Central Sierra Nevada

When and how much the snow softens depends on cloud cover and wind. Sunny low and mid-elevation slopes will have more soft wet snow, while shady slopes and windy areas up high may stay mostly frozen. Avalanches are unlikely.

Normal caution

This morning's cloud cover could slow down the formation of soft, wet snow on some slopes. As clouds dissipate and the day warms up, enough melting should occur to form a shallow layer of soft, wet snow on sunny mid and lower elevation SE-S-SW aspects. Cool E and NE winds along the ridges may keep the snow surfaces firmer at the higher elevations today. If the clouds persist longer than forecast, expect more widespread frozen snow surfaces. Today's warming should not create enough wet snow for significant wet-snow instabilities.

Careful pre-trip planning can help your group find conditions and terrain that fit your skills and goals.  Continue using best-practice backcountry travel techniques like carrying proper safety gear, doing trailhead transceiver checks, only putting one person on a slope at a time, and keeping your partner in view. 

Recent Observations:

• Snow surface conditions remain highly variable across the forecast area. Expect to encounter firm ice, all kinds of wind-affected snow, firm wind-packed 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.