Central Sierra Nevada

Avalanches continue to remain unlikely throughout the forecast region.  Warming temperatures today could create small areas of wet snow instabilities on sunny slopes.  Practice safe travel protocols to limit your risk when traveling in the backcountry.

Normal caution

Snowpack conditions observed and reported over the last week indicate a stable snowpack throughout our area.  Strong air temperature inversions along with areas of overnight cloud cover could allow for some small wet loose instabilities to form on sun exposed slopes today.  Any wet loose avalanche activity is expected to be small in size due to the short days and limited solar radiation received in mid-January.  Sunny gully features and/or areas around rocks or cliffs, would be the most likely locations of any wet loose avalanches.

Make a travel plan for your group before you head out into the backcountry.  Make sure your plan not only accounts for the avalanche hazard, but also that the terrain is appropriate for all of your teammates skill level.  Terrain choices while planning and managing terrain in the field can help adjust the exposure to the days concerns.  To minimize exposure to avalanche hazards, travel one at a time through avalanche terrain and regroup out of avalanche terrain and run out zones.   

Recent Observations:

* Variable snow surface conditions exist across the forecast area including firm ice, recent new snow over supportable crust, wind-packed surfaces, semi-supportable snow surfaces, pockets of unconsolidated snow, and wet spring type snow.

* Large cornices are common along ridgelines, often with deep fissures behind them.