Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Strong winds continue to create drifted areas of snow.  These wind slabs resulted in many avalanches yesterday throughout the forecast region.  Use caution near or below slopes where blowing snow or cornices are present.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    SW winds will increase again today transporting snow and creating areas of dense wind slabs.  Plenty of light, unconsolidated snow exists for strong SW winds forecasted today to move snow.  These wind slabs will form, or be building on wind slabs that formed yesterday, in open near and above treeline areas.  Cornices will continue to grow and build out and could be fragile.   

    Blowing snow, building cornices, and textured snow surfaces should help you figure out which slopes and terrain to avoid.  Wind slab avalanches were reactive yesterday and are expected to continue today and grow larger in size.  This avalanche problem does not exist in wind protected below treeline areas.    

    (12/29/2021)

    Natural wind slab avalanche on Hidden Peak, West Shore area, at 9,000.

    Photo: Liz Wigylus

Avalanche Discussion

* Natural and human triggered wind slab avalanches were reported throughout the forecast area yesterday in near and above treeline areas.  All of these avalanches reported were small D1 in size, with some crown lines up to 1 foot deep.

* Snowpack depths above 7000' are in the 10 to 16 + foot range!

Regions covered