Eastside Region

LOW avalanche danger exists at all elevations. Be on the lookout for isolated areas of unstable snow such as denser cross loaded wind deposits, and fresh cornices on Northerly-Easterly terrain adjacent to ridgeline in the alpine. Warming and shedding of loose snow and rock on Southerly aspects should also be considered today. Avalanche hazard may increase this evening and tonight as the next storm moves into the zone with a projected 2-7” of snow and increasing southwest winds.

*Please join us for a public debrief around the high-profile avalanche accident that occurred on January 30th, 2021 in the Punta Bardini area.  This virtual event is taking place on Thursday, March 18th at 7 pm and more information can be found HERE.*

In regards to snow conditions and riding quality, March has been the winner now the past two seasons with late winter storms hitting the Eastern Sierra on a weekly basis rather than the doldrums of extended dry periods during the early winter months. There has been a lot of backcountry riding taking place all over the zone the past week with folks getting deeper into terrain and skiing lines for the first time this winter.  There have been reports of isolated small wind slabs being reactive in northerly terrain up high in the alpine in McGee Canyon/Esha area, as well as some reactive and naturally shedding cornices on actively wind loading ridgelines on the Dana plateau. Warm temperatures, longer days, and increasing intensity of solar gain has also loosened solar aspects daily with some small loose wet activity occurring early this week on south aspects. Cooling southwest winds and cloudy conditions today should help temper dramatic warming effects. Although there is no major avalanche problems slated for today, remain cognizant that it’s an extremely large forecast zone and weather and snowpack conditions can vary greatly from the southern end of the zone near Bishop all the way up to Mono lake area. Take the time to do your own evaluations for the day’s route and be aware of changing conditions, especially if our slated storm starts to hit the zone early with snowfall and increased winds. Cloudy conditions could also potentially exacerbate warming and produce slight greenhouse conditions  in certain  wind sheltered areas  today where heat will be amplified.

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RECENT OBSERVATIONS:

3/17 – Mammoth area – warming on solars

3/17 - Mammoth Crest -snow conditions/ isolated wind slabs

3/17 – Lundy Canyon –snow conditions/warming

3/17 – Mammoth Area – Red Cone – snow conditions

3/17 - Mammoth Area – San Joaquin Ridge – recent wet loose activity

3/17 - June Lake Area – White wing – conditions

*Scroll up and click on “Observations” tab to see listing of past 20 observations, or click on the “Resources” menu --> “ESAC Observations” to see listing of all observations