Central Sierra Nevada

Cold temperatures with very high winds will make travel difficult today with increased wind chills and exposure concerns.  Very limited snow surface softening is expected on sun exposed slopes leaving mostly firm conditions.  Avalanche activity continues to remain unlikely. 

Normal caution

Cold and very windy conditions are expected throughout the forecast region today as a dry cold front makes it way past our area.  Highs above 8000' will be in the teens to low/mid 20's.  NE to E winds have increased from yesterday into the gale force range, blowing 50 to 80mph over the Sierra Crest with gusts near and over 100mph. Travel in upper elevation exposed terrain today will be very challenging to impossible, with high wind speeds and exposure concerns.  With these winds and cold temperatures, very limited snow surface softening is expected on sun exposed slopes today.  With limited amounts of soft snow available, any areas of blowing snow are not expected to form any wind slab avalanche concerns.

If heading into the backcountry today, make sure you make a plan that chooses terrain appropriate for the current conditions.  Terrain choices should also be appropriate for the skill level of the group and should address any additional gear you may need to safely pull off your objective.

Recent Observations:

• Snow surface conditions remain highly variable across the forecast area. Expect to encounter firm ice, firm snow, shallow soft snow, breakable crusts, and melt-freeze snow.
• A well-bonded and consolidated snowpack exists across nearly all aspects and elevations. Gradual near-surface faceting continues to weaken the top portion of the snowpack on most NW-N-NE aspects with wind protection.  A new snow load is needed on top of this developing weak layer before slab avalanche problems occur.