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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Highlights

Wet loose avalanches will be possible today, and will be most likely in the afternoon. Start and end your day early, and monitor warming surfaces throughout. Consider planning your tour to avoid large, overhead hazards, particularly later in the day.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet loose avalanches have been observed nearly every day for more than a week. Yesterday, at least 3 relatively large (D2) avalanches were documented above treeline on north and east aspects. See our avalanche observations page here for all the recent activity. 

    Continued unusual heat and superficial overnight freezing have created a diurnal regime more typical of summertime than early spring. Each day as the sun reheats an already wet snowpack, loose wet avalanches become a possibility. Most of these avalanches have been observed in the afternoon, and have been near and above treeline on aspects that hold enough snow to slide downhill. Many have started in steep, rocky terrain, and several have been initiated directly from rockfall.

    Start early. Ascend when the snow is frozen, and monitor slopes as they come into the sun and warm. Pay particular attention to steep, rocky slopes above you as they warm throughout the day. Try to plan your tours so your overhead exposure is minimal in the afternoon when avalanches are most likely.

    3/26/2026 Large wet loose avalanche on an east aspect on Mt Humphreys

    Photo: Steve Mace

Avalanche Discussion

Wet loose avalanches are likely to continue until our current heatwave breaks. There is some hope for a pattern change next week, but at least throughout the weekend, the avalanche hazard will remain elevated.

Temperatures were a few degrees cooler last night, and it's reasonable to expect a decent surface freeze this morning. Clouds throughout the day may help to slow the warming process, but it's no guarantee,  and your best bet will be to start and end your day on the early side.

Aside from avalanches, consider other spring hazards when planning your day. Rockfall has been common and should be in the front of your mind. Any cornices that are left on ridges should be treated as suspect. Snowbridges are thin, and creeks are running at high flows. Glide cracks have been observed throughout the forecast area. Glide avalanches are notoriously unpredictable, and slopes with cracks should be approached with skepticism.

Access is becoming more difficult by the day. It is still possible to get directly on snow from your car around Mammoth and June. Elsewhere, you can expect to walk on dirt or pavement for some of your approach. 

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