Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Avalanche danger is LOW at all elevations.  Loose-wet sloughing could become possible on steep lower elevation SE-S-SW facing slopes as they warm from the sun.  A small isolated stubborn wind slab could cause a nasty fall in consequential terrain at higher elevations. Variable and challenging surface conditions are widespread.    

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Sunny skies, light winds and above freezing temperatures below 9,000’ should cause lower elevation slopes with southern exposure to become wet making roller-balling and loose-wet sloughing possible on steep slopes, particularly around rocks.  SE slopes will soften first, followed by S, then SW in the afternoon. While likely to remain relatively small, triggering one of these slow-moving slides could be enough to take you off your feet and lead to a bad fall. Time it so you travel on these slopes before they become unsupportable and mucky. 

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Yesterday morning’s dusting of new snow has been blown around by SW winds and then more northerly winds leading to some small shallow isolated pockets of wind slab. If you are travelling in more extreme upper elevation terrain today be on the lookout for a small dense drift or unsupported plate that could break under you and lead to nasty fall.

Avalanche Discussion

Prior to today winds have been honking for the past week, stripping much snow from mid to upper elevation slopes leaving a wide variety of challenging surface conditions.  Sastrugi to firm wind-board to breakable crusts abound, and with yesterday’s dusting of snow, add pockets of shallow wind-deposit to the mix. Sharp edges and metal points (crampons/ice ax) are recommended for travels beyond sheltered trees, as well as strong knees.    

RECENT OBSERVATIONS

-2/20 – June – Ghost Trees/Hemlock Ridge: Winds, conditions, snowpack

-2/20 – June – Hemlock Ridge: Winds, Conditions, snowpack

-2/20 – Mammoth Lakes Basin – Hammil Bowl: Tiny windslabs and graupel

-2/20 – Mammoth – Lakes Basin: Minimal new snow, faceting snow in sheltered trees

-2/20 – Mammoth – Punta Tele Bowls: Minimal new snow, conditions

-2/19 – Mammoth Lakes Basin – Hollywood Bowl: Winds, Loose Wet, Surface Hoar-2/18-19 - Bridgeport – Little Slide Canyon: Wind transport and surface conditions Obs 1, Obs 2, Obs 3.

-2/19 – Mammoth Lakes Basin – Red Cone: Winds and wind effects-2/18- Mammoth Area- Wind transport, surface conditions, and large facets in the lakes basin

Regions covered