Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Recent wind deposits ranging in size and sensitivity will be of greatest concern today. Use caution near terrain features that typically encourage drifting like the leeward side of ridges and gullies. Sheltered terrain and lower elevation slopes will have safer riding. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    In most areas winds have trended down over the last 24 hours. In the Mammoth area, wind slabs were sensitive as recently as yesterday afternoon. It will still be possible to trigger a large avalanche today in steep, leeward terrain. Older slabs may be stubborn to the weight of a person or snow machine. They could still fail, especially from the edges where the slab is thinner. Be suspect of terrain features that typically encourage drifting such as the leeward sides of ridgelines, the sidewalls of gullies, and cross-loaded depressions. That’s where you’re likely to find recently drifted snow that may be dense and crack around you. Seek lower slope angles or sheltered slopes to avoid the problem.

    (1/11/2023)

    Intentionally triggered wind slab avalanche.

Avalanche Discussion

Forecasters intentionally triggered small wind slab avalanches and shooting cracks near treeline in the Mammoth area yesterday afternoon. Elsewhere winds were light and warm temperatures settled the recent storm snow. Field observations suggest that larger wind slabs have become more stubborn in nature.

Persistent weak layers buried deeply at the bottom of the snowpack have been tested by over 70 inches of new snow and almost 10 inches of water equivalent.  Continuous loading has ceased for now and avalanches failing on those lower weak layers is very unlikely. 

A quick break in our unsettled weather over the next few days should give folks time to dig out from our recent storm. Take advantage of the lull, winter weather is expected to return Friday evening and continue through the weekend.

Regions covered