Moderate avalanche danger continues today due to a wind slab avalanche problem. These wind slabs exist in near treeline and above treeline terrain. Human triggered avalanches remain possible today. Low avalanche danger continues in below treeline areas.
Human triggered wind slab avalanches remain possible on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects. Increasing SW winds throughout today will continue to build and create new wind slabs in near and above treeline areas. Look for blowing snow, cornice formation, and wind pillows. Avoid steep wind loaded terrain that is being actively wind loaded.
Observations were made and received from Incline Lake Peak (Mt. Rose area), Jakes Peak (West Shore area), National Geo Bowl (Squaw Valley area), The Nipple (Carson Pass area), Donner Ridge (Donner Summit area), and Fireplug (Mt. Rose area). Avalanches were reported from Fireplug, Incline Lake Peak, and National Geo Bowl. Most of these were wind slab avalanches with a storm slab reported from Fireplug. All of these avalanches were 1 foot deep or less failing within the recent storm snow. Minor loose dry sluffing was reported from Donner Summit, West Shore, and Carson Pass areas with no additional signs of instabilities. Most observations reported previous wind scouring and wind slab development. Areas saw partly cloudy to mostly cloudy conditions with some long sun breaks throughout the day. Wet snow and sun crusts were reported on E-SE-S-SW aspects by the afternoon.
