Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Time your day to be away from steep slopes as the surface thaws and becomes wet. Rollerballs and small sluffs coming from rocky areas are signs that wet snow avalanches are becoming a hazard. These will be larger and more likely in chutes and near cliff bands below about 11,000 feet. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    With sunny skies in the forecast, temperatures will recover from a solid overnight freeze. Widespread areas of unstable wet snow will be less likely above about 11,000 feet if it stays below freezing in alpine terrain. Watch for rollerballs and small sluffs on steep slopes as a sign that wet loose avalanches are quickly becoming a hazard. Rocky chutes, vegetated slopes, and areas with shallow snow cover will be the most concerning. Regardless of your aspect and elevation, plan your day to be off of and out from under very steep slopes as the surface thaws causing you to sink into deep wet snow. 

    (4/12/2023)

    Recent wet loose avalanche above Barney Lakes near Duck Pass

  • Cornices

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

    Overhanging cornices had a good test from warming temperatures this week. Some have failed. While cornice fall is most likely along ridgelines near and above treeline, cornices overhang leeward slopes at all elevations. Cornices can fail without warning and they often break much further back from the edge than expected. Give yourself a wide berth if traveling along ridgelines, and be wary of traveling on slopes underneath large cornices.

     

    Recenent witnessed cornice fall above the entrance to "Hole in the wall" in the Mammoth backcountry. 4/10/23

Avalanche Discussion

We have only a few reports of natural avalanches from Wednesday when wind and clouds kept upper elevations from thawing deeply. Recent loose wet activity has been observed on all aspects and at all elevations, though the freshest slides seem to have run from near and below treeline on north and east-facing slopes.

With the passage of a cold front last night, snow surfaces saw a stronger refreeze than in recent days. Below the surface, the snowpack at lower elevations has stayed wet.

There has been very little evidence of wet slab avalanche activity within the forecast area since temperatures began to climb last week.  It is worth bearing in mind that, though unlikely, with continued warming slab avalanches may occur. These are more likely at the lowest elevations where meltwater is pooling and saturating soft layers of snow above buried crusts.

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