Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

You could trigger small avalanches where northeast winds build slabs on steep leeward slopes. Use caution where you see blowing snow or rippled drifts below alpine ridges, in couloirs, and downwind of trees. Assess for cracking in wind-packed snow before committing to big terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong northeast winds have minimal soft snow available for drifting. Small fresh wind slabs could form over hard crusts or weak faceted snow. Watch for blowing snow and small cornices forming in leeward start zones. Use caution where you find rippled, textured drifts downwind of trees and terrain features that re-direct the wind. Recent and fresh slabs can crack around you below ridgelines, on the sidewalls of couloirs and gullies, and below convexities and cliff bands. Even small wind slab avalanches can have big consequences in steep terrain.

    (3/13/2024)

    Blowing snow on Mammoth Mountain from the N winds around 1 pm. 

    Photo: Samantha Rubin

Avalanche Discussion

Strong to extreme wind events interspersed with light accumulations of snow have been the dominant weather pattern for the last week. Where slopes have not been stripped down to bare ground, various hard crusts and sastrugi are the primary snow surface. There are small amounts of soft snow in protected areas on northerly slopes. A forecaster in the Mammoth Lakes area was able to trigger very small loose dry sluffs yesterday.

Increasing winds, from the north and east, will be concentrated near the Sierra Crest. Gusts over 100 mph are possible. They will likely move what snow is available onto sunny aspects today. Light snowfall tonight and tomorrow could add fuel for the wind slab machine. Cold overnight temperatures have allowed thin layers of near-surface facets to form in the upper snowpack which could add sensitivity to any new wind slabs that form.

Wind chill values will be below zero. Blowing snow could make visibility and communication difficult. Hard crusts mean sharp mountaineering equipment might be necessary depending on where you want to go.

Regions covered