Central Sierra Nevada

While triggering an avalanche remains unlikely on a regional scale, some unstable snow may still exist on isolated terrain features especially where the snowpack remains shallow and weak. LOW avalanche danger exists for all elevations. Variable snow surfaces including firm icy crusts and wet heavy snow could create challenging conditions. Travel using normal caution and being willing to step back into safer terrain if warranted.

Normal caution

The clear skies overnight may have allowed some of yesterday's wet surface snow to refreeze in spite of the warm temperatures. As the day warms up, expect a mix of firm icy surfaces, breakable crusts, and wet snow. These snow conditions could present a challenge to backcountry travelers.

On the avalanche side of things, the weak layers buried in the snowpack still exist, but data and observations from most places indicate that avalanche activity remains unlikely. No avalanches have been reported on the persistent weak layer in the last 2 weeks. However, snowpit tests continue to yield unstable results on the Dec 11 facets in a few places - specifically in the Carson and Ebbetts Pass areas. Continue to use normal caution while traveling in the backcountry. Make observations and gather information about snowpack as you travel. Even though the avalanche danger is LOW, don't ignore signs of instability. Step back and use safer terrain if you encounter an area with signs of instability (these could include unstable snowpit test results, whumpfing, or cracking). 

Recent Observations:

*  Most recent observations show improving stability associated with Dec 11 persistent weak layer. In the northern 2/3rds of the forecast area, snowpit tests point to the layer going dormant. Some unstable test results have continued to occur in the southern 1/3rd of the forecast area, especially in the Carson Pass and Ebbetts Pass areas where the snowpack remains shallower and weaker overall.

* Unstable snowpack test results were reported from Red Lake Peak (Carson Pass area) on 1/12/2021 on the Dec 11 PWL.

* Observers reported wet snow and mist on Becker Peak (Echo Summit), Silver Peak (between Tahoe City and Truckee), Donner Peak (Donner Summit), and Mt. Lola (Little Truckee Summit) yesterday. Some small roller balls and pinwheels occurred on test slopes on Silver Peak and Mt. Lola. Snowpit data from these areas found the Dec 11 facet layer but did not find signs of instability associated with it.