Central Sierra Nevada

Snow surface melt is expected today on slopes with wind protection and very direct sun exposure. The amount of surface wet snow formation will likely vary from one location to another around the forecast area. While a few wet snow roller balls or pinwheels are possible, avalanches remain unlikely at this time.

Normal caution

Off and on cloud cover is expected again today. Periods of delayed melt or slowed melt under passing cloud cover remain possible.  Slopes at higher elevations, with wind exposure, or indirect sun exposure could easily remain frozen all day. While more snow surface melt is expected today as compared to the last two days, the amount of warming and wet snow formation still shouldn't allow for much more than small roller balls or pinwheels. Problematic avalanche activity remains unlikely. It may feel like spring but we are not there yet. We still have a few more weeks where the days are still fairly short, the sun angle is still fairly low, and the amount of incoming solar radiation remains relatively weak.

Exercise Normal Caution in the backcountry by traveling in ways that minimize exposure to avalanche hazards even when risk is perceived as minimal. This includes traveling one at a time in avalanche terrain and regrouping in safe zones outside of avalanche terrain and runout zones.

Recent Observations:

* Variable snow surface conditions exist across the forecast area including firm ice, shallow unconsolidated snow, wind-packed surfaces, wind-scoured surfaces, breakable crusts, and spring-like melt/freeze snow.

* Some faceting has begun to occur in the upper snowpack in some areas on northerly aspects. Otherwise, the existing snowpack is well consolidated.

* Large cornices exist along many ridgelines. Some of these have deep fissures behind them where they have pulled away from the ridgetop.