Eastside Region Avalanche Forecast — Apr 10, 2021

Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Human triggered Loose-Wet sloughs will again become possible today as slopes warm excessively from sunshine and rising temperatures. Avalanche danger will rise to MODERATE progressively from E to S to W facing slopes at all elevations throughout the day, and N aspects at lower elevations. Time your travels wisely!

Thank you to all who were able to join us for our final virtual education event of the 2020/21 season focusing on Springtime travel concerns. This event was recorded and is available to view on our YouTube channel!

Avalanche problems

Loose Wet
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
1–2
Ground-hog day … again. Clear overnight skies and near-freezing temperatures at lower elevations led to another good refreeze of the snow surface last night. Sunny skies and temperatures climbing again into the upper 40s around 10,000’ will melt the surface and produce similar loose-wet avalanche conditions that we have seen in previous days. Pay attention to your aspect and how wet the upper snowpack is becoming. Even a relatively thin layer of wet surface snow on top of a crust can lead to consequential slides on steep slopes, especially if they funnel thru a couloir or gully feature or end in a depression. The attached video that was taken 2 days ago is a good example of this potential. Deeper less supportable wet snow can be even more dangerous, so time your ascents and descents before this happens.

Recent Observations

-4/9 – Rock Creek – East Slopes above Davis Lake: High cloud cover and snow moistening.

-4/8- Virginia Lakes- surface warming on solar aspects, Basal facets on northerly aspects

-4/8- Mammoth Area- surface warming, small loose wet activity on the backside of MMSA

-4/8- McGee Creek- Loose-Wet Avalanche Near miss on Nevahbe ridge

-4/8- Bishop Area- Snow and weather observation.

Avalanche Discussion

Unless you are skiing a westerly or northerly facing upper elevation slope, start your day EARLY! Crampons and ice axes/whippets are often essential for travel before slopes soften. For longer objectives, keep in mind the slopes you’ll have to travel on to exit. Those lower elevation manky wet slopes could present more hazard, both in terms of Loose-Wet slides and challenging knee-tweaking condition, than the steeper line up high that you are excited to ride at the perfect time.

Avalanche danger

Highlights

Avalanche problems

Loose Wet

Avalanche Discussion

Regions covered