Avalanche forecast

Central Sierra Nevada

Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

Another round of heavy snowfall last night and early this morning combined with gale force winds and intense blowing and drifting snow is keeping unstable and dangerous avalanche conditions ongoing in the backcountry. Large avalanches could run down into treed areas below. Travel in, near, or below avalanche terrain is not recommended today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3

    New snow and gale force SW winds have kept unstable slabs of wind drifted snow (wind slabs) an ongoing problem anywhere blowing and drifting snow has accumulated. Wind slabs were observed in less common locations yesterday including normally wind sheltered areas below treeline. This was in addition to the usual locations near treeline and above treeline on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects. Unstable wind slabs will remain a problem today in these same areas.

    If traveling non-avalanche terrain below treeline today, have exact knowledge of the terrain above you with consideration for the possibility that avalanches from above could run down into the woods below. Route plan anticipating poor visibility that does not allow you to see the terrain above you.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour from late last night into early this morning added an additional 1 to 2.5 feet of new snow over the past 24 hours. Unstable storm slabs formed by weakess from such rapid accumulation may exist in any wind protected locations below treeline today. Snow surface cracking or signs of recent avalanches are indications to avoid avalanche terrain today.

Regions covered