow recreation.  LOW avalanche danger continues throughout the forecast region, normal caution is advised.  This forecast is valid for 2 days and will be updated on Friday November 27 by 7am.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Early season conditions with a thin snowpack remains the greatest hazard for backcountry users.  The snowpack is mostly supportable which provides useable conditions and helps to avoid many of the obstacles that exist by staying on top of the snow.  Caution should still be used as there are many rocks, bushes, ground, tree stumps, etc, that could prematurely end your season.  Strong winds today are only expected to move light amounts of snow with limited snow available for transport.  Our snowpack continues to settle and gain strength with no present reactive weak layers.  

    Use normal caution by coming up with a travel plan with your group, regrouping out of avalanche terrain, and carrying avalanche rescue gear.  This is a great time to get all of your winter gear organized and get out and practice avalanche rescue skills with your partners.     

Avalanche Discussion

A shallow, but mostly supportable, snowpack exists throughout the forecast region.  1-2 feet of snow is on northerly aspects above 8600' in the Mt. Rose area and above 7800' along the Sierra Crest.  More snow exists in the northerly portion of the forecast region at this point.  Snow melt and loss has occurred on all southerly aspects with bare ground showing in many locations.  The previously problematic Nov 13 facet layer has gained strength, started to round, and is no longer reactive.  Several things are occurring on the snow surface which could present future concerns.  Surface faceting is underway with our cold nights and clear skies.  Surface hoar has also formed along with large graupel that fell with the dusting of snow we received on Sunday night.  These are potential future issues and do not pose a concern until we get our next storm and potentially bury these layers.

Regions covered