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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Highlights

Wet snow avalanches will be possible by mid-morning today. You may encounter unstable snow on any aspect or elevation as the day goes on. Start and end your tour early to minimize your exposure to avalanche hazards and difficult snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

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

    Record warm temperatures and a poor overnight surface freeze will make wet loose avalanches possible soon after the sun comes up today. You may encounter this problem on any aspect or elevation with snow, depending on the time of day and where you are in the forecast region. You're most likely to trigger wet loose avalanches on steep slopes near rocks and cliffs. Keep in mind that in these terrain features, even a small avalanche of wet heavy snow can have elevated consequences. In isolated places, these slides may be large enough to bury a person.

    Retreating to shady aspects may not be the answer today. The best way to minimize exposure to this hazard will be to both start and end your tour early. Rollerballs and natural wet loose avalanches mean that the problem is already present. Snow surfaces that are unsupportable to skis indicate that the possibility is increasing. Consider your egress, and what low elevation slopes may be like later in the day when you have to get back to the car.

    (3/17/2026)

    Wet loose avalanche observed on 3/17 on Mt Lewis

    Photo: Spencer Rogers

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Exceptionally high tempertures and multiple nights without an adequate freeze mean that meltwater continues to move through the snowpack 24 hours a day. In places where a stratified snowpack still exists, it's possible that this meltwater could instigate a wet slab release. We've identified a layered snowpack on northerly slopes, at middle and upper elevations throughout the forecast region.

    Wet slabs are a difficult problem to predict, and even more difficult to manage. The likelihood of a human-triggered or natural wet slab avalanche is low, but a resulting slab avalanche would be large, and the consequences would be high. Reducing your exposure to steep slopes is a strategy to manage this hazard. Starting and ending early may help increase your safety margins.

    (3/16/2026) Photo: Sean Smollen

Avalanche Discussion

The current mid-winter heat wave is unprecedented in recorded California history. If you were to take one thing away from this forecast, I'd suggest that you consider that extreme and unusual meteorological conditions are reason enough to increase your safety margins by a notch or two. Start and end earlier than normal, and scrutinize your routes more carefully for overhead hazard and potential terrain traps below you. 

The window for supportable snow surfaces is becoming smaller with each warming day, and timing favorable sliding surfaces has become tricky. Additionally, skiing wet and unsupportable snow presents an equally formidable hazard. Melt is occurring around the clock, coverage is dwindling, and streams are rising, particularly in the afternoon. Consider all these factors when making your plan for the day.

Regions covered