Central Sierra Nevada

Up to a couple of inches of surface wet snow may form today on slopes with very direct sun exposure and protection from the wind. Avalanches remain unlikely. 

Normal caution

Less surface wet snow formation is expected today due to slightly cooler daytime air temperatures and some convective cooling from SW wind. Up to a couple of inches of surface wet snow may form on SE-S-SW aspects with direct sun exposure and wind protection. The most surface wet snow is expected below about 8,000' today. Less melt will occur at higher elevations and will be more limited to due S aspects. Slopes with indirect sun exposure and/or exposure to the wind will likely remain frozen all day. Avalanches are unlikely.

Make a plan with your partners that matches your collective skills and goals with today's snow conditions. Continue to use best-practice backcountry travel techniques. This includes trailhead transceiver checks and allowing only one person at a time to pass through avalanche terrain while keeping your partners in view.

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.