Central Sierra Nevada

Avalanches remain unlikely across the region. Still, pay attention to the snow and terrain as you travel, and practice safe habits like moving one at a time through avalanche terrain and regrouping out of avalanche paths.  If you see any signs of unstable snow or unexpected conditions, choose a different route.

Normal caution

Expect variable snow surfaces, and plan your travel accordingly by targeting terrain and conditions appropriate for your group's skills and goals. Avalanches should remain unlikely in most places today, but something small on some isolated, wind-loaded terrain feature could have consequences in extreme terrain or around terrain traps. If you see any signs of unstable snow, such as snow surface cracking, or encounter unexpected or unwanted conditions, go ahead and change your plans. 

Tuesday night's snow covered the old variable snow surfaces with a trace to two-ish inches of new snow. Some isolated terrain features may still have small drifts of wind-blown snow. In the few places where smooth or soft snow surfaces existed before the storm, the new snow provided a decent refresh. In most places, the new snow just barely concealed the rough or uneven old snow surfaces. The new snow has started to assimilate, and some sunny slopes, where less than an inch of new snow fell, have already started to transition to spring-like melt-freeze conditions. Places that received more new snow will take longer to transition and may produce small roller balls or pinwheels as the day warms up, especially in areas filled in with wind-blown snow.

Deep open holes, open creeks, and ponded water persist around the forecast area, especially below 8,000' in low-lying areas, but some lurk at higher elevations as well.