Central Sierra Nevada

Problèmes avalancheux

• 

  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpin
  • Limite forestière
  • Sous la limite forestière

  Probabilité

  Likely

  Taille

  1–2

  Strong solar radiation will occur today even with some periods of thin cloud cover expected.  Wet loose avalanches will quickly become likely as the recent storm snow becomes wet from the warm temperatures and strong late March sunshine.  These wet loose avalanches could occur on most aspects and elevations as rapid warming occurs.  Many of these wet instabilities will be small in size, but larger wet loose avalanches are also expected to run long distances on steeper slopes entraining more of the recent storm snow.  Terrain traps; like cliffs, rocks, and trees- could magnify the consequences of even small wet loose avalanches today.

  As solar radiation intensifies, slopes will develop deep wet snow.  Roller balls and pinwheels may be indicators that the surface snow is becoming wet and capable of producing larger avalanches.  As the snow becomes deep and wet, it’s time to move away from avalanche terrain or change aspects to where colder snow exists.

  

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpin
  • Limite forestière
  • Sous la limite forestière

  Probabilité

  Possible

  Taille

  1–2

  Wind slabs that have formed during our recent storm may remain reactive today.  Multiple wind slab avalanches have been reported over the last couple days throughout the forecast region.  Winds have shifted from the S-SW to mostly W over the last 24 hours and could remain strong enough to transport snow, building new wind slabs.  Strong solar radiation could weaken these existing wind slabs potentially leading to easier to trigger avalanches today.  This would be most concerning on NE-E-SE aspects that receive direct sun starting this morning.

  Look for blowing snow, wind pillows, snow surface clues, and cornice formation.  Newly formed cornices may also weaken and fail due to rapid warming today.  Wind slab avalanches could be large enough to injure or bury a backcountry user.  Make a plan to move around wind loaded areas and slopes below large cornices.