Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Refrozen crusts near the surface will begin to melt with today's warm temperatures, and wet avalanches may become possible. Monitor the surface for warming as you travel, and reduce your exposure to steep terrain with deep, mushy snow near the surface at all elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Temperatures remained above freezing at most stations at middle and lower elevations across the zone again last night, and warm temperatures are expected again today. A minimal crust near the surface will soften quickly, and wet loose avalanches will become possible. Monitor warming surfaces as you travel, and move to more conservative terrain if the surface becomes unsupportable and wet. Fresh rollerballs and natural avalanches are signs that wet loose avalanches may be possible.

    (2/25/2026)

    Recent natural wet loose avalanche. This likely ran 2/25. Northwest aspect 9300 ft. on Table Mountain, Bishop Creek.

    Photo: Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

  • Wet Slabs

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

    Variability exists surrounding meltwater in our snowpack. South of Mammoth, water has percolated down to buried weak layers, and a stabilizing trend has been observed. With declining natural activity, these avalanches are now considered unlikely.  However, without a full-blown freeze at most middle and low elevation weather stations over the past 6 days, wet slab avalanches remain on the table. Continue to buffer your uncertainty today by reducing your exposure to steep slopes with deep, wet snow near the surface.

    (2/26/2026)

    Recent Slab Avalanche, San Joaquin Ridge

    Photo: Steve Mace

Avalanche Discussion

Our hearty little snowpack has been through a lot in the past 10 days. It is unlikely that a drizzle of isolated rain, light afternoon snowfall, and southwest winds up to 70 mph will bring any substantial uptick in avalanche hazard. We've been through worse.

A more substantial freeze occurred at upper elevations, and as a result, the wet slab avalanche problem is likely unreactive in the alpine. Sunny slopes may continue to soften at upper elevations before cloud cover increases, and it's still worth monitoring for loose instabilities. Middle and low-elevation terrain, as well as areas south of Mammoth, are the most likely to warm today. Monitor softening surfaces as you travel, and expect wet instabilities to become possible if the snow transitions to unsupportable, deep, and wet. 

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