Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Dangerous conditions exist. Buried weak layers will need time to adjust to the recent loading, and human-triggered avalanches are likely. Approach recently wind-loaded terrain cautiously, and reduce your exposure to slopes steeper than 30 degrees.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3

    Strong southwest winds have redistributed large amounts of snow, and large slabs exist on the leeward sides of ridgelines. You may encounter smaller wind slabs even at low elevations. Fresh snow yesterday restocked our snow available for transport and may have made it hard to spot previously wind-loaded slopes. A windslab avalanche may step down to buried persistent weak layers in the snowpack, creating an even larger and more destructive slide. Hollow-sounding drifts, shooting cracks through stiff or textured surface snow, and the snowpack collapsing under your weight are indications that you have found unstable wind slabs. Avoid steep, wind-loaded terrain at all elevations.

    (1/2/2026) Photo: Ayelet Bitton

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3.5

    Weak, faceted snow leftover from “Dry January” has been buried by recent storms. A cohesive slab now exists across many slopes. Our buried weak layers will be slow to adjust to the new load, and a human may be all it takes to trigger a very large, unsurvivable avalanche. 

    These avalanches may be triggered remotely from connected terrain. They may propagate long distances and connect multiple start zones. Persistent slabs are known for breaking wider and running farther than you may expect. Signs of instability, like cracking and collapses, have been reported over the last few days, but don't assume a lack of these signs means the problem isn't there. Feedback may be irregular. Make conservative terrain choices and avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees. 

    (2/18/2026) Debris from a very large avalanche in Swall Meadows.

Avalanche Discussion

Beautiful weather will bring a false sense of security today.  Highways are reopening, and people will begin to branch out for the first time since the storm. Big storms following a long-lasting drought make for an unstable snowpack, and dangerous conditions are expected. Avalanche accidents are statistically the most likely on sunny days following a storm, and that is exactly what we have on tap. Today is a great day to ease back into travelling in the mountains by choosing simple terrain. Steep, deep terrain can wait. Enjoy our fresh snow on more gentle slopes, and avoid slopes connected to consequential terrain. 

We have not had a chance to accurately gauge natural activity over the last few days, and uncertainty surrounding our persistent problem remains high. You may be more likely to trigger a very large, consequential, persistent slab avalanche outside the Mammoth-to-June Lake area, where less new snow covers the weak layers.

A major avalanche accident occurred on Tuesday, February 17th, in the Lake Tahoe area. The ESAC team sends our deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragedy.

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