Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You could trigger large avalanches where new wind slabs are not bonding well to yesterday's firm snow surface. Step back from terrain features that block or redirect the wind. Shooting cracks and slabs on small test slopes are warning signs that nearby slopes are unstable. Limit exposure to overhead hazards from leeward avalanche paths.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    So far the storm has delivered accumulations ranging from 0” up to 10” depending on the region. The highest storm totals were recorded around Mammoth Lakes and along the Sierra crest.  Strong winds have been largely out of the south and southwest with mostly light winds below the treeline. While winds are expected to decrease over the next 24 hours, they will be sufficient to continue building slabs, especially above the treeline. Expect the size and distribution of fresh wind slabs to be greater in areas with higher snow totals. Large drifts, recent cornice growth, hollow upside-down feeling snow, and uneven snow surfaces are all clues that indicate nearby wind deposits. Do your own localized assessments and be suspect of terrain features that encourage drifting, such as the leeward sides of ridgelines, alpine couloirs, gully features, and cross-loaded depressions. One additional consideration is the possibility of natural avalanches running further than expected. It is a good idea to avoid the tracks and runouts of leeward avalanche paths in the terrain above you.

    Size 2 human-triggered wind slab.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Overnight, up to 10" of new snow fell on melt-freeze crusts from the past week of warm sunny weather. On wind-protected slopes, dry loose avalanches may be a factor today. The terrain where these avalanches are most concerning is steep slopes that have a long vertical run where sluffing snow can entrain the snow below it, building into a larger avalanche.  Good examples of this sort of terrain are long couloirs or other wind-protected steep or extreme terrain that is far enough below ridgelines to protect the snow from wind effect. If transitioning to steep terrain be alert for significant accumulations of new snow that is not bonding well to itself or the old snow surface. In these situations limit exposure to long steep snow slopes overhead, be careful to avoid starting loose snow avalanches above other members of your group, and be aware of terrain traps below you.

    (3/16/2024)

    Dry loose avlaanche on a northwest aspect above the South Lake Road.

    Photo: Everett Phillips

Avalanche Discussion

Recent avalanche activity: No slab avalanches have been reported in over a week. Following five days of small natural and human-triggered wet loose avalanche activity no new wet loose avalanches were reported yesterday.

Snow surfaces and new snow: The recent period of sunny spring weather led to the development of melt-freeze crusts on most aspects at all elevations. At upper elevations shaded, northerly slopes held onto cold dry snow. In areas protected from the wind, even above treeline, near-surface facet and surface hoar development were reported at the top of a dusting of loose dry snow from 3/16. It will be worth tracking the aspect and elevation of any slab avalanche activity today to see which new/old interfaces are bonding well and which may hold lingering instability.

 

Regions covered