Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

A small amount of new snow and gale force winds could create unstable wind drifts at all elevations today. Localized assessment of conditions will be your best option to mitigate hazard. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    With extreme winds at all elevations today, wind slabs will be possible below, near, and above treeline. Look for blowing snow, cornice development, cracking, and wind textured snow to alert you to the problem. Feeling for stiff, hollow snow beneath your feet can clue you in to the problem as well. Be mindful of leeward catchment zones such as slopes below ridgelines, open bowls, depressions, gullies and chutes. Keep in mind that extreme winds can redistrubute snow in surprising ways. Be on the lookout for wind deposits forming at lower elevations and in more protected areas than you might typically expect to see them. While the winds are an ample driving force today, snow available for transport will be a limiting factor to avalanche size, distrubution, and likelihood. Localized assessments of conditions and hazard will be essential to staying safe in the backcountry. 

     

    (12/16/2024) Photo: Brooke Maushund

Avalanche Discussion

Hold on to your hats, everyone. Today will be a blustery day at all elevations. 

Today's wind instabilities may be limited by a lack of snow available for transport in many areas. However, an isolated incident of a larger avalanche would not be impossible. Where snow does not sublimate into thin air, wind slabs will form on top of a variety of snow surfaces. Of note, they may fall on top of loose, unconsolidated snow or old stiff wind slabs from the Christmas Eve Storm, or scoured surfaces like crusts or dry ground. 

We may receive up to .3 SWE today in favored areas of the region (Mammoth and Tioga), in addition to the winds. Freezing level will also rise to 9500' by early afternoon. While not a stability concern, rain at lower elevations could make for unpleasant backcountry travel conditions. 

 

 

 

Regions covered