Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

You could trigger an avalanche in unstable wind deposits near and above treeline around the compass rose. You may need to manage wet or dry sluffs on steep slopes. Making localized assessments of terrain and conditions and sticking to sheltered, low-angle slopes are good options to minimize your exposure today. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1

    Skiers/Riders triggered multiple small wind slab avalanches in the June backcountry yesterday. Larger wind slabs that formed over the last 48 hours may still be reactive today in some areas. Winds shifting to the east will allow small unstable drifts to form on south and west-facing slopes. Look for blowing snow and cornice formation to clue you into where wind slabs are forming. Textured, stiff, hollow snow can also alert you to this instability. Make localized assessments of terrain features such as start zones, slopes below ridgelines, bowls, gullies, and convexities. Sticking to sheltered, lower-angle slopes can help you reduce your exposure to this hazard today.

    Recent wind slab activity in the Mammoth Lakes region. OBS 2/22. 

    Photo: Steve Mace

Avalanche Discussion

We witnessed a handful of small human triggered avalanches yesterday in the June BC. A skier was caught and carried outside of the forecast zone.  Localized assessment of terrain and conditions are essential to minimize exposure. IF winds and temperatures outperform the forecast today, you can expect the hazard to rise accordingly, including below treeline. Large roller balls and wet snow can alert you to wet-loose instabilities. You may be able to find dry loose instabilities today as well, on steep, protected northerly slopes holding soft snow. 

We have removed the persistent slab problem from the forecast for the time being. It's been 18 days since we've witnessed any avalanche activity on our weak layers at the base of our snowpack. These layers still exist. However, we have seen limited signs of instability since the last observed avalanche on this layer (02/05). Although dormant for now, it is possible these layers will re-emerge should we see an exceptional loading event, significant warming, etc. In the meantime, while unlikely, an isolated event on these layers is not impossible.

Regarding persistent slab problems, we are currently tracking two distinct layers in the upper/middle section of our snowpack. There are two distinct melt freeze crusts that have facets above and below them that have shown isolated signs of instability and collapsing, notably in the southern-most and northern-most regions of our forecast zone. We have not confirmed avalanche activity on either of these layers at this time, but the structure is notable and we are working to gather as much information as we can to help us understand the distribution and reactivity. 

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