Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

It remains possible to trigger an avalanche today. While triggering an avalanche has become less likely, the consequences of one releasing would be high. Evaluate terrain carefully, and seek out lower-angle, sheltered terrain if you experience signs of instability like collapsing or shooting cracks.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Persistent slab avalanches are becoming harder to trigger, but remain a consideration today. You are more likely to observe instabilities regarding this problem in the southern part of the forecast area where a shallower snowpack exists and buried weak layers may be more sensitive to a rider's weight. Poor snowpack structure has been thoroughly catalogued at all elevations, and on northwest through north and east slopes. On 2/21, a skier triggered a persistent slab avalanche in Bishop Creek on a north aspect below treeline. This slide was large enough to bury a person.

    Recent avalanches on wind-protected polar slopes are an obvious sign of a persistent problem, but often feedback is limited. Collapses, whumphs, and shooting cracks can be indicators of a persistent slab problem. These types of avalanches can act in unpredictable ways, and can break higher than usual or be triggered from flat terrain. Suspect slopes should be given a wider terrain margin than with other new-snow avalanche problems.

    (2/21/2026)

    Red Mountain. North facing 9500. 

    Photo: Sean Smollen

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Moderate to strong southwest winds have moved much of the available snow around near and above treeline over the past two days. These winds deposited snow on lee slopes near ridges, and cross-loaded snow into gullies and favored terrain features.  Winds eased yesterday afternoon and overnight, and wind slabs today will be stiff and on the stubborn side. A relatively small wind slab avalanche may be a large enough trigger to affect buried weak layers and step down to a larger avalanche.

    Look for recent avalanches, cornices, and smooth drifts below ridgelines and gullies for clues of lingering wind slabs. Surface cracking in these areas may indicate that a wind slab is still reactive. Consider avoiding these slopes if you encounter signs of wind slab instability.

    (1/2/2026)

    Shooting crack on the left. Small wind slab avalanche on the right, NE 9300'.

    Photo: Sean Smollen

Avalanche Discussion

Our snowpack continues to adjust from a major winter storm ending on 2/19. The trend today is a stabilizing one, but the danger remains elevated due to inherent uncertainty around persistent slab avalanche problems. These avalanches can behave in atypical ways, and deserve patience and extra consideration. 

If you choose to ride in avalanche terrain today, keep your group management tight. Suspect slopes are worth extra discussion and expanded safety margins. Persistent slab avalanches are notorious for affecting slopes historically thought of as "safe". Consider taking an extra step back at the top of your run and rethinking the spots where you regroup. Its worth understanding that while the likelihood of triggering a persistent slab avalanche is becoming low, a resulting slide would be large and the consequences would be high.

There is still lots of good snow to be found on lower-angle slopes, not connected to the avalanche terrain, and you can avoid this risk altogether by seeking out these areas.

Tomorrow, a warm and wet storm moves into the region, and will change the avalanche hazard so stay tuned.

Regions covered