Central Sierra Nevada

Slab avalanches are unlikely today. Very small, shallow sluffs of wet or dry snow could be triggered in steep terrain. Adjust your travel plans and terrain selection if you encounter cracking, deep slush, or any other unexpected conditions.

Normal caution

Snow surfaces range from firm to soft and dry to wet depending on wind protection, sun exposure, and time of day. In steep terrain, it is possible to trigger very small, shallow sluffs of wet snow or dry snow depending on the surface conditions (sun vs shade). Adjust your travel plans and terrain selection if you encounter cracking, deep slush, or any other unexpected conditions.

Observations and data from across the forecast area indicate that the snowpack continues to consolidate and gain strength. The last reported slab avalanche large enough to bury a person occurred on Jan 8. Minor, isolated areas of blowing snow and small wet snow instabilities have occurred in recent days.  Variable snow surface conditions exist across the region. Melt-freeze conditions exist on slopes with fairly direct sun exposure. Slopes that face away from the sun hold softer, dry snow, especially where wind protected. Expect to encounter a wide mix of surface conditions in the areas that border on wind protected vs wind exposed, and on sun exposed vs shaded.

Deep open holes, open creeks, and ponded water persist around the forecast area, mainly below 8,000' in low-lying areas and in isolated distribution at higher elevations.