Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

While it is becoming harder to trigger an avalanche, the potential consequences are still high. Uncertainty in the snowpack is best managed with patience and careful terrain choices. Avoid areas of thinner snow in steep, complex terrain, especially above terrain traps.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    A persistent weak layer of faceted snow formed in late November.  2 to 4 feet of snow from early December has settled over the weak layer to form a cohesive slab. Persistent slab avalanches release in surprising ways. They can propagate across and beyond terrain features that would otherwise confine surface instabilities such as wind or storm slabs. In some cases, persistent slab avalanches can be remotely triggered from adjacent slopes. You are most likely to trigger a persistent slab avalanche from areas of thinner snow where the weak layer is less than 3 feet below the snow surface. These weaknesses are most likely to be found on northerly aspects, near and above treeline, in steep, rocky terrain.

     

     

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Moderate west winds with stronger gusts moved snow above treeline yesterday in isolated areas. Where blowing snow drifted into leeward terrain thin wind slabs may have formed over weak surface snow. The main hazard is in extreme terrain where the consequences of being caught and carried could be high. In areas where the persistent slab problem exists a wind slab avalanche could step down into deeper layers causing a larger more destructive avalanche. Take note of changes in the surface snow around terrain features that block or re-direct winds. Shooting cracks in the upper snowpack and small thin slabs on test slopes may mean you can trigger a wind slab in your area.

    (12/21/2022)

    Blowing snow Above Treeline in Rock Creek loading an E slope. 12/21/22

Avalanche Discussion

Uncertainty is high surrounding the likelihood of triggering the persistent slab problem. While there have been no human-triggered avalanches in the forecast area since the last storm, ski touring parties are still reporting signs of unstable snow such as collapses and shooting cracks. In the backcountry around Mammoth Lakes, the snowpack is deeper and therefore stronger than in the rest of the region.

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