Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

LOW avalanche hazard persists at all elevations.  Strong winds and small amounts of new snow may create fresh wind slabs on leeward terrain features near and above treeline by this evening. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, identify features of concern and be ready for increasing hazard as the day progresses.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Rising Hazzard today will be driven by new snow. If today’s storm is a bust, fresh windslab development will be very unlikely. On the flip side if we see any measurable precipitation today we can expect some fresh slab development near and above treeline on northerly and easterly aspects. It will be crucial to conduct your own localized assessments and monitor snow totals closely.

    Large drifts, recent cornice growth, and uneven snow surfaces are all clues that indicate nearby wind deposits. Do your own localized assessments and be suspect of terrain features that encourage drifting such as the leeward sides of ridgelines, alpine couloirs, gully features, and cross-loaded depressions.

Avalanche Discussion

Shallow coverage and our variable and challenging surfaces remain our greatest concern in the backcountry. However, it will be prudent to monitor for surface moistening and hazardous rockfall on all aspects today. Warm overnight temperatures and partly cloudy skies created a greenhouse effect and led to a weak refreeze last night. At the same time, increasing winds and mostly cloudy skies today will likely keep surface warming from becoming problematic. In general, solar aspects are quite thin, and old snow has largely been cooked down at this point. Northerly and easterly aspects contain a much more transitional snowpack and may become more concerning as warm spring-like temperatures continue.  Keep an eye out for early warning signs such as sticky and moist surface snow, rollerballs & pinwheels, and increasing boot penetration. These are all clues that may foreshadow larger point-release avalanches. Be wary of your exposure to terrain hazards and be prepared to retreat to more shaded aspects if you notice that surface warming is reaching concerning levels.

Join us tomorrow night at Mammoth Brewery for our final Education event of 2022! ESAC forecasters will be discussing typical springtime hazards and the state of the snowpack. We hope to see you there!

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