Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all elevations. The key considerations today will be warming and loosening of new snow on solar aspects and fresh wind slab. NE-NW winds have been building and will continue to build Wind Slab on SE-S-SW-W aspects particularly in the alpine.  Plenty of fresh snow (4-24”storm total), northerly winds, sunny skies, and warming temperatures will set up conditions for the de-stabilization of fresh Wind Slabs and Wet Loose point release activity on sunny SE-S-SW-W aspects. Pay particular attention today if you’re traveling up or within constricted terrain that can be affected from above by shedding snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Northeast winds are forecast to rotate to the NW today and will continue to load new low density snowfall to southerly and westerly aspects. The upper elevations and exposed wind prone mid elevations on SE-S-SW-S aspects are of particular concern for wind slab development. The increased solar gain and warm temps today may help to start welding new snow to sunny aspects, but will also likely loosen and destabilize deposits of new wind slab, particularly in steep and complex terrain where there will be increased heating near rock and cliff features. Smaller wet loose activity may also contribute by adding weight and triggering sensitive warming wind slab on solar aspects. The mountains may likely be quite alive today with actively shedding snow and the potential for larger avalanches sweeping through gullies and southerly facing couloir terrain. There have been no observations in the upper alpine regions the past few days, so keep the avalanche ears perked up for signs of hazard, such as recent avalanche activity, actively transporting snow, and sensitive surface conditions under foot such as shooting cracks and collapsing of the snowpack.  Be on the lookout for fat looking deposits of new snow especially adjacent to ridgeline and in areas of complex terrain conducive to capturing windblown snow.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Loose wet avalanches will be of most concern on the heating sunny aspects, but there will also be potential on All Aspects particularly in the lower elevation bands for loose wet activity with the increasing temperatures and fresh blanket of relatively light and unconsolidated powder we just received. Pay attention for moist or wet surface conditions, active avalanching, and roller balling or pin-wheeling of the snow. Best to avoid being on or under heating solar aspects today as it will be the first day in a while with plenty of direct solar gain and warming temperatures to de-stablize all the fresh snow that has fallen the past few days under cloudy skies and cold temps. Smaller loose wet slides today may have the potential to trigger warming panels of fresh wind slabs deposited by the northerly winds and produce larger more destructive avalanches. Formulating a good route plan today and what may affect you from above will be key. Avoid being under heating steep southerly-westerly aspects with rock features that have been wind loaded by northerly winds.

Avalanche Discussion

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RECENT OBSERVATIONS:

3/12 – June Lake Area – 2ft storm snow, propagating results

3/12 – Bishop Area –NF Bishop Creek -4-6” new snow

3/12 – Mammoth Area – Sherwins – 25cm settled new snow

3/11 - Mammoth Area – Sherwins –small Loose Dry and reactive Wind Slab

*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

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