Central Sierra Nevada

Firm and icy surfaces exist in many areas. Some sunny slopes may start to soften as the day warms up, but the gradual warming should not produce enough wet snow for large or widespread wet snow instabilities. Avalanches should remain unlikely today. Still, pay attention to changing conditions and adjust plans accordingly.

Normal caution

Since Tuesday's storm, the snowpack has consolidated and strengthened. In most areas below 9000 ft, thick refrozen rain crusts exist on or near the surface. Above 9000 ft., firm and dense snow exists. Expect widespread firm icy conditions on exposed slopes this morning. Daytime warming should create a shallow layer of softer wet snow on sunny SE-S-SW aspects today, especially below 8500 ft, similar to the thin wet surface layer that formed by midday on Thursday and Friday. These areas may start to refreeze quickly as cloud cover moves into the area this afternoon. The solid overnight refreeze, today's slightly stronger winds, and afternoon cloud cover should prevent deep wet snow or widespread wet snow instabilities from forming. Less sun-exposed slopes will likely remain frozen and firm today. 

Recent Observations:

• Yesterday observers reported some softening on sunny SE-S-SW aspects by midday. Other aspects and shady areas on the southerly aspects remained firm and frozen. Some of the northerly aspects do have a dusting of soft snow on top of the crusts. 
• Observers reported graupel and surface hoar on the snow surface in many areas yesterday.
• A large, widespread avalanche cycle occurred on Tuesday, March 14, during the last storm.  Widespread wind and wet slab avalanches have been reported, with large cornice collapses throughout the forecast region.  Many of these avalanches were up to size D3 with potentially a size D4.  See the observation page for more details.
• Rain on Tuesday, March 14, went up to 9000' and potentially higher in some areas.