Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Small avalanches are not impossible today in steep terrain if the surface warms or turns to mush. Travel early while the snow is cold, and move away from slopes where wet snow becomes unsupportable as temperatures rise. Assess for small and isolated wind drifts if you find yourself in an area with more than an inch or two of fresh snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–1.5

    After another solid re-freeze overnight, skies will clear, and temperatures will rise to near Springtime averages. Strong winds may help limit surface thawing above treeline. An inch or so of new snow, in the places that got any, will be the first thing to get wet. Pay attention to rollerballs coming from rocks and trees. If the strong spring sun overpowers the cooling factors of the wind, deep ski and boot penetration in wet snow will mean that more than just the new snow is warming. Your best bet will be to transition to shadier aspects and lower slope angles by the time that happens.

    (3/28/2025)

    The top 2 inches of snow sliding in a very small wet loose avalanche. East aspect 9500 feet, 12;20 PM. This was the only test slope I could get to move.

    Photo: Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Localized showers in Mammoth and near the Sierra Crest in the northern half of the forecast area have dropped an inch of new snow as of this morning. Winds remain strong from the southwest. Thin, small wind slabs could form on the most favorable features. If you’re riding in an area with more than an inch or two of new snow, look for drifting onto the leeward sides of ridges and into the tops of chutes or the sidewalls of gullies. A small wind slab avalanche could be enough to knock you off your feet in extreme terrain. 

The return to a colder, wetter weather pattern could cause the avalanche danger to rise in the coming days. The focus will likely shift away from wet snow to more wintry slab avalanche problems if new snow accumulates. 

Regions covered