Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

It remains possible to trigger a very large avalanche on buried layers of weak snow. There may be limited signs of instability as you travel through the mountains. Choosing to travel on lower angle slopes with no overhead hazard can help you mitigate this hazard today. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    You can find buried layers of weak snow at all elevations throughout our forecast zone. The difference in one area to the next may be the specifics of how deep these layers are buried. Despite variability, the general structure is in place to produce large persistent slab avalanches throughout our region. This instability can be difficult to manage. Shooting cracks and collapses are clear warning signs of the problem. However, feedback is often irregular or non-existent. This means that triggering a large avalanche may be the first sign that a slope is unstable. The best way to manage this hazard is to stick to lower angle slopes with no overhead hazard, and give yourself a wide margin for safety. 

    (2/7/2025)

    Large avalanches that stepped down to deeper layers. Liberty Chute area, Mt. Dana observed in the morning.

    Photo: Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday's winds moved around more snow than expected. Lingering wind slabs from yesterday's wind deposits may be reactive to stubborn in leeward terrain above treeline. Isolated pockets of instability may exist near treeline as well. Stiff, wind textured snow and cracking beneath your feet mean you've found the problem. With our current snowpack structure, even a small slide could step down into buried weak layers, producing a much larger avalanche. 

Speaking of, while we haven't seen any new avalanche activity relating to our persistent slab problem in the last few days, field observations continue to report signs of instability. We are continuing to accrue data that suggests the structure is in place to produce avalanches at all elevations. Currently, the reactivity of the various weak layers is limited by a lack of stress (ie a loading event or human trigger). If you find the right spot, you could trigger an avalanche on these layers today while traveling through the mountains that may be large enough to bury you. As we brace for an extreme loading event of snow and wind tonight through Friday evening, we are expecting a natural avalanche cycle to occur on these layers. Expect avalanche hazard to rise quickly as the storm begins overnight.

Regions covered